Boldin, Foster impressing, but Kasper isn't?

[ajcardfan]

From Profootballweekly.com
The Way We Hear It
June 2, 2003




Although head coach Dave McGinnis hates answering questions about which players have looked good so far in offseason camp action, we hear he’s having trouble hiding his enthusiasm over second-round WR Anquan Boldin, who has demonstrated good separation on short, intermediate routes and definitely looks like he could be a key part of the mix at wide receiver.

One player who might not be part of the mix, however, is Kevin Kasper, whose lack of speed could prove to be costly. Kasper had his moments last season after being obtained on waivers, but he appears to be losing ground to Larry Foster in the players’ quest for a roster spot. Foster was coached in Detroit by current Cardinals offensive coordinator Jerry Sullivan.

 

[Ed B]

Kasper didn't show much last year. I know I'm in the minority on that opinion, but consider:

McAddley
Boldin
Johnson
Gilmore
Foster
Poole
Soliday
etc


Where does Kasper fit in?

 

[jf-08]

Originally posted by Ed B
Kasper didn't show much last year. I know I'm in the minority on that opinion, but consider:

McAddley
Boldin
Johnson
Gilmore
Foster
Poole
Soliday
etc


Where does Kasper fit in?

I'm not too familiar with Poole & Soliday.

One of the things that is going for Kasper though is that he may be our #1 or #2 kick returner.

 

[Renz]

Originally posted by Ed B
Kasper didn't show much last year. I know I'm in the minority on that opinion, but consider:

McAddley
Boldin
Johnson
Gilmore
Foster
Poole
Soliday
etc


Where does Kasper fit in?

I think he is definitely above Poole and Soliday. If there are more injuries this year, he could be a contributor.

 

[ajcardfan]

Originally posted by Ed B
Kasper didn't show much last year. I know I'm in the minority on that opinion, but consider:

McAddley
Boldin
Johnson
Gilmore
Foster
Poole
Soliday
etc


Where does Kasper fit in?

I think he's ahead of Poole and Soliday who are worthless for special teams. The top 3 on your list are safe. So that means he has to beat out Gilmore or Foster. Gilmore was supposedly lighting it up at minicamp today. They traded for Foster for a reason. They might keep 6 WRs like last year, in which case Kasper could stay. But, if they sign another WR, he's probably gone barring injuries to other guys. And, if they keep 5, he'll probably be cut.

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

P and S

Poole and Soliday are sllloooooowwww.

 

[pinnacle]

keepers:
mcaddley
boldin
johnson
gilmore

probable keeper:
foster

kasper would be sixth if we do not sign a veteran (still possible) and none of the undrafted rookie guys step up and give us a reason to keep them..

 

[RedStorm]

It's not always just pure speed for WR. You have to catch the ball. Kasper did a good job with Jake tossing those ducks to him. With Blake being more accurate all our WRs will look better. They just may not be that good overall due to experience and talent.

I think Kasper stays. He came up with catches in the clutch. You can't coach that. You can't coach hunger.

 

[Ed B]

Kasper was a bad KR. 20 yards per, long of 40. Any WR or RB on the roster could manage that.

 

[Ed B]

And keep in mind this is one stinkin' day, Kasper may come on like gangbusters later. It's possible.

 

[Goldfield]

I dont think Kasper is that great but I do think he could be a solid #4 somday...

I think it will but between Gilmore and Kasper and Foster for the last spot. But what do I know, I havent seen as much in Gilmore as some of you guys have, and I have not seen Foster, so who knows...

This is a good situation to have on a roster, we may not have a great #1 yet. But we do have alot of young talent from 1-6...

 

[JeffGollin]

McAddley
Boldin
Johnson
Gilmore
Foster
Poole
Soliday
etc
Where does Kasper fit in?
Probably above Poole; maybe above Foster.

Remember that there's a difference between a bunch of guys playing touch football in their underwear during minicamps and going up between 2 defenders to snag a ball at crunch time.

What I think you'll find happen is that (a) Mac and Sully will fill top receiving spots with the guys they really like, and then (b) add #4, #5 and maybe #6 WR's with guys who bring something extra to the table or fill special roles.

And there are the inevitable injuries (Bet on at least one or two hammies before the preseason is over, so the more quality players the merrier).

The beauty is that, with 10 or 11 guys in the mix, the Cards will keep the top 5 or 6 based on merit - who wins the battles and can best help the team. I love Kasper, but if he can't hang onto a roster spot, I won't whine, because I'll be reasonably confident the guy who beat him out can do more to help the team win.

