BA-----dumb like a fox???

[Catfish]

You might be asking yourself, "why dump Levi, and install Bradley Sowell into the LT spot on the Card's line now". The obvious is, everyone on the new staff has figured out that Levi is NOT the LT of the Cards future, and it's better to cut and move on sooner, rather than later. There might just be a very sneaky aside for making this move now against the Panthers however.

Bradley Sowell, who played for Arians last year with the colts, also played his college ball at LT on the same line as Cardinals backup RT, Bobby Massie, AND (across the line from his Sunday opponent Greg Hardy), who was also a team mate of Massie and Sowell.

In this day and age, when the coaches look for even the tiniest of edges, this might just be the perfect one for a youngster getting his first start in professional football. Who better to go against than the guy you spent three years in college practicing against daily? If nothing else, this should be a huge aid to the comfort zone of Sowell, in that he knows Hardy's moves better than anyone else in professional football. While Hardy leads the Panthers in sacks, (3), in three games this year, there will be a good deal of familiarity with the two.

While Sowell is not a 'power' guy, he is very athletic, (something Levi Brown was not). This might be to his advantage when attempting to keep Hardy away from Carson Palmer on Sunday. It also might just be the best possible game this year, in which to inject Sowell into the LT job vacated by the trading of Levi Brown. What is suddenly new, might just be a trip down memory lane, thus easing Sowell into the lineup in the very best way possible.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Good points Catfish. I do wonder how much better Hardy might be now than he was in college, but on that same note according to Arians Sowell has gotten bigger and stronger both during last season and has still gotten bigger and stronger with the Cards. On the other side you could argue that Hardy might have a good day simply because of how well he knows Sowell. Either way this only makes me more intrigued to watch this match-up.

 

[Mulli]

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Good points, but I think it's clearly just a case of, "Why pay big money for bad, when you can have bad at a fraction of the cost."

 

[slanidrac16]

Hmmm. but doesn't that mean....Hardy knows Sowell, too? That would make it a wash.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

“I’ve been trying to text him,” Sowell said. “I told him, ‘(Help me) keep my job for at least one week.’ “

http://blog.azcardinals.com/2013/10/03/about-your-new-left-tackle/

 

[Buckybird]

Sowell may know Hardy & his strengths but Hardy also knows Sowells weaknesses...works both ways.

Good thoughts though Fish, I wouldn't have ever thought about that matchup.

 

[football karma]

I dunno

the Levi move feels like a combination of:

exasperation with his play
some minimal degree of confidence in Sowell
ANY offer from another team for him
and a dash of "lets send a message"

there was lots of expectation setting in the BASK news conference -- Sowell will make mistakes, but he will grow.... etc, etc, etc.

i think they are banking on him just being no worse

 

[Skumbag]

Very clever Mr. Arians... tell the world that Levi Brown is an elite LT and someone will listen and want him.

There's an ass for every seat

 

[Catfish]

Hmmm. but doesn't that mean....Hardy knows Sowell, too? That would make it a wash.

The fact is that they both know each other. This works to Sowell's advantage, however, because it makes him more comfortable playing in his first ever game as a starter. Anything that gives him comfort and confidence helps enormously at this juncture. The fact the both should be comfortable playing against each other should be a huge boost to Sowell's confidence as opposed to playing against a complete unknown to him in his first start. As you know at this level, confidence in ones ability to do the job is key to success in the NFL.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I just can't believe that one season after starting an UDFA at LT and seeing how atrocious the results could be, that this team put itself to be in that position again with Sowell.

It really bothers me that Keim has been here for upteen years, has SEEN first hand what Levi Brown couldn't do for seven years and didn't make this move MUCH earlier when he still could have actually done something to actually upgrade one of the most important positions on the team via either FA or Trade, where there have been 3 significant upgrades available throughout the year, right up until two days ago with Monroe.

I fear this whole situation with Levi is going to be the very essence of a day late and dollar short as our O-line could go from bad, to horrific now. Hopefully Sowell will be some kind of upgrade, but there's a reason he wasn't drafted and there's a reason this is the third team he's been on in 2 years.

 

[Cardiac]

I just can't believe that one season after starting an UDFA at LT and seeing how atrocious the results could be, that this team put itself to be in that position again with Sowell.

