Cardinals' Draft & Trades

[Mitch]

The way I look at is, the Cardinals, now that they have re-signed QB Kurt Warner, have a two year opporunity to win a Super Bowl. Sure, a team never wants necessarily to sacrifice the future, but there are some coaches and GMs who always believe that the future is now.

The Cardinals need to add 2 RBs, 1 G, 1 TE, 1 FB, 1 LS, 1 DE, 2 3-4 OLBs, 1 ILB, 1 CB and 1 FS. The problem is the current free agent pool at RB, TE, DE and OLB is very shallow. Thus, if the Cardinals could add CB Bryant McFadden (Steelers), DE Mike Wright (Patriots), FB Mike Karney (Saints) and LS Mike Leach...and re-sign LB Monty Beisel, DE Bertrand Berry and CB Ralph Brown, that would be a great start.

The Cardinals likely have an excellent opportunity to acquire draft picks for Matt Leinart and/or Anquan Boldin. The market would appear to be hot for both of them. The free agent QB market and the QB Draft pool are about as weak as we have seen in recent years. And Anquan Boldin is obviously a Pro Bowl WR who many teams would drool over acquiring. Neither Leinart nor Boldin is likely to be happy staying in Arizona. It makes sense, based on how many needs the Cardinals must address, to trade both of them.

Trades:

1. The Cardinals trade QB Matt Leinart to the New York Jets for the #17 pick. The Jets are staring at the basement of the AFC East if they do not acquire a QB. Adding Leinart would create quite a buzz in New York. They would not want to part with the #17 pick, and may try to insist on their 2nd rounder, #52, but may have to add another pick or a player to sweeten that deal. IMO, other teams will show interest in Leinart and thus the Jets would feel the pressure to try to outbid the others for him. They will figure that Leinart is a far better option than rookie Mark Sanchez, and there's no quarantee he be still available at #17. So, the Jets make the deal and Leinart becomes "Broadway Matt." The Cardinals make this trade because they want Knowshon Moreno and feel that having him is more valuable than keeping Leinart.

2. The Cardinals trade WR Anquan Boldin to the Buffalo Bills for RB Fred Jackson, and the #42 (Rd. 2) and #75 (Rd. 3) picks. Jackson is a good, solid young back who gained more than 500 yards last year and his yards/per/carry was 4.4. In Boldin, the Bills would acquire the prefect compliment to speed WR Lee Evans.

The Cardinals' Mock Draft

(1) #17 Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia. Has superstar written all over him.

(1) #31 Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech. Some question his consistency, but no one questions his superior talent.

(2) #42 Peria Jerry, NT, Mississippi. Physical NT who plays with a bounce and has a non-stop motor. Is predicted to go a little higher, so this would be a great value at #42.

(2) #63 Lawrence Sidbury, OLB, Richmond. Cardinals call on the Spiders two years in a row (Hightower) for this speedy edge rusher.

(3) #75 Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin. Might be the best run blocker in the draft.

(3) #95 Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida. Missed '08 season with a torn ACL, but he's the Anquan Boldin of TEs and has recovered nicely from his injury.

(4) #127 Derek Pegues, FS, Mississippi St. Rangy and tough minded FS. Just what the Cardinals need in the nickel and dime packages.

(5) #159 Dallas Reynolds, C, BYU. Versatile All-WAC lineman who comes from a pro system.

(6) #191 Brian Toal, LB, Boston College. Stock has fallen due to injuries, but, when healthy, is a quick, tough-nosed tackler.

(7) #223 Mike Teel, QB, Rutgers. Finished they year as hot as any college QB and now gets to stay with his OC, now Cardinals' WR coach, Mike McNulty.

 

[dogpoo32]

Boldin to the Bills? T.O., Boldin and Evans? Really? Leinart worth a 1st? Neither will get traded. Drafting Moreno is because he's more valuable than Matt? You must have some personal problems with Leinart.

