Days 4, 5 of FA Thoughts

[Buckybird]

Brandon Carr gone! I think if Big Red signs a CB now it's gotta be Mo Claiborne.

 

[overseascardfan]

Brandon Carr gone! I think if Big Red signs a CB now it's gotta be Mo Claiborne.

Claiborne reported wants $7.5M a year, maybe too rich for ARZ's taste.

 

[Mitch]

Claiborne reported wants $7.5M a year, maybe too rich for ARZ's taste.

Claiborme to Jets, per twitter.

 

[JeffGollin]

Was your Dad's name El Guapo?

My brother Jim and I used to refer to him as "The Old Man."

Brilliant guy (did markup equations in his head) and an inspiring role model (I once heard him tell a realtor, on the verge of a sale, that he'd turn down any deal that involved racial descrimination). He'd be 112 this August, and the world could use more like him.

 

[Buckybird]

Claiborme to Jets, per twitter.

I just heard that! Sounds like we're gonna be in trouble on the opposite side of PP. as athletic as Williams is, he played just like he did at A&M...repeatedly torched on deep balls. IMO that has to be a deep concern that he struggles on long balls.

 

[Mitch]

I just heard that! Sounds like we're gonna be in trouble on the opposite side of PP. as athletic as Williams is, he played just like he did at A&M...repeatedly torched on deep balls. IMO that has to be a deep concern that he struggles on long balls.

And who covers over the top for Williams at FS?

If no other moves are made I think it behooves the Cardinals to draft a CB and FS with the first two picks, whichever way works best. This in a year after we drafted 2 CBs and a FS in Rounds 3, 5, 6.

 

[JeffGollin]

And who covers over the top for Williams at FS?

If no other moves are made I think it behooves the Cardinals to draft a CB and FS with the first two picks, whichever way works best. This in a year after we drafted 2 CBs and a FS in Rounds 3, 5, 6.

I remain a BPA guy and opposed to reaching past a player who can help us more in favor of filling a need.

Hopefully, the 2 approaches converge, and the BPA's at #13 and #45 turn out to be a S or CB. But danged if we should pass up a DeSean Foster in order to draft **** or M White.

 

[Chopper0080]

And who covers over the top for Williams at FS?

If no other moves are made I think it behooves the Cardinals to draft a CB and FS with the first two picks, whichever way works best. This in a year after we drafted 2 CBs and a FS in Rounds 3, 5, 6.

We will draft a S in the first three rounds of this draft. You can go ahead and take that to the bank.

 

[Mitch]

We will draft a S in the first three rounds of this draft. You can go ahead and take that to the bank.

Would you (or anyone) consider moving up to take FS Malik Hooker?

He's the most talented FS prospect I have seen in years.

 

[JeffGollin]

Would you (or anyone) consider moving up to take FS Malik Hooker?

He's the most talented FS prospect I have seen in years.

No. But not because he's not a beast, but because there isn't that much distance between Hooker and either Adams or Peppers.

 

[JeffGollin]

Mitch: Could you provide a brief primer on the difference between modern-day FS and SS? The old definition was that the FS was a centerfielder with great range and cover skills whereas the SS was an in-the-box thumper. I'm told this has changed. I'm also not convinced that the skill-sets of Hooker, Adams and Peppers preclude al three being suitable for both FS or SS.

Care to comment?

 

[Mitch]

Mitch: Could you provide a brief primer on the difference between modern-day FS and SS? The old definition was that the FS was a centerfielder with great range and cover skills whereas the SS was an in-the-box thumper. I'm told this has changed. I'm also not convinced that the skill-sets of Hooker, Adams and Peppers preclude al three being suitable for both FS or SS.

Care to comment?

Yes, the FS is the centerfielder and needs speed and range to help over the top on go routes up the sidelines or deep post patterns. But, he also needs to be an enforcer on passes thrown over the middle and a fast run forcer up the alleys before a RB can break into the open field. To find a FS who can do those three things well is quite a challenge. Malik Hooker is outstanding in all three areas.

Jamal Adams and Jabrill Peppers are better suited to play in and around the box as SS types. Both are outstanding at making tackles for loss behind the line of scrimmage. The question is how well can they cover NFL TEs. Both Adams and Peppers can flip and play FS when called upon, but having watched Adams play deep, he lacks instincts in the passing game---gets caught flat-footed. But, he's great at storming the alleys and making big hits. Peppers was used mostly in the box or in the slot at Michigan. But, he's an explosive athlete who could translate his skills to FS, if necessary. But, it would take time to groom him there, imo.

Hooker is made to order and can start at FS from day one.

In terms of ability, size and style I would compare (in Best Case scenarios) Jamal Adams to Tony Jefferson, Jabrill Peppers to Tyrann Mathieu and Malik Hooker to Eric Berry.

 

[PJ1]

Would you (or anyone) consider moving up to take FS Malik Hooker?
He's the most talented FS prospect I have seen in years.

I would if we had done more in FA. We need all of our picks.

 

[Chopper0080]

Mitch: Could you provide a brief primer on the difference between modern-day FS and SS? The old definition was that the FS was a centerfielder with great range and cover skills whereas the SS was an in-the-box thumper. I'm told this has changed. I'm also not convinced that the skill-sets of Hooker, Adams and Peppers preclude al three being suitable for both FS or SS.

Care to comment?

You didn't ask me, but I will chime in regardless.

The two types of safeties today

1-Single High Safety
2-Box/Slot Safety

(though keep in mind that teams value versatility more than either type so they can vary coverage)

Single High Safety. Essentially a player who can read route combinations from the deep middle of the field, and range from either sideline to make plays on the ball while it is in the air. Taking efficient routes to where the ball will be is a must.

Box/Slot Safety. A S who can fill run fits, play man coverage over slot WRs, TEs and RBs out of the backfield, and blitz off the edge. Often asked to make solo tackles in space, that ability is a must as is the ability to cover in traffic and anticipate routes for certain situations.

 

[Chopper0080]

Would you (or anyone) consider moving up to take FS Malik Hooker?

He's the most talented FS prospect I have seen in years.

No because I don't see the significant difference in coverage between Hooker and Marcus Williams or Josh Jones. Hooker is a better overall talent, but not enough to warrant the move IMO unless it is a 6th or 7th rounder.

 

[Chopper0080]

You didn't ask me, but I will chime in regardless.

The two types of safeties today

1-Single High Safety
2-Box/Slot Safety

(though keep in mind that teams value versatility more than either type so they can vary coverage)

Single High Safety. Essentially a player who can read route combinations from the deep middle of the field, and range from either sideline to make plays on the ball while it is in the air. Taking efficient routes to where the ball will be is a must.

Box/Slot Safety. A S who can fill run fits, play man coverage over slot WRs, TEs and RBs out of the backfield, and blitz off the edge. Often asked to make solo tackles in space, that ability is a must as is the ability to cover in traffic and anticipate routes for certain situations.

The reason I like Jamal Adams and Josh Jones so much in this draft is that they show the ability to play both of these roles very well. If I want a championship defense, I need to be able as versatile as possible so top NFL QBs have to guess who will be where in coverage, especially since I believe in bringing pressure.

 

[Buckybird]

And who covers over the top for Williams at FS?

If no other moves are made I think it behooves the Cardinals to draft a CB and FS with the first two picks, whichever way works best. This in a year after we drafted 2 CBs and a FS in Rounds 3, 5, 6.

Totally agree it's concerning.

Would you (or anyone) consider moving up to take FS Malik Hooker?

He's the most talented FS prospