Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
* I find it interesting that Jabrill Peppers is getting much more national attention following the draft than Budda Baker. In terms of skills sets at safety and nickel CB, Budda Baker's are far more enhanced. Peppers is an excellent talent and he should be an instant success as a punt returner, but it will take him some time to learn and hone safety and cover skills.
* The Cardinals' signing of C/G Tony Bergstrom is a good insurance move if there continue to be injuries along the o-line. This move signals that the coaches are intent on having Evan Boehm start at RG, at least for now. Although, there are good reasons to like UDFA C Lucas Crowley, who could be a Lyle Sendelin type addition. Crowley will likely spend this season on the PS and move into the backup role in 2018. I just like and appreciate the way Steve Keim fills in the depth chart with short and long term talent.
* Did anyone see Haasson Reddick's interview on NFL Network last night? He is as soft spoken and humble as David Johnson. When asked how much it means to him to be the first linebacker taken in the NFL Draft especially seeing as he didn't get a scholarship at Temple until his senior year, Reddick said it really doesn't mean anything to him -- that it's not about where you start, it's all about where you finish. He spoke about how much hard work and dedication it takes to become a good pro and how excited he is to play for the Cardinals and "Steve Keim, BA and JB" and to be able to be mentored by such an accomplished veteran in Karlos Dansby.
* In watching game tapes of the Cardinals UDFA's, I was very pleasantly surprised by a number of Steve Keim's additions:
---CB Sojourn Shelton (reminds me of a little more feisty version of Jerraud Powers) -- might be on the small side, but he doesn't play like it. Having started at Wisconsin for 4 years, he is very polished and savvy. It wouldn't surprise me if he starts ascending up the depth chart, potentially past those learning the position like Williams and Ford. Playing CB is an art. Experience means a ton. But it's great that the Cardinals have all three of these young CB because Williams and Ford have the length and aggressiveness to take on taller WRs.
---CB Gump Hayes (good speed, stickiness, downfield PBUs) -- watched him intercept Mahomes twice and Rosen once.
---S Drico Johnson (Central Florida)---jumped off the tape---quick reads and reactions---very physical---loves to jump routes and has a good sense of when and where. I think he has a legitimate chance to make the 53 man roster, He could be very good on STs and in sub packages as a nickel S.
---WR Krishawn Hogan (Marian)---yes, he dominated versus small school competition, but in watching him play, his combination of length, sneaky speed and sticky hands is very promising. He looks like he could be a good blocker and STs player as well.
---LB Tre'Von Johnson (Weber St.)---this kid is a baller. Very physical and quick twitched. Good finisher on his tackles. I think he could play both inside and outside and be a stalwart on STs.
---DT Pasani Tasini (Utah)---watching him was another pleasant surprise---he's got a very good combination of power and short area quickness---made to order as a 3 technique---very good in short yardage and goal-line situations---slips through gaps and causes havoc. Lacks length, but in his game of leverage and 3 technique his lack of length actually works to his advantage.
---S Ironhead Gallon (Georgia Southern)---this kid could become a fan favorite. He is a downhill attacker of the football. Plays on full throttle every snap. Lacks length as a LB, but at SS he could be a force in the run defense and as a blitzer. Looks like he's got pretty decent cover skills, at least from the ILB position in college.
---DE Collin Bevins (NW Missouri St.)---watched the first half of NW Missouri St.'s National Championship win over Shepard in 2015. Bevins had 4 sacks in that game. He's very strong in the upper body and hands, can turn a blocker and storm the corner. Not the kind of athlete who can make quick changes of direction, but with good players to clean up on the havoc he causes, Bevins can be quite a factor in a rush rotation. Has very good length and a rugged physique. It will be interesting to see if he can play the 5 technique in the 34.
---RB James Summers (East Carolina)---absolutely fell in love with this kid. Has good length, reasonably quick feet and sheer competitiveness. Reminds me some of Matt Forte. Seems to glide as a runner and then lowers his shoulder and powers for extra yards. Good receiver and can throw the ball. Watched him play QB in some games. Watched him absolutely take over in their upset versus Virginia Tech. Has that sense of how to impose his will in tight games.
