Cardinals' 2012 Draft Thoughts

[Mitch]

First, I want to emphasize that I have never been so fascinated with a Cardinals' draft as I was for the past three days.

What I see is a team and an organization that is now completely clear of its identity.

I think this as a refreshing new era of Cardinal football---and I would just like to express my appreciation for the entire organization because I strongly belive they are headed in the right direction.

1. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. If you are going to be a pass first offense this is the guy you take at #13. I still can't believe we have this guy. I had him going to Jacksonville at #7.

2. Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma. Best and premier defensive player on a very good defense at Oklahoma. His consecutive Bowl MVPs are proof---both at U of P. Karma baby karma. This kid brings savvy and swagger.

3. Bobbie Massie, T, Mississippi. Unbelievable that he was there at #112---I thought the Giants would tag him at #32, because he would have been the perfect replacement for Kareem McKenzie. Plus, as I said in my post, this pick signals a significant change in how the Cardinals are now building and taking care of their system on offense.

4. Senio Kelemente, G/DT, Washington. His short area quickness is off the charts---and as crazy as this may sound, I don;t think the Cardinals drafted him to play guard, I think he's headed to 34 DE and rush tackle in the nickel. Either way, this kid is a two year captain at Washington---and a well built, aggressive football player.

5. Justin Bethel, CB, Presbyterian. All I can say is wow! Let him wreak havoc on STs---blocking kicks---making big tackles---and groom him to be a dynamic versatile CB/SS/FS...this kid is a LOCK to make the roster and could be one of the best 5th round steals ever.

6. Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego St. How about this---this kid has the strongest arm in this draft and the Cardinals were able to get him in the 6th round. He reminds me a great deal of the QB I wanted last year, Andy Dalton of TCU. Dalton has a stronger supporting cast, much better continuity in the program, and a far better defense to bail him out if and when he made a mistake. Lindley is tough---as is Dalton---and he has the big arm. Stay tuned. It will take him a a couple of years to dig in but when he does I believe he will turn heads.

7. Nate Potter, T, Boise St. In the 7th round at #221, are you kidding me? I think Potter is nearly as talented as Nate Solder whom the Patriots picked in round 1 last year at #17. The great thing is---he is athletic enough to be a tackle in a passing system, as he showed time and time again at Boise St. If he eventually works out in a couple of years I could see the Cardinals sliding Levi Brown down to guard where I think he would be lights-out.

Now---I am going to leave this up to up to your thoughts---we obviously neglected the OLB position in this draft---but I can see why in a way because beyond the first round you really had to scramble to find tape on anyone who looked like he could be an NFL pass rusher.

So please tell me what we can do---and I hope your answer isn't Clark Haggans, a player I appreciate and admire, but has seen his prime come and gone---what can we do?

I have some thoughts---but I want to hear yours first and your thoughts on this draft.

Happy Saturday Night Draft Night to you all!

My grade to the Cardinals: A+.

 

[FlaCardFan]

Great write-up again Mitch. I feel the Cards had a A- to B+ draft myself.

Are there any free agent rushers left in free agency?

 

[FlaCardFan]

Great write-up again Mitch. I feel the Cards had a A- to B+ draft myself.

Are there any free agent rushers left in free agency?

Clark Haggans wouldn't be a bad band-aid on a 1 year deal until we could get to next years draft and get someone else...

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

I have confidence in Horton's ability to manufacture pressure. There just wasn't anyone available at OLB; Just look at what the Seahawks did trying to find one.

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

Good draft. I am excited most about our 2nd pick. If he turns our to be great, we might end up having the best youngest CB tandem in the league. Time will tell. Not sure if all 7 of these guys will make our team, but can't wait to see them all showering together.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Good stuff!

My answer is Clark Haggans because there's little to be done at this point. Frankly, I find the OLB concerns a bit overstated. We've got two young and dynamic players coming of age and cumulatively we were fifth in sacks last season. I would imagine that Bradley will see snaps on the edge in certain packages.

 

[Cardiac]

Great stuff Mitch!!!

I hate to dissapoint you right off the bat but Haggans is going to be re-signed.

No I'm not trading Rhodes or Wilson for OLBer's off another team. Thought I would head you off at the pass.

My hope is that Horton has seen enough of the two youngins currently on the roster that they + Scho, Acho and Haggans will be all we need this year.

Cards need to focus more on UDFA's for LBers, RB's & D-lineman then the other positions.

 

[Shane]

but can't wait to see them all showering together.

 

[52brandon]

I'm VERY excited with this draft. I think Massie was BPA over Fleming in the 3rd and was bummed about it last night, but I woke up promptly this afternoon to a text that we got him anyways. All's well that ends well

 

[52brandon]

Cards need to focus more on UDFA's for LBers, RB's & D-lineman then the other positions.

gtake the chance with Burfict?

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

can't wait to see them all showering together.

DRC is back and posting on ASFN

 

[CardLogic]

Only negative reaction to this draft is they didn't select any LB.

But then you think about the current roster and there are at least five/six guys that are a lock to be on the roster in 2012 - Washington, Lenon, Bradley, Acho, Schofield,and Hagans, and then there are Walker and Sturdivant. So who is a late round LB pick going to edge out?

 

[Shane]

Only negative reaction to this draft is they didn't select any LB.

But then you think about the current roster and there are at least five/six guys that are a lock to be on the roster in 2012 - Washington, Lenon, Bradley, Acho, Schofield,and Hagans, and then there are Walker and Sturdivant. So who is a late round LB pick going to edge out?

Haggans is a FA?? Isnt he?

 

[Shane]

DRC is back and posting on ASFN

Zing!!!!

 

[Cardiac]

gtake the chance with Burfict?

Nope. Let the lazy psycho get his head right with the Bengals or Rams 1st. Bengals have a history of ingoring character over talent.

Rams now seem to be doing the same.

Ravens have a lockroom that could possibly handle him so they are another options.

 

[john h]

First, I want to emphasize that I have never been so fascinated with a Cardinals' draft as I was for the past three days.

What I see is a team and an organization that is now completely clear of its identity.

I think this as a refreshing new era of Cardinal football---and I would just like to express my appreciation for the entire organization because I strongly belive they are headed in the right direction.

1. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. If you are going to be a pass first offense this is the guy you take at #13. I still can't believe we have this guy. I had him going to Jacksonville at #7.

2. Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma. Best and premier defensive player on a very good defense at Oklahoma. His consecutive Bowl MVPs are proof---both at U of P. Karma baby karma. This kid brings savvy and swagger.

3. Bobbie Massie, T, Mississippi. Unbelievable that he was there at #112---I thought the Giants would tag him at #32, because he would have been the perfect replacement for Kareem McKenzie. Plus, as I said in my post, this pick signals a significant change in how the Cardinals are now building and taking care of their system on offense.

4. Senio Kelemente, G/DT, Washington. His short area quickness is off the charts---and as crazy as this may sound, I don;t think the Cardinals drafted him to play guard, I think he's headed to 34 DE and rush tackle in the nickel. Either way, this kid is a two year captain at Washington---and a well built, aggressive football player.

5. Justin Bethel, CB, Presbyterian. All I can say is wow! Let him wreak havoc on STs---blocking kicks---making big tackles---and groom him to be a dynamic versatile CB/SS/FS...this kid is a LOCK to make the roster and could be one of the best 5th round steals ever.

6. Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego St. How about this---this kid has the strongest arm in this draft and the Cardinals were able to get him in the 6th round. He reminds me a great deal of the QB I wanted last year, Andy Dalton of TCU. Dalton has a stronger supporting cast, much better continuity in the program, and a far better defense to bail him out if and when he made a mistake. Lindley is tough---as is Dalton---and he has the big arm. Stay tuned. It will take him a a couple of years to dig in but when he does I believe he will turn heads.

7. Nate Potter, T, Boise St. In the 7th round at #221, are you kidding me? I think Potter is nearly as talented as Nate Solder whom the Patriots picked in round 1 last year at #17. The great thing is---he is athletic enough to be a tackle in a passing system, as he showed time and time again at Boise St. If he eventually works out in a couple of years I could see the Cardinals sliding Levi Brown down to guard where I think he would be lights-out.

Now---I am going to leave this up to up to your thoughts---we obviously neglected the OLB position in this draft---but I can see why in a way because beyond the first round you really had to scramble to find tape on anyone who looked like he could be an NFL pass rusher.