 

[Mitch]

Boldin to the Bills? T.O., Boldin and Evans? Really? Leinart worth a 1st? Neither will get traded. Drafting Moreno is because he's more valuable than Matt? You must have some personal problems with Leinart.

I knew the Bills were looking for an impact WR...and obviously was writing this thread while the TO trade went down.

You would rather have Leinart than Moreno? That surprises me.

I have NO personal problems with Leinart...I do have a problem with releasing him a year from now (before paying him $15M) and not getting anything in return for him.

 

[dogpoo32]

I knew the Bills were looking for an impact WR...and was writing this thread while the TO trade went down.

You would rather have Leinart than Moreno? That surprises me.

I have NO personal problems with Leinart...I do have a problem with releasing him a year from now (before paying him $15M) and not getting anything in return for him.

I figured you were writing it when it happened. I would rather have a player who has proven they can play at the professional level yes. Looking at a 2 year window and assuming Kurt can lead us back to the SB is fun, but at the expense of setting the franchise back a few years? If it didn't pan out, and Kurt retired without his next ring, we would be either paying huge money for a QB or drafting one. Whis has not been a great developer of QB's. Ask Big Ben. You are basically betting a lot on one season. Who's to say Kurt doesn't come back and suck next year then retire? Where would that leave us?

 

[joeshmo]

Matt in now way what so ever is going to get us a 1st round draft pick. Highly doubt we could even get a 2nd rounder for him. Not even a 1% chance IMO. Especially from a Rex Ryan coached Jets team.

Not sure how Jackson is a solid young back, dude is 28 years old. Also with the Lynch situation Bills will not be trading away any of their RB's.

We know Moreno would be a good get for us.

Michael Johnson. Everyone questions his talent. What they dont question is his physical attributes. Dont confuse workout warrior with talent. If he had talent he would have produced more then 17 sacks in 3 starting seasons. Surprised that you would pick the one player with the least amount of heart in the draft.

Jerry isnt a NT, he is a 1 gap penatrater and phsyical would not be word to describe him. Burst, speed, agility, shed blocks, pursuit, hard worker, leader would be used but not physical. But I would like the pick to put opposite of Dockett, but I highly doubt he goes any lower then the Colts in round one.

Glad you moved Sidbury to the 2nd round because thats where we would have to take him if we want him and I wouldnt mind taking him there. Was the first person to pimp the kid more thena month ago, I like him a lot.

Ubrik I like.

I like Ingram as a reciever, a lot actully, but Boldin he is not. He shys away from contact and is not physical. He is more Fitz when he came out of school with leaping ability, body control, large hands.

The rest I make it a point not to complain about 4th through 7th rounders becasu lets face it, at that point its a guessing game and your just trying to draft guys that can make the team.

I like the idea behind the trades, just dont think they are plossible and liked all but one of the 1st three rounds of picks.

 

[Shzm13]

Lol @ the Cards making all these moves.

Yeah right!

I dont see Graves doing all that paperwork

 

[Mitch]

Matt in now way what so ever is going to get us a 1st round draft pick. Highly doubt we could even get a 2nd rounder for him. Not even a 1% chance IMO. Especially from a Rex Ryan coached Jets team.

Not sure how Jackson is a solid young back, dude is 28 years old. Also with the Lynch situation Bills will not be trading away any of their RB's.

We know Moreno would be a good get for us.

Michael Johnson. Everyone questions his talent. What they dont question is his physical attributes. Dont confuse workout warrior with talent. If he had talent he would have produced more then 17 sacks in 3 starting seasons. Surprised that you would pick the one player with the least amount of heart in the draft.

Jerry isnt a NT, he is a 1 gap penatrater and phsyical would not be word to describe him. Burst, speed, agility, shed blocks, pursuit, hard worker, leader would be used but not physical. But I would like the pick to put opposite of Dockett, but I highly doubt he goes any lower then the Colts in round one.

Glad you moved Sidbury to the 2nd round because thats where we would have to take him if we want him and I wouldnt mind taking him there. Was the first person to pimp the kid more thena month ago, I like him a lot.

