Cardinals' 53 Man Roster V 7.0

[Mitch]

QB (3): Palmer, Stanton, Lindley*

Lindley has shown up.

RB (5): Mendenhall, Taylor, Ellington, Williams,* Smith*

Williams could be traded.

TE (4): Housler, Jefferson*, Quinn, Sperry

Jefferson has enough potential and upside. We saw tonight what the coaches have been seeing in Sperry. Quinn is a beast. What a block from the FB position on RW's TD!

OL (9): Brown, Colledge, Sendelin, Fanaika, Winston, Massie, Potter*, Gibson*, Watford

Watford will be starting by week 5---watch his tape from tonight---wow! Gibson makes it ahead of Rachal. Potter could be out if they like a tackle on waivers.

WR (6): Fitzgerald, Floyd, Roberts, Thomas, Brown, Hawkins

Taylor to PS---doesn't have the speed and chunk play ability that Brown and Hawkins do.

26 on Offense

NT (2): Williams, Carter*

If there's a NT on waivers or one to be had in a trade, Carter or Rucker is out. Both struggled mightily tonight---although Carter played almost the entire game in that altitude. Talley did too---but quite frankly Talley was the best playmaker and finisher on the interior in this game and throughout the entire pre-season.

DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Rucker*, Talley

Rucker has been a big disappointment, imo.

ILB (3): Brinkley, Dansby, Minter

Walker could make it---but he's not shown up very well in the pre-season games. Alexander could play inside in a pinch.

OLB (5): Acho, Alexander, Abraham (DE), Shaughnessy (DE), Okafor

Aside from Abraham, not a lot of speed or quickness in this group. Could be a significant problem.

CB (5): Peterson, Powers, Cason*, Arenas, Bethel

Cason or Fleming gets traded. Cards will get offers. The technique of the CBs has been alarmingly poor and bears watching---assignment screw-ups too, poor technique plus screw-ups very reminiscent of the Bill Davis defense. Sure hope this is not the case.

S (4): Bell, Johnson, Mathieu, Jefferson

Jefferson is a splash player---Amaya is strictly a ST player on a team that has quite a few good ST players. Jefferson himself had a nice ST tackle. He can finish---and boy can he blitz. He could wind up starting at some point.

24 on Defense

ST (3): Feely*, Leach, Zastudil

Feely looked very good tonight---but there may still be a K the team is eyeing.

53 Total

* means = subject to players acquired through trades or waiver claims.

Practice Squad (8):

T Jamaal Johnson-Webb
C/G Adam Bice
WR Kerry Taylor
TE D.C. Jefferson
NT Padric Scott
LB Kenny Demens---reason why Walker might not make it.
OLB Zach Nash or Kenny Rowe
S Waiver Claim or Javon Harris

I think there may be some surprises, maybe even a couple of major ones (BASK have to realize that their lines on both sides of the ball are not matching up physically the way they need to---the early portions of the first quarter last week and this week were a disgrace)---therefore, it will be very interesting to see how active and aggressive Steve Keim is over the weekend.

 

[kerouac9]

Dunno about only 3 ILBs.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

That's too bad about DWash not making the team. Hopefully he signs on with someone...

 

[RON_IN_OC]

That's too bad about DWash not making the team. Hopefully he signs on with someone...

He doesn't count against 53, while suspended. Probably why Mitch only has 3 ILB's right now. When DWash comes back another position player will be out.


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[Buckybird]

Mitch I think you dead on with this

 

[JC_AZ]

I think Taylor is more consistent than Hawkins

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I really like what I saw of Watford as well. In a year or two, him and Cooper are going to give us the most athletic guard combo in the NFL.

I was watching Okafor a lot too. I like his potential. Once he develops some moves he could become a 6-8 sack/year player. He already uses his hand very well.

DC Jefferson has to drive the coaches crazy. You can see his massive potential but he seems to always be making mistakes.

I think Fleming and Jefferson(Tony) should both make the team. Matter of fact, if Tony Jefferson doesn't make the team, that will tell you how much stock coaches put in the pre-season games. The guy has done nothing but make plays all pre-season long. I suspect they'll stash him on the PS though.

