Cardinals' 2012 Draft Thoughts

[RugbyMuffin]

Good stuff Mitch.

If the Cardinals put Senio Kelemete at DL I will pay the money to fly out to AZ, and spend the time necessary in jail for bitch slapping the hell out of Whiz and company.

You don't take a steal like Kelemete, and put him at DL. No. Sorry. Not when you have Dockett, and Campbell. You take the guard that is suited for the system, and YOU PUT HIM AT GUARD!!!!! Just let him dominate up the middle. We FINALLY get a beast of a guard, and we want to put him at DL ? My goodness no.

I am glad everyone is psyched about Bethel, we all should be. What a steal. I believe he will be playing at FS day 1 in camp.

As for OLB ? I am 100% comfortable with Acho and Schofield as our primary pass rushing OLB'ers. I think Haggans has one more year in him as a rotational guy, and Stewart Bradley plays some OLBer as well.

I hate to tell you his but Haggans is fine with me.

Good stuff Mitch, glad to share in the enthusiasm today. What a great 3rd day for the Cardinals. I am extremely impressed.

 

[Chopper0080]

Good stuff Mitch.

If the Cardinals put Senio Kelemete at DL I will pay the money to fly out to AZ, and spend the time necessary in jail for bitch slapping the hell out of Whiz and company.

You don't take a steal like Kelemete, and put him at DL. No. Sorry. Not when you have Dockett, and Campbell. You take the guard that is suited for the system, and YOU PUT HIM AT GUARD!!!!! Just let him dominate up the middle. We FINALLY get a beast of a guard, and we want to put him at DL ? My goodness no.

I am glad everyone is psyched about Bethel, we all should be. What a steal. I believe he will be playing at FS day 1 in camp.

As for OLB ? I am 100% comfortable with Acho and Schofield as our primary pass rushing OLB'ers. I think Haggans has one more year in him as a rotational guy, and Stewart Bradley plays some OLBer as well.

I hate to tell you his but Haggans is fine with me.

Good stuff Mitch, glad to share in the enthusiasm today. What a great 3rd day for the Cardinals. I am extremely impressed.

I don't care what back it is, it will be a hell of a sight seeing Kelemente pulling across the line and getting out in front of the running play with Sherman. With his ability to block at the second level, if he plays, you might see some big runs this year.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I don't care what back it is, it will be a hell of a sight seeing Kelemente pulling across the line and getting out in front of the running play with Sherman. With his ability to block at the second level, if he plays, you might see some big runs this year.

Not only that. We drafted the best blocking WR to come out in years. Floyd is THAT good. Our running game is about to blow up....

 

[Chopper0080]

Not only that. We drafted the best blocking WR to come out in years. Floyd is THAT good. Our running game is about to blow up....

add in Jeff King a top blocking TE.

 

[Duckjake]

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.

The problem is that if this guy ever starts a game for the Arizona Cardinals it will be a result of a disaster for the team. Kolb will have been hurt or failed and Skelton will have been hurt or failed. And if that happens before Lindley has 2-3 years to develop it means 5-11 or worse.

Of course there is the slim chance that Kolb and Skelton both break their collarbones and Lindley leads us to the Super Bowl but I'm not putting any money on it at less than 1,000,000 to one odds.

 

[52brandon]

add in Jeff King a top blocking TE.

not only that, but because he is so good in other areas, Fitz's ability to block is overlooked. He's a damn good blocking WR himself

 

[Mainstreet]

The description of Ryan Lindley sounds a lot like John Skelton when he was a rookie. I'm liking Skelton as the Cardinals QB but it never hurts to have a prospect with similar skills to be groomed for the future. I guess we will find out the future of Kolb this season. It would be shocking for me if Kolb could take the starting QB position away from Skelton and keep it.

 

[Duckjake]

The description of Ryan Lindley sounds a lot like John Skelton when he was a rookie. I'm liking Skelton as the Cardinals QB but it never hurts to have a prospect with similar skills to be groomed for the future. I guess we will find out the future of Kolb this season. It would be shocking for me if Kolb could take the starting QB position away from Skelton and keep it.

But sadly that's the problem with Lindley. If we didn't have Kolb and Double Duece were the starter it might make sense, though I have serious doubts about yet another inaccurate QB. But we do have Kolb and I don't see how Lindley is ever going to get enough reps to develop. Just another stray QB that CKW has adopted and brought home.

