Cardinals' Roster Prediction V.1

[Mitch]

QB (3): 4-Kolb, 19-Skelton, 2-Bartel

RB (3): 26-Wells, 36-Stephens-Howling, 34-Williams

FB (1): 35-Sherman

TE (4): 86-Heap, 87-King, 81-Dray, 84-Housler

WR (6): 11-Fitzgerald, 12-Roberts, 14-Williams, 85-Doucet, 17-Stuckey, 89-Sampson

OL (8): 75-Brown, 71-Colledge, 63-Sendlein, 76-Lutui, 72-Keith, 73-Bridges, 70-Hadnot, 78-Womack

DL (6): 90-Dockett, 93-Campbell, 92-Williams, 98-Eason, 91-Holliday, 79-Carter

ILB (4): 58-Washington, 56-Walker, 51-Lenon, 47-Smith

OLB (6): 97-Bradley, 53-Haggans, 50-Schofield, 59-Davis, 55-Porter, 94-Acho

CB (5): 31-Peterson, 28-Toler, 22-Marshall, 27-Adams, 20-Jefferson

S (4): 25-Rhodes, 24-Wilson, 49-Johnson, 38-Rich

ST (3): 3-Feely, 5-Graham, 82-Leach

PS (8): 6-Hall (QB); 46-Smith (RB), 68-Pestock (G/T), 60-O'Dowd (C), 54-Sturdivant (LB), 48-Sharpe (OLB/DE), 30-Green (CB), 32-Campbell (S)

Notes:

QB---Whiz doesn't like to keep QBs on PS, but he makes an exception for Hall, who turns in a good camp.

RB---Alfonso Smith has a legit chance to make the roster if he plays well on STs.

FB---I think Whiz is going to use King and Dray here too---so it's possible that Sherman may have to start the year on the PS.

WR---I think there's a possibility the team may trade Early Doucet while he's healthy. We are going to love Chansi Stuckey and DeMarco Sampson.

OL---With the outstanding versatilty of Bridges (G/T), Hadnot (G/C) and Womack (G/T)---there's no reason to keep more than 8 on the roster. Cards only activate 8 OL on game days anyway. They will keep the 9th and 10th men on the PS---Pestock and O'Dowd---and move them up if and when needed.

DL---The sense is that Williams will start at NT and Eason, Holliday, and Carter can rotate in when needed.

ILB---The two surprises here are that the team wants Stewart Bradley to play SOLB, where he will start. And UCFA Kendall Smith---very fast and athletic---wins the 4th spot. And there's a solid chance that Reggie Walker wins the starting SILB spot, so the team can slide Daryl Washington over to WILB, where he belongs. Don't be surprised either if Washington gets some looks at WOLB. There will be tremendous versatility amongst the LBers.

OLB---The big questions are whether Clark Haggans and Joey Porter can be rejuvenated under Ray Horton.

CB---The biggest question is whether Peterson can be the press corner---if not, it goes to Marshall.

S---Two of biggest camp surprises will be Rashad Johnson and UCFA Andrew Rich (very good hitter and tackler---will excel on STs and as backup SS).

SRT---The only question is whether UCFA Derek Epperson can challenge for the punting job.

PS---Calais Campbell's brother Jared makes it! Good young prospect.

Your thoughts?

If you have the time, post your roster prediction! We will tweak them each week after the pre-season games.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

You're probably pretty close. It will much harder for UDFA's to make a team this year because of the shortened pre-season. I think Bradley plays ILB and Smith/Walker will be on the PS. I also don't think they'll expose Sturdivant to waivers unless he shows ablsolutely nothing in training camp. I assum a guy will still have to pass through waivers before hitting the PS. The ideal LB corp would be, if everyone plays to expectations:
Bradley, Sturdivant, Washington, Schoefield starting with Lenon, Hagans, Porter, Davis backing them up. But I think the starters will be:
Hagans, Bradley, Washington, Schoefield.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Nice write up. I'm surprised you don't think Sturdivant will make the team though. I also think we'll keep one less TE (Dray) and one more FB. I also see Bradley at the SILB spot.

 

[Mitch]

I think Sturdivant makes the roster if he plays well on STs---this is why I give the edge to Kendall Smith with his speed and tackling ability.

I think it's possible too that like Bradley, the coaches try Sturdivant at OLB.

What will be interesting is to see what happens with Haggans, Porter and Davis.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Coaches didn't say that they WANT Bradley at SOLB... they said he can PLAY all positions. Why would we shift a guy who has played INSIDE throughout his career; is the 260Lb "thumper" you've talked about, at a new position?

