Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
As advertised, BA&SK are sticking to the Cardinal Rule of selecting players who are not only a good fit to the Cardinals' schemes on the field, but players who will add to and enhance the current culture and team dynamic.
Simply put, BA&SK are not going to take players who need babysitters or therapists.
In trying to understand the Cardinals' first three picks in the draft this year, we need to take into account the context of how the draft works for teams that draft in the late portions of rounds.
Here is my guess as to what the thought process was the past two nights:
Round 1:
The Cardinals were hoping to see OLB/DE Bud Dupree on the board and were prepared to move up to #21 to take him. However, the Bengals would not accept whatever it was the Cardinals offered---which was most likely picks #24 and #120 (4th Round).
There is no way the Cardinals were going to part with their 3rd round pick in order to move up 4 spots.
This is where some fans might disagree with what they did. And if so, I guess you have to ask yourself whether taking Dupree would have been worth missing out on RB David Johnson.
Once the Steelers took Dupree, the Cardinals made a call to T D.J. Humphries, a player they had been scouting since November and had brought in for talks and steak dinner.
The Cardinals had a higher draft grade on Humphries than any other player in the draft at that point, including OLB Shane Ray.
When one takes a close look at Humphries what you see is a tackle with ideal physical traits and tenacity.
What was surprising to many of us, myself included, was how high a priority a tackle like Humphries was considering other, more glaring needs.
But, again, upon further review...
Have the coaches been perfectly comfortable with RT Bobby Massie?
Have the coaches been comfortable with Bradley Sowell as the primary backup at left tackle?
Therefore, what the Cardinals did was something of a coup.
Think of this---14 months ago the starting left tackle was Bradley Sowell.
14 months later the Cardinals have two bona-fide left tackles---at a position where most team drool for having one.
As the pundits and scouts all say---the three most highly coveted positions in the NFL are: QB, LT and RDE.
In addition, I don't know how the Cardinals managed to do this, but they selected a personality who could rival BA's! These two in the same room will bring constant hilarity!
When one looks at the other players taken after Humphries---the two who come the closest are CB Byron Jones (UConn) and DT Malcom Brown (Texas).
When I watched Jones on tape---I did not see a standout player---nor did I see the kind of physical prowess his measurements at the Combine would suggest. He very well could develop---and has excellent upside.
The conclusion I would draw from that is that Humphries is much more NLF ready. After all, he played in the SEC versus the best defenses and he was fortunate to be able to play against Dante Fowler every day in practice. Thus, his transition into the NFL is going to be more adaptable than Jones'.
Now---credit BA&SK and the scouts because they did their due diligence with Jones when they recently brought him in for a visit. And all indications were that they not only were fascinated with Jones' physical prowess, but that they were very impressed with his maturity and articulation.
As for DT Malcom Brown---had the Cardinals not signed a similar DT in Corey Peters---he most likely would have been the pick. Humphries and Brown are that close talent-wise, in my opinion.
But again---if all things are equal---you take the guy who can play left tackle.
Interestingly, many of us on the board were totally intrigued with the idea of drafting C/G/T Cameron Erving at #24---but what we probably didn't realize is that Humphries is just as versatile, if need be, and he's a better athlete and a better left tackle, if he is ever going to be used there at some point.
The thing about Erving is---and it's a moot point because as we expected he was off the board---his immediate transition to center in an offense like BA's would have been extremely difficult---especially in light of his relative inexperience at the position.
I think---and maybe the Cardinals do too---that a center like Andy Gallik of Boston College---would have an easier transition into BA's offense. BA&SK have mentioned that they were thinking offensive line again in round 3---maybe they have Gallik or big G Jarvis Harrison in mind in round 4 (with perhpas the thought of moving Jonathan Cooper to C where many of us feel he could dominate)?
The Cardinals said that D.J. Humphries was the #13th player on their board. I think it is quite possible and even likely that they had him rated higher than Cameron Erving.
Rounds 2 & 3:
Steve Keim said he displayed a rare show of emotion when a player he wanted was taken in Round 2. My guess is that that player was OLB Hau'oli Kikaha who was taken by the Saints at #44 or RB Ameer Abdullah taken one spot in front of the Cardinals at #54.
Having barely missed out on Dupree in Round 1, the hope was to bounce back with Kikaha.
Now---I wrote a case for taking Kikaha in Round 1---and this is the thing about drafting late in rounds---and about the draft in general---often---you only have one real chance to draft a player you want.
I realize that Kikaha was a risky first round pick because of his less than ideal measureables and his previous knee injuries. But---the guy has uncanny skill and instincts.
