Cardinals FO will always tell you what they will do....

[football karma]

The Cardinals pretty much always tell the fans what they will do if you read the beat reporter closely.

They also have been pretty consistent historically in that if they have an identified perceived need, but dont think they will address that need in round 1 (i.e. surprising the fans) -- they start to manage expectations through the press.

I believe Rod has officially started:

From Somer's article in the AZ Rep this morning:

The Cardinals' greatest need in this draft is at cornerback. They feel comfortable with their starters, Eric Green and Rod Hood, but there is little depth behind them now that Antrel Rolle has been moved to free safety.

But the Cardinals have made it clear they might not address the need in the first round.

"I think there will be some opportunities there in the second round and maybe later," Graves said.

Translation: Ignore what the ESPN talking heads are telling you. We have two staring CBs. We need depth and the CB class is deep. We dont have to go CB in round 1.

I also think the recent public quotes from Rod basically saying: "we do better when we pick the best player rather than the one that fits our highest need" is telling as well.

IMO, he is sending the message that the 1st round pick may come at almost any position.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Your "read" makes sense.

 

[Pariah]

I also think the recent public quotes from Rod basically saying: "we do better when we pick the best player rather than the one that fits our highest need" is telling as well.

I've never heard him say that, but I'm glad to see he has. I think that's the way to draft, at least in the first couple of rounds. Take what comes to you and don't try to fit a square peg into a round hole (ie take a CB because of need when possibly the best value is, for example, at tackle).

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I've never heard him say that, but I'm glad to see he has. I think that's the way to draft, at least in the first couple of rounds. Take what comes to you and don't try to fit a square peg into a round hole (ie take a CB because of need when possibly the best value is, for example, at tackle).

I have never heard him say that either. If he felt strongly about that last year, he should have taken AP. I don't believe this to be the case at all. I still believe that the Cards will draft the BPA based on what the team needs.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I would love to see us go OT, RB, CB, DE, OLB, DT, BPA

 

[Pariah]

I would love to see us go OT, RB, CB, DE, OLB, DT, BPA in the first four rounds

BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA.

JMHO

BPA

 

[DaisyCutter]

I have never heard him say that either. If he felt strongly about that last year, he should have taken AP. I don't believe this to be the case at all. I still believe that the Cards will draft the BPA based on what the team needs.

Maybe Rod Graves already has buyer's remorse on Levi Brown. It would be embarrassing to pass on Adrian Peterson only to draft a lesser RB in the first round 12 months later--but I think that's exactly what's going to happen.

I would love to see us go OT, RB, CB, DE, OLB, DT, BPA in the first four rounds

I, too, would love to see the Cards take 7 players in the first 4 rounds. PFW reported that the Cards may take 2 CBs with their first 4 picks.

I don't know where you guys think a first-day OLB would play on this team. It seems to me that he'd be in a battle for a roster spot. He'd have to beat out Berry, Chike, LaBoy, and Haggans. Add in Dansby, Hayes, Beisel, and Stewart, and I don't think we're taking 9 LBs into the season.

 

[football karma]

"We've had better success when we've allowed the best-player approach to rule," Graves noted.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2008/04/19/20080419cards.html

 

[Pariah]

I, too, would love to see the Cards take 7 players in the first 4 rounds.

I missed that!

 

[Mulli]

Why did I think Alan Branch was a DE?

 

[Pariah]

While he's mostly backing up Gabe Watson (read: starter if Big Gabe can't go), I think Branch did play some end in the 3-4 didn't he?

 

[slanidrac16]

I don't think we will draft a cb in the 1st round either. I think we will be looking at a cb that brings a smart , physical game to the table and not necessarilly the most athletic guy.

I would be happy with:

1. rb-Mendenhall/ Stewart
2. olb-Cliff Avril ( unless Cason is still there)
3. cb-Thomas/Godfrey ( De Chris Ellis if we nabbed Cason.)

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Why did I think Alan Branch was a DE?

He played some at Michigan.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Maybe Rod Graves already has buyer's remorse on Levi Brown. It would be embarrassing to pass on Adrian Peterson only to draft a lesser RB in the first round 12 months later--but I think that's exactly what's going to happen.




I, too, would love to see the Cards take 7 players in the first 4 rounds. PFW reported that the Cards may take 2 CBs with their first 4 picks.