 

[Mainstreet]

But sadly that's the problem with Lindley. If we didn't have Kolb and Double Duece were the starter it might make sense, though I have serious doubts about yet another inaccurate QB. But we do have Kolb and I don't see how Lindley is ever going to get enough reps to develop. Just another stray QB that CKW has adopted and brought home.

It's sad for me to say it, but I do not see Kolb holding up for a season as the starting QB. I see sooner rather than later, Lindley backing up Skelton.

 

[bg7brd]

It's sad for me to say it, but I do not see Kolb holding up for a season as the starting QB. I see sooner rather than later, Lindley backing up Skelton.

It looks like the Cards might see it this way too.

 

[Early]

It was a good draft i think. Michael Floyd is going to be a great receiver, he has special hand eye coordination and leaping ability. He is not the best route runner, but so isn't Larry Fitzgerald himself. They do remind a lot of each other, i made that comparison prior to the draft. They don't need to be open, to be open, they are both that kind of receivers and that suits perfect on the outside if you have a QB that can throw that back shoulder or any other placement outside of the CB reach. And we got a lot of good depth at O-Line and Secondary.

It was hard to watch Greg Childs (Arkansas)go to the Vikings, I think he is going to be a hell of a receiver, complete player in my eyes. He has the size, the ability to separate, he has hands, and his ability to runs the slant is crucial in the pro west coast offense. It can't be underestimated how important this is on the next level. If you can separate so well on the in going routes, it opens you to separate down the field on many plays during the game. He can run after the catch.

In same manner, it was hard to see Juron Criner not becoming a Cardinal. He is going to be great. Justin Blackmon is a special player as well, there are a lot of comparison to Q in his game, there is no doubt about that. His ability to run after the catch reminds a lot about Q, as well as his route running.His hands are something amazing something not, bit inconsistent, but he is a weapon.

On defensive side of the ball, I think Patriots got a steal in Jake Bequette.

 

[ajcardfan]

I don't think I've ever seen a draft with the Cardinals where I liked every pick. The three offensive linemen picks were all excellent. In fact, there is a good chance all three are going to be important starters for this team. Both Kelemete and Potter actually caught my eye during games I watched this past season and I had them circled in my draft mag. Massie I thought was going in round 2 or late 1, so he wasn't even on my radar. When people were ripping the Floyd pick Thursday night, I said it was a GREAT year for oline and many good players would go late in the draft. It was definitely the right move to go WR first, and oline later.

BTW, Kelemete is very intense and has a mean streak. Cards fans are going to love him and he will be starting by next year.

 

[Totally_Red]

Nice writeup Mitch!

I love the selections the Cardinals made. Getting 2 guys who played LT and a superb ROT at Ole Miss with the potential to start in year one is terrific. And both defensive backs look like they will upgrade the special teams units from day one. I was not happy with our gunners last season, specifically Michael Adams, and if one or both of these guys can contribute in that role it makes their selections all the better IMO.

One quibble: I don't think they deserve an A+ grade when you consider that the second rounder (in addition to a starting cornerback) was spent on a very disappointing Kevin Kolb. Maybe KK improves with a full offseason of work, but his injury history is very troubling.

 

[WildBB]

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?

Yes, and a few were pointing that out that the secondary (mostly saftey) needed to be addressed. Even fewer pointed out that CB opposite PP needed to be even MORE focused on.

 

[52brandon]

Yes, and a few were pointing that out that the secondary (mostly saftey) needed to be addressed. Even fewer pointed out that CB opposite PP needed to be even MORE focused on.

if Toler made a full recovery, I'd say he's a perfect #2 CB. We'll see...

 

[THESMEL]

Matty

Kolb, Skelton, Lindley-hmmmm

Oakland will visit with and is expected to sign Matt Leinart to be Carson Palmer’s backup quarterback, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

You must be registered for see images attach

Leinart
This is no surprise. Leinart played for Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and as soon as Leinart was cut this offseason, we’ve been expecting a reunion. Plus, Leinart was Palmer’s backup at USC and they remain close. Both share a bond as Heisman Trophy winners.