Ubrik I like.

I like Ingram as a reciever, a lot actully, but Boldin he is not. He shys away from contact and is not physical. He is more Fitz when he came out of school with leaping ability, body control, large hands.

The rest I make it a point not to complain about 4th through 7th rounders becasu lets face it, at that point its a guessing game and your just trying to draft guys that can make the team.

I like the idea behind the trades, just dont think they are plossible and liked all but one of the 1st three rounds of picks.

It's funny...I spent a couple hours writing this and in that time: (a) the Bills acquired TO; and (b) there's a new article about Leinart not wanting or expecting a trade.

Oh, well. It was fun thinking about it anyway.

Your draftee notes are excellent. I agree with all you said. You are right about Ingram not being nearly as physical as Q...I meant that he and Q were converted QBs who showed up big-time as receivers in big situations.

I like Jerry as a penetrator at NT...which may conflict with the Cardinals' style (I wish it didn't). Perhaps Ron Brace would be a better fit then.

Would you draft Michael Johnson at #31, Joe?

I'd love to see a mock draft from you.

If we don't make any trades...I think the first two picks go this way:

1. Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

2. Lawrence Sidbury, LB, Richmond

Or...if Brown is gone...

1. Michael Johnson, OLB, Georgia Tech

2. Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa

What does everyone think?

 

[Brewster10]

Ah, lots of make believe.

Leinart for a first rounder.. please

Peria Jerry at 42.. no way he lasts that long

 

[Mitch]

Ah, lots of make believe.

Leinart for a first rounder.. please

Peria Jerry at 42.. no way he lasts that long

Yeah, this thread is officially a dud. Sorry.

However, I find your Leinart remark curious. He was the #10 pick in 2006 and he got beat out by a QB who has played at a Pro Bowl level. Wouldn't a desperate team like the Jets be interested in Leinart? Or do you feel that his image around the league is tarnished?

As for Jerry...players of his ilk slide every year...it's not entirely far-fetched that he would be there at #42...

I will say this...some surprise players will be available at #42.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

It's funny...I spent a couple hours writing this and in that time: (a) the Bills acquired TO; and (b) there's a new article about Leinart not wanting or expecting a trade.

Oh, well. It was fun thinking about it anyway.

Your draftee notes are excellent. I agree with all you said. You are right about Ingram not being nearly as physical as Q...I meant that he and Q were converted QBs who showed up big-time as receivers in big situations.

I like Jerry as a penetrator at NT...which may conflict with the Cardinals' style (I wish it didn't). Perhaps Ron Brace would be a better fit then.

Would you draft Michael Johnson at #31, Joe?

I'd love to see a mock draft from you.

If we don't make any trades...I think the first two picks go this way:

1. Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

2. Lawrence Sidbury, LB, Richmond

Or...if Brown is gone...

1. Michael Johnson, OLB, Georgia Tech

2. Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa

What does everyone think?

With all of the reservations I heard from Mike Mayoch on the NFL Network, I can't see Johnson as a first rounder.

Hope that one of the 5/6 premier LB or, if you prefer, DE/OL drop to us... Larry English, for example. If not, Donald Brown would be fine.

If both are gone, as well as, similar LB/RB talents then I'd lean toward one of top rated centres.

 

[Mitch]

With all of the reservations I heard from Mike Mayoch on the NFL Network, I can't see Johnson as a first rounder.

Hope that one of the 5/6 premier LB or, if you prefer, DE/OL drop to us... Larry English, for example. If not, Donald Brown would be fine.

If both are gone, as well as, similar LB/RB talents then I'd lean toward one of top rated centres.

Good points and I like Mayock a lot, but...sometimes the pundits forget they are evaluating 21 year old kids...

Johnson has the ability to be an elite pass rusher...

That's what catches the eye...

All the players have warts and some seem more conspicuous than others.

