Cyrus Kouandjio - just say NO!

[kerouac9]

No, he'll be going HARD after an LT in FA. He's not going to go into the draft without a new LT and have to hope that one falls to #20 that he likes and is ready to step in on day 1. Between Albert, Veldenheer, Monroe and Collins, I think we'll land our 2014 starting LT in FA.

If you don't and you go into the draft without one, what do you do if the likley scenario that the top 5 [Matthews, Erving, Lewan, Cyrus (who I hate)& Robinson (if he declares)]are off the board by 20? You're screwed.

Well, Arians doesn't have personnel control, but I would not be surprised if Keim and Arians attempt to recruit one of the solid tackles available in free agency.

If you turn to the draft (and since Nate Potter hasn't exactly panned out, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cards draft someone and sign a free agent), then you can take Antonio Richardson (Tennessee), La'el Collins (LSU), Jack Mewhort (Ohio State), James Hurst (North Carolina), or Joel Bitonio (Nevada) in the middle rounds.

You know that Jordan Gross (OT, Carolina) is a pending free agent? He's 33, but he has a lot left in the tank. Has missed one game in the last four years, and it's possible he could be a John Abraham-type value signing.

 

[ajcardfan]

Eric Striker (6'0" 219lbs.), That "pass rushing demon" had 3 sacks all season....and then added three more on speed rushes against Levi, I mean Cyrus.

I've watched quite a bit of film on Lewan, Cyrus, Robinson and Erving and Cyrus is absolutely the worst of the bunch by a mile. He is not a LT, at G or RT, he'll excel.

It was a little strange to see an elite NCAA football program run out a guy the size of a WR to rush the passer. But, they knew CK didn't have the feet to block him well. And, once Alabama was forced to pass more to catch up, Striker ate him alive.

But, he will have to matchup against DEs in the NFL who are almost as fast off the ball AND have more power as well.

Cyrus really, really hurt his chances in the draft last night. He was exposed big time.

 

[kerouac9]

Who played better than the previous player, with less mental mistakes which made the unit perform better as a whole. The performance at LT isn't the reason we didn't make the playoffs IMO. I also believe if Levi Clown continued playing this team wouldn't have finished 10-6

Mitch may be right, this team was on the verge & BA may stay the course at LT and plug & Coop and Watford at the two guards along with Massey. Or stay the same except for Coop at LG for continuity.

I disagree. If you take two or three hits a game off Palmer that Sowell allowed, or give Palmer another target per play because you're not keeping in an additional running back or tight end to help out, you're getting better. You actually get awful close to winning one additional game.

 

[ajcardfan]

Well, Arians doesn't have personnel control, but I would not be surprised if Keim and Arians attempt to recruit one of the solid tackles available in free agency.

If you turn to the draft (and since Nate Potter hasn't exactly panned out, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cards draft someone and sign a free agent), then you can take Antonio Richardson (Tennessee), La'el Collins (LSU), Jack Mewhort (Ohio State), James Hurst (North Carolina), or Joel Bitonio (Nevada) in the middle rounds.

You know that Jordan Gross (OT, Carolina) is a pending free agent? He's 33, but he has a lot left in the tank. Has missed one game in the last four years, and it's possible he could be a John Abraham-type value signing.

I don't see how we can really predict what Arians and Keim will do at LT. I mean, these are the same two guys who tried to tell us Levi is an "elite" LT, pencil him in to start and then cut him after a couple of weeks into the season.

Bizarre. Surely they won't try to sell Sowell as a long term starter this offseason. Or, will they?

 

[sundevil04]

Antonio Richardson (Tennessee), La'el Collins (LSU), Jack Mewhort (Ohio State), James Hurst (North Carolina), or Joel Bitonio (Nevada)

Are you pointing to these guys as possible starting LT's in 2014?

 

[sundevil04]

The last time we went into a draft having to take an LT because we didn't fill the spot in FA we ended up being painted into a corner and taking Levi over Adrian Peterson.

 

[ajcardfan]

The last time we went into a draft having to take an LT because we didn't fill the spot in FA we ended up being painted into a corner and taking Levi over Adrian Peterson.

I just have a feeling they like Sowell more than we do. So, if they don't get a free agent LT, I don't think they will draft one, no matter what, at #20.

 

[Buckybird]

I just have a feeling they like Sowell more than we do. So, if they don't get a free agent LT, I don't think they will draft one, no matter what, at #20.

Yep

OLB or QB are the likely targets in rd 1 IMO. I seriously like UNC James Hurst in rd 2

 

[sundevil04]

k9

Richardson has some of the slowest feet in the draft, he isn't even Levi, he's more like LD. He regularly balloons up to 350 lbs in the offseason and struggles to play lighter than 335lbs. Collins and Bitonio are projected as Guards not Tackles and certainly not LT's. Mewhort is a tough hard nosed player buy physically he is not near athletic enough to play LT in the NFL, as a RT I like him. James Hurst just broke his leg, so that may not be the best idea either.

 

[overseascardfan]

I'll admit that I only saw the 1st half but until he let off a sack late in the half, he was dominating his man and I focussed on him every play. I was off and on in the 2nd half. The sacks allowed total showed he may struggled in the 2nd half but I saw a couple sacks that came from the other side. He was still dominant in the run game.

Btw, I fully expected to see a thread like this that is based on 1/2 of football. Joe Thomas let off 2 sacks to Cam Heyward last game, do we not want him? People think Lewan can play LT because he had 1 decent half against an un-inspired Clowney last year. Lewan is a few notches below Kouandjio and that's being kind.

Also, that Striker kid from Okie looks like a pass rushing demon.

The best thing to happen is that he falls to 20 because atleticism has never been his problem. However, a game where he struggled like this may cause him to return to Bama.

I'm with you. You have to look at his body of work throughout the year, he kept McCarron pretty clean this year going against some of the best defenses in the country during SEC play. One of the sacks on McCarron was his brother's fault because he didn't back him up when he let the inside guy go to handle the outside rusher in the first quarter, even the game announcers mentioned that. OU's pass rush is no joke, as ALA found out.

 

[kerouac9]

k9

Richardson has some of the slowest feet in the draft, he isn't even Levi, he's more like LD. He regularly balloons up to 350 lbs in the offseason and struggles to play lighter than 335lbs. Collins and Bitonio are projected as Guards not Tackles and certainly not LT's. Mewhort is a tough hard nosed player buy physically he is not near athletic enough to play LT in the NFL, as a RT I like him. James Hurst just broke his leg, so that may not be the best idea either.

Well, I'd take any of those guys who have shown that they might belong in the NFL over Bradley Sowell, who definitely has shown that he probably doesn't belong in the NFL.

 

[football karma]

I just have a feeling they like Sowell more than we do. So, if they don't get a free agent LT, I don't think they will draft one, no matter what, at #20.

Keim and BA have been clear they want to improve the o line. They like Brad for what he is: a high effort guy who is a limited.

 

[sundevil04]

Well, I'd take any of those guys who have shown that they might belong in the NFL over Bradley Sowell, who definitely has shown that he probably doesn't belong in the NFL.

Even the guy with one leg?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I just have a feeling they like Sowell more than we do. So, if they don't get a free agent LT, I don't think they will draft one, no matter what, at #20.

i kinda have the same feeling. it's nice to have faith that the team won't make terrible decisions. now, only time will tell if that faith is justified, but after one pretty shocking and damn good season, they've got mine for now.

 

[kerouac9]

Even the guy with one leg?

A leg break is a six-week injury, not a season-ender. He'll likely be back for OTAs.

 

[juza76]

A leg break is a six-week injury, not a season-ender. He'll likely be back for OTAs.

