Hey guys,
Since I'm one of the only Cardinals' followers on a FF board I frequent, I'm working on an pre-draft preview and positional analysis for a thread that will include all 32 teams. Can you look at what I've got so far (the offensive side of the ball) and give me some feedback?
Thanks,
Pariah
P.S.--I'm thinking of adding "The" to my handle. I feel like I've graduated from the ranks of an everyday Pariah to become "The Pariah." What do you think? Am I Pariah-y enough for you?
ARIZONA CARDINALS
I think the organization believes they have less holes to fill than the average NFL fan thinks they do. Their most glaring need is help on the defensive line, specifically the pass rush. After that they could use an impact WR and another DB.
If Terrell Suggs, Terrence Newman or a top-DT isn’t there for the Cardinals at #6, don’t be surprised to see them trade down with one of the teams with multiple #1 selections.
Here’s the breakdown by position:
QUARTERBACK
For those of you who have been living under a rock: Jake Plummer is the starting QB for the Broncos. Most of Cardinals Nation (a country roughly the size of Luxemburg), this is a blessing, and constitutes addition by subtraction. Good luck, Denver.
The Cardinals have publicly stated that their QB of the future is already with the team. His name is Josh McCown. However, they signed Jeff Blake in the off-season to start this season; presumably because McCown didn’t see the field much last year—even in the face of numerous blowouts. Personally, that makes me a bit suspicious.
But, if the Cardinals don’t take Leftwich (or Palmer, if he falls to them) in the first round, don’t look for Arizona to draft a signal caller before the 3rd or 4th round, if at all. If it turns out McCown isn’t their man, there are plenty of QBs to choose from next year.
RUNNING BACK
What a mess. Thomas Jones is as good as gone. Marcell Shipp showed promise last year, but has been supplanted as the starter by Emmitt Smith. The Cardinals also have a promising young kid from Kansas State on the bench in Josh Scobey (who was injured all of last season); Damien Anderson did a fine job of coming off the practice squad to gain over 100 yards in his first start for an injured Shipp/Jones, and then the Cardinals also signed Travis Prentice. Also in this off season, the Cardinals signed FB James Hodgins from the Rams to block for Smith/Shipp and let FA FB Joel Mackovika walk.
I don’t see the Cardinals using a draft pick on a RB unless in the unlikely event McGahee falls to the third round, then it may be too tempting to pass up.
WIDE RECEIVER
Letting David Boston walk away without ANY compensation — Biggest blunder in football…EVAH. As I write this, Frank Sanders is a FA and in negotiations with Baltimore. That leaves us with Jason McAddley, Bryan Gilmore, Kevin Kasper and a few more young, unproven guys thrown in for good measure. The Cardinals may add a name or two after June 1 via free agency; names that have been bandied about are Mushin Muhammad, Marcus Robinson or Tony Martin.
WR is a pressing need for the Cardinals, but they already have a dearth of young pass catchers, most who have been graded out in the past as potential starting material. If the Cardinals believe they can get a FA starter at the position after June 1, I would be surprised to see then use anything higher than a third round pick on the position. If they use a first or second rounder on a WR, then I believe they are prepared to go into the season with the youthful corps they already have.
TIGHT END
You fantasy ballers are thinking Freddie Jones wasn’t getting looks last year. You’re wrong. He was the leading receiver on the Cardinals in 2002. Tywan Mitchell and Steve Bush back him up. All three are good receivers and Bush is an excellent blocker, sometimes used as a FB.
I don’t see any reason why the Cardinals would use a first-day pick on a TE.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Leonard Davis, LJ Shelton, Pete Kendall, Anthony Clement…who am I missing? Oh, yeah, the center. This is a formidable group, even with former center backup, Jason Starkey, getting his first full season of starts. Last year they were literally riddled with injury, so there may be a late OL pick to add some depth, but they’re shaping up nicely once again. The only first day possibility might be for an impact center — if someone like Jeff Faine falls to them in the second he’d be hard to pass up, particularly if the defensive players they had their sights on are off the board.
