Cardinals Agree To Terms With Linebacker Orlando Huff

[MaoTosiFanClub]

You heard it here first: Gerald Hayes will not beat out Orlando Huff for starting MLB.

 

[joeshmo]

One thing about it. If he was starting for the Seahawks, we just weakened their team.

That's two starters we've pulled from a division rival.

Sounds good but not really the case. They have been grooming a guy to take his place there just like we have been grooming Hayes to take McKinnons place. Plus they are still in the running for Hartwell.

All we really did is maybe take away some of their depth.

 

[ajcardfan]

All we really did is maybe take away some of their depth.

Depth is important though. They'll probably wind up with a day 2 pick or UDFA to fill his spot on special teams.

 

[40yearfan]

Sounds good but not really the case. They have been grooming a guy to take his place there just like we have been grooming Hayes to take McKinnons place. Plus they are still in the running for Hartwell.

All we really did is maybe take away some of their depth.

What about Chike Okeafor? I don't think they considered him depth.

 

[BIGDADDY_REDBIRD]

You heard it here first: Gerald Hayes will not beat out Orlando Huff for starting MLB.

What would make you believe that??? I like what I've seen from Hayes, in limited action. Has a nose for the ball & is a physical tackler... Plays with emotion.

 

[ajcardfan]

Maybe Huff speaks Spanish? Once the Mexico City thing became official, all of the sudden he's signed.

 

[Syracusecards]

Yawn. As far as splashes, this is like a fly landing on a pond.

 

[40yearfan]

Maybe Huff speaks Spanish? Once the Mexico City thing became official, all of the sudden he's signed.

aj, I take it you have a beef with Starbucks?

 

[SeattleCard]

We're not lucky Starbucks is around. Their coffee is turd water. It's absolutely, hands down, the nastiest coffee I have ever tasted. The coffee at the Texaco station is far, far better.

Hey ajcardfan - you should consider yourself lucky you don't live in Seattle if you don't like Starbucks.

There is literally one on every single corner up here. In some places there are even starbucks right across the street from each other. It's rather sickening. ... but the lattes are good every now and then.

 

[Russ Smith]

That is slightly misleading though. He may be credited for starting 14 games but he only played in 50% of the snaps becuase the Hawks were grooming Niko Koutouvides for the future and gave him a lot of snaps at MLB becuase they new Huff wasnt coming back. Which is exactly what we should have done with Hayes this year by the way.

Huff is on of those young hungry guys that are on the verge of something good, on the verge of putting it all together, the type of guy Green likes. Now will he put it all together is a different story. But at the worst if we are commited to Hayes as the starter Huff is a great backup for him, and this will push Hayes even harder to be the best.

7 starts in 2002, 3 in 2003, 14 in 2004, has nice size but I admit I don't know a thing about him. He and Hayes can compete and if we get Derrick Johnson, we can include Darling in the mix at MLB.

 

[azdad1978]

Is he good in run support or pass coverage?

 

[The Commish]

7 starts in 2002, 3 in 2003, 14 in 2004, has nice size but I admit I don't know a thing about him. He and Hayes can compete and if we get Derrick Johnson, we can include Darling in the mix at MLB.

I would be very surprised if we took Derrick Johnson with our #8 pick at this point even though I think he would significantly improve our team.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

another contributing factor to a defense that finished 26th in the league

a good depth guy, but never really rounded into much more than that

average on ST at best

Niko definitely out produced him, as did many others on the LB corp

the guy is inconsistent, often makes bad reads or just can't get to the play in time

on the flip side he'd occasionaly go a streak and look like the answer

but after that many year it was apparent he wasn't ... at least not in seattle

 

[Russ Smith]

I would be very surprised if we took Derrick Johnson with our #8 pick at this point even though I think he would significantly improve our team.

I no longer think he'll be there I keep reading Cleveland loves him. I agree it's unlikely we'll get him although he's still the guy I'd pick if I were in charge and he were on the board.

Pretty sure we're going CB now.

 

[ajcardfan]

Hey ajcardfan - you should consider yourself lucky you don't live in Seattle if you don't like Starbucks.

There is literally one on every single corner up here. In some places there are even starbucks right across the street from each other. It's rather sickening. ... but the lattes are good every now and then.

Starbucks espresso is so bad I actually put sugar in it. They burn the crap out of the bean breaking down the oils into acids. Beleive it or not, espresso should not be bitter. The only positive is they provide my DOC, caffeine, and it's better than nothing in emergencies. I spent part of my honeymoon in Seattle, and had lots of options to avoid Starbucks.

