Cardinals' 2009 Draft Impressions

[joeshmo]

I am still lamenting the team not selecting Sidbury...

I got to say, I really like your dedication to your opinions.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, thanks as always. I'm not nitpicking but want to remind you, and I'm sure it was a brain cramp on your part, but Kris Jenkins is with the Jets and no longer with Carolina. And the so called experts say that next year's draft will be much stronger than this year's, so for Carolina to give up a number one (2010) for Everette Brown is a questionable one. Your analysis, IMO, is right on, and I'll be curious to say who our backup for Gerald Hayes will be.

 

[JeffGollin]

Watch the highlight reel on Brown (available at the official Cardinal website).

Either they speeded up the tape or Cody looks quicker to the QB than higher picked guys like English or Orapko looked.

Also - Our morphed-into 3-4 scheme seems to have a welcome place for pure rush LB's like LaBoy. If nothing else at first, Brown will be expected to provide pass rushing depth until he learns the other nuances of the new position.

With possibly the exception of Wells, the Cards have the luxury of not having to start any of their draft picks right away.

Most intriguing - How Russ Grimm plans to use H Johnson and Canfield. (i.e. will they both remain guards? Or will Johnson be given a shot at RT and Canfield taught how to play center?) My guess is that we'll teach them multiple roles to make our O-line deeper and more versatile.

My secret wish is that the two draftees give us a physically intimidating run blocking presence right away; though if one or both wound up starting, it would probably mean the switching of positions by L Brown, Lutui and/or Wells (with Gandy possibly winding up the odd tackle out).

 

[MrYeahBut]

Mitch, I appreciate the time and effort you put in to your posts. Don't always agree, but I respect your dedication.

 

[bg7brd]

Watch the highlight reel on Brown (available at the official Cardinal website).

Either they speeded up the tape or Cody looks quicker to the QB than higher picked guys like English or Orapko looked.

Also - Our morphed-into 3-4 scheme seems to have a welcome place for pure rush LB's like LaBoy. If nothing else at first, Brown will be expected to provide pass rushing depth until he learns the other nuances of the new position.

With possibly the exception of Wells, the Cards have the luxury of not having to start any of their draft picks right away.

Most intriguing - How Russ Grimm plans to use H Johnson and Canfield. (i.e. will they both remain guards? Or will Johnson be given a shot at RT and Canfield taught how to play center?) My guess is that we'll teach them multiple roles to make our O-line deeper and more versatile.

My secret wish is that the two draftees give us a physically intimidating run blocking presence right away; though if one or both wound up starting, it would probably mean the switching of positions by L Brown, Lutui and/or Wells (with Gandy possibly winding up the odd tackle out).

Grimm said they would look at "Big Baby" as either a guard or tackle. They will make the decision and let him concentrate on that. He figured he would play at around 240lbs.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Grimm said they would look at "Big Baby" as either a guard or tackle. They will make the decision and let him concentrate on that. He figured he would play at around 240lbs.

Now that's quite a heavy typo...

What Grimm actually said was that Herman would always be a 340+ player.

He did not specify a playing weight for him, and deferred to Coach Lott.

 

[bg7brd]

Now that's quite a heavy typo...

What Grimm actually said was that Herman would always be a 340+ player.

He did not specify a playing weight for him, and deferred to Coach Lott.

oops!

 

[CardsFan88]

Loved this draft. We picked lower than any other time, and looks to have added as much talent or more talent than ever in a draft.

Potential stud rb
Potential 3-4 olb starter
Potential stud fs
Potential lockdown corner
Potential road-grading guard
Potential good backup/starter de/olb
Potential kr/change of pace back
Potential rotation ol

If everything goes to what it appears, it would be a darn good draft.

(also I don't know if it's me, but this website is being really screwy, taking 1/2 hour to load a page. all draft weekend lol. I think I've narrowed it to the amazon ads server. Finally got the site to load after bypassing the ad server using the hosts file. May want to contact amazon, as if I couldn't get in, I wouldn't be surprised if hundreds more weren't. It seems the asfn contributors wouldn't have noticed an issue (my guess) since no ads = no amazon ads, thus no problem with it.

Might want to have that checked out, as there might be alot of people not able to log on.

I actually had to read from azcardinals messageboard for the first time in like 3 years, and I haven't been missing anything.

 

[Mulli]

Loved this draft. We picked lower than any other time, and looks to have added as much talent or more talent than ever in a draft.

Potential stud rb
Potential 3-4 olb starter
Potential stud fs
Potential lockdown corner
Potential road-grading guard
Potential good backup/starter de/olb
Potential kr/change of pace back
Potential rotation ol

If everything goes to what it appears, it would be a darn good draft.

(also I don't know if it's me, but this website is being really screwy, taking 1/2 hour to load a page. all draft weekend lol. I think I've narrowed it to the amazon ads server. Finally got the site to load after bypassing the ad server using the hosts file. May want to contact amazon, as if I couldn't get in, I wouldn't be surprised if hundreds more weren't. It seems the asfn contributors wouldn't have noticed an issue (my guess) since no ads = no amazon ads, thus no problem with it.

Might want to have that checked out, as there might be alot of people not able to log on.

I actually had to read from azcardinals messageboard for the first time in like 3 years, and I haven't been missing anything.

I had big delays loading the site (am a "contributor"). Thought it was just my iphone.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I had big delays loading the site (am a "contributor"). Thought it was just my iphone.

Saturday was impossible with about 180 visitors to site. I just gave up. Sunday with about 100 was much better, no problem at all.

 

[Skkorpion]

Mitch, you are a tired old dog who speaks my language. Anybody who still uses references from 60ties fad authors like Hermann Hesse and his novel "Sidhartha" (he wrote that mumbo jumbo in the 1920ties in German) is stuck in a time warp.

Most of these young pups didn't do those hallucinogenics with us, sitting around 'liberated" makeshift tables of empty AT&T electric wire bales. Earnestly debating the world's biggest problems by candlelight. Carlos Castaneda was a must-read then.

We were so earnest then. Dumb too. Now we are older and smart. Football matters most. The world can fix itself. Sometimes though, your football flights of fancy have me concerned you may have consumed more chemicals than Bill Walton or Ozzie Osborn.

 

[Duckjake]

(also I don't know if it's me, but this website is being really screwy, taking 1/2 hour to load a page. all draft weekend lol. I think I've narrowed it to the amazon ads server. Finally got the site to load after bypassing the ad server using the hosts file. May want to contact amazon, as if I couldn't get in, I wouldn't be surprised if hundreds more weren't. It seems the asfn contributors wouldn't have noticed an issue (my guess) since no ads = no amazon ads, thus no problem with it.

This website now seems to have problems anytime the Cards do something important. I gave up and like you went to the AZCardinals board.

Finally got the site to load after bypassing the ad server using the hosts file.

Very tech savvy to do that. I wish I could bypass the ads on every site. The sites that allow them need to realize how much traffic it deters.

"Think I'll logon to buyit.com and order a printer" After waiting forever for the junk from doubleclik.com et al to load hit the cancel button and drive over to office depot.

 

[uofi1998]

No injuries. Illinois top two DT's were out due to injury so he had to play DT and play 100% of the snaps. He played out of position and was overused.



Somers wrote in his draft chat that according to his sources the coaches love Keith and he is the one being groomed to be the LT of the future because of his great feet. It is Keith being projected as the future LT not Vallejo and that's straight from the insiders mouth. So take it for what its worth.



Think you forgot to mention Highsmith. Bill Davis also mentioned Giving Haggans some snaps on the inside.

As for the rest of the analysis I am in complete agreement for the most part.

Will Davis also played the whole season on an injured ankle. The other part is absolutely correct - while Josh Brent was out, Sirod Williams missed the year with a torn ACL, and the staff didn't want to overinundate true-FR Corey Liuget too early, Will Davis sacked up and took one for the team by playing DT.

It didn't work out all that well.

One only needs to go back to his '07 film to see his pass rushing ability. He threw around the speedy Kellen Lewis like a rag doll that season.

 

[football karma]

Here is what I found interesting about a few guys from the Cards day 2 draft:

common theme of "wanting it badly"/ love of the game/ high intangibles:

Rashad Johson -- walked on at Alabama. First two time captain at Bama since the 1940s ( think about that for a moment). Saban calls him one of the smartest players he has been around.

Greg Tolar-- failed highschool (basically), but decided that at some point make a change. Ended up at St Pauls -- where not only did he excel athletically -- but will earn his degree. That tells me something about the guy's makeup.

Larod Stephens-Howling -- you can tell he has a chip on his shoulder and loves the game. I dont know if he will make it in the NFL, but you can bet he is laying it all out there.

 

[joeshmo]

Here is what I found interesting about a few guys from the Cards day 2 draft:

common theme of "wanting it badly"/ love of the game/ high intangibles:

Rashad Johson -- walked on at Alabama. First two time captain at Bama since the 1940s ( think about that for a moment). Saban calls him one of the smartest players he has been around.

Greg Tolar-- failed highschool (basically), but decided that at some point make a change. Ended up at St Pauls -- where not only did he excel athletically -- but will earn his degree. That tells me something about the guy's makeup.

Larod Stephens-Howling -- you can tell he has a chip on his shoulder and loves the game. I dont know if he will make it in the NFL, but you can bet he is laying it all out there.

Even if they dont make it in the NFL, that sort of attitude is contagious, which is good anyway you slice it. Combine that with players with talent and you got a good football team. Back in the day all we had was the contagious attitude with no talent.

 

[Duckjake]

Even if they dont make it in the NFL, that sort of attitude is contagious, which is good anyway you slice it. Combine that with players with talent and you got a good football team. Back in the day all we had was the contagious attitude with no talent.

And unfortunately the talent we did have had a terrible attitude.

Wendall Bryant, David Boston, Thomas Jones, Simeon Rice et al. Bad actors who infected the rest of the team leading to one of the worst periods in the history of any modern NFL franchise 1999-2003.

25 wins 55 losses and outscored 2,037 to 1,237 culminating in a season where the team finished dead last in points scored and points allowed.

Especially entertaining were the games from Oct. 15, 2000 through Sept. 30 2001. 0-9 and outscored 263-94.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

As usual, all you point out are what you consider to be the discrepencies. It gets old and demoralizing. You are not my editor.

mitch, why would he point out anything else? if everyone's response to this thread was: "I agree!" then it wouldn't be much of a thread.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Mitch, you are a tired old dog who speaks my language. Anybody who still uses references from 60ties fad authors like Hermann Hesse and his novel "Sidhartha" (he wrote that mumbo jumbo in the 1920ties in German) is stuck in a time warp.

Most of these young pups didn't do those hallucinogenics with us, sitting around 'liberated" makeshift tables of empty AT&T electric wire bales. Earnestly debating the world's biggest problems by candlelight. Carlos Castaneda was a must-read then.

We were so earnest then. Dumb too. Now we are older and smart. Football matters most. The world can fix itself. Sometimes though, your football flights of fancy have me concerned you may have consumed more chemicals than Bill Walton or Ozzie Osborn.

officially my favorite post from skorp of all time.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, you are a tired old dog who speaks my language. Anybody who still uses references from 60ties fad authors like Hermann Hesse and his novel "Sidhartha" (he wrote that mumbo jumbo in the 1920ties in German) is stuck in a time warp.

Most of these young pups didn't do those hallucinogenics with us, sitting around 'liberated" makeshift tables of empty AT&T electric wire bales. Earnestly debating the world's biggest problems by candlelight. Carlos Castaneda was a must-read then.

We were so earnest then. Dumb too. Now we are older and smart. Football matters most. The world can fix itself. Sometimes though, your football flights of fancy have me concerned you may have consumed more chemicals than Bill Walton or Ozzie Osborn.

Yeah, Skkorp, those were the days...the old "Love the one you're with days"...but one of the constants that has passed the test of drugs and time: lovin these bewitching Cardinals...and of course, as you suggested: Carlos Casteneda.

