Arizona Cardinals Moving Ahead

[AZHerdattack]

These moves would have been easier to handle if they had not been almost simultaneous with receiving the Season Ticket price increases. Cards want us to pay more now, and they would not buck up to pay some of the top talent we go to see. In the end its about winning and playing for Championships. I am ok paying to do that; but if we get back into budget mode and dont play to win, my STH dollars are out.

 

[joeshmo]

The first one is the 7 round mock at NFLDraftsite...and get this, they have predicted this year's compensatory picks and they have the Cardinals receiving a 5th and a 7th.

Yeah....havin the 2 extra picks would be great.....but not by using this mock......12 picks by the Cards and only 1 defensive player?

Man that mock web site just might be the most horrible one I have seen yet. 2 Centers, 2 QB's, 2 FB's, one D player selected in the whole draft and its in the 7th round?

It is now on my stay clear from this website list.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Used to be his #1 skill. He's slowing down. It's young mans game. His savy might go a long way in the middle.

B-Train was invisable almost towards the latter part of his stay here.

But if you guys think that Porter can walk the walk and not just be a talker at this stage of his career than go for it. I think you'll be dissapointed with him on the edge.

Persnally , I think Campbell would best fit Berry's old role now.

1) He's never played inside, so thinking that he may produce more from the outside, age aside, makes more sense given the record. If he gets 8 to 10 sacks, he'll have more than adequately replaced B-Train. The team won't be signing him to play inside when natural inside LB's like Foote are available.

2) A 6-8 - 290 Lb. OLB, who's strength is pressure up the middle, really doesn't make any sense to me. Given his play, we can hope for close to double-digit sacks from Campbell at DE.

 

[Mitch]

One of you more unemotional, unbiased, and balanced pieces yet.

But I have to disagree with Ayodele. He is not an excellent pass defender even in the slightest. In fact from the Miami media he is actually pretty bad at it. Dude has allowed more then 80% of the passes he was defending to be completed over the last two years.

Funny you cited the Miami media because Harvey Fialkov in his 2009 Dolphins preview said of Ayodele: "Provides steady, not spectacular, run support, but excels in coverage."

He did not have as strong a year this year as he did in 2008 (hence his release)...but he does have 7 career interceptions. He might be a better zone player, though, which may not be ideal.

There are not a lot of options out there, which is why we're all reaching out of desperation and hope.

The guy that intrigues me is Oakland's Thomas Howard. It would cost us the #58 pick (ironic number, huh?). Love this guy's athleticism. Would love to see us get faster all the way around. What do you think of him?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

One of you more unemotional, unbiased, and balanced pieces yet.

But I have to disagree with Ayodele. He is not an excellent pass defender even in the slightest. In fact from the Miami media he is actually pretty bad at it. Dude has allowed more then 80% of the passes he was defending to be completed over the last two years.

.... and if he was any of those things, Dansby wouldn't be in Miami today.

 

[CardinalChris]

Funny you cited the Miami media because Harvey Fialkov in his 2009 Dolphins preview said of Ayodele: "Provides steady, not spectacular, run support, but excels in coverage."

He did not have as strong a year this year as he did in 2008 (hence his release)...but he does have 7 career interceptions. He might be a better zone player, though, which may not be ideal.

There are not a lot of options out there, which is why we're all reaching out of desperation and hope.

The guy that intrigues me is Oakland's Thomas Howard. It would cost us the #58 pick (ironic number, huh?). Love this guy's athleticism. Would love to see us get faster all the way around. What do you think of him?

Thought of Howard when I saw that extra 3rd from Boldin. A chase-pursuit LB, but not the best run defender. Not sure he fits on the inside of the 3-4. Those OG and C getting to him in the second level, as they don against the 3-4 seems to highlight his weakness.

 

[CardinalChris]

I still think we are writing off Rashad Johnson too fast. In no way do I think we should stand pat, but even if we bring a vet in, I could see Johnson making a claim for that spot this year. I don't know what makes me say that, just a hunch.

 

[PJ1]

Great write up Mitch and sums things up very well. Just hope the Cards get aggressive with some of this money. I firmly believe we could have a much better D next year if they do. Your mock is terrific and makes me feel much better about the Q trade.

Glad we have people on this board willing to spend the time and effort to put out these type of posts.

Keeps my lazy ass well informed.

 

[Mitch]

Great write up Mitch and sums things up very well. Just hope the Cards get aggressive with some of this money. I firmly believe we could have a much better D next year if they do. Your mock is terrific and makes me feel much better about the Q trade.

