Bob Kemp on Defensive Roster

[kerouac9]

This afternoon Bob Kemp, whose watched every single practice in detail, listed whom he thought was on the defensive roster, and whom he thought was in a battle, and whom he thought was on the outside looking in. Here are his thoughts:

NT: Bryan Robinson, Dan Williams. Kemp feels that Gabe Watson--who he thinks has performed the best of the three--is not likely to make team unless we decide to go with 3 NTs.

DE: Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell, Alan Branch, Kenny Iwebema. He said that he expects Dockett and Campbell to combine for 20 sacks this year. Mentioned that Iwebema is an excellent special teams player.

OLB: Clark Haggans, Joey Porter, Cody Brown, Will Davis. Felt that Baggs is on the outside looking in right now. Also mentioned that Joey Porter hasn't been doing anything in camp, and he suggested that Porter hopefully is just saving himself for the regular season--but all the teammates talk about how much they like and respect Porter.

ILB: Gerald Hayes (PUP), Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington are all in. Pago Togafau may have the inside track for the fourth spot. Lenon has been really impressive in practices, with the coaches complimenting him.

CB: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Greg Toler are in. Marshay Green has been very good in practices. Trumaine McBride gets burned deep every single day and is a huge question mark. There are two roster spots open between Adams, Green, and the rest. Jorrick Calvin may be the second fastest player on the team but has no idea how to play cornerback.

S: Expects Adrian Wilson, Rhodes, and Matt Ware to be the best safety trio in the NFL should everyone stay healthy. There's a real battle between Hamza Abdullah and Rashad Johnson, and no one should be surprised if Johnson is the odd man out because Abdullah is a superior special teams player.

Other thing that Kemp mentioned was that the Cards haven't showed it in the preseason, but they've been working in a lot of 4-1-6 formations in camp. Basically the front four are pass rushers, with Paris Lenon at MLB, and Adrian Wilson plays essentially linebacker with Rhodes and Ware behind him and whoever is the nickel cornerback.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Good stuff, thanks for posting. I thought the same in my limited experience of Calvin...he looked awful.

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

I respect Kemp's opinion and have listened to him since he had a national show in the 90s. It was tough to listen to his strong criticism of the cards in the early 2000s up until recent years, but he was usually right.

He is also positive on Leinart, which adds to my own hopes for #7

 

[bg7brd]

CB: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Greg Toler are in. Marshay Green has been very good in practices. Trumaine McBride gets burned deep every single day and is a huge question mark. There are two roster spots open between Adams, Green, and the rest. Jorrick Calvin may be the second fastest player on the team but has no idea how to play cornerback.

I fully expect us to be scanning the wires on final cut down day for a veteran CB with some gas still in the tank. I'm thinking DRC, Toler, Green and maybe Adams, plus the new guy. Jefferson and Calvin to the PS.

 

[Duckjake]

I'd be interested to know why Kemp thinks Watson will be out when he believes Gabe has performed better than the other two NTs.

 

[Carddan]

Kemp has always annoyed the crap outta me but I find myself listening and enjoying his show more and more. That's a compliment in a Carddan sorta way.

 

[bg7brd]

I'd be interested to know why Kemp thinks Watson will be out when he believes Gabe has performed better than the other two NTs.

I was thinking the same thing. That would go against everything coach Whiz is trying to build here. It would look bad for a guy to bust his hump all off season, come to camp in the best shape he's ever been in, and have an excellent camp only to get cut. Maybe traded but I don't see that happening either.

 

[Buckybird]

No way in Hell Watson doesn't make the roster & would be willing to bet the chump.

 

[Garthshort]

I'm expecting 24 defensive players to make the team, and to me that means either three NT's or five OLB's. JMO.

 

[kerouac9]

I'd be interested to know why Kemp thinks Watson will be out when he believes Gabe has performed better than the other two NTs.

I think it's a question of whether the team is going to carry 3 NTs when NTs don't play special teams. The Cards apparently love Bryan Robinson as a mentor, and Dan Williams is a first-round pick. So Watson is the odd man out in that group.

 

[JeffGollin]

No way in Hell Watson doesn't make the roster & would be willing to bet the chump.

I tend to agree.

Which begs a question (plus a follow-up): Assuming Branch made the final cut, wouldn't this mean that Bryan Robinson was "successful" (& that Dan Williams took Robinson's job)? And, if so, would there possibly be room for Robinson as an assistant DL coach for the Cards? (& how woul that work with regard to League policy, team staff budget etc.)?

 

[Duckjake]

I think it's a question of whether the team is going to carry 3 NTs when NTs don't play special teams. The Cards apparently love Bryan Robinson as a mentor, and Dan Williams is a first-round pick. So Watson is the odd man out in that group.

I like Bryan Robinson brings to the team too but he's 36 years old and you and I both know Robinson wasn't very effective at NT last season. I liked what Berry brought to the team but it was really time for him to retire. So I hope the Cards don't go that way.

So keep Watson and hire Robinson as Assistant, Assistant Nose Tackle Coach.

 

[Duckjake]

CB: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Greg Toler are in. Marshay Green has been very good in practices. Trumaine McBride gets burned deep every single day and is a huge question mark. There are two roster spots open between Adams, Green, and the rest. Jorrick Calvin may be the second fastest player on the team but has no idea how to play cornerback.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/car...9arizona-cardinals-marshay-green-strides.html

I picked up on this guy right away. And I haven't been to a single practice, or talked to a single coach or player, and my office is 1000 miles from the Cards Training facility.

 

[Gee!]

Bob Kemp annoys me.. He doesnt have one shred of personality.. He comes off as a holier than thou type of guy..

 

[spanky1]

I'm with those who can't imagine Robinson staying and Watsion getting cut. Doesn't make sense at all. Watson and Williams are the present and future of our NT position. Robinson, while a "coaches" favorite, has served his purpose.

