Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The Cardinals have done a very good job of finding undrafted talent in recent years...as evidenced by several players who finished the season on the Cardinals' roster this past year: C Lyle Sendlein, RB Alfonso Smith, T D.J. Young, WR Steven Williams, LB Reggie Walker, CB A.J. Jefferson and CB Mike Adams.
This year's group is a very intriguing one---here are some thoughts on the players whom according to a variety of sites have signed with the Cardinals:
Colin Parker, LB, 6-1, 223, Arizona St. 2011 stats: 75 t, 6 tfl, 2.5 sacks, 1 int, 3 ff, 2 fr. He's from Chandler---and one of his biggest plays was the punt he blocked versus Cal which resulted in an ASU TD. Parker has a good nose for the ball---he's a little undersized, but to me he resembles Paris Lenon, and if he gets a little stronger he might show some promise at 34 ILB.
Eddie Elder, FS, 5-10, 185, Arizona St. 2011 stats: 66 t 1 int, 4 pbu, 1 ff---in 2010: 64 t and a 30 yd, int versus Andrew Luck. Watching him on tape, he throws his body into his hits, sometimes a little high, but on the edge he cuts WRs and RBs down under the knees and is good at it. Shows good range and is quick to the ball in run support. Feisty---plays with attitude. Apparently he's being brought in for a tryout.
Jacori Harris, QB, 6-4, 195, Miami FL. 2011 stats: personal best 65% comp. 3rd best QB rating in ACC at 158.2 20 TD 9 int. He too is being brought in for a tryout. He burst on the scene three years ago when Mark Whipple became the OC---had a good sophomore year and then struggled quite a bit as a junior. Lacks the big arm you want---and doesn't scramble the way you think he could. But, he leaves Miami as 2nd All-Time in TDs (70) and yards (8,826).
Jared Crank, FB, 6-2, 238, Purdue. 2011 stats: 29/106/3.7. Coaches raved about his blocks---and what a great name name for a FB. Cardinals were at the Purdue Pro Day, so they got a good look at him.
Conrad Obi, DT, 6-3, 290, Colorado. Was a highly sought after recruit who started his career at DE and was moved inside to DT. He had a tremendous spring last year unseating the starter in front of him and has been working out at Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta---and the way he's been getting after it, it reminds me of how hard David Carter was training last year. 2011 stats: 31 t, 2 3rd down stops. A project---and physically impressive one at that.
Tre Gray, WR, 5-10, 175, Richmond. 2011 stas: 95/1,187---had 6 100 yard plus games---leaves Richmond the All-Time leader in receptions (243) and yards (3,101). Had 16/194 in one game vs. New Hampshire in a 45-42 loss. Runs a 4.5---is shifty---has good hands. On the small side, but is very competitive.
Blake DeChristopher, T, 6-5, 305, Virginia Tech. 2011: graded over 90%, averaged 10+ knockdown blocks a game, best in ACC. Won the ACC Jacobs Blocking Award give annually to the ACC's best offensive lineman. narrowly winning it over Zebrie Sanders. Watched him in a few games---have seen quite a lot of him anyway and have always liked him---very stout and strong on the edge---probably one of the top 5 RTs in college football the last two years. Plays with the same type of temperament that David DeCastro does. And plays on strength and technique. Might be best suited to play guard in the NFL---but this kid, imo, has an excellent chance to succeed.
Stanley Arukwe, WR, 5-11, 184, Troy. One year player as a senior at Troy---the coaches messed up and didn't leave a scholarship open to him earlier---and since Arukwe is a track star the only way he could compete in both sports was to be at least on a half football scholie---but, he came in as a senior and at first had trouble catching the ball, which Arukwe said was his trouble in high school and was why he played DB in high school instead. But every day he got better and better catching the ball, so in the first half of his first game versus Arkansas he catches 4 passes for 84 yards. He didn't put up big numbers the rest of the way---had one 51 yard catch---but he has been training to play in the NFL and that is his goal. BTW---check out the YOUTube video of him running a 4.1 at Troy's Pro Day. Serious. A 4.1. You won't believe how fast he is.
Scott Wedige, C, 6-4, 300, Northern Illinois. Remington nominee, 2nd Team All-American., 2 time All-MAC-1st Team. Works out with Jeff Saturday and Ryan Diem. Interviews are great to watch---super smart and likable kid. Plays tough---plays full-bore and with excellent leverege---reminds me a little bit of Lyle Sendlein.