I could go on, but this is the Cards board!

 

[fball13]

Hopefull we'll get James now and draft a CB...

 

[bigredjane]

The Coffee Bean --

Starbucks espresso is so bad I actually put sugar in it. They burn the crap out of the bean breaking down the oils into acids. Beleive it or not, espresso should not be bitter. The only positive is they provide my DOC, caffeine, and it's better than nothing in emergencies. I spent part of my honeymoon in Seattle, and had lots of options to avoid Starbucks.

I could go on, but this is the Cards board!

Has them all beat hands down, their iced blendeds are a bomb!

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

What would make you believe that??? I like what I've seen from Hayes, in limited action. Has a nose for the ball & is a physical tackler... Plays with emotion.

If we have learned one thing about Denny it's that he likes to play "his guys" even at the expense of a young player's development (Pace and BJ are clear examples of this). And since Hayes is a Mac acquisition while Huff is a guy Green brought in I'd put the odds on Orlando.

 

[BACH]

Here's the bio on Huff from both the War Room and ESPN.. I doubt he'll beat out Hayes, but he does provide solid depth and has cost a lot less than Hartwell would cost. I would have liked Hartwell, but this is perhaps a smarter move because of Hayes' potential and the possibility to spend the money elsewhere.

2004 scouting report
Strengths: Has excellent size and a nonstop motor. Attacks the line of scrimmage and fights to shed blocks. Is a quality special teams player.
Weaknesses: Is not agile. Doesn’t always play under control and will miss open-field tackles. Lacks ideal range and lateral mobility and doesn’t have great recognition.

Bottom line: Huff is a physical run stuffer who plays with great intensity and will contribute on special teams, but he is a liability in coverage.
Rating:6.5 (Solid starter)

Insider Analysis
Huff possesses excellent size and has the lower-body strength to hold his ground at the point of attack. Plays with a mean streak, attacks the line of scrimmage and is extremely physical. Plays with a non-stop motor and will make some outstanding plays with second effort. Gets downfield quickly on cover teams and is a quality special teams' player. Huff is at his best when playing downhill, but he lacks ideal range and doesn't make plays from sideline-to-sideline. Struggles to change directions quickly, doesn't always play under control and will miss some open-field tackles. Takes some false steps, doesn't have great recognition skills and is vulnerable to play-action. He has missed some time with injury in the past. Overall, Huff is a physical interior run-stuffer that plays with great intensity.
Grade 65 (Adequate Starter)

 

[Cards Czar]

Starbucks espresso is so bad I actually put sugar in it. They burn the crap out of the bean breaking down the oils into acids. Beleive it or not, espresso should not be bitter. The only positive is they provide my DOC, caffeine, and it's better than nothing in emergencies. I spent part of my honeymoon in Seattle, and had lots of options to avoid Starbucks.

I could go on, but this is the Cards board!

That is right. Cafe should not be bitter and it should have a strong taste. I lived in Italy for 17 yrs and the wife is italian. Drink 3-4 cups a day. Love Kimbo Italian cafe. Now a cup is only 1/2 of a small cafe cup. The only problem is if you drink too much it makes your head tingle because of too much caffeine.

 

[Mulli]

Starbucks espresso is so bad I actually put sugar in it. They burn the crap out of the bean breaking down the oils into acids. Beleive it or not, espresso should not be bitter. The only positive is they provide my DOC, caffeine, and it's better than nothing in emergencies. I spent part of my honeymoon in Seattle, and had lots of options to avoid Starbucks.

I could go on, but this is the Cards board!

Absolutely right!! Your post reminded me of the scene from the Sopranos where Paulie Walnuts called places like Starbucks "a rape of the culture (Italian)." So true so true.

 

[joeshmo]

What about Chike Okeafor? I don't think they considered him depth.

Was I talking about Chike?

It was in reference to Huff, not Chike.

 

[Scott MS]

Good signing, now there's more money left over for the Edge!!

 

[40yearfan]

Was I talking about Chike?

It was in reference to Huff, not Chike.

IN my original post I stated we had taken two players from the Seahawks. I thought you meant both players.

 

[JeffGollin]

If he was starting for the Seahawks, we just weakened their team.
Not if Hartwell's agreed to terms with Seattle.

There was a report that he had completed his visit with Seattle and "would come to a final decision within 48 hours." It's not out of the question that he decided to sign with Seattle and contacted the Cards before it was made public - or the Cardinals got wind of it.

Anyway, that's what I'm thinking.