We could cut him and still get him later on if we get one of either Watson/Williams hurt. Noone is going to pick him up if we don't keep him.

 

[Mitch]

I'm with those who can't imagine Robinson staying and Watsion getting cut. Doesn't make sense at all. Watson and Williams are the present and future of our NT position. Robinson, while a "coaches" favorite, has served his purpose.

We could cut him and still get him later on if we get one of either Watson/Williams hurt. Noone is going to pick him up if we don't keep him.

I agree, Spanky. Although it may work in reverse, that the Cardinals will keep B-Rob for the first few games until they think Watson and Williams are ready to shoulder all the load themselves.

Here's what seems about right to me at this point:

NT (3): Robinson, Watson, Williams

DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Iwebema, Branch

ILB (4): Lenon, Washington, Walker, Togafau (Hayes-PUP-1st 6 games)

OLB (4): Haggans, Porter, Davis, Brown (Schofield-PUP-1st 6 games)

CB (6): Rodgers-Cromartie, Toler, Green, Adams, McBride, Miller-KO Returner with LSH

S (4): Wilson, Rhodes, Ware, Johnson

That's 25...I think will try to waive Baggs and sign him to the PS and promote him if and when needed.

 

[Duckjake]

I like that lineup Mitch. Also still leaves plenty of room for a solid offense and has some good ST players on it.

Any thoughts on who would be on our kickoff coverage unit?

 

[kerouac9]

I tend to agree.

Which begs a question (plus a follow-up): Assuming Branch made the final cut, wouldn't this mean that Bryan Robinson was "successful" (& that Dan Williams took Robinson's job)? And, if so, would there possibly be room for Robinson as an assistant DL coach for the Cards? (& how woul that work with regard to League policy, team staff budget etc.)?

It's possible that the Cards could keep Robinson on as some kind of coaching intern, but if there's some possibility that Robinson would get on a roster somewhere else (the Bills just transitioned to a 3-4 and don't have much of an option at NT, and the Dolphins lost their projected starting NT to retirement just before camp), why would he do that?

I like Bryan Robinson brings to the team too but he's 36 years old and you and I both know Robinson wasn't very effective at NT last season. I liked what Berry brought to the team but it was really time for him to retire. So I hope the Cards don't go that way.

So keep Watson and hire Robinson as Assistant, Assistant Nose Tackle Coach.

Don't blame the messenger here. Joe reported also that the team loves B-Rob.

I'm not sure that Hayes sticks on the PUP list to begin the season. Togafau hasn't shown much ability, and there's nothing behind him and Lenon on the depth chart. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hayes come off PUP at the end of the preseason and maybe be inactive the first two or three games before the season starts. I'm not sure if you can practice for the first six weeks of the season when you're on PUP.

Watson may have just waited too long to figure out what it takes to be a professional at this level.

EDIT: And Kemp's word isn't gospel or anything; Urban says that Green is on the outside looking in at a roster spot and could end up on the practice squad.

 

[Mitch]

I like that lineup Mitch. Also still leaves plenty of room for a solid offense and has some good ST players on it.

Any thoughts on who would be on our kickoff coverage unit?

Duck-

Imagine:

Gunners: Adams and Green

Inside Finishers: LSH and Washington

Put this unit on SPEED DIAL!

 

[bg7brd]

I think at this stage Watson is at least on par with Robinson. Robinson is 36 and this is most likely his last season. If we get rid of Watson we will have zero depth at the position next year. Yes, there's a chance Watson leaves via free agency but at least we have the opportunity to re-sign him before then. I just don't see the benefit of keeping Robinson over Watson.

 

[Duckjake]

EDIT: And Kemp's word isn't gospel or anything; Urban says that Green is on the outside looking in at a roster spot and could end up on the practice squad.

Outside looking in with competition from Calvin, Ford, McBride, Adams, Miller and Jefferson? Interesting that Urban would say that.

I'd be surprised if Green ended up on the practice squad behind 3 of that 5. I haven't been impressed with any of them and we've already seen what a liability Adams is.

Of course there is a possibility that the Cards go with an extra safety and keep one less CB since they seem to like that 3 safety nickel package.

Or they could simply want to go with bigger players since having small guys Brown and Adams didn't work too well.

We'll know a lot more after the Bears game.

 

[football karma]

I agree, Spanky. Although it may work in reverse, that the Cardinals will keep B-Rob for the first few games until they think Watson and Williams are ready to shoulder all the load themselves.

if you keep Bryan Robinson on the opening roster, you pay him for the entire year.

I doubt the Cards (or any team) wants to do that

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I'd be interested to know why Kemp thinks Watson will be out when he believes Gabe has performed better than the other two NTs.

Additionally, and correct me if wrong - Gabe signed a tender and his salary is guaranteed. Seems that Robinson is more likely on the bubble if they go with two NT's.

 

[Longcolts]

Bob Kemp annoys me.. He doesnt have one shred of personality.. He comes off as a holier than thou type of guy..

I agree. I've met Bob Kemp and he's a pompous ass!

 

[kerouac9]

Additionally, and correct me if wrong - Gabe signed a tender and his salary is guaranteed. Seems that Robinson is more likely on the bubble if they go with two NT's.

I thought this was the case, as well, but apparently it's not:

http://www.askthecommish.com/freeagency/

I guess that Franchise tenders are guaranteed, but RFA tenders are not. Lutui, Watson, etc. can all be cut without the Cards having any financial repercussions.

I think that the idea of cutting Robinson and bringing him back after Week 1, when contracts for vested veterans are no longer guaranteed, is an interesting idea. I don't know if the Cards will want to play Dan Williams for 35% of the defensive snaps or more if that were the case, though.