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

[Redheart]

I think, maybe, BPA at #16, then need all the rest.

 

[football karma]

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.

but we have a quote from Rod this year saying that they have better results with taking the best player.

I still beleive they really consider need --

I think all the talk about BPA coming from the Cardinals is really about the fact that they have evalated the draft board and have concluded that there may be a few players they like alot more than the two or three corners that are likely to be there.

I still think those non-cornerback players fit broad needs ( i.e. any defensive position or a running back) -- and this is all about managing expectations in the media and among their fans.

Does anybody think its a coincidence that in the week leading up to the draft that there were stories about how Grimm thought Levi Brown was just as good as Joe Thomas? It was all about prepping the fans for the Cards to take a player at #5 that they hadnt seen in mock drafts above #10.

 

[lobo]

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?

.




:blushing:

Your opinion is very sensible. The ONLY tip that one can discern at this point is we signed a bunch of linebacker types and because of that we will not be addresing that area in the draft. F/A signings after the draft??? Yeah we will pick one or two up.

Those who applaud Mendenhall ( and I am one)...just remember the guy did if for 1 year only....the upside of that is that his body has not taken tons of hits and his tank should have plenty of gas in it.

 

[DaisyCutter]

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.

You didn't, but there's a lot of sentiment here for drafting a guy like Cliff Avril in the 2nd round. We have 2 players that are under contract as OLB/DEs through 2009 at least in Okeafor and LaBoy. We have 3 other guys that are on short-term contracts that could easily be re-signed after the season at the position in Haggans, Berry, and Stewart.

I agree that we don't have a real future at the position, but that OLB position is not one where you have to have a player prepared to step in. Rookies come in and make an impact at that position every single year.

Shawne Merriman had 10 sacks, 5 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles as a rookie.
Shaun Phllips had 4 sacks, 1 INT, 3 passes defensed his rookie season (playing part-time, I believe).
DeMarcus Ware had 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles his rookie season.
Kendrell Bell had 9 sacks his rookie season.
Terrell Suggs had 12 sacks, 1 INT, 3 passes defensed, and 6 forced fumbles his rookie season(!!!!!!!).
Even Kamerion Wimbley had 11 sacks his rookie season.

We have depth at the position to be in a position to compete at all four linebacker positions throughout the 2008 season. If the personnel we have don't work out or are successful enough to price themselves off the roster, they won't be difficult to replace either through free agency or the draft in the 2009 offseason.

Compared to positions like DE/DT, CB, OT, and RB where depth is questionable at best and non-existent at worst, I think that OLB/DE is the least of this team's worries coming into the draft.

It certainly seems like this team did whatever they could to make sure that they wouldn't have to draft an OLB this season. I don't think that Cliff Avril is tempting enough as a prospect to go after him in the second round, especially if the Cards haven't yet picked a cornerback.

Now, taking Cliff Avril in the third round? Or a guy like Jeremy Thompson or Chase Ortiz in the 4th or 5th round? That's something that I would be interested in, because I think that you can either sneak one of those guys onto the practice squad.

 

[Stout]

I think it's exciting that we're finally drafting low enough so that we really don't know who the team's going to take. It was pretty obvious we were getting Fitz. Ditto about Levi. When Leinart fell, that was the obvious choice too. Now, no matter who falls...I think it will still be up in the air. Good times.

 

[Skkorpion]

I think, maybe, BPA at #16, then need all the rest.

Sigh. Come on, Redheart, no insult intended, but that is and always was too easy. Name that BPA at #16, please.

Any of you BPA addicts? You have no right to complain afterwards that we didn't go BPA if you won't identify your BPA(s) beforehand.

Go ahead. Even make a list of your preferred 16 in order of preference.

BPA BPA BPA sounds like one of those mind numbing Buddhist mantras. ooooommmm ooooooommmm ooooomm

Drone it enough and it will elevate you to Nirvana. In that state of bliss, the playoffs and super bowl will no longer matter.

Name players.

 

[earthsci]

Sigh. Come on, Redheart, no insult intended, but that is and always was too easy. Name that BPA at #16, please.

Any of you BPA addicts? You have no right to complain afterwards that we didn't go BPA if you won't identify your BPA(s) beforehand.

Go ahead. Even make a list of your preferred 16 in order of preference.

BPA BPA BPA sounds like one of those mind numbing Buddhist mantras. ooooommmm ooooooommmm ooooomm

Drone it enough and it will elevate you to Nirvana. In that state of bliss, the playoffs and super bowl will no longer matter.

Name players.

As an BPA advocate, I agree. I want us to draft Cason. Even if it's at 16. Say what you want about it being too early but he will produce. The "top" CBs are all going to need more time than Cason and I don't think that they will be as good in the end. As was posted about when the Colts drafted Dwight Freeney, they knew that he would justify the pick no matter what the "experts" say. If we can trade down a little and do it, fine, but get him.

 

[earthsci]

Cason is also a dangerous playmaker with the ball. That would put two of them in our Defensive backfield.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

but we have a quote from Rod this year saying that they have better results with taking the best player.

I still beleive they really consider need --

I think all the talk about BPA coming from the Cardinals is really about the fact that they have evalated the draft board and have concluded that there may be a few players they like alot more than the two or three corners that are likely to be there.

I still think those non-cornerback players fit broad needs ( i.e. any defensive position or a running back) -- and this is all about managing expectations in the media and among their fans.

Does anybody think its a coincidence that in the week leading up to the draft that there were stories about how Grimm thought Levi Brown was just as good as Joe Thomas? It was all about prepping the fans for the Cards to take a player at #5 that they hadnt seen in mock drafts above #10.

Street and Smith's Draft publication (March 2007) had Levi Brown going to Cards with the fifth pick in their mock. And, I, and others... on this board had him as our likely selection in the weeks before the draft.

 

[Redheart]

Sigh. Come on, Redheart, no insult intended, but that is and always was too easy. Name that BPA at #16, please.

Any of you BPA addicts? You have no right to complain afterwards that we didn't go BPA if you won't identify your BPA(s) beforehand.

Go ahead. Even make a list of your preferred 16 in order of preference.

BPA BPA BPA sounds like one of those mind numbing Buddhist mantras. ooooommmm ooooooommmm ooooomm

Drone it enough and it will elevate you to Nirvana. In that state of bliss, the playoffs and super bowl will no longer matter.

Name players.

LOL! I am SO busted. Hmmmm, Skorp won't let me natter around the fringe. OK, here goes, using Gil Brandt's top 100 and guessing on who will be there...by the way, I am NOT qualified to do this....BPA in this order:

Branden Albert, G/T, Virginia
Went to Hargrave Military Academy in 2004 and then started every game for Virginia the next three years (35 games at left guard, two at left tackle). ... Has very long arms -- 35½ inches. ... Best trait is overall athletic ability. ... Has not played a lot of football (only two years of high school). ... Note: Could move up into top ten.

Kentwan Balmer, DL, North Carolina
Improved his 40 time from the combine to his campus pro day (running a 5.12 40). ... Played but did not start as a true freshman in 2004, then started 22 games over the next three years. ... Best traits are strength and quickness for the position. ... Has long arms -- 33¼ inches.

Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Was a defensive lineman when he arrived at Boise State. ... Redshirted in 2004 as he switched to OL, then started 32 games over the past three years -- 26 at left tackle. ... Best traits are great feet and long arms (36¾ inches). ... Note: Could move up into Tier One.

Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Born in Nigeria, came to the U.S. at age 7. ... Played two years at Valley Forge Military Academy (2004-05) and then started 24 games the last two years at Pitt. ... Best traits are strength and toughness. ... Has long arms (35 3/8 inches). ... Note: Could move up into Tier One.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Ran an impressive 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine and a 6.74 cone drill (tied for tops among cornerbacks). ... Arrived at Tennessee State in 2004 and started every game (44) in the four years he was there. ... Best traits are speed and quickness for the position.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Stewart ran a 4.46 40 at the combine and is very strong for a RB. ... Played as a true freshman and started one game in 2005, then started 22 games over next two seasons. ... Also an outstanding kick returner. ... Best traits are quickness and strength. ... Note: Recovering from toe surgery, which teams must take into account.

Drafting for need would turn the order backward! Looks like there may be a good mix of need / BPA at #16! How could the Front Office go wrong??

 

[slanidrac16]

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.

I can see your point. Would you pass on Rivers if he was available when we pick?

 

[DaisyCutter]

I can see your point. Would you pass on Rivers if he was available when we pick?

It'd be hard to do so, but it would depend on who else was on the board.

If Mendenhall, Stewart, Harvey, and Jenkins are off the board, but Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Merling, and Rivers were still on it, I would probably take Rivers.

 

[Pariah]

Any of you BPA addicts? You have no right to complain afterwards that we didn't go BPA if you won't identify your BPA(s) beforehand.

Go ahead. Even make a list of your preferred 16 in order of preference.

Here's a place to start. Now can I complain when the Cards pass on a player of clearly superior talent for a position of need?

Clearly it's a subjective process and many players will grade out similarly. But please don't tell me there wasn't a difference between Levi and AP last year. Levi looks to be a solid OLineman and hopefully will be for years to come. AP tore the league apart. It's a situation like that where there's a clear gap and an obvious selection for need over BPA that I get my panties in a twist over.

1. Darren McFadden
2. Glenn Dorsey
3. Jake Long
4. Chris Long
5. Vernon Gholston
6. Sedrick Ellis
7. Matt Ryan
8. Ryan Clady
9. Rashard Mendenhall
10. Derrick Harvey
11. Leodis McKelvin
12. Keith Rivers
13. Branden Albert
14. Jonathan Stewart
15. Jeff Otah
16. Chris Williams
17. Phillip Merling
18. Devin Thomas
19. Brian Brohm
20. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
21. Kentwan Balmer
22. Jerod Mayo
23. Calais Campbell
24. Aqib Talib
25. Limas Sweed
26. Lawrence Jackson
27. Gosder Cherilus
28. Joe Flacco
29. Tyrell Johnson
30. Mike Jenkins
31. Malcolm Kelly
32. Chris Johnson
33. Dan Connor
34. Kenny Phillips
35. Chad Henne
36. Quentin Groves
37. Jamaal Charles
38. DeSean Jackson
39. Antoine Cason
40. John Carlson
41. Sam Baker
42. James Hardy
43. Tracy Porter
44. Martellus Bennett
45. Dustin Keller
46. DaJuan Morgan
47. Curtis Lofton
48. Andre Caldwell
49. Jermichael Finley
50. Felix Jones
51. Cliff Avril
52. Justin King
53. Brad Cottam
54. Brandon Flowers
55. Dre Moore
56. Matt Forte
57. Eddie Royal
58. Tyvon Branch
59. Fred Davis
60. Duane Brown
61. Jordy Nelson
62. Terrell Thomas
63. Reggie Smith
64. Marcus Harrison
65. Donnie Avery
66. Trevor Laws
67. Kellen Davis
68. Earl Bennett
69. Early Doucet
70. Charles Godfrey
71. Terrence Wheatley
72. Erin Henderson
73. Jeremy Thompson
74. John David Booty
75. Jason D. Jones
76. Chris Ellis
77. Patrick Lee
78. Anthony Collins
79. Shawn Crable
80. Martin Rucker
81. Bruce Davis
82. Mario Manningham
83. Red Bryant
84. Chilo Rachal
85. Dexter Jackson
86. Josh Barrett
87. Oniel Cousins
88. Zackary Bowman
89. Marcus Howard
90. Jeremy Zuttah
91. Carl Nicks
92. Jordon Dizon
93. Philip Wheeler
94. Quintin Demps
95. Jonathan Goff
96. Tom Zbikowski
97. Ahtyba Rubin
98. Pat Sims
99. Xavier Adibi
100. Geno Hayes

 

[Mitch]

Here's a place to start. Now can I complain when the Cards pass on a player of clearly superior talent for a position of need?

Clearly it's a subjective process and many players will grade out similarly. But please don't tell me there wasn't a difference between Levi and AP last year. Levi looks to be a solid OLineman and hopefully will be for years to come. AP tore the league apart. It's a situation like that where there's a clear gap and an obvious selection for need over BPA that I get my panties in a twist over.

1. Darren McFadden
2. Glenn Dorsey
3. Jake Long
4. Chris Long
5. Vernon Gholston
6. Sedrick Ellis
7. Matt Ryan
8. Ryan Clady
9. Rashard Mendenhall
10. Derrick Harvey
11. Leodis McKelvin
12. Keith Rivers
13. Branden Albert
14. Jonathan Stewart
15. Jeff Otah
16. Chris Williams
17. Phillip Merling
18. Devin Thomas
19. Brian Brohm
20. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
21. Kentwan Balmer
22. Jerod Mayo
23. Calais Campbell
24. Aqib Talib
25. Limas Sweed
26. Lawrence Jackson
27. Gosder Cherilus
28. Joe Flacco
29. Tyrell Johnson
30. Mike Jenkins
31. Malcolm Kelly
32. Chris Johnson
33. Dan Connor
34. Kenny Phillips
35. Chad Henne
36. Quentin Groves
37. Jamaal Charles
38. DeSean Jackson
39. Antoine Cason
40. John Carlson
41. Sam Baker
42. James Hardy
43. Tracy Porter
44. Martellus Bennett
45. Dustin Keller
46. DaJuan Morgan
47. Curtis Lofton
48. Andre Caldwell
49. Jermichael Finley
50. Felix Jones
51. Cliff Avril
52. Justin King
53. Brad Cottam
54. Brandon Flowers
55. Dre Moore
56. Matt Forte
57. Eddie Royal
58. Tyvon Branch
59. Fred Davis
60. Duane Brown
61. Jordy Nelson
62. Terrell Thomas
63. Reggie Smith
64. Marcus Harrison
65. Donnie Avery
66. Trevor Laws
67. Kellen Davis
68. Earl Bennett
69. Early Doucet
70. Charles Godfrey
71. Terrence Wheatley
72. Erin Henderson
73. Jeremy Thompson
74. John David Booty
75. Jason D. Jones
76. Chris Ellis
77. Patrick Lee
78. Anthony Collins
79. Shawn Crable
80. Martin Rucker
81. Bruce Davis
82. Mario Manningham
83. Red Bryant
84. Chilo Rachal
85. Dexter Jackson
86. Josh Barrett
87. Oniel Cousins
88. Zackary Bowman
89. Marcus Howard
90. Jeremy Zuttah
91. Carl Nicks
92. Jordon Dizon
93. Philip Wheeler
94. Quintin Demps
95. Jonathan Goff
96. Tom Zbikowski
97. Ahtyba Rubin
98. Pat Sims
99. Xavier Adibi
100. Geno Hayes

Notice that the #16, #50 and #81 ranked players are: T Chris Williams, RB Felix Jones and LB/DE Bruce Davis. I would be extremely happy with that scenario...although Stewart, Avril and Zuttah would be even better, should Stewart be available at #16.

 

[HookemCards]

It'd be hard to do so, but it would depend on who else was on the board.

If Mendenhall, Stewart, Harvey, and Jenkins are off the board, but Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Merling, and Rivers were still on it, I would probably take Rivers.

I'd take everyone of those players over Rivers to tell you the truth. LBs are a dime a dozen, especially ILB. Unless you feel Rivers is the next Urlacher or Lewis or Butkus you pass on him. We already have 8 LBs on the roster. We only have 3? DE, 2 NFL caliber CBs, and 1 NFL caliber RB.

 

[DaisyCutter]

I'd take everyone of those players over Rivers to tell you the truth. LBs are a dime a dozen, especially ILB. Unless you feel Rivers is the next Urlacher or Lewis or Butkus you pass on him. We already have 8 LBs on the roster. We only have 3? DE, 2 NFL caliber CBs, and 1 NFL caliber RB.

I'm with you about that. But it sounded like the Cards held Rivers in high esteem. I don't particularly like a player who's a junior and didn't do any offseason work in Merling. I'm optimistic about Rogers-Cromartie, but I really like Rivers.

I think Rivers would easily move Matt Stewart to the waiver wire, and might even put some heat on Monty Beisel. Maybe even on Gerald Hayes (who's totally overrated).

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I'm with you about that. But it sounded like the Cards held Rivers in high esteem. I don't particularly like a player who's a junior and didn't do any offseason work in Merling. I'm optimistic about Rogers-Cromartie, but I really like Rivers.

I think Rivers would easily move Matt Stewart to the waiver wire, and might even put some heat on Monty Beisel. Maybe even on Gerald Hayes (who's totally overrated).[/QUOTE]

What's the difference between being overrated and totally overrated; and by whom?

(Most here view Hayes as a solid contributor, nothing more... and certainly nothing less)

 

[DaisyCutter]

What's the difference between being overrated and totally overrated; and by whom?

(Most here view Hayes as a solid contributor, nothing more... and certainly nothing less)

I've heard people say that Gerald Hayes is one of the top MLBs in the NFC. I agree with you that Hayes is a solid contributor, but he could be upgraded.

He has a great contract for his status, but he's not the playmaker that many make him out to be. I personally don't believe that he's worthy of features like this: http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2059

 

[WildBB]

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.

Exactamundo. What manyhere have been saying too.

 

[Skkorpion]

All right. Good stuff. I'll try to do a 3 to 5 man BPA I think will be available at #16.

 

[ItsInTheCards]

I think Rivers would easily move Matt Stewart to the waiver wire, and might even put some heat on Monty Beisel. Maybe even on Gerald Hayes (who's totally overrated).

Might? Rivers would instantly be better than any LB on the roster except Dansby.....I think he'd be a push right away with Chike, but would be better than him by 09

its very possible that he is Willis 2.0

 

[Redsz]

Man, I think Rivers is quite possibly the most overated prospect in this draft. I see nothing spectacular in this guy at all.

 

[Pariah]

Man, I think Rivers is quite possibly the most overated prospect in this draft. I see nothing spectacular in this guy at all.

Agreed.

 

[Russ Smith]

Agreed.

Tough to say he might have been the 3rd or 4th best LB on his college team last year( Maualuga and Cushing were clearly better IMHO) . But that's not a big deal when you consider maualuga would be a lock first rounder himself and Cushing had first round grades on a lot of scout sites himself before announcing he was staying.

Rivers has a lot of talent just doesn't seem to make a lot of big plays. Maualuga will take your head off and laugh about it, and Cushing is a big play guy so they stood out more than Rivers.

Rivers looks like an all pro LB he just has to prove he can play like one.

 

[WildBB]

Tough to say he might have been the 3rd or 4th best LB on his college team last year( Maualuga and Cushing were clearly better IMHO) . But that's not a big deal when you consider maualuga would be a lock first rounder himself and Cushing had first round grades on a lot of scout sites himself before announcing he was staying.

Rivers has a lot of talent just doesn't seem to make a lot of big plays. Maualuga will take your head off and laugh about it, and Cushing is a big play guy so they stood out more than Rivers.

Rivers looks like an all pro LB he just has to prove he can play like one.

Little confused on him. I'm hoping someone takes him so we have other choices, kind of.