I don't know where you guys think a first-day OLB would play on this team. It seems to me that he'd be in a battle for a roster spot. He'd have to beat out Berry, Chike, LaBoy, and Haggans. Add in Dansby, Hayes, Beisel, and Stewart, and I don't think we're taking 9 LBs into the season.

Agree with both of you points. In fact, I seem to agree with most of your points.

 

[DaisyCutter]

I don't think we will draft a cb in the 1st round either. I think we will be looking at a cb that brings a smart , physical game to the table and not necessarilly the most athletic guy.

I would be happy with:

1. rb-Mendenhall/ Stewart
2. olb-Cliff Avril ( unless Cason is still there)
3. cb-Thomas/Godfrey ( De Chris Ellis if we nabbed Cason.)

Again: Where is Cliff Avril going to play? We have 4 OLBs right now, in Berry, LaBoy, Okeafor, and Haggans. We have 3 ILBs right now in Hayes, Dansby, and Beisel. We have another guy who can play both inside and out in Stewart. Does anyone really think we're going to take 9 or 10 LBs into the regular season?

If we don't take a CB in the first (and I don't think we will), we're doubtless going to take one in the second. If we take an linebacker in this draft, he'll play on the inside, because the Cards reached down for Buster Davis, and they haven't added to the middle since then.

Agree with both of you points. In fact, I seem to agree with most of your points.

:blushing:

 

[Solar7]

Why did I think Alan Branch was a DE?

Branch can play at both NT and DE in the 3-4.

 

[slanidrac16]

Again: Where is Cliff Avril going to play? We have 4 OLBs right now, in Berry, LaBoy, Okeafor, and Haggans. We have 3 ILBs right now in Hayes, Dansby, and Beisel. We have another guy who can play both inside and out in Stewart. Does anyone really think we're going to take 9 or 10 LBs into the regular season?

If we don't take a CB in the first (and I don't think we will), we're doubtless going to take one in the second. If we take an linebacker in this draft, he'll play on the inside, because the Cards reached down for Buster Davis, and they haven't added to the middle since then.




:blushing:

Remember, the draft is for the future. Berry has a 1 year deal and with his recent history of injuries we can't really depend on him playing a full 16 games. I believe Haggans also has a 1 year deal. Avril can also line up as a de on occasions.
I would not be upset if we took a cb in the 2nd round as long as he is out type of player. Gil Brandt has Cason rated middle 2nd round. I've seen some experts having him gone in the first.
The Cards have hinted about how pressure on the QB makes your cb play better. Avril does bring that to the table.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Remember, the draft is for the future. Berry has a 1 year deal and with his recent history of injuries we can't really depend on him playing a full 16 games. I believe Haggans also has a 1 year deal. Avril can also line up as a de on occasions.
I would not be upset if we took a cb in the 2nd round as long as he is out type of player. Gil Brandt has Cason rated middle 2nd round. I've seen some experts having him gone in the first.
The Cards have hinted about how pressure on the QB makes your cb play better. Avril does bring that to the table.

Yeah, but you have to make the roster to be part of that future. Again: does anyone really think we're going to take 9+ LBs into the season?

LBs are plentiful both in free agency and the draft every season. New England seems to re-stock half it's LB corps every offseason with veteran players. Rookie LBs make more of an impact than at any other position, including running back.

 

[BigShtank]

Look, CB was by far our weakest position last year and the defense just killed the team. We can ignore one in the first because of the depth of CB's in the draft. If Mendenhall is there, that is who we take, we couldn't possibly pass on him. If he is gone, I look for the Cards to try to trade down unles McKelvin is there. If they do trade down and take Connor or Mayo, I'd be happy with that result too. Looking at the #'s, I'd rather have Connor or Mayo than Rivers.

 

[cardsfanmd]

BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA, BPA.

JMHO

BPA

I guess i worded that wrong. i was agreeing about going with BPA, I was just saying that I hoped the BPA for our picks came in at those positioins.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Look, CB was by far our weakest position last year and the defense just killed the team. We can ignore one in the first because of the depth of CB's in the draft. If Mendenhall is there, that is who we take, we couldn't possibly pass on him. If he is gone, I look for the Cards to try to trade down unles McKelvin is there. If they do trade down and take Connor or Mayo, I'd be happy with that result too. Looking at the #'s, I'd rather have Connor or Mayo than Rivers.