It really bothers me that Keim has been here for upteen years, has SEEN first hand what Levi Brown couldn't do for seven years and didn't make this move MUCH earlier when he still could have actually done something to actually upgrade one of the most important positions on the team via either FA or Trade, where there have been 3 significant upgrades available throughout the year, right up until two days ago with Monroe.

I fear this whole situation with Levi is going to be the very essence of a day late and dollar short as our O-line could go from bad, to horrific now. Hopefully Sowell will be some kind of upgrade, but there's a reason he wasn't drafted and there's a reason this is the third team he's been on in 2 years.

BA & SK have their initial meeting about the current players and the discussion comes around to Levi. SK says the dude sucks out loud and the only time he played decently was his contract year and even then it was the 2nd half of the season.

BA well Whiz and Grimm saw something in the guy, let me review some film on him.

SK, watch whatever you want but I don't want this slug on the team.

BA watches a game against the Saints and Levi must have had a good game so BA tells SK he wants Levi on the team.

SK says did you see his pitiful technique?

BA replies that it was all coachable.

SK well then you need to make a public announcement that you think Levi is elite, you need skin in the game.

BA sure thing and don't worry about drafting or picking up another LT because Levi is elite and Potter is pretty darn good as well.

SK okay, I do have plenty of other holes to fill and only so many draft picks and CAP room.



Okay, silly stuff aside, You are absolutely correct Cheese. Zero reason why something more wasn't done about the LT position.

 

[ajcardfan]

Okay, silly stuff aside, You are absolutely correct Cheese. Zero reason why something more wasn't done about the LT position.

I 100% agree with this, and it might even be something we look back on at the end of the year as being the difference between a playoff team, or not, if we manage to finish one game out.

But, at least they have done SOMETHING about the atrocity of Levi FINALLY.

Even if Sowell gives up eight sacks, and Palmer is decapitated on one of them, it was a good move to dump Levi at any point. Even if it was too late and should've been done years ago.

Now, as to whether it's a good move to start Sowell? I doubt it. Seriously. But the proof will be in the pudding.

 

[Cheesebeef]

BA & SK have their initial meeting about the current players and the discussion comes around to Levi. SK says the dude sucks out loud and the only time he played decently was his contract year and even then it was the 2nd half of the season.

BA well Whiz and Grimm saw something in the guy, let me review some film on him.

SK, watch whatever you want but I don't want this slug on the team.

BA watches a game against the Saints and Levi must have had a good game so BA tells SK he wants Levi on the team.

SK says did you see his pitiful technique?

BA replies that it was all coachable.

SK well then you need to make a public announcement that you think Levi is elite, you need skin in the game.

BA sure thing and don't worry about drafting or picking up another LT because Levi is elite and Potter is pretty darn good as well.

SK okay, I do have plenty of other holes to fill and only so many draft picks and CAP room.



Okay, silly stuff aside, You are absolutely correct Cheese. Zero reason why something more wasn't done about the LT position.

haha...this is pretty funny.

 

[Catfish]

All I am saying is that IF you are going to start him-----this is the game to do it.

 

[MrYeahBut]

All I am saying is that IF you are going to start him-----this is the game to do it.

Valid observation, imo. I can't give a reasoned argument why I think this will work in Sowell's favor, I just have a feeling it will. Well, I darn sure hope it will.


.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

When BA's ringing endorsement about the Sowell is, "it can't get any worse", it leaves alot to be desired on what kind of LT play we'll see the rest of the year.

 

[Catfish]

When BA's ringing endorsement about the Sowell is, "it can't get any worse", it leaves alot to be desired on what kind of LT play we'll see the rest of the year.

If it can't get any worse-----then that only leaves (stay the same), or (get better). I would take either of those at this juncture.

 

[cardpa]

My take on it is BA and staff felt they could improve Levi based on what they saw on film. Problem was Levi didn't take to the coaching and never improved. Can't fault BA and staff for that since you have to have confidence in your ability to coach. The good thing is once they came to the conclusion that Levi isn't coach-able they ejected him. Since they have experience with Sowell from Indy I feel fairly comfortable that they believe he will work out at the very least marginally better than Levi at LT.

 

[THESMEL]

Thanks for the info- I hope Sewell does well- but you ain't leaving him without help like levi