 

[juza76]

jefferson is just 21 probably has liabilty in coverage but he can improve a lot..this guy is a baller ,,,this is something u cant teach..arians in his first conference praised the ability to forcing turnovers..he doesnt care about yards allowed..he want a strong red zone defense and ability to make turnovers.
jefferson can tackle and has blitzer skill.he can become a very good strong safety

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, my GUESS is that we keep five WR's, no Hawkins, though I'd love to see him make the team. I'm pretty sure he'll be on the PS along with Taylor, with Brown (lock) and Thomas the 4th and 5th WR's. Since the 5th WR is almost always inactive, imo, it makes no sense to keep six. Especially with PP in the mix.

Don't know if they are trying to trade RW, but it seems so. He can help someone, but there are a LOT of RB's being cut, that you don't have to give up a pick for.

I'm a Jay Feeley fan, but have to admit the thin air probably helped him. I wouldn't expect many touchbacks from him.

Your assessment of the OL looks spot on to me. I hope that DC Jefferson makes it on to the PS, because you can see the potential. Expect another WW addition at TE.

Two surprise cuts on defense, Carter or Rucker, probably Carter, and Cason. Cason is my guess of a CB that will be traded.

Best of luck to all those who don't make the team.

 

[az jam]

Good stuff, Mitch. It is going to be an interesting couple of days with cuts, waiver wire pick ups and practice squad signings.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I am curious to see who we get off the wire this weekend.

Don't we have to wait until after week 2 to sign some players so their salary is not guaranteed?

 

[Mitch]

Update: D.C. Jefferson in, Jim Dray out.

I think we all see the potential in DCJ---excellent size and athleticism, but still learning the nuances of the position. Could be a good STs player---can block kicks, for example.

Dray is in the last year of his contract---and when you watch him block he stands DEs up, but they usually knock him a step backward and he gets little push. Plus, he is not a threat as a receiver.

Before Richard Quinn was added this week, one could argue that being able to block as a FB and being solid on STs would give Dray an edge for making the roster. Now, only STs works in his favor and the roster is pretty deep with ST options. Quinn himself, for example.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Update: D.C. Jefferson in, Jim Dray out.

I think we all see the potential in DCJ---excellent size and athleticism, but still learning the nuances of the position. Could be a good STs player---can block kicks, for example.

Dray is in the last year of his contract---and when you watch him block he stands DEs up, but they usually knock him a step backward and he gets little push. Plus, he is not a threat as a receiver.

Before Richard Quinn was added this week, one could argue that being able to block as a FB and being solid on STs would give Dray an edge for making the roster. Now, only STs works in his favor and the roster is pretty deep with ST options. Quinn himself, for example.

I'll drop a pound on Dray being in. The only guy I saw make effective blocks from the H-back position. And I can't imagine 6 wideouts.

And I believe you have in include Cooper on the final 53 before designating him for short term IR.

 

[Mitch]

49/53

Missed:

TE Quinn----------TE Dray
WR Thomas-------LB Demens
WR Hawkins------CB Fleming
NT Carter---------CB McCann

 

[Cardiac]

49/53

Missed:

TE Quinn----------TE Dray
WR Thomas-------LB Demens
WR Hawkins------CB Fleming
NT Carter---------CB McCann

That's pretty remarkable considering BASK did throw us all a curve ball keeping 7 CB's. I also would have kept Quinn over Dray (thought he was cut).

You also like Demens so for now that can count has a half correct guess.

Where you truly missed was thinking the Cards would keep 6 WR's and at this point there is only 4. I expect Thomas & Hawkins to end up on the PS in case there is a WR injury.

Mitch, you and Rugby put a ton of work and thought into the Roster and it's greatly appreciated and helpful.

 

[JeffGollin]

This still isn't the final deal. I don't think we'll wind up,with 7 corners or 5 DL's. Nor do I think that DC-Jeff, Demen, McCann or Fleming are locks to stick.

Expect a lot of jockeying for players - especially a big NT and at TE.