* The Cardinals' signing of C/G Tony Bergstrom is a good insurance move if there continue to be injuries along the o-line. This move signals that the coaches are intent on having Evan Boehm start at RG, at least for now. Although, there are good reasons to like UDFA C Lucas Crowley, who could be a Lyle Sendelin type addition. Crowley will likely spend this season on the PS and move into the backup role in 2018. I just like and appreciate the way Steve Keim fills in the depth chart with short and long term talent.
* Did anyone see Haasson Reddick's interview on NFL Network last night? He is as soft spoken and humble as David Johnson. When asked how much it means to him to be the first linebacker taken in the NFL Draft especially seeing as he didn't get a scholarship at Temple until his senior year, Reddick said it really doesn't mean anything to him -- that it's not about where you start, it's all about where you finish. He spoke about how much hard work and dedication it takes to become a good pro and how excited he is to play for the Cardinals and "Steve Keim, BA and JB" and to be able to be mentored by such an accomplished veteran in Karlos Dansby.
* In watching game tapes of the Cardinals UDFA's, I was very pleasantly surprised by a number of Steve Keim's additions:
---CB Sojourn Shelton (reminds me of a little more feisty version of Jerraud Powers) -- might be on the small side, but he doesn't play like it. Having started at Wisconsin for 4 years, he is very polished and savvy. It wouldn't surprise me if he starts ascending up the depth chart, potentially past those learning the position like Williams and Ford. Playing CB is an art. Experience means a ton. But it's great that the Cardinals have all three of these young CB because Williams and Ford have the length and aggressiveness to take on taller WRs.
---CB Gump Hayes (good speed, stickiness, downfield PBUs) -- watched him intercept Mahomes twice and Rosen once.
---S Drico Johnson (Central Florida)---jumped off the tape---quick reads and reactions---very physical---loves to jump routes and has a good sense of when and where. I think he has a legitimate chance to make the 53 man roster, He could be very good on STs and in sub packages as a nickel S.
---WR Krishawn Hogan (Marian)---yes, he dominated versus small school competition, but in watching him play, his combination of length, sneaky speed and sticky hands is very promising. He looks like he could be a good blocker and STs player as well.
---LB Tre'Von Johnson (Weber St.)---this kid is a baller. Very physical and quick twitched. Good finisher on his tackles. I think he could play both inside and outside and be a stalwart on STs.
---DT Pasani Tasini (Utah)---watching him was another pleasant surprise---he's got a very good combination of power and short area quickness---made to order as a 3 technique---very good in short yardage and goal-line situations---slips through gaps and causes havoc. Lacks length, but in his game of leverage and 3 technique his lack of length actually works to his advantage.
---S Ironhead Gallon (Georgia Southern)---this kid could become a fan favorite. He is a downhill attacker of the football. Plays on full throttle every snap. Lacks length as a LB, but at SS he could be a force in the run defense and as a blitzer. Looks like he's got pretty decent cover skills, at least from the ILB position in college.
---DE Collin Bevins (NW Missouri St.)---watched the first half of NW Missouri St.'s National Championship win over Shepard in 2015. Bevins had 4 sacks in that game. He's very strong in the upper body and hands, can turn a blocker and storm the corner. Not the kind of athlete who can make quick changes of direction, but with good players to clean up on the havoc he causes, Bevins can be quite a factor in a rush rotation. Has very good length and a rugged physique. It will be interesting to see if he can play the 5 technique in the 34.
---RB James Summers (East Carolina)---absolutely fell in love with this kid. Has good length, reasonably quick feet and sheer competitiveness. Reminds me some of Matt Forte. Seems to glide as a runner and then lowers his shoulder and powers for extra yards. Good receiver and can throw the ball. Watched him play QB in some games. Watched him absolutely take over in their upset versus Virginia Tech. Has that sense of how to impose his will in tight games.