Tevita Finau, DT, 6-4, 288, Utah. Hawaiian who was a top recruit as a JUCO All-American at Phoenix College---signed with West Virginia but decided to go to Utah instead. Really didn't come into his own at Utah until the last half of last season. In the Sun Bowl win over Georgia Tech he had 10 tackles and 1 tackle for loss---not a bad way to go out. But, here is a kid who is going to have to show up from day one and prove to the coaches that the light bulb is on. He has excellent physical ability and seems ideal for the 34 DE position, so who knows?
Broderick Binns, LB, 6-0, 258, Iowa. 2nd Team All Big 10. 2011 stats: 59 t, 12 tfl, 5 sacks, 8 pass breakups, 6 qb pressures. Runs a 4.62---if he was a little taller he could have been a 3-4th rounder.
Zach Nash, DE, 6-3, 252, Sacramento St. FCS 1st team All-American. 1st Team All-Big Sky. 2011: 15 tfl, 10.5 sacks, 3 ff, blocked a kick, finishes career at Sac. St. with 40.4 tfl and school record 29.5 sacks. This kid is quick and slippery---has a real nose for the ball. The question is, can he make the transition to OLB and the NFL. Having not taken an edge rusher in the draft, if Nash turns out to be a steal, wow, what a 4 days for the Cardinals! I like Binns too---they both have a good chance---
Paul Vassallo, LB, 6-3, 240, Arizona. 2010 stats: 102 t, 8 tfl, 2 sacks, 2 pbu, 1 ff. Runs a 4.76...holds up well physically---could surprise inside at SILB.
Marcus McGraw, LB, 5-10, 236, Houston. Leader of the Houston defense. 2nd Team All-USA Conf. 500 career tackles (I think it's the Houston record). 2011: 131 t, 13.5 tfl. This kid will impress you---he's tough and instinctive---but lacks the size you want in the NFL. He could make things interesting especially if he plays light-out on STs.
James Nixon, CB/WR/KR, 6-0, 204, Temple. This kid is another blazer...runs a 4.35. Not sure why but he didn't play at Temple this past year---it wasn't for discipline reasons, but maybe the coaching change had something to do with it. Watching his 2010 tape---man, the kid flies and he does not play shy in the least. Will have a lot to prove.
Blake Gideon, S, 6-0, 204, Texas. 276 ts, 10 ints, 20 pbus, 2 sacks for his career at Texas. Had a tough senior year---especially versus Baylor where he had his worst game at the worst time. Runs a 4.6---and has decent size. Needs to be more physical and instinctive, both of which are tough to teach. But who knows---maybe fellow Longhorn Sam Acho will be able to press the right buttons with him.
Richetti Jones, DE, 6-3, 275, Oklahoma St. Watching this kid on tape I am surprised he wasn't drafted. He's got some explosion and a good physical presence. Plus he's strong---30 reps at 225 at his Pro Day. 2011 stats: 33 t 6.5 tfl, 4 sacks, 8 qbps, 3 ff.
Marc Wilson, WR, 5-11, 188, St. Anselm's. Runs a 4.45...and plays even faster. What I love about him is he's an excellent RAC WR---he rips through tackles, is very hard to bring down, and he outraces the secondary when he gets a step on them. Has been scouted for over a year by the Cardinals' regional (New England) scout, Don Corzine---which gave the Cardinals the edge when a bunch of teams started calling. Career stats: 211/2,149 yds/17 TDs/1,626 yds. rushing.
LaRon Byrd, WR, 6-4, 220, Miami FL. Had his best year as a junior, 41/441, 5 TDs. Big target, possession type...good in red zone. Played better as the week went on at The East-West Shrine game. Runs a 4.45. Kind of got a little lost in the WR talent shuffle and coaching changes at Miami this past season. Seems like a great kid---gives a great interview. Enthusiastic, articulate.
Randall Burton, CB, 6-0, 178, Kentucky. 2011 stats: 41 t, 1 sack, 3 ints for 60 yds., 2 pbus. 2010 stats: 36 t, 3.5 tfl, 6 pbu, 1 int. Was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on November 14th, 2011 after he posted 9 tackles and 1 interception versus Vanderbilt. His 4.6 time in the 40 hurt his chances of getting drafted---but his aggressive play warrants a good look.
Braeden Clayson, G, 6-6, 326, Idaho St. All-Big Sky Honorable Mention. As the school website describes him, three year starter who "was a part of a line that allowed Kevin Yost and Rodrick Rumble set many school records."