But sadly that's the problem with Lindley. If we didn't have Kolb and Double Duece were the starter it might make sense, though I have serious doubts about yet another inaccurate QB. But we do have Kolb and I don't see how Lindley is ever going to get enough reps to develop. Just another stray QB that CKW has adopted and brought home.

 

[WildBB]

if Toler made a full recovery, I'd say he's a perfect #2 CB. We'll see...

And barring that, now at least there's a real alternative.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, my thoughts on this year's offseason have more to do with next year's offseason. And I think, at long last, we'll be in a position to become an elite team. Consider this worst case scenario, and naturally I'm leaving injuries out:
1. Kolb/Skelton DON"T get the job done and QB will become our #1 Draft priority. We must move up in the draft no matter the cost in order to secure one of the top QB's.
2. OL should be okay for the next couple of years. And yes I'm drinking the Bobby Massie Kool Aid. No draft pick needed.
3. WR, see OL.
4. TE, I'm guessing that Housler becomes our Hernandez, but we will need a Gronkowski. A draft priority.
5. So on the offensive side we'll need to use two picks.
6. Defensive line, even after signing CC to a long term deal, we'll need to draft two backups.
7. OLB will also require two picks, and one a high pick.
8. ILB, will have to draft one.
9. CB should be set.
10.S, not sure, might or might not need one. Let's say we take one.

Bottom line, we'll have a need for seven or eight openings, which can be filled in FA and the Draft. In the past (like this year) we ALWAYS had spots that we couldn't fill.

The future is bright, or if you prefer the future is ahead of us.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Kolb, Skelton, Lindley-hmmmm

Oakland will visit with and is expected to sign Matt Leinart to be Carson Palmer’s backup quarterback, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

You must be registered for see images attach

Leinart
This is no surprise. Leinart played for Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and as soon as Leinart was cut this offseason, we’ve been expecting a reunion. Plus, Leinart was Palmer’s backup at USC and they remain close. Both share a bond as Heisman Trophy winners.

Seriously.

Get over it.

Post what you want, but IMO, this is topic is starting to sound like a psycho-ex-girlfriend talking about her old boyfriend.

Leinart has been gone for almost 3 YEARS. Get over it.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, my thoughts on this year's offseason have more to do with next year's offseason. And I think, at long last, we'll be in a position to become an elite team. Consider this worst case scenario, and naturally I'm leaving injuries out:
1. Kolb/Skelton DON"T get the job done and QB will become our #1 Draft priority. We must move up in the draft no matter the cost in order to secure one of the top QB's.
2. OL should be okay for the next couple of years. And yes I'm drinking the Bobby Massie Kool Aid. No draft pick needed.
3. WR, see OL.
4. TE, I'm guessing that Housler becomes our Hernandez, but we will need a Gronkowski. A draft priority.
5. So on the offensive side we'll need to use two picks.
6. Defensive line, even after signing CC to a long term deal, we'll need to draft two backups.
7. OLB will also require two picks, and one a high pick.
8. ILB, will have to draft one.
9. CB should be set.
10.S, not sure, might or might not need one. Let's say we take one.

Bottom line, we'll have a need for seven or eight openings, which can be filled in FA and the Draft. In the past (like this year) we ALWAYS had spots that we couldn't fill.

The future is bright, or if you prefer the future is ahead of us.

Very good assessment, Garth. Strong choices all the way around.

I was thinking that since I like John Skelton just fine moving forward with Ryan Lindley in the wings, next year's draft priorities are:

1. OLB---one in the 1st round, which, as we are seeing in these drafts is about the only place you are going to get a legitimate edge pass rusher.
2. ILB---eventual replacement for Paris Lenon.
3. S---I think James Sanders is on a one year deal, and Rhodes is going to have to show he is a fit in this defense.
4. DE--we need younger depth.
5. RB---not sure whether the team will re-sign Beanie Wells---I do believe they will re-sign Hyphen, which will be great.
6. TE---a young replacement for Todd Heap, although I am hoping Steven Skelton shows promise.
7. WR---we still could use a real speed WR.

Of course, much will depend on free agency and who we can sign before the draft.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, if we are happy with Skelton and a vet backup so much the better. And I have no problem with your '13 picks. But I did think that we had a speedster on the PS. But with the four WR's we'll have this year I don't see many reps for a fifth WR. We did go to the SB w/o a speed guy.