Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
These predictions are based on comments that BA has made, from camp reports, from observations our fellow ASFNers have made at practices and from the practice tapes. As BA said, "don't make too much out of the current depth chart." Yes. Depth charts this time of year are very misleading.
QB (2): 3-Palmer; 5-Stanton.
Many teams, like the Patriots for example, don't carry a #3 QB on the 53 man roster---you only keep a #3 if he is one of your best 53 players. In the Cardinals' case, neither 14-Ryan Lindley nor 6-Caleb TerBush is even close to being one of the top 53 players. Past coaches didn't like to keep a QB on the practice squad. BA will---unless he picks up a QB off waivers or signs a veteran like Charlie Batch for insurance. But for now---it's 2 QBs and a QB TBD for the practice squad.
RB (4): 28-Mendenhall; 30-Taylor; 38-Ellington; 29-Smith.
BA has said he could even keep 5 RBs---but he really can't afford to keep 5 RBs at the expense of weakening the depth at other positions. The thing is too that BA likes a workhorse RB, which means that Mendenhall will likely get the vast majority of the snaps. That being the case, there's even less need to keep 5 RBs. Last time I had BA keeping three---but BA has been raving about Alfonso Smith and Smith does bring ST value, thus right now, his chances are pretty good. As for 34-Ryan Williams, like BA said, time is running out. The question may be as to whether Williams can show enough later in the pre-season to make him a viable trade chip...or to make the coaches have to deliberate long and hard about whether to keep Williams or Smith. Even then it appears Smith is the better fit.
TE (4): 84-Housler; 83-Sperry; 81-Dray; 86-Jefferson.
BA has raved about Housler and Sperry, while calling Dray "dependable." Jefferson has too much athletic talent to ignore. The biggest question mark is
87-Jeff King. The Cardinals had a rough time with oft-injured veteran Todd Heap last year---who gobbled up a roster spot and didn't play on Sundays. King has been ailing---everyone likes him, so what I think they might do is place him on the IR, try to get him back to 100% and then activate him for the second half of the season. King did practice yesterday---so maybe he will hold up. But that seems doubtful based on the past couple of years. Sperry has been injured too---but the way BA has raved about him suggests that when Sperry recovers in a week or two's time, he will solidify his spot on the roster. Will be interesting to see is 46-Mickey Shuler can make a move.
OL (9): 75-Brown; 61-Cooper; 63-Sendlein; 74-Fanaika; 65-Winston; 76-Potter; 73-Rachal; 78-Watford; 70-Massie.
The biggest question mark obviously is Daryn Colledge who has nerve damage in his leg. Colledge is coming off a poor season, which doesn't help matters. Right now---the guess is that he is still on the outside looking in, especially since Fanaika has been doing a very good job and has been drawing praice from BA and the coaches. Little has been said about 64-Senio Kelemete and let's face it---the fact that Fanaika, a converted tackle, was the immediate choice over Kelemete does not speak well to his ranking with the coaches. Now---if Kelemete surprises the coaches when they break down the tapes the next few weeks, then he could beat out Rachal. But, at this point, it doesn't look like that is going to happen. The coaches may wind up placing Colledge on the IR---same as King.
WR (6): 11-Fitzgerald; 15-Floyd; 12-Roberts; 13-Brown; 89-Hawkins; 10-Gill.
I still think Gill is going to make this football team---and will show up well in the last two pre-season games. So might 17-LaRon Byrd, who received props from Carson Palmer before suffering a concussion. All the other buzz has been about Juron Brown and Charles Hawkins. To a lesser degree, there has been positive talk about 18-Kerry Taylor and his work in the slot. Thus, the tough decision might well be whether to keep Taylor or Gill. Gill's speed makes the difference. Don't be surprised if 85-Dan Bucker makes his way into the conversation, but he and 7-Tyler Shaw have a very good chance of landing on the PS. And, of course, there is 21-Patrick Peterson and his 15 play package to consider.
NT (2): 92-Williams; 79-Carter.
Thank goodness Williams looks like he is going to be ok. BA has said that he has been playing at a Pro Bowl level in camp. If that is true---man this defense could be dynamic. It is wise to keep Carter at this spot. Hopefully 95-Ricky Lumpkin will be ok, and it will be interesting to see 67-Padric Scott in action. Lumpkin has been making strides and Scott would at least appear to be a lock for the PS.
DE (4): 90-Dockett; 93-Campbell; 98-Rucker; 96-Talley.
This looks to be a highly disruptive and athletic quartet. Good to see that BA & TB plan to keep these players fresh by rotating them all in various spots in the base defense and in the 4 man pass rush.
ILB (4): 54-Brinkley; 55-Dansby; 51-Minter; 56-Walker.
Again what a solid quartet this is, made even more explosive when 58-Daryl Washington returns.
OLB (5): 94-Acho; 97-Alexander; 53-Abraham; 91-Shaughnessy; 57-Okafor.