Been keeping off the shrooms these days...the only hangover I had this morning was from heavy scroll burn...man I think those draft scrolls turn your brain sideways!

Now it's just a good ol' case of post draft depression and mock draft withdrawals...

Keep on truckin, my friend.

 

[Mitch]

mitch, why would he point out anything else? if everyone's response to this thread was: "I agree!" then it wouldn't be much of a thread.

OZC: Did you read the rest of what I said...when all the responses from a poster (time and time again) is critique, that gets demoralizing.

I learn a lot from all you guys and gals...that's what I love about this board...so keep firing away. Just throw me and anyone else who posts a bone every now and then, is all I'm saying.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Been keeping off the shrooms these days...the only hangover I had this morning was from heavy scroll burn...man I think those draft scrolls turn your brain sideways!

.

took me a second to figure out what you were referencing with the "scroll burn" but once i did - MAN do i agree. i think my vision won't recover for a good week.

 

[lauraw]

When did we pass on Sintim? you mean instead of Beanie Wells? Buckybird, when we rush for 100 yds a game next year to go with our devastating Passing Offense, Clint Sintim can eat our DUST.....Cody Brown will be fine

 

[Mitch]

When did we pass on Sintim? you mean instead of Beanie Wells? Buckybird, when we rush for 100 yds a game next year to go with our devastating Passing Offense, Clint Sintim can eat our DUST.....Cody Brown will be fine

The context was...Carolina traded into the 2nd round to take an even better pass rusher in Everette Brown, and gave up their #1 in 2010. With as needy as the Cardinals are in generating a pass rush, that was a move we should have made, IMO...and I would have thought that way even when I still thought LaBoy was on the team. The fact that they were deciding to release him makes that move even more imminent...and the Cardinals disn't add another pass rusher until the 6th round...and the player they took, Will Davis could not generate ANY pass rush at all in the practices and in the game at the Senior Bowl. Not enough. Not nearly enough. Not even close.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

So...I'd have to say the Cardinals are very happy to have acquired the most talented RB in this draft at #31...pleased that they got a good pass rusher at #63, albeit perhaps not one of their favorites (but, in time Brown may be the best fit anyway)...the smartest and best playmaking FS at #95...one of the true speed burner CBs in the draft at #131...by far the most enormous offensive lineman at #167...one of the more talented edge rushers when healthy at #204...one of the speediest and best utility RBs at #240...and one of the most comeptitive and fundamental guards at #254.


Nice summation Mitch and that pretty well sums it up for me as well.

I saw Howling in person touch the ball for the first time as a Pitt freshman and take it back 100 yards for a TD against my alma mater Ohio U.....and Oaklands 2nd round pick Michael Mitchell missed him.....Howling has some quicks.

Also I like the fact that Canfield can play center and that Johnson as an OL is a monster.

Wells....if he stays healthy...will not dissappoint.

SafetyJohnson and Brown at OLB may be our 2 most important picks.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

So...I'd have to say the Cardinals are very happy to have acquired the most talented RB in this draft at #31...pleased that they got a good pass rusher at #63, albeit perhaps not one of their favorites (but, in time Brown may be the best fit anyway)...the smartest and best playmaking FS at #95...one of the true speed burner CBs in the draft at #131...by far the most enormous offensive lineman at #167...one of the more talented edge rushers when healthy at #204...one of the speediest and best utility RBs at #240...and one of the most comeptitive and fundamental guards at #254.


Nice summation Mitch and that pretty well sums it up for me as well.

I saw Howling in person touch the ball for the first time as a Pitt freshman and take it back 100 yards for a TD against my alma mater Ohio U.....and Oaklands 2nd round pick Michael Mitchell missed him.....Howling has some quicks.

Also I like the fact that Canfield can play center and that Johnson as an OL is a monster.

Wells....if he stays healthy...will not dissappoint.

SafetyJohnson and Brown at OLB may be our 2 most important picks.

We don't know that he can play centre. He hasn't played the position since High School. He merely volunteered for the position, no doubt, to make himself more attractive. Grimm said that they'd think about it.