Since I'm one of the only Cardinals' followers on a FF board I frequent, I'm working on an pre-draft preview and positional analysis for a thread that will include all 32 teams. Can you look at what I've got so far (the offensive side of the ball) and give me some feedback?
Thanks,
Pariah
P.S.--I'm thinking of adding "The" to my handle. I feel like I've graduated from the ranks of an everyday Pariah to become "The Pariah." What do you think? Am I Pariah-y enough for you?
ARIZONA CARDINALS
I think the organization believes they have less holes to fill than the average NFL fan thinks they do. Their most glaring need is help on the defensive line, specifically the pass rush. After that they could use an impact WR and another DB.
If Terrell Suggs, Terrence Newman or a top-DT isn’t there for the Cardinals at #6, don’t be surprised to see them trade down with one of the teams with multiple #1 selections.
Here’s the breakdown by position:
QUARTERBACK
For those of you who have been living under a rock: Jake Plummer is the starting QB for the Broncos. Most of Cardinals Nation (a country roughly the size of Luxemburg), this is a blessing, and constitutes addition by subtraction. Good luck, Denver.
The Cardinals have publicly stated that their QB of the future is already with the team. His name is Josh McCown. However, they signed Jeff Blake in the off-season to start this season; presumably because McCown didn’t see the field much last year—even in the face of numerous blowouts. Personally, that makes me a bit suspicious.
But, if the Cardinals don’t take Leftwich (or Palmer, if he falls to them) in the first round, don’t look for Arizona to draft a signal caller before the 3rd or 4th round, if at all. If it turns out McCown isn’t their man, there are plenty of QBs to choose from next year.
RUNNING BACK
What a mess. Thomas Jones is as good as gone. Marcell Shipp showed promise last year, but has been supplanted as the starter by Emmitt Smith. The Cardinals also have a promising young kid from Kansas State on the bench in Josh Scobey (who was injured all of last season); Damien Anderson did a fine job of coming off the practice squad to gain over 100 yards in his first start for an injured Shipp/Jones, and then the Cardinals also signed Travis Prentice. Also in this off season, the Cardinals signed FB James Hodgins from the Rams to block for Smith/Shipp and let FA FB Joel Mackovika walk.
I don’t see the Cardinals using a draft pick on a RB unless in the unlikely event McGahee falls to the third round, then it may be too tempting to pass up.
WIDE RECEIVER
Letting David Boston walk away without ANY compensation — Biggest blunder in football…EVAH. As I write this, Frank Sanders is a FA and in negotiations with Baltimore. That leaves us with Jason McAddley, Bryan Gilmore, Kevin Kasper and a few more young, unproven guys thrown in for good measure. The Cardinals may add a name or two after June 1 via free agency; names that have been bandied about are Mushin Muhammad, Marcus Robinson or Tony Martin.
WR is a pressing need for the Cardinals, but they already have a dearth of young pass catchers, most who have been graded out in the past as potential starting material. If the Cardinals believe they can get a FA starter at the position after June 1, I would be surprised to see then use anything higher than a third round pick on the position. If they use a first or second rounder on a WR, then I believe they are prepared to go into the season with the youthful corps they already have.
TIGHT END
You fantasy ballers are thinking Freddie Jones wasn’t getting looks last year. You’re wrong. He was the leading receiver on the Cardinals in 2002. Tywan Mitchell and Steve Bush back him up. All three are good receivers and Bush is an excellent blocker, sometimes used as a FB.
I don’t see any reason why the Cardinals would use a first-day pick on a TE.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Leonard Davis, LJ Shelton, Pete Kendall, Anthony Clement…who am I missing? Oh, yeah, the center. This is a formidable group, even with former center backup, Jason Starkey, getting his first full season of starts. Last year they were literally riddled with injury, so there may be a late OL pick to add some depth, but they’re shaping up nicely once again. The only first day possibility might be for an impact center — if someone like Jeff Faine falls to them in the second he’d be hard to pass up, particularly if the defensive players they had their sights on are off the board.