I watched Larry English in the Senior Bowl and came away unimpressed. But, it was only one game...and with good coaching, he too has a chance of being a solid and productive pro.

 

[WildBB]

We know Moreno would be a good get for us.

Michael Johnson. Everyone questions his talent. What they dont question is his physical attributes. Dont confuse workout warrior with talent. If he had talent he would have produced more then 17 sacks in 3 starting seasons. Surprised that you would pick the one player with the least amount of heart in the draft.


Glad you moved Sidbury to the 2nd round because thats where we would have to take him if we want him and I wouldnt mind taking him there. Was the first person to pimp the kid more thena month ago, I like him a lot.

*Lets hope he's our guy.

*Wow, no heart huh....the truth hurts. When he's over matched he's done.

*I'd really like Sidbury too. We could even luck out that Sintim falls.

*Don't know anything about Urbik, but a potentially good C should be there in the 3rd round for us.

 

[joeshmo]

I watched Larry English in the Senior Bowl and came away unimpressed.

Putting to much stock into a senior bowl game where a player gets 10-15 snaps and scouts dont even bother to stay for. Should have watched the week of practices where the scouts actually pay attention to. I dont even watch that game for that very reason.

But if thats the only film you have seen of him I can see where you are coming from.

 

[joeshmo]

Would you draft Michael Johnson at #31, Joe?

I'd love to see a mock draft from you.

If we don't make any trades...I think the first two picks go this way:

1. Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

2. Lawrence Sidbury, LB, Richmond

Or...if Brown is gone...

1. Michael Johnson, OLB, Georgia Tech

2. Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa

What does everyone think?

I wouldnt even put MJ on my board. He is Quentin Moses part two. All the athletic ability in the world, nothing in the heart or between the head.

Some poeple may not like Greene because of his 40 time at the combine. He wont give you 80 yard touch downs but he will give you 5 yards a pop. Thats all we need, to keep the chains moving and the D honest for the pass game and to get us inside the 20 where Hightower excells.

I like option #1 of yours the most.

I wouldnt be all the surprised of TE - Brandon Pettigrew is there and we took him. TE's who arent athletic freaks just dont get taken that high. I mean just look at Heath Miller who was the first TE taken at #30. So if Heath Miller can get all the way to 30 then why not Pettigrew. But Pettigrew is still a stud and the TE Wiz has wanted and would covet for two years now. Put 30 lbs on him and he is a stud OT, thats how good of an inline blocker I think he is. So my mock would be as such.

This is if we can grab McFadden and Wright. Which for all the hand wringing we do still have a good shot at.

1st - Brandon Pettigrew - TE
2nd - Lawrence Sidbury - Predator LB
3rd - James Davis - RB - Dont think people are talking about him enough but guys who had less production like Goodson, Brown, Coffee get more of the pub for later round RB's.
4th - David Veikune - DE/LB - out of hawaii, will have to learn how to play in space though.
5th - Louis Vazquez - OG - Coming out of Texas Tech he mostly pass blocked in a spread offense in a spread OL alighment which will hurt his stock. But he has the size and strength to run block just needs some seasoning.
6th - Sammie Lee Hill - NT - Big Tubby from very small school. Experimental raw type to push Branch or wait a year on the PS.
7th - Marlon Lucky - Good recieving RB.

Wanted to take a FS but didnt see any I liked outside of the top 3 rounds.

 

[Brewster10]

IMO, im holding on to Leinart and Boldin.

And in an ideal draft I'm taking Larry English at #31 and Sibury or Barwin in the second round..

Pass rush problem solved...

Only way im moving off of taking a pass rusher in round 1 is if Moreno or Wells drop all the way down to us

 

[RugbyMuffin]

It's funny...I spent a couple hours writing this and in that time: (a) the Bills acquired TO; and (b) there's a new article about Leinart not wanting or expecting a trade.

I know the feeling. I put a 3rd safety being an important part of the offseason and spent gobs of time on what to do about it.....then Pency is fired a day later.