I'm not in favour of trade down scenarios initiated by the Cards, but would consider a trade up call. There is no doubt greater value to the Cards in the latter. That said... even without Mendenhall or McKelvin on the board, there will be a number of prospects worthy of the 16th. choice. If BPA available is the philosophy in this draft, trading down would be counter-productive.

Better the bird in hand at #16, I suggest... then two in the draft tree.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I, too, would love to see the Cards take 7 players in the first 4 rounds.

OOps, my bad. I had the first four picks listed, then I went back and added three more but forgot to take the the end of that sentence out.

I don't know where you guys think a first-day OLB would play on this team. It seems to me that he'd be in a battle for a roster spot. He'd have to beat out Berry, Chike, LaBoy, and Haggans. Add in Dansby, Hayes, Beisel, and Stewart, and I don't think we're taking 9 LBs into the season.

Where did I say anything about a OLB in the first day?? The truth of the matter is that we have two old guys a has-been and decent player at OLB. While we are deeper than last year, we do not have any real future at that position right now.

 

[Redheart]

I'm not in favour of trade down scenarios initiated by the Cards, but would consider a trade up call. There is no doubt greater value to the Cards in the latter. That said... even without Mendenhall or McKelvin on the board, there will be a number of prospects worthy of the 16th. choice. If BPA available is the philosophy in this draft, trading down would be counter-productive.

Better the bird in hand at #16, I suggest... then two in the draft tree.

Michael Lombardi is a 22-year veteran of NFL personnel departments, spending eight years with the Raiders and nine years with the Browns, in addition to brief stints with the Broncos, Eagles and 49ers. This is from his second column for SI.com. ...

So to help you along, here is my basic set of rules for making a mock:

1. With one week before the draft, never believe any team officials' quotes, especially what direction they may be headed with their selection. It is not in their best interest to let anything out.

2. As you do your research, if the team and the player are always the same, then the chances of that player going there are not very good. This applies particularly in the bottom 15 of the first round. Think outside the box and remember misinformation is what most teams are trying to pass along.

3. Running backs tend to slip. Backs have a short career in the NFL, so picking one high in the first round is a huge investment.

4. If the mock you're reading does not have six defensive linemen in the first round, stop reading it. Defensive linemen will go quickly. You have to work defensive and offensive linemen heavily in the first round.

5. After the 10th pick in the first round, it is all about how well you know what each team needs. Study the team needs and forget about the "Best Player Available" theory. It no longer applies. The draft today is so even in terms of talent that teams just pick to fill their needs. Put the player in the spot that fits those specific team needs.

6. The Giants, Raiders, Dolphins, Jaguars, Cowboys and Packers are size/speed teams. They will pick players that fit the size and speed profile for the position. So think "big and fast" before putting a name in for these teams.

BPA smoke-screen?

 

[cardsfanmd]

The mid to late first round options dont seem to carry the same value for their slots as the guys that will be available in the second and third in my eyes, that's why I hope we trade down.

Personally, I will take Cason and Trevor Laws or Chris Johnson and Chilo Rachal over Mike Jenkins any day of the week.

 

[BigShtank]

I'm not in favour of trade down scenarios initiated by the Cards, but would consider a trade up call. There is no doubt greater value to the Cards in the latter. That said... even without Mendenhall or McKelvin on the board, there will be a number of prospects worthy of the 16th. choice. If BPA available is the philosophy in this draft, trading down would be counter-productive.

Better the bird in hand at #16, I suggest... then two in the draft tree.

We saw Whis pass on the BPA by far to fill a big need last year in the first round and I don't see Whis doing anything different this year. I see the first two rounds as fill needs, then take BPA starting at round 3. We need a CB and RB with a homerun threat, those two needs will be filled in the first two rounds unless like last year, a top 20 prospect drops to round 2. LB isn't a need this year, but I could see them taking one for the future, but only if they trade down.

We could swap picks with Tennesse as they need a receiver and Dallas could take their guy Limas at #22. We get their pick and their #2 for next year, we draft Stewart at #24 ahead of Seattle. Not that it will happen, but would you? (of course, Rashard would have to be off the board at #16)