Around the NFC West: 'Elite' Levi Brown

[THESMEL]

Arians seems to actually understand what Levi was asked to do on an island with a last place run game. unlike some AZ fans. I miss My Beanie - but in Arians I start to trust.
I had Levi graded as the 2nd best Card player, PP may be equal?

Lets see what a lil love does for Levi after being downtrodden for leading us to a SB. We seen 17 sacks in 2 games after he went down.

link
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest

The Arizona Cardinals hoped they were drafting an elite left tackle when they selected Levi Brown with the fifth pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

New coach Bruce Arians thinks that is what the Cardinals got.

Arians recently pointed to Brown's return from triceps surgery as a key to the Cardinals' line for 2013.

"We have an elite player that was out and once we put that elite left tackle in, everything is better [on the line]," Arians said from the NFL owners meetings this week.

Brown has been one of the more scrutinized and criticized players on the Cardinals' roster in recent seasons. He was once an alternate to the Pro Bowl, but I cannot recall anyone before Arians using the word "elite" to describe him as an NFL left tackle. The standard for left tackle play in the NFC West is high; every other starting left tackle in the division has been to the Pro Bowl.

Beyond Brown, Arians sees young tackles Nate Potter and Bobby Massie as having the flexibility to play guard if needed there. And he said the 2013 draft is one of the strongest for offensive linemen that he can recall, putting the Cardinals in good position to enhance their line with college talent.

"The injuries that occurred forced a lot of guys to play and once you get the group back, I think we are maybe one player from [having] one hell of an offensive line with good depth and position flexibility," Arians said.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

I am telling you, he meant to say effete.

 

[THESMEL]

He may have meant defeat but was talking about some of our fans!

 

[Unsterblich856]

The only way he's conceivably elite is MAYBE in run blocking, which is still pushing it by a lot. Bringing Levi back will at least massively bolster that aspect since I think he's a big reason our run game collapsed.

Elite tackle though? Ha.

 

[ARZCardinals]

If he's elite

I'm all world

Mike Adams is the greatest to ever play cb

Bryant Johnson was all pro

And he's smoking something

U can lie to the media all day but don't tell me something I've seen first hand isn't what it appears to be.

 

[NJCardFan]

Levi Brown's picture:

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[TJ]

I love Arians' optimism and praise of his players, but I can't buy this one based on very inconsistent pass protection. Perhaps he sees something we don't i.e. a way in which Grimm underutilized him.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I expect big things from Levi this year since the NFL instituted the new no-touch blocking rule.

 

[Buckybird]

If Levi's elite, BIG was headed to the HOF at LT before the Cards released him. Leonard Davis was a better all around LT than Levi anyday , any week!!!

 

[THESMEL]

maybe

that is a harsh comparison after the SB/ playoff appearance- But Levi accepted less than market value to finish the job here- He bleeds Cardinal red and that alone earns my loyalty and fanhood.

Cardinal up and take that like a fan!

If Levi's elite, BIG was headed to the HOF at LT before the Cards released him. Leonard Davis was a better all around LT than Levi anyday , any week!!!

 

[SECTION 11]

One of the most underrated Cardinals of all time.

 

[Jetstream Green]

One of the most underrated Cardinals of all time.

This

 

[TJ]

One of the most underrated Cardinals of all time.

Please explain...

 

[Buckybird]

One of the most underrated Cardinals of all time.

This

Underrated? Yeah, you guys underrate how bad he sucks & really is
He's an average player...nothing more!!! I bet he's sent to the woodchipper before the start of 2014.

 

[Chopper0080]

One of the most underrated Cardinals of all time.

I agree with this to a point. Levi Brown has held up pretty well for a physical OT who struggles with speed rushers. The Cardinals have not done much to help him out in the area that he is most deficient in.

Sometimes you draft a player thinking he does not have certain flaws, but then, as he adjusts to the NFL, you identify areas where he struggles. Is it better to continue to put him in situations where he will struggle, OR figure out a way to hide his shortcomings and highlight his strengths? I would say the latter, which we haven't done with Levi.

 

[vinnymac]

I can't buy what BA is selling with that "Elite" talk. Brown has been a bust IMO and most other opinions as well. I believe that the Cardinals are in for a long season.

 

[DoTheDew]

I don't think Levi is anywhere near "Elite" personally, but I do believe that he's better than Whiz/Grimm and their stupid system made him appear to be and think he's underrated on this board.

Whiz/Grimm put a heavier burden on his shoulders than most coaches put on their LTs shoulders. Let's not forget, when we had Warner, he didn't give up many sacks and was picked as a pro bowl alternate by the coaches and players (proof that people who's opinion matters regard him highly).

No LT would have looked good with the trashy offense and horrible QBs we've had since then. Had we gone out and drafted or signed another one, I firmly believe we'd be calling bust on them right now too.

I'm giving BA the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. I still think we will have crap QB play next season, but maybe we can scheme better protection at least.

 

[THESMEL]

we passed

We passed 66% of the time- last in rush attempts over his 6 year career- and runs was in streaks many times we just passed, passed, passed, empty backfield 1st and 10- any freaking down for that matter- I know I have repeated this ad nauseum for years- But can't get why other fans can't get why I've explained and Arians just confirmed.

This team has put Levi in a nightmare tackle scenario his whole career. and he came through with like 3500 passes protected - and gave up as little as 26 sacks a year! watch what he does with a real coach! But I think we are going to be bottom half again in rush attempts!

Which will probably be like heaven to ole Smushdown Levi Brown- baddest tackle in any town- meaner than any fool- badder than a redskin Hog! Who is stronger than Levi in the NFL? many have bigger mouths- but he is one of the strongest NFL Players ever- He has performed against the greatest odds of circumstance!

Our starting RB had 143 carries for 2 playoff seasons in a row! Our oline had 26 and 27 sacks them years- get a grip- I'll go to war for Levi.

I agree with this to a point. Levi Brown has held up pretty well for a physical OT who struggles with speed rushers. The Cardinals have not done much to help him out in the area that he is most deficient in.

Sometimes you draft a player thinking he does not have certain flaws, but then, as he adjusts to the NFL, you identify areas where he struggles. Is it better to continue to put him in situations where he will struggle, OR figure out a way to hide his shortcomings and highlight his strengths? I would say the latter, which we haven't done with Levi.

 

[52brandon]

I think most of our line struggles come down to coaching more than talent. We have a MUCH better OL coaching staff now. Levi MAY be serviceable

 

[machgman]

This buildup of Brown can only mean that Arians has found a way to really increase a player's quickness, reaction time, and solve the problem of slow feet as those have always been Brown's weaknesses as a pass blocker. All of those times where Brown false starts or gets beat off of the line are directly related to his slower reaction time, his lack of overall quickness and his slower than normal feet.

If BA can produce this miracle, hey, its time to find more of these guys like Brown, turn them around and then use them as trade bait with other teams to acquire the other pieces the Cards need.

 

[Finito]

I'd like to see brown in this new coaching staff. I don't think Hts every really gotten any coaching while being here. After seeing Alex Smith and Vernon Davis bloom after being considered bust I still hold out hope.