 

[BIGDADDY_REDBIRD]

there's no way Foster does'nt make this team.. Sullivan thought enough of him to trade a pick to get him here. I'm sure he thought we got a steal for a 7th rounder

 

[JeffGollin]

there's no way Foster does'nt make this team.. Sullivan thought enough of him to trade a pick to get him here.
Suggest you modify that to "Foster figures to make the team."

We can't get inside Sully's head and, therefore, can't assume anything.

- One possibility - He may have felt Foster was worth a 7th rounder because he represented "insurance" in case none of the other wideouts proved they could be reliable return men.

- Or he may have wanted a player who knew his system, philosophy and MO and could help teach the rooks.

- Or he may have simply told Foster: "I like you and am giving you a chance to compete, Dude. But you don't have a spot locked up yet. You still have to go out there and prove you're better than 5 or 6 other guys."

- Or maybe he really has guaranteed Foster a spot.

But the one thing 50+ years following the Cards and the NFL has taught me is: "Nothing's ever a given."

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

The Smart Move

"Or he may have simply told Foster: "I like you and am giving you a chance to compete, Dude. But you don't have a spot locked up yet. You still have to go out there and prove you're better than 5 or 6 other guys."

That would be the smart move.

Foster has some advantage because he can return kicks and Sully has seen him on a successful basis.

Kasper may surprise.

If he's cut then that means either the other guys are better or he simply overachieved at the end of the year and will never reach that pinnacle again.

I liked Kasper at the end of the year.....maybe you guys were watching someone else but I saw him make some clutch catches.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
there's no way Foster does'nt make this team.. Sullivan thought enough of him to trade a pick to get him here.
Suggest you modify that to "Foster figures to make the team."

We can't get inside Sully's head and, therefore, can't assume anything.

- One possibility - He may have felt Foster was worth a 7th rounder because he represented "insurance" in case none of the other wideouts proved they could be reliable return men.

- Or he may have wanted a player who knew his system, philosophy and MO and could help teach the rooks.

- Or he may have simply told Foster: "I like you and am giving you a chance to compete, Dude. But you don't have a spot locked up yet. You still have to go out there and prove you're better than 5 or 6 other guys."

- Or maybe he really has guaranteed Foster a spot.

But the one thing 50+ years following the Cards and the NFL has taught me is: "Nothing's ever a given."

or maybe sullivan and foster are lovers!

 

[Sandan]

I've met JS twice now and have been very impressed with him.

However I think he might be an "anti" Mac. I think he is a tough disaplinarian. From the little I have seen I cannot conceive of him not going with the best set of WR he has, regardless of how they got there.

Obviously the definirion of "best" will probably include the probability of having a good set next year as well. ie, The set will obviously include the top to WR draft picks, other than that folks will need to work their butts off, listen and improve to make the team.

He does not appear to be a "warm and fuzzy" coach and that is a good thing

 

[Harpo]

For those who say anyone can do what Kasper did at kickoff returner I beg to differ. Kasper finisher 4th in the entire NFL in kickoff return yards with 1300. I'd be willing to bet he was the only Cardinal to finish in the top 5 at his position in any category. He has a 24.3 yd avg for his carreer which is pretty respectable. Those who say he doesn't have speed are plain wrong. He holds 3 alltime speed records at the NFL combine, and was known for his speed in Denver. On top of all that he was about the only bright spot on the Cards at the end of the year, with on OT game winner, and somehow managed to finish 2nd on the entire team in TD's after only playing in 4 games.

I don't know if he'll make the team or not, but the kid can definitely play, has great hands, and is anything but slow.(although he is white;-)

 

[DRVNFAST]

Harpo, I am now 100% convinced you are somehow related to K.K. You think you can tell him that if he keeps dying his hair it WILL eventually fall out.

Anyways, I think he'll make the team.

 

[Harpo]

Nope, not related. Just a huge fan of his from his days at Iowa. I follow Kasper, Dwight, and the rest of the NFL Hawkeyes pretty closely.

 

[Metal Militia]

Originally posted by Harpo
Kasper finished 4th in the entire NFL in kickoff return yards with 1300.

I think that has to do with the other team kicking off so much. Leading in this category is a dubious "honor."

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by PHXSPORTS4LIFE
or maybe sullivan and foster are lovers!

sometimes I really have to think about the fact that you are my OLDER brother.

 

[JeffGollin]

DrivnFast - That is undoubtedly the coolest avatar (or whatever it's called) I've ever seen.

It's even cooler than Howdy Doody.