Washington was drafted to replace Dansby at WILB. That's what they've been training him to do, and he has never played OLB. (Sturdivant, however, has early in his College career.)

SOLB: Haggans, Davis, Acho
WOLB: Porter, Schofield, (Sturdivant)

SILB: Bradley, Sturdivant
WILB: Washington, Lenon

 

[Ed Burmila]

It's hard to see them keeping only 6 DL. I'd guess that a 7th player will be in the mix there.

 

[JC_AZ]

According to Wolfley this AM... he says Williams will be pushing Beanie for PT...His opinion anyway...he is quite impressed with Williams quickness and vision

 

[MadCardDisease]

According to Wolfley this AM... he says Williams will be pushing Beanie for PT...His opinion anyway...he is quite impressed with Williams quickness and vision

Whiz likes to use a two back rotation. So I garentee that Williams will get 5-10 carries a game.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Acho will be in the mix some way...and oh ya', remember Justin Houston (don't know why I remember that LOL)

 

[gmabel830]

Good write up.. I'm with the consensus that Bradley/Sturdivant make the final roster at ILB and Walker/Smith don't make it.

Given how much LSH plays on special teams, I'd think carrying 4 RBs on the final roster is a good idea. That probably squeezes Dray out (but I could see Dray as a TE/FB tweener).

Given all of the chaos of the offseason and so many new parts that may or may not click, I think this could be a year where a lot of teams make a change or two at the later cut stages if a guy they like becomes available (a la Cyril Obiozor last year). I'd guess there's at least one name on the final roster that is on no one's radar right now.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Pretty much agree.

To knit-pick:

1. I don't think the Cardinals will go with six WR on the active roster. Williams or Doucet (maybe both if we sign a WR) are not going to make the final 53, IMO. But, I couldn't tell you the guy I would have as my 53rd. Hamza Abdullah ? Edit:Reggie Walker ?

2. Quan Sturdivant will beat out Kendell Smith, IMO, for the 5th/4th ILB spot. I don't know where Reggie Walker fits into this team. Maybe that 53rd guy I was talking about in point #1?

3. Our practice squad is going to end up being 80% guys we didn't have in camp. Look for maybe two RB's in the first official practice squad.

4. I don't think we will see Holliday in a AZ uniform. That is an "open" spot right now on the roster, IMO.



What I agree with:

1. Carrying four Tight Ends. I like keeping Dray around as a "project H-Back".

2. Obviously, I agree with Andrew Rich making the final 53. Yet, that is pure speculation on my part. Haven't heard a peep about him doing anything at camp so far. Same for Ricky Lumpkin whom people think might be the "backup NT".

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I think Sturdivant makes the roster if he plays well on STs---this is why I give the edge to Kendall Smith with his speed and tackling ability.

Agreed it will be a battle.

But I believe Sturdivant and Smith are about the same speed. Both run about a 4.7 - 40.

 

[spanky1]

Mitch,

I put my roster together last night. Given that Watson was not re-signed, I think D. Carter (R) gets some playing time at NT.

I agree with others....Sturvidant can't be exposed on the PS. I see him as an ILB behind Washington/Walker. I really can see 10 LB's on the opening day roster(Schofield/Porter/Acho/Lenon/Bradley/Washington/Walker/Sturvidant/Haggans/Davis).

What about Ware...he's good on special teams and we need a backup to Wilson at SS.

I had us keeping Mau'i at FB.....but can see one of the TE's filling in if we let him go.....King or Dray.

Otherwise, we are pretty much in "sync".

Love your posts...as always.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

MY TAKE:

QB (3): 4-Kolb, 19-Skelton, 2-Bartel

RB (3): 26-Wells, 34-Williams, 36-Stephens-Howling

FB (1): 35-Sherman

TE (4): 86-Heap, 87-King, 81-Dray, 84-Housler

WR (6): 11-Fitzgerald, (to be announced) 12-Roberts, 85-Doucet, 17-Stuckey, 14-Williams

OL (8): 75-Brown, 71-Colledge, 63-Sendlein, 76-Lutui, 72-Keith, 73-Bridges, 70-Hadnot, 78-Womack

DL (7): 90-Dockett, 93-Campbell, 92-Williams, 98-Eason, 91-Holliday, 79-Carter, (to be announced)

ILB (4): 97-Bradley, 58-Washington, 51-Lenon, 54-Sturdivant

OLB (5): 53-Haggans, 50-Schofield, 59-Davis, 55-Porter, 94-Acho

CB (5): 21-Peterson, 28-Toler, 22-Marshall, 27-Adams, 20-Jefferson

S (4): 25-Rhodes, 24-Wilson, 49-Johnson, 23-Abdullah

ST (3): 3-Feely, 5-Graham, 82-Leach

 

[Longcolts]

If Sherman is the special teams demon that he's purported to be he won't be on the practice squad.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Another nice job, Mitch.