Your thoughts and impressions? Anyone here you like?
This year's group is a very intriguing one---here are some thoughts on the players whom according to a variety of sites have signed with the Cardinals:
Colin Parker, LB, 6-1, 223, Arizona St. 2011 stats: 75 t, 6 tfl, 2.5 sacks, 1 int, 3 ff, 2 fr. He's from Chandler---and one of his biggest plays was the punt he blocked versus Cal which resulted in an ASU TD. Parker has a good nose for the ball---he's a little undersized, but to me he resembles Paris Lenon, and if he gets a little stronger he might show some promise at 34 ILB.
Eddie Elder, FS, 5-10, 185, Arizona St. 2011 stats: 66 t 1 int, 4 pbu, 1 ff---in 2010: 64 t and a 30 yd, int versus Andrew Luck. Watching him on tape, he throws his body into his hits, sometimes a little high, but on the edge he cuts WRs and RBs down under the knees and is good at it. Shows good range and is quick to the ball in run support. Feisty---plays with attitude. Apparently he's being brought in for a tryout.
Jacori Harris, QB, 6-4, 195, Miami FL. 2011 stats: personal best 65% comp. 3rd best QB rating in ACC at 158.2 20 TD 9 int. He too is being brought in for a tryout. He burst on the scene three years ago when Mark Whipple became the OC---had a good sophomore year and then struggled quite a bit as a junior. Lacks the big arm you want---and doesn't scramble the way you think he could. But, he leaves Miami as 2nd All-Time in TDs (70) and yards (8,826).
Jared Crank, FB, 6-2, 238, Purdue. 2011 stats: 29/106/3.7. Coaches raved about his blocks---and what a great name name for a FB. Cardinals were at the Purdue Pro Day, so they got a good look at him.
Conrad Obi, DT, 6-3, 290, Colorado. Was a highly sought after recruit who started his career at DE and was moved inside to DT. He had a tremendous spring last year unseating the starter in front of him and has been working out at Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta---and the way he's been getting after it, it reminds me of how hard David Carter was training last year. 2011 stats: 31 t, 2 3rd down stops. A project---and physically impressive one at that.
Tre Gray, WR, 5-10, 175, Richmond. 2011 stas: 95/1,187---had 6 100 yard plus games---leaves Richmond the All-Time leader in receptions (243) and yards (3,101). Had 16/194 in one game vs. New Hampshire in a 45-42 loss. Runs a 4.5---is shifty---has good hands. On the small side, but is very competitive.
Blake DeChristopher, T, 6-5, 305, Virginia Tech. 2011: graded over 90%, averaged 10+ knockdown blocks a game, best in ACC. Won the ACC Jacobs Blocking Award give annually to the ACC's best offensive lineman. narrowly winning it over Zebrie Sanders. Watched him in a few games---have seen quite a lot of him anyway and have always liked him---very stout and strong on the edge---probably one of the top 5 RTs in college football the last two years. Plays with the same type of temperament that David DeCastro does. And plays on strength and technique. Might be best suited to play guard in the NFL---but this kid, imo, has an excellent chance to succeed.
Stanley Arukwe, WR, 5-11, 184, Troy. One year player as a senior at Troy---the coaches messed up and didn't leave a scholarship open to him earlier---and since Arukwe is a track star the only way he could compete in both sports was to be at least on a half football scholie---but, he came in as a senior and at first had trouble catching the ball, which Arukwe said was his trouble in high school and was why he played DB in high school instead. But every day he got better and better catching the ball, so in the first half of his first game versus Arkansas he catches 4 passes for 84 yards. He didn't put up big numbers the rest of the way---had one 51 yard catch---but he has been training to play in the NFL and that is his goal. BTW---check out the YOUTube video of him running a 4.1 at Troy's Pro Day. Serious. A 4.1. You won't believe how fast he is.
Scott Wedige, C, 6-4, 300, Northern Illinois. Remington nominee, 2nd Team All-American., 2 time All-MAC-1st Team. Works out with Jeff Saturday and Ryan Diem. Interviews are great to watch---super smart and likable kid. Plays tough---plays full-bore and with excellent leverege---reminds me a little bit of Lyle Sendlein.