Thus, with Kikaha off the board---the next thought was RB Ameer Abdullah---which was less of a surprise when he was taken by the Lions at #54---but again---the Cardinals were so close to getting the Bud Dupree/Ameer Abdullah combo they were hoping for. Maybe this is why Keim exploded.
What happens from here is readily explainable and justifiable.
Who was the next highest rate edge player on the Cardinals' board behind Kikaha? Markus Golden.
Who was the next highest rated RB behind Abdullah? David Johnson.
The question was figuring out which player to take first---Golden or Johnson.
Having learned from missing out on Kikaha---the decision was that they could actually move down 4 spots, pick up an extra 5th rounder in the process---and take Golden---who yes---probably was going to go in the early portion of Round 3---but---late 2nd/early 3rd---does it really matter when he's the player you want?
BA said "I was holding my breath" hoping that Johnson would be there in the late portion of Round 3. He was.
Have you noticed that the Cardinals had all three of their picks in immediately?
Having watched Golden at length, i was delighted with the pick and feel he is a great fit to be groomed behind and along side a 34SOLB proto-type in LaMarr Woodley. The Cardinals like strength and tenacity at the 34SOLB position and the Steelers' old way of position flexibility to be able to slide the SOLB to LDE in the 4 man rush. This is exactly what they can do with Golden.
My immediate reaction to the Johnson pick was a little skeptical---but---you see i did not understand the context of the pick until BA&SK explained it. Like some of you, I thought the Cardinals wanted an inside the tackles pounder. Johnson is not that guy---he's much like Andre Ellington in that respect---but Johnson is also just like Ellington in that he is outstanding in the passing game.
We heard BA say last year he wanted to add a RB very similar to Andre---and now he has that player.
Interestingly, when asked about the inside running game, BA affirmed how impressed he is with Kerwynn Williams and how Williams helped to win two of the most important games of the year (Chiefs and Rams) by virtue of his tough and productive rushes between the tackles.
Now---Williams doesn't look like your typical inside pounder---but---he can fill that role while splitting carries with Ellington and Johnson and thus won't be called on to have to carry the bulk of the load---which at his size might be difficult. Thus, late in games with the lead, Williams could be the finisher.
Heading into today's rounds in Day 3, BA&SK have the flexibility to be aggressive if the wish to. I think they deserve to be commended for their search for the right puzzle pieces with the right priorities in mind.
Simply put, BA&SK are not going to take players who need babysitters or therapists.
In trying to understand the Cardinals' first three picks in the draft this year, we need to take into account the context of how the draft works for teams that draft in the late portions of rounds.
Here is my guess as to what the thought process was the past two nights:
Round 1:
The Cardinals were hoping to see OLB/DE Bud Dupree on the board and were prepared to move up to #21 to take him. However, the Bengals would not accept whatever it was the Cardinals offered---which was most likely picks #24 and #120 (4th Round).
There is no way the Cardinals were going to part with their 3rd round pick in order to move up 4 spots.
This is where some fans might disagree with what they did. And if so, I guess you have to ask yourself whether taking Dupree would have been worth missing out on RB David Johnson.
Once the Steelers took Dupree, the Cardinals made a call to T D.J. Humphries, a player they had been scouting since November and had brought in for talks and steak dinner.
The Cardinals had a higher draft grade on Humphries than any other player in the draft at that point, including OLB Shane Ray.
When one takes a close look at Humphries what you see is a tackle with ideal physical traits and tenacity.
What was surprising to many of us, myself included, was how high a priority a tackle like Humphries was considering other, more glaring needs.
But, again, upon further review...
Have the coaches been perfectly comfortable with RT Bobby Massie?
Have the coaches been comfortable with Bradley Sowell as the primary backup at left tackle?
Therefore, what the Cardinals did was something of a coup.
Think of this---14 months ago the starting left tackle was Bradley Sowell.
14 months later the Cardinals have two bona-fide left tackles---at a position where most team drool for having one.
As the pundits and scouts all say---the three most highly coveted positions in the NFL are: QB, LT and RDE.
In addition, I don't know how the Cardinals managed to do this, but they selected a personality who could rival BA's! These two in the same room will bring constant hilarity!
When one looks at the other players taken after Humphries---the two who come the closest are CB Byron Jones (UConn) and DT Malcom Brown (Texas).
When I watched Jones on tape---I did not see a standout player---nor did I see the kind of physical prowess his measurements at the Combine would suggest. He very well could develop---and has excellent upside.
The conclusion I would draw from that is that Humphries is much more NLF ready. After all, he played in the SEC versus the best defenses and he was fortunate to be able to play against Dante Fowler every day in practice. Thus, his transition into the NFL is going to be more adaptable than Jones'.
Now---credit BA&SK and the scouts because they did their due diligence with Jones when they recently brought him in for a visit. And all indications were that they not only were fascinated with Jones' physical prowess, but that they were very impressed with his maturity and articulation.
As for DT Malcom Brown---had the Cardinals not signed a similar DT in Corey Peters---he most likely would have been the pick. Humphries and Brown are that close talent-wise, in my opinion.
But again---if all things are equal---you take the guy who can play left tackle.
Interestingly, many of us on the board were totally intrigued with the idea of drafting C/G/T Cameron Erving at #24---but what we probably didn't realize is that Humphries is just as versatile, if need be, and he's a better athlete and a better left tackle, if he is ever going to be used there at some point.
The thing about Erving is---and it's a moot point because as we expected he was off the board---his immediate transition to center in an offense like BA's would have been extremely difficult---especially in light of his relative inexperience at the position.
I think---and maybe the Cardinals do too---that a center like Andy Gallik of Boston College---would have an easier transition into BA's offense. BA&SK have mentioned that they were thinking offensive line again in round 3---maybe they have Gallik or big G Jarvis Harrison in mind in round 4 (with perhpas the thought of moving Jonathan Cooper to C where many of us feel he could dominate)?
The Cardinals said that D.J. Humphries was the #13th player on their board. I think it is quite possible and even likely that they had him rated higher than Cameron Erving.
Rounds 2 & 3:
Steve Keim said he displayed a rare show of emotion when a player he wanted was taken in Round 2. My guess is that that player was OLB Hau'oli Kikaha who was taken by the Saints at #44 or RB Ameer Abdullah taken one spot in front of the Cardinals at #54.
Having barely missed out on Dupree in Round 1, the hope was to bounce back with Kikaha.
Now---I wrote a case for taking Kikaha in Round 1---and this is the thing about drafting late in rounds---and about the draft in general---often---you only have one real chance to draft a player you want.
I realize that Kikaha was a risky first round pick because of his less than ideal measureables and his previous knee injuries. But---the guy has uncanny skill and instincts.
Thus, with Kikaha off the board---the next thought was RB Ameer Abdullah---which was less of a surprise when he was taken by the Lions at #54---but again---the Cardinals were so close to getting the Bud Dupree/Ameer Abdullah combo they were hoping for. Maybe this is why Keim exploded.
What happens from here is readily explainable and justifiable.
Who was the next highest rate edge player on the Cardinals' board behind Kikaha? Markus Golden.
Who was the next highest rated RB behind Abdullah? David Johnson.
The question was figuring out which player to take first---Golden or Johnson.
Having learned from missing out on Kikaha---the decision was that they could actually move down 4 spots, pick up an extra 5th rounder in the process---and take Golden---who yes---probably was going to go in the early portion of Round 3---but---late 2nd/early 3rd---does it really matter when he's the player you want?
BA said "I was holding my breath" hoping that Johnson would be there in the late portion of Round 3. He was.
Have you noticed that the Cardinals had all three of their picks in immediately?
Having watched Golden at length, i was delighted with the pick and feel he is a great fit to be groomed behind and along side a 34SOLB proto-type in LaMarr Woodley. The Cardinals like strength and tenacity at the 34SOLB position and the Steelers' old way of position flexibility to be able to slide the SOLB to LDE in the 4 man rush. This is exactly what they can do with Golden.
My immediate reaction to the Johnson pick was a little skeptical---but---you see i did not understand the context of the pick until BA&SK explained it. Like some of you, I thought the Cardinals wanted an inside the tackles pounder. Johnson is not that guy---he's much like Andre Ellington in that respect---but Johnson is also just like Ellington in that he is outstanding in the passing game.
We heard BA say last year he wanted to add a RB very similar to Andre---and now he has that player.
Interestingly, when asked about the inside running game, BA affirmed how impressed he is with Kerwynn Williams and how Williams helped to win two of the most important games of the year (Chiefs and Rams) by virtue of his tough and productive rushes between the tackles.
Now---Williams doesn't look like your typical inside pounder---but---he can fill that role while splitting carries with Ellington and Johnson and thus won't be called on to have to carry the bulk of the load---which at his size might be difficult. Thus, late in games with the lead, Williams could be the finisher.
Heading into today's rounds in Day 3, BA&SK have the flexibility to be aggressive if the wish to. I think they deserve to be commended for their search for the right puzzle pieces with the right priorities in mind.
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