I would LOVE for Jared Campbell to make the team. From the little I've seen he's got his bother's attitude and spirit. And it would just be fun to have the Campbell Brothers together.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Mitch,

I put my roster together last night. Given that Watson was not re-signed, I think D. Carter (R) gets some playing time at NT.

I agree with others....Sturvidant can't be exposed on the PS. I see him as an ILB behind Washington/Walker. I really can see 10 LB's on the opening day roster(Schofield/Porter/Acho/Lenon/Bradley/Washington/Walker/Sturvidant/Haggans/Davis).

What about Ware...he's good on special teams and we need a backup to Wilson at SS.

I had us keeping Mau'i at FB.....but can see one of the TE's filling in if we let him go.....King or Dray.

Otherwise, we are pretty much in "sync".

Love your posts...as always.

Matt Ware ? - He is not in camp. He is a free agent, and hasn't signed anywhere.

 

[Pariah]

Couple of questions:

1. Do teams typically carry 4 TEs?
2. Is Bradley at OLB something you think the team wants to do, or is it something you've heard? Personally, I don't think it makes much sense. As thin as we might be at OLB, we're even thinner at ILB. I thought Bradley was brought in specifically to address this issue.

 

[Mitch]

Couple of questions:

1. Do teams typically carry 4 TEs?
2. Is Bradley at OLB something you think the team wants to do, or is it something you've heard? Personally, I don't think it makes much sense. As thin as we might be at OLB, we're even thinner at ILB. I thought Bradley was brought in specifically to address this issue.

1. Jeff King will perform such a multiple role that he could be considered a FB and HB as well. As will Dray, imo. If it were up to me, unless Dray is one of the best ST players, I'd only keep three. But---I am predicting what Whiz will do.

2. The way the coaches kept highlighting what a threat Bradley can be as a pass rusher---they even said they thought they could put him at rush DE in the 4 man rush (play with his hand down)---that---and no other additions at OLB suggest to me that they want to use Bradley on the edge.

I think for now he will play inside---that is until the coaches see how much is left in Haggans' tank. If Haggans and Will Davis aren't setting the edge well enough and/or providing enough pressure in their pass rush, I strongly believe they will slide Bradley there.

 

[Mitch]

Another nice job, Mitch.

I would LOVE for Jared Campbell to make the team. From the little I've seen he's got his bother's attitude and spirit. And it would just be fun to have the Campbell Brothers together.

Yeah, Dems, these Campbells are: "M'm M'm good!"

 

[Duckjake]

Yeah, Dems, these Campbells are: "M'm M'm good!"

It only makes sense that a team that plays in the University of Phoenix stadium that I've nicknamed the Frat House would have Legacies.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

It only makes sense that a team that plays in the University of Phoenix stadium that I've nicknamed the Frat House would have Legacies.

Nick names ?

Good points. This team has no players with nicknames.

 

[CardLogic]

ILB (4): 58-Washington, 56-Walker, 51-Lenon, 47-Smith

OLB (6): 97-Bradley, 53-Haggans, 50-Schofield, 59-Davis, 55-Porter, 94-Acho

Coaches didn't say that they WANT Bradley at SOLB... they said he can PLAY all positions. Why would we shift a guy who has played INSIDE throughout his career; is the 260Lb "thumper" you've talked about, at a new position?

Washington was drafted to replace Dansby at WILB. That's what they've been training him to do, and he has never played OLB. (Sturdivant, however, has early in his College career.)

SOLB: Haggans, Davis, Acho
WOLB: Porter, Schofield, (Sturdivant)

SILB: Bradley, Sturdivant
WILB: Washington, Lenon

I agree with Crazy; and it seems just about everyone else; that I certainly hope that Bradley is the starting SILB. If they have to attempt using him outside it only means that there are more significant problems at that position than already expected!

 

[MrYeahBut]

CB still scares me a little

Peterson..the 2 new buzzwords words, hope & if

Marshall...don't know enough about him

Toler...ok

Adams...everybody has been thru this 1000 times

Jefferson...well..ok also, I guess

 

[Ed Burmila]

Couple of questions:

1. Do teams typically carry 4 TEs?

If they only have 3 RB and 1 FB, yes. Typically there is a guy (probably Spach or Dray) who serves as a TE, special teamer, and FB.