Tevita Finau, DT, 6-4, 288, Utah. Hawaiian who was a top recruit as a JUCO All-American at Phoenix College---signed with West Virginia but decided to go to Utah instead. Really didn't come into his own at Utah until the last half of last season. In the Sun Bowl win over Georgia Tech he had 10 tackles and 1 tackle for loss---not a bad way to go out. But, here is a kid who is going to have to show up from day one and prove to the coaches that the light bulb is on. He has excellent physical ability and seems ideal for the 34 DE position, so who knows?
Broderick Binns, LB, 6-0, 258, Iowa. 2nd Team All Big 10. 2011 stats: 59 t, 12 tfl, 5 sacks, 8 pass breakups, 6 qb pressures. Runs a 4.62---if he was a little taller he could have been a 3-4th rounder.
Zach Nash, DE, 6-3, 252, Sacramento St. FCS 1st team All-American. 1st Team All-Big Sky. 2011: 15 tfl, 10.5 sacks, 3 ff, blocked a kick, finishes career at Sac. St. with 40.4 tfl and school record 29.5 sacks. This kid is quick and slippery---has a real nose for the ball. The question is, can he make the transition to OLB and the NFL. Having not taken an edge rusher in the draft, if Nash turns out to be a steal, wow, what a 4 days for the Cardinals! I like Binns too---they both have a good chance---
Paul Vassallo, LB, 6-3, 240, Arizona. 2010 stats: 102 t, 8 tfl, 2 sacks, 2 pbu, 1 ff. Runs a 4.76...holds up well physically---could surprise inside at SILB.
Marcus McGraw, LB, 5-10, 236, Houston. Leader of the Houston defense. 2nd Team All-USA Conf. 500 career tackles (I think it's the Houston record). 2011: 131 t, 13.5 tfl. This kid will impress you---he's tough and instinctive---but lacks the size you want in the NFL. He could make things interesting especially if he plays light-out on STs.
James Nixon, CB/WR/KR, 6-0, 204, Temple. This kid is another blazer...runs a 4.35. Not sure why but he didn't play at Temple this past year---it wasn't for discipline reasons, but maybe the coaching change had something to do with it. Watching his 2010 tape---man, the kid flies and he does not play shy in the least. Will have a lot to prove.
Blake Gideon, S, 6-0, 204, Texas. 276 ts, 10 ints, 20 pbus, 2 sacks for his career at Texas. Had a tough senior year---especially versus Baylor where he had his worst game at the worst time. Runs a 4.6---and has decent size. Needs to be more physical and instinctive, both of which are tough to teach. But who knows---maybe fellow Longhorn Sam Acho will be able to press the right buttons with him.
Richetti Jones, DE, 6-3, 275, Oklahoma St. Watching this kid on tape I am surprised he wasn't drafted. He's got some explosion and a good physical presence. Plus he's strong---30 reps at 225 at his Pro Day. 2011 stats: 33 t 6.5 tfl, 4 sacks, 8 qbps, 3 ff.
Marc Wilson, WR, 5-11, 188, St. Anselm's. Runs a 4.45...and plays even faster. What I love about him is he's an excellent RAC WR---he rips through tackles, is very hard to bring down, and he outraces the secondary when he gets a step on them. Has been scouted for over a year by the Cardinals' regional (New England) scout, Don Corzine---which gave the Cardinals the edge when a bunch of teams started calling. Career stats: 211/2,149 yds/17 TDs/1,626 yds. rushing.
LaRon Byrd, WR, 6-4, 220, Miami FL. Had his best year as a junior, 41/441, 5 TDs. Big target, possession type...good in red zone. Played better as the week went on at The East-West Shrine game. Runs a 4.45. Kind of got a little lost in the WR talent shuffle and coaching changes at Miami this past season. Seems like a great kid---gives a great interview. Enthusiastic, articulate.
Randall Burton, CB, 6-0, 178, Kentucky. 2011 stats: 41 t, 1 sack, 3 ints for 60 yds., 2 pbus. 2010 stats: 36 t, 3.5 tfl, 6 pbu, 1 int. Was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on November 14th, 2011 after he posted 9 tackles and 1 interception versus Vanderbilt. His 4.6 time in the 40 hurt his chances of getting drafted---but his aggressive play warrants a good look.
Braeden Clayson, G, 6-6, 326, Idaho St. All-Big Sky Honorable Mention. As the school website describes him, three year starter who "was a part of a line that allowed Kevin Yost and Rodrick Rumble set many school records."
Your thoughts and impressions? Anyone here you like?
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