Glad we have people on this board willing to spend the time and effort to put out these type of posts.

Keeps my lazy ass well informed.

Thanks, PJ. We will do our best to keep you informed and entertain you along the way hopefully. Seldom a dull moment around here is there?

When you are ready, I want to see your mock. Looking forward to it. You are pretty insightful at these things.

 

[Cardiac]

#26-Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee/Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise St.
#58-Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri/Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
#88-Akwasi Owusu-Ansuh, CB,/Mike Johnson, G, Alabama
#89-Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas/Erik Decker, WR, Minnesota
#124-J.D. Walton, C, Baylor/Harry Coleman, S, SU
#125-Dennis Pitta, TE, Utah/Micah Johnson, LB Kentucky
#166-Brandon Lang, DE, Troy/Robert Johnson, S, Utah
#198-John Skelton, QB, Fordham/Mike Kafka, QB, Northwestern
#237-Donald Butler, LB, Washington/Mike McLaughlin, LB, Boston College
#250-Trindan Holliday, KR/WR, LSU/Robert Vaughn, S, Connecticut

What's cool is that in both the third (#88,#89) and fourth rounds (#124, #125 app.) the Cardinals have back to back picks. Our minds are going to be racing a mile a minute thinking of the possibilities and combinations along with Mel and Mikey Mayock.

I "bolded" the prospects that I like the best from you list. Just those 5 players would put us back on track and we still would have 5 more picks.
2 of those picks would need to be for Safeties.

 

[WildBB]

1) He's never played inside, so thinking that he may produce more from the outside, age aside, makes more sense given the record. If he gets 8 to 10 sacks, he'll have more than adequately replaced B-Train. The team won't be signing him to play inside when natural inside LB's like Foote are available.

2) A 6-8 - 290 Lb. OLB, who's strength is pressure up the middle, really doesn't make any sense to me. Given his play, we can hope for close to double-digit sacks from Campbell at DE.

That's also a big IF at this stage.

Granted , Campbell was solid last year. I think he could be outragously good coming off the edge in passing downs. Put your three down L-men, Dockett, Watson, Branch(rookie) - then Haggins(or someone else) and him off the edges. He'd take over being the rush DE/OLB JMHO.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

That's also a big IF at this stage.

Granted , Campbell was solid last year. I think he could be outragously good coming off the edge in passing downs. Put your three down L-men, Dockett, Watson, Branch(rookie) - then Haggins(or someone else) and him off the edges. He'd take over being the rush DE/OLB JMHO.

No bigger "IF" than attempting to turn Calais into an OLB... IMHO

 

[JeffGollin]

That's also a big IF at this stage.

Granted , Campbell was solid last year. I think he could be outragously good coming off the edge in passing downs. Put your three down L-men, Dockett, Watson, Branch(rookie) - then Haggins(or someone else) and him off the edges. He'd take over being the rush DE/OLB JMHO.

I think we'd be wiser to view our 3-man O-line as a "6-player creature" with all 6 guys in constant rotation. Campbell is a vital part of the the 6 and best suited to play outside. I'm not at all sold that he's agile enough to play well dropping off in coverage. Why try to make a player who's really good at one thing (playing RDE) into something different (i.e. an OLB).

We'd be better off if our OLB's were true OLB's - including 2 or 3 edge-rushing specialists. Perhaps Cody Brown and Will Davis will be ready to fill that role next season, but until they do, you can pencil in a big "IF" for the WILL position. (If any available FA's are terrific pass rushers, we should make this a top priority; and if we can't acquire one, we may have to hope that one falls to us in the right place in the draft).

But when all is said in done, I like our 3-man front with Campbell playing DE over on the right side. I think he has Pro Bowl potential there.

 

[Dayman]

I still think we are writing off Rashad Johnson too fast. In no way do I think we should stand pat, but even if we bring a vet in, I could see Johnson making a claim for that spot this year. I don't know what makes me say that, just a hunch.

I agree. It isn't exactly abnormal for a player to show substantial improvement in their second year. Plus, Johnson wasn't an immediate starter at Alabama, but he still turned in an impressive collegiate career. As long as he works hard in the offseason, I think Johnson can still be a big contributor to this team.

 

[Buckybird]

But when all is said in done, I like our 3-man front with Campbell playing DE over on the right side. I think he has Pro Bowl potential there.

Imagine how good DD & CC would be with 2 stud 3-4 OLB playing beside them. Oh my...maybe Brown, Davis or Baggs is 1 of those guys but maybe not. You can never have enough very good OLB in the 3-4. We need one, early.