Been hearing very good reports on all of the these hybrid 34 OLB/43 DEs. Abraham is the designated RDE in the 4 man rush and Shaughnessy can play anywhere on the front seven, including nose tackle. The mixing and matching that Todd Bowles will be able to do is very intriguing. One player who could make a good push is 59-Zach Nash. The coaches may wind up having to pick between Nash and Ronald Talley (because Shaughnessy and Carter can play DE). Nash is good on STs, which could be a factor.
CB (6): 21-Peterson; 25-Powers; 20-Cason; 35-Arenas; 31-Bethel; 23-Fleming.
Again, the mixing and matching ability this groups gives Todd Bowles is very intriguing. Because there is such quality depth here, it will enable BA to use Patrick Peterson on offense as much as he would like. if Peterson has to take a breather for just a snap or two every now and then on defense, the talent here makes that possible. Keeping Fleming and continuing to push him along would be wise, especially seeing as Cason and Arenas are free agents next year. The player who might challenge Fleming for that roster spot is 22-Bryan McCann. McCann is an excellent ST player and a cagy man to man defender. 43-Ronnie Yell and 42 Josh Hill have a good chance to make the PS.
S (4): 37-Bell; 49-Johnson; 32-Mathieu; 27-Amaya.
Should be very interesting to see this safety group in action. Bell has been strong in defensing the run. Johnson has had a strong camp at FS thus far. Mathieu has been all over the field making plays. And Amaya is a very good ST player. The player who could make a splash here is 26-Curtis Taylor. He's been making some good plays in camp. If Taylor steps up this pre-season he could supplant Amaya, or the team could decide to keep 5 CBs instead of 6. Either way it is most likely the Cardinals will keep 10 DBs. The two rookie Sooners 36-Tony Jefferson and 41-Javon Harris have been very quiet in camp thus far. That needs to change if they are going to challenge for a roster spot or a spot on the PS.
ST (3): 4-Feely; 9-Zastudil; 82-Leach.
The only real question here is whether 80-Alex Gottlieb could challenge Leach for the LS spot. Gottlieb has been injured, but just returned to practice yesterday. Leach has been so consistently reliable and good that it would take a monumental effort from Gottlieb to challenge him.
PUP (1): 48-Giordino.
Dan Giordino has pass rushing ability if and when he can come off the PUP.
SUS (1): 58-Washington.
Daryl Washington may see extended action during the pre-season. BA has been very stern with him and rightfully so. Washington needs a big year on and off the field to re-establish his good standing on the team and in the community.
Last 5 OUT:
G Colledge
TE King
RB Williams
OLB Nash
CB McCann
Second to Last 5 Out:
S Taylor
WR Taylor
WR Bryd
G Kelemete
C/G Gibson
Your thoughts? Am I missing or overlooking anyone?
QB (2): 3-Palmer; 5-Stanton.
Many teams, like the Patriots for example, don't carry a #3 QB on the 53 man roster---you only keep a #3 if he is one of your best 53 players. In the Cardinals' case, neither 14-Ryan Lindley nor 6-Caleb TerBush is even close to being one of the top 53 players. Past coaches didn't like to keep a QB on the practice squad. BA will---unless he picks up a QB off waivers or signs a veteran like Charlie Batch for insurance. But for now---it's 2 QBs and a QB TBD for the practice squad.
RB (4): 28-Mendenhall; 30-Taylor; 38-Ellington; 29-Smith.
BA has said he could even keep 5 RBs---but he really can't afford to keep 5 RBs at the expense of weakening the depth at other positions. The thing is too that BA likes a workhorse RB, which means that Mendenhall will likely get the vast majority of the snaps. That being the case, there's even less need to keep 5 RBs. Last time I had BA keeping three---but BA has been raving about Alfonso Smith and Smith does bring ST value, thus right now, his chances are pretty good. As for 34-Ryan Williams, like BA said, time is running out. The question may be as to whether Williams can show enough later in the pre-season to make him a viable trade chip...or to make the coaches have to deliberate long and hard about whether to keep Williams or Smith. Even then it appears Smith is the better fit.
TE (4): 84-Housler; 83-Sperry; 81-Dray; 86-Jefferson.
BA has raved about Housler and Sperry, while calling Dray "dependable." Jefferson has too much athletic talent to ignore. The biggest question mark is
87-Jeff King. The Cardinals had a rough time with oft-injured veteran Todd Heap last year---who gobbled up a roster spot and didn't play on Sundays. King has been ailing---everyone likes him, so what I think they might do is place him on the IR, try to get him back to 100% and then activate him for the second half of the season. King did practice yesterday---so maybe he will hold up. But that seems doubtful based on the past couple of years. Sperry has been injured too---but the way BA has raved about him suggests that when Sperry recovers in a week or two's time, he will solidify his spot on the roster. Will be interesting to see is 46-Mickey Shuler can make a move.
OL (9): 75-Brown; 61-Cooper; 63-Sendlein; 74-Fanaika; 65-Winston; 76-Potter; 73-Rachal; 78-Watford; 70-Massie.