So please tell me what we can do---and I hope your answer isn't Clark Haggans, a player I appreciate and admire, but has seen his prime come and gone---what can we do?

I have some thoughts---but I want to hear yours first and your thoughts on this draft.

Happy Saturday Night Draft Night to you all!

My grade to the Cardinals: A+.

Great information Mitch. As usual. The only player I really watched 4 or more times was Massie of Mississippi. He appears to be the real deal. All three of our Arkansas receivers went. All three were from the same small high school in Warren, Arkansas and agreed to all go to the same college. Two of them went to the Vikings. Most unusual. I think they went around rd 4.

 

[52brandon]

Nope. Let the lazy psycho get his head right with the Bengals or Rams 1st. Bengals have a history of ingoring character over talent.

Rams now seem to be doing the same.

Ravens have a lockroom that could possibly handle him so they are another options.

sure. I was just curious about opinions on him. I don't think DD an AW would let him do that though

 

[PJ1]

Tough to come up with a LB at this point and no I don't want Beanie Wells traded to do so. We aren't that settled at RB as it is with Williams coming off of major surgery.
We did ok last year and Bradley can't be worse. I actually believe he may surprise.

 

[Waysouth]

Woukd like to see Ryan Davis as a UDFA developpment player. Would take a flyer on Donta Paige-Moss and let him go if he causes trouble. I could see SD looking to drop an OLB and maybe even Philly (Graham?).

 

[joeshmo]

Two things are clear about this offseason. After the last game and the coaches had their end of the year meetings, you better believe at the top of their list was to improve the OL and DB's.

Two DB Free Agents
Two DB Draft Picks

One OL Free Agent
Three OL Draft Picks.

AJ Jefferson, Crezdon Butler, Rashad Johnson, Mike Adams, DJ Young, Batiste, you guys need to ask yourself, is there any reason why the coaches came to that conclusion?

 

[JeffGollin]

I wasn't a happy camper heading into Day 3, but the Card FO more than made up for it with their final 5 picks.

The 3 linemen each have specific skill-sets that compliment one another depending on position-need. Getting Potter at #221 was highway larceny.

I like Bethel better than Fleming.

I'm not sold on Lindley and hope his deficiencies can be coached out of him.

By and large, we did good, and today was a great (though under the radar) day.

 

[az jam]

I'm pleased with the draft. I love the Floyd pick. He can be an impact player. We addressed our biggest need the OL. Now its up to Grimm to build this line and earn his salary. Kelemente is being viewed as a guard not a DT.
I like both dbs. They are looking at Bethel as a safety and Fleming as a CB.
I do like QB Lindley. We need to have strong arm young qb to develop.

We are not going to be in the free agency market other than to re-sign some of our own players like Haggans and Holliday.

It will be interesting to watch the signing of UFAs. I hope to see DE/OLB Ryan Davis and DE/DT Matt Conrath there along with a punter.

Good draft analysis, Mitch.

However, your mocks are as bad as mine.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I won't give the Cardinals a grade on who they drafted because I have learned those grades mean nothing till one has three years to accurately say anything of value about it but I will extend the recent process the Card's followed an A+. They drafted as they are Pittsburgh West on defense and finally seemed to draft under Whis as the passing chunking team we are and not Pitt. West on offense. We know now what we do best or most comfortable doing and have accepted it. We did not reach but the key was it seemed we rated the best player on the board not as a NFL player but a Cardinal player for what we do. Great job

 

[CardsFan88]

I think it was an A potential draft. Though I agree it takes 1-3 years to really know.

It's funny I used to say that about guys that it took around three years to really know and get lambasted from friends. Sure some guys you know instantly during that first year, other guys takes awhile. I guess they were only looking at instant stars.

 

[dylanbw]

5. Justin Bethel, CB, Presbyterian. All I can say is wow! Let him wreak havoc on STs---blocking kicks---making big tackles---and groom him to be a dynamic versatile CB/SS/FS...this kid is a LOCK to make the roster and could be one of the best 5th round steals ever.

No way he is one of the best 5th round steals ever.....since we stole him in the 6th!! Stud athlete, love the willingness to draft small school talent...

This draft was very exciting.....a long, long way from the days of getting "sick" so I could stay home from school.....only to watch the Kelly Stouffer debacle unfold!!