Frankly, I'd view whacking DC Jefferson to be a matter of "addition by subtraction." (too many penalties/too many drops/not enough plays made).

Conversely. - I love Watford and T-Jeff.

Biggest Question - How can we not play Massie somewhere?

 

[PJ1]

This still isn't the final deal. I don't think we'll wind up,with 7 corners or 5 DL's. Nor do I think that DC-Jeff, Demen, McCann or Fleming are locks to stick.

Expect a lot of jockeying for players - especially a big NT and at TE.

Frankly, I'd view whacking DC Jefferson to be a matter of "addition by subtraction." (too many penalties/too many drops/not enough plays made).

Conversely. - I love Watford and T-Jeff.

Biggest Question - How can we not play Massie somewhere?

Agreed. The fat lady hasn't even warmed up yet. Many moves to be made.

Agree on DC Jefferson also. Practice squad him. Hope T. Jefferson does stick.

Wasn't impressed with Watford until the last game but he was a beast in that game.

 

[Cardiac]

This still isn't the final deal. I don't think we'll wind up,with 7 corners or 5 DL's. Nor do I think that DC-Jeff, Demen, McCann or Fleming are locks to stick.

Expect a lot of jockeying for players - especially a big NT and at TE.

Frankly, I'd view whacking DC Jefferson to be a matter of "addition by subtraction." (too many penalties/too many drops/not enough plays made).

Conversely. - I love Watford and T-Jeff.

Biggest Question - How can we not play Massie somewhere?

I'm with ya except for DC. Maybe his a Tarzan that plays like Jane but the dude simply looks the part. Cowboys had a 3rd rd grade on him for a reason.

If he makes the final final 53 then I would hope the coaches work him into ST's since he is fast and big. Let him supplant Dray as the TE who excels in ST's which buys us time to develop him as a TE.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Expect a lot of jockeying for players - especially a big NT and at TE.

Jeff, do you really believe that they'll get a TE worth anything? Have they done this in the last decade or so? Even if they did, he wouldn't be familiar with team, terminology, playbook..etc. I'm not hopeful, quite frankly.

.

 

[JeffGollin]

Jeff, do you really believe that they'll get a TE worth anything? Have they done this in the last decade or so? Even if they did, he wouldn't be familiar with team, terminology, playbook..etc. I'm not hopeful, quite frankly.

.

Didn't say they'd be successful, but I do think they'll try.

TE is a weird position (more like 4 positions under one banner. You've got your blocking TE in Sperry, your pass-catching flex-guy in Houser, your lead-blocking H-Back/FB in Dray and your all-around TE (which we don't have).

Because of the specialized nature of 3 of the 4 roles, some teams might take a raw young athlete with one special attribute and try to mold him into a valuable TE. I think Keim will either troll the wires for a veteran role player or try to uncover a diamond in the rough that the coaches can mold. (& no, I don't think DC Jefferson is worth the time and effort - he fits the profile of the proverbial "coach killer").

 

[MrYeahBut]

Didn't say they'd be successful, but I do think they'll try.

TE is a weird position (more like 4 positions under one banner. You've got your blocking TE in Sperry, your pass-catching flex-guy in Houser, your lead-blocking H-Back/FB in Dray and your all-around TE (which we don't have).

Because of the specialized nature of 3 of the 4 roles, some teams might take a raw young athlete with one special attribute and try to mold him into a valuable TE. I think Keim will either troll the wires for a veteran role player or try to uncover a diamond in the rough that the coaches can mold. (& no, I don't think DC Jefferson is worth the time and effort - he fits the profile of the proverbial "coach killer").

At our age, do we really want to wait it out for them to mold someone?


.

 

[oaken1]

damn...at least it took windows about ten years to get to the seventh version

 

[JeffGollin]

At our age, do we really want to wait it out for them to mold someone?


.

Definitely (because the longer it takes, the longer we get to live).

It's not a matter of the kind of TE we want to add, but more having to deal with the realities of supply and demand.

There just aren't a lot of quality dudes out there.

You think we've got problems? Consider what's happened to NE.