 

[Cardiac]

Imagine how good DD & CC would be with 2 stud 3-4 OLB playing beside them. Oh my...maybe Brown, Davis or Baggs is 1 of those guys but maybe not. You can never have enough very good OLB in the 3-4. We need one, early.

Gives one tons of hope and goose bumps. Add in a NT that can push the pocket and now we are cooking with gas.

 

[joeshmo]

Here is what I think we need to do moving ahead. Forget about all this talk about OLB's who we already have some young guns at, CB's, TE's, or OT's. We need to completely rebuild the middle of our defense - NT, WILB, SILB, and FS.

If all we did is rebuild the belly of the D at those 4 positions I will be very happy.

#26 - WILB - Sean Weatherspoon
#58 - SILB - Brandon Spikes
#88 - NT - Torrell Troup
#89 - FS - Major Wright

 

[Mitch]

Here is what I think we need to do moving ahead. Forget about all this talk about OLB's who we already have some young guns at, CB's, TE's, or OT's. We need to completely rebuild the middle of our defense - NT, WILB, SILB, and FS.

If all we did is rebuild the belly of the D at those 4 positions I will be very happy.

#26 - WILB - Sean Weatherspoon
#58 - SILB - Brandon Spikes
#88 - NT - Torrell Troup
#89 - FS - Major Wright

While I like all of your picks, I disagree about the OLB situation. Right now the 2 DEs in our 4 man rush on passing downs are Clark Haggans and Cody Brown (or Will Davis. Mark Washington, Stevie Baggs). None of these players is a proven pass rusher, and most of them are hybrid types.

 

[Buckybird]

Here is what I think we need to do moving ahead. Forget about all this talk about OLB's who we already have some young guns at, CB's, TE's, or OT's. We need to completely rebuild the middle of our defense - NT, WILB, SILB, and FS.

If all we did is rebuild the belly of the D at those 4 positions I will be very happy.

#26 - WILB - Sean Weatherspoon
#58 - SILB - Brandon Spikes
#88 - NT - Torrell Troup
#89 - FS - Major Wright

cant argue that draft, but the OLB is still questionable Joe

 

[Cardiac]

Here is what I think we need to do moving ahead. Forget about all this talk about OLB's who we already have some young guns at, CB's, TE's, or OT's. We need to completely rebuild the middle of our defense - NT, WILB, SILB, and FS.

If all we did is rebuild the belly of the D at those 4 positions I will be very happy.

#26 - WILB - Sean Weatherspoon
#58 - SILB - Brandon Spikes
#88 - NT - Torrell Troup
#89 - FS - Major Wright

Let's say this is our draft..cool deal. Now we still have 2 more picks in the 4th rd and I want that kid from UIP who is a ST's stand out and can play CB and Safety.
Okay now let's take the TE that slipped through the cracks. There is gonna be a good one.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Here is what I think we need to do moving ahead. Forget about all this talk about OLB's who we already have some young guns at, CB's, TE's, or OT's. We need to completely rebuild the middle of our defense - NT, WILB, SILB, and FS.

If all we did is rebuild the belly of the D at those 4 positions I will be very happy.

#26 - WILB - Sean Weatherspoon
#58 - SILB - Brandon Spikes
#88 - NT - Torrell Troup
#89 - FS - Major Wright

Spikes is all hype. He flopped at the combines. Surprisingly un-athletic. I can do without him...

 

[joeshmo]

While I like all of your picks, I disagree about the OLB situation. Right now the 2 DEs in our 4 man rush on passing downs are Clark Haggans and Cody Brown (or Will Davis. Mark Washington, Stevie Baggs). None of these players is a proven pass rusher, and most of them are hybrid types.

And a rookie would be?

We drafted two OLB's last year. You have to see what they have.

 

[joeshmo]

Spikes is all hype. He flopped at the combines. Surprisingly un-athletic. I can do without him...

I honestly don't care about the combine. Boldin was nonathletic at the combine as well. On film I dont think he has the athletic ability to play WILB but SILB, without a doubt.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

I am all for Spikes; I think he excels in our system...

 

[Mitch]

And a rookie would be?

We drafted two OLB's last year. You have to see what they have.

In an earlier thread this week, I talked about real DE types, and I advocated signing Joey Porter or Aaron Kampman (proven pass rushers) for one and looking in the draft at thicker DE/OLB types like Carlos Dunlap and Brandon Graham.