That is why were are not GM's

BTW, I am for keeping both Anquan and Matt.

 

[the_future23]

LOL at Leinart for a 1st round pick. No one would give up a 4th for him.

 

[Assface]

I wouldnt even put MJ on my board. He is Quentin Moses part two. All the athletic ability in the world, nothing in the heart or between the head.

Dennis Johnson was an athletic freak of a DE too and he was a disappointment for us. Plenty of guys stand out in high school and college simply because they're just that much better than everyone around them but when they get on a more balanced playing field that don't have that "it" that's required for NFL success.

4th - David Veikune - DE/LB - out of hawaii, will have to learn how to play in space though.

I've been meaning to start a thread about him. I didn't hear much about him until the combine where he put up some impressive numbers. Does he have the game to go with his ability?

5th - Louis Vazquez - OG - Coming out of Texas Tech he mostly pass blocked in a spread offense in a spread OL alignment which will hurt his stock. But he has the size and strength to run block just needs some seasoning.

Considering Grimm is better at teaching run blocking Vazquez sounds like the kind of prospect we should target along the OL. If we draft a guy who's already a good run blocker but needs to improve his pass blocking, chances are he's not going to get that much better here. However, if we get the opposite I'm confident that Grimm can improve the run blocking to make our draftee a good overall lineman.

 

[WildBB]

I wouldnt even put MJ on my board. He is Quentin Moses part two. All the athletic ability in the world, nothing in the heart or between the head.

Some poeple may not like Greene because of his 40 time at the combine. He wont give you 80 yard touch downs but he will give you 5 yards a pop. Thats all we need, to keep the chains moving and the D honest for the pass game and to get us inside the 20 where Hightower excells.

I like option #1 of yours the most.

I wouldnt be all the surprised of TE - Brandon Pettigrew is there and we took him. TE's who arent athletic freaks just dont get taken that high. I mean just look at Heath Miller who was the first TE taken at #30. So if Heath Miller can get all the way to 30 then why not Pettigrew. But Pettigrew is still a stud and the TE Wiz has wanted and would covet for two years now. Put 30 lbs on him and he is a stud OT, thats how good of an inline blocker I think he is. So my mock would be as such.

This is if we can grab McFadden and Wright. Which for all the hand wringing we do still have a good shot at.

1st - Brandon Pettigrew - TE
2nd - Lawrence Sidbury - Predator LB
3rd - James Davis - RB - Dont think people are talking about him enough but guys who had less production like Goodson, Brown, Coffee get more of the pub for later round RB's.
4th - David Veikune - DE/LB - out of hawaii, will have to learn how to play in space though.
5th - Louis Vazquez - OG - Coming out of Texas Tech he mostly pass blocked in a spread offense in a spread OL alighment which will hurt his stock. But he has the size and strength to run block just needs some seasoning.
6th - Sammie Lee Hill - NT - Big Tubby from very small school. Experimental raw type to push Branch or wait a year on the PS.
7th - Marlon Lucky - Good recieving RB.

Wanted to take a FS but didnt see any I liked outside of the top 3 rounds.

Good Draft.
I don't think we come out of this draft w/o a Center and probably another OT prospect.

Realistically if things stay the way they are right now and we just draft at out present position, I could see us getting Pettigrew. He would be like adding another OL in a way, he has that potential to make the run game that much better. He can catch also. But this is such a deep TE draft,that if he's not there, it won't hurt us that much either because we'll even get a bigger area of need.

Lets just say for arguments sake we go into the draft w/o any major signings this year. It could happen. Then what? You have to come out of this draft with OL, RB, DE/OLB, CB, S, TE in no particular order. That's five needs that have to be addressed. All are fairly important, so what takes priority?

I would say as of this moment and the way the Cardinals' personell is.
1- DE/OLB - We need some youth there.
2- RB - We only have Hightower for all intents, right now.
3- CB/S - Pass coverage is still an immediate concern.
4- OL - In my mind this doesn't fall very far away from the other three positions. We're OK if Gandy comes back onboard, but we may loose Brown and it's really thin all along the line. We need another C/G interior lineman at minimum. One who can really handle the C position preferably and anchor an inside run game.
5- OL - This may include a good blocking TE here or could be another interior linemen G to possibly replace E. Brown and push Lutui some.

Based on that my board reads of who should be available:
1- Maybin, Barwin, Sintim - DE/OLB or Moreno - RB
2- Brown, McCoy or Jennings - RB or Sidbury, McRath - OLB
3- Luigs, Wood , Caldwell - C
4- Bruton, Clemons - S
5- Best remaining TE? Ingram, Drew, Purvis, Phillips
6- Best remaining OG - OT
7- Curtis Painter - QB

 

[Goldfield]

I think we could get a first for Leinart. QB's have a high value.

I agree we should look at trading both to improve the balance of the team.

 

[perivolaki]

Realistically if things stay the way they are right now and we just draft at out present position, I could see us getting Pettigrew. He would be like adding another OL in a way, he has that potential to make the run game that much better. He can catch also. But this is such a deep TE draft,that if he's not there, it won't hurt us that much either because we'll even get a bigger area of need.

I like Pettigrew a lot. The guy is just massive and is going to get bigger. When they show those ground level shots he just towers over defenders. With his frame he could easily play at 275 lbs. in a couple of years.

I like him because I think you get double bang for your buck. He is big and has good hands so he helps with the passing game and really creates problems for teams in the red zone.

Then he helps the run game because hes an effective blocker and has the size to do it in the NFL. He also shows a lot of aggressiveness blocking, a lot of want to so to speak. This is getting rarer and rarer because of the spread offenses being run in college.

A lot of the other tight ends are only pass catchers or blockers and have to fit with other tight ends who can cover their weaknesses. Pettigrew is a true 3 down TE.

 

[Perfectionist]

Lol @ the Cards making all these moves.

Yeah right!

I dont see Graves doing all that paperwork

If all the GM's had to run the 40, who do you thing would come in last?

 

[Mitch]

I wouldnt even put MJ on my board. He is Quentin Moses part two. All the athletic ability in the world, nothing in the heart or between the head.

Some poeple may not like Greene because of his 40 time at the combine. He wont give you 80 yard touch downs but he will give you 5 yards a pop. Thats all we need, to keep the chains moving and the D honest for the pass game and to get us inside the 20 where Hightower excells.

I like option #1 of yours the most.

I wouldnt be all the surprised of TE - Brandon Pettigrew is there and we took him. TE's who arent athletic freaks just dont get taken that high. I mean just look at Heath Miller who was the first TE taken at #30. So if Heath Miller can get all the way to 30 then why not Pettigrew. But Pettigrew is still a stud and the TE Wiz has wanted and would covet for two years now. Put 30 lbs on him and he is a stud OT, thats how good of an inline blocker I think he is. So my mock would be as such.

This is if we can grab McFadden and Wright. Which for all the hand wringing we do still have a good shot at.

1st - Brandon Pettigrew - TE
2nd - Lawrence Sidbury - Predator LB
3rd - James Davis - RB - Dont think people are talking about him enough but guys who had less production like Goodson, Brown, Coffee get more of the pub for later round RB's.
4th - David Veikune - DE/LB - out of hawaii, will have to learn how to play in space though.
5th - Louis Vazquez - OG - Coming out of Texas Tech he mostly pass blocked in a spread offense in a spread OL alighment which will hurt his stock. But he has the size and strength to run block just needs some seasoning.
6th - Sammie Lee Hill - NT - Big Tubby from very small school. Experimental raw type to push Branch or wait a year on the PS.
7th - Marlon Lucky - Good recieving RB.

Wanted to take a FS but didnt see any I liked outside of the top 3 rounds.

Interesting draft, Joe.

With the need for a RB and DE/OLB, I can't see the Cardinals drafting a TE at #31. I think the Cardinals will take Donald Brown if he's there.