6 weeks?possible are enough for wolverine but it takes over 12 weeks the bone to get fixed ,then rehabiltation..
6 months maybe

 

[sundevil04]

Doesn't matter, even before the injury he was no where near the talent level of a guy is trust to come in and be my starting Lt as a rookie. A few years down the road...who knows, but he isn't there now and neither are any of the other new you copied and pasted from you favorite draft site

 

[Gaddabout]

The funny thing is Cyrus will grade out high (probably among Top 10) in the athletic portion of the combines for his position and someone will get suckered into taking him. He'll run a 5.1 40, impress in the shuttle, and lift all day. I've watched him almost every game of his career. He's really good attacking the 7 technique, the typical 3-4 DE. He clearly lacks the hips and gait of an elite LT, though -- no coordination. You want dancers at LT. He's a hoofer of the first order.

Matthews is a clear elite LT. He could probably play the position from Day 1 in the NFL. Lewan probably can't. He's a technique-and-footwork guy who will contribute, but he's going to have to become a master to play at the next level. He's capable, but he's not plug-and-play LT. If you're not in position for those two guys, shoot for value in the later rounds and attack free agency.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Eric Striker (6'0" 219lbs.), That "pass rushing demon" had 3 sacks all season....and then added three more on speed rushes against Levi, I mean Cyrus.

I've watched quite a bit of film on Lewan, Cyrus, Robinson and Erving and Cyrus is absolutely the worst of the bunch by a mile. He is not a LT, at G or RT, he'll excel.

Exactly why you don't judge a player based on one game.

I actually had dinner and watched the OSU game with my scouting friend last night and am going to post about the several players we talked about, including Kouandjio and Lewan. His opinion differs from what you saw on film.

 

[kerouac9]

Doesn't matter, even before the injury he was no where near the talent level of a guy is trust to come in and be my starting Lt as a rookie. A few years down the road...who knows, but he isn't there now and neither are any of the other new you copied and pasted from you favorite draft site

Again, in comparison to what? We just started Bradley Sowell for 12 weeks. Is a 2nd or 3rd round rookie LT ideal? No. But is it within the realm of imagination? Of course it is.

 

[Cardiac]

Keim and BA have been clear they want to improve the o line. They like Brad for what he is: a high effort guy who is a limited.

I agree.

I believe Sowell is in their plans as a back up and potentially in contention for the RT spot. I know Rugby would like to see Sowell at OG and that may also be an option.

I expect a FA LT and then possibly a mid round LT prospect as well.

 

[Duckjake]

I'm impressed that these draft threads started in late December/early January instead of the usual mid October.

Good job Cardinals.

 

[Duckjake]

Well, I'd take any of those guys who have shown that they might belong in the NFL over Bradley Sowell, who definitely has shown that he probably doesn't belong in the NFL.

3 of the 4 most successful seasons for the Arizona Cardinals came with Mike Gandy and Bradley Sowell at LT. Meanwhile they go 41-87 with first round picks LJ Shelton and Leonard Davis at LT.

How Cardinal is that?

 

[CFLredzoned]

I appreciate how BASK knows that you can't go into a new season relying on ANY rookies to contribute. They seem to do an excellent job planning with what they have, sans rookie. So when our rookies all went down, they really didn't miss a beat. Then when the same rookies do contribute down the road, it's a bonus. I think that approach holds promise for the future. So yeah, I agree, with whoever said it, it's obvious we won't go into next season with a rookie starting at LT.

 

[kerouac9]

I appreciate how BASK knows that you can't go into a new season relying on ANY rookies to contribute. They seem to do an excellent job planning with what they have, sans rookie. So when our rookies all went down, they really didn't miss a beat. Then when the same rookies do contribute down the road, it's a bonus. I think that approach holds promise for the future. So yeah, I agree, with whoever said it, it's obvious we won't go into next season with a rookie starting at LT.

It sounds like you're projecting your own biases here, particularly with Arians. Arians repeated throughout the preseason and into the season how comfortable he is playing rookies because of the additional contact his staff gets with them in the offseason program.

Both Honey Badger and Cooper were moved up to the starting field quickly.