The biggest question mark obviously is Daryn Colledge who has nerve damage in his leg. Colledge is coming off a poor season, which doesn't help matters. Right now---the guess is that he is still on the outside looking in, especially since Fanaika has been doing a very good job and has been drawing praice from BA and the coaches. Little has been said about 64-Senio Kelemete and let's face it---the fact that Fanaika, a converted tackle, was the immediate choice over Kelemete does not speak well to his ranking with the coaches. Now---if Kelemete surprises the coaches when they break down the tapes the next few weeks, then he could beat out Rachal. But, at this point, it doesn't look like that is going to happen. The coaches may wind up placing Colledge on the IR---same as King.
WR (6): 11-Fitzgerald; 15-Floyd; 12-Roberts; 13-Brown; 89-Hawkins; 10-Gill.
I still think Gill is going to make this football team---and will show up well in the last two pre-season games. So might 17-LaRon Byrd, who received props from Carson Palmer before suffering a concussion. All the other buzz has been about Juron Brown and Charles Hawkins. To a lesser degree, there has been positive talk about 18-Kerry Taylor and his work in the slot. Thus, the tough decision might well be whether to keep Taylor or Gill. Gill's speed makes the difference. Don't be surprised if 85-Dan Bucker makes his way into the conversation, but he and 7-Tyler Shaw have a very good chance of landing on the PS. And, of course, there is 21-Patrick Peterson and his 15 play package to consider.
NT (2): 92-Williams; 79-Carter.
Thank goodness Williams looks like he is going to be ok. BA has said that he has been playing at a Pro Bowl level in camp. If that is true---man this defense could be dynamic. It is wise to keep Carter at this spot. Hopefully 95-Ricky Lumpkin will be ok, and it will be interesting to see 67-Padric Scott in action. Lumpkin has been making strides and Scott would at least appear to be a lock for the PS.
DE (4): 90-Dockett; 93-Campbell; 98-Rucker; 96-Talley.
This looks to be a highly disruptive and athletic quartet. Good to see that BA & TB plan to keep these players fresh by rotating them all in various spots in the base defense and in the 4 man pass rush.
ILB (4): 54-Brinkley; 55-Dansby; 51-Minter; 56-Walker.
Again what a solid quartet this is, made even more explosive when 58-Daryl Washington returns.
OLB (5): 94-Acho; 97-Alexander; 53-Abraham; 91-Shaughnessy; 57-Okafor.
Been hearing very good reports on all of the these hybrid 34 OLB/43 DEs. Abraham is the designated RDE in the 4 man rush and Shaughnessy can play anywhere on the front seven, including nose tackle. The mixing and matching that Todd Bowles will be able to do is very intriguing. One player who could make a good push is 59-Zach Nash. The coaches may wind up having to pick between Nash and Ronald Talley (because Shaughnessy and Carter can play DE). Nash is good on STs, which could be a factor.
CB (6): 21-Peterson; 25-Powers; 20-Cason; 35-Arenas; 31-Bethel; 23-Fleming.
Again, the mixing and matching ability this groups gives Todd Bowles is very intriguing. Because there is such quality depth here, it will enable BA to use Patrick Peterson on offense as much as he would like. if Peterson has to take a breather for just a snap or two every now and then on defense, the talent here makes that possible. Keeping Fleming and continuing to push him along would be wise, especially seeing as Cason and Arenas are free agents next year. The player who might challenge Fleming for that roster spot is 22-Bryan McCann. McCann is an excellent ST player and a cagy man to man defender. 43-Ronnie Yell and 42 Josh Hill have a good chance to make the PS.
S (4): 37-Bell; 49-Johnson; 32-Mathieu; 27-Amaya.
Should be very interesting to see this safety group in action. Bell has been strong in defensing the run. Johnson has had a strong camp at FS thus far. Mathieu has been all over the field making plays. And Amaya is a very good ST player. The player who could make a splash here is 26-Curtis Taylor. He's been making some good plays in camp. If Taylor steps up this pre-season he could supplant Amaya, or the team could decide to keep 5 CBs instead of 6. Either way it is most likely the Cardinals will keep 10 DBs. The two rookie Sooners 36-Tony Jefferson and 41-Javon Harris have been very quiet in camp thus far. That needs to change if they are going to challenge for a roster spot or a spot on the PS.
ST (3): 4-Feely; 9-Zastudil; 82-Leach.
The only real question here is whether 80-Alex Gottlieb could challenge Leach for the LS spot. Gottlieb has been injured, but just returned to practice yesterday. Leach has been so consistently reliable and good that it would take a monumental effort from Gottlieb to challenge him.
PUP (1): 48-Giordino.
Dan Giordino has pass rushing ability if and when he can come off the PUP.
SUS (1): 58-Washington.
Daryl Washington may see extended action during the pre-season. BA has been very stern with him and rightfully so. Washington needs a big year on and off the field to re-establish his good standing on the team and in the community.
Last 5 OUT:
G Colledge
TE King
RB Williams
OLB Nash
CB McCann
Second to Last 5 Out:
S Taylor
WR Taylor
WR Bryd
G Kelemete
C/G Gibson
Your thoughts? Am I missing or overlooking anyone?