Sidbury would then make total sense at #63.

Thus taking a RB in round three would be moot. James Davis is a bit of an enigma...having watched him play many times, he kind of glides out there...he absorbs contact well and will break some tackles, but he doesn't play with the kind of bounce that makes you think he's a cut above the rest.

Veikune is much like Travis LaBoy...same type measurables from the same program. But in the 4th round he'd be a solid pick, for sure.

Vazquez put up the most reps on the bench press at the combine...I think it was 39. Having played in the spread actually is an asset in this case.

Don't know much about Hill, but I like Lucky, especially in Round 7.

 

[joeshmo]

Dennis Johnson was an athletic freak of a DE too and he was a disappointment for us. Plenty of guys stand out in high school and college simply because they're just that much better than everyone around them but when they get on a more balanced playing field that don't have that "it" that's required for NFL success.

MJ didnt even stand out in College. 17 sacks in 3 starting seasons? People only talk about him becasue of athletic ability because there is no production to talk about.

I've been meaning to start a thread about him. I didn't hear much about him until the combine where he put up some impressive numbers. Does he have the game to go with his ability?

As a backup in 2007 he was still able to put up 9 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. Played mostly special teams in 2006 and 2007. But when he got a chance to start his senior year he racked up over 70 tackles and for a DL is awesome, 17 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. So he has the production to go with the combine numbers.

 

[joeshmo]

Interesting draft, Joe.

With the need for a RB and DE/OLB, I can't see the Cardinals drafting a TE at #31. I think the Cardinals will take Donald Brown if he's there.

Sidbury would then make total sense at #63.

Thus taking a RB in round three would be moot. James Davis is a bit of an enigma...having watched him play many times, he kind of glides out there...he absorbs contact well and will break some tackles, but he doesn't play with the kind of bounce that makes you think he's a cut above the rest.

Veikune is much like Travis LaBoy...same type measurables from the same program. But in the 4th round he'd be a solid pick, for sure.

Vazquez put up the most reps on the bench press at the combine...I think it was 39. Having played in the spread actually is an asset in this case.

Don't know much about Hill, but I like Lucky, especially in Round 7.

This is from Profootballweekly.com "the way we hear it section"

Feb. 26, 2009 By Dan Arkush

Tight ends could be more coveted than outside 'backers for Cardinals

It is widely assumed that the Cardinals have outside linebackers at the top of their needs list this offseason — especially considering this year’s bountiful crop at that position — and Cardinals GM Rod Graves said nothing to indicate otherwise at this year’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “We feel this is one of the deepest areas of the draft,” Graves told PFW. “We will probably lean more toward a 3-4 (defensive) alignment, and that puts a greater emphasis on linebackers. Our focus will probably be more in the outside area, that hybrid type of rush guy. This draft has guys in it that will be appealing to us.”

But the way we hear it, selecting 31st in the first round after its unlikely Super Bowl berth, Arizona could find this year’s better-than-average TE crop just as appealing. Team insiders believe head coach Ken Whisenhunt would love to find an every-down Heath Milller type who could catch the ball and run-block with equal effectiveness.

“Last year for us was tough because we had so many injuries,” said Whisenhunt of his 2008 TE situation at the Combine. “Essentially, we were playing musical tight ends the whole season. We’d like to have some stability there, at that position. I’m not discouraged by the tight ends we have on our roster (Leonard Pope, Stephen Spach, Ben Patrick and Jerame Tuman) by any means. … But, just like at every position, you’re always looking to improve, and if there’s a good young player out there that we have a chance to get, then definitely that’s something we’ll consider.”

Graves Bolded comment is usually code for we think we can find a good one later in the draft and consentrate on other positions. Plus Wiz has been searching for HIS TE for two years now. Like he said if he has a chance to get one, an every down one, it will be something he has to think hard about. I truely think if Pettigrew is there, the TE player and TE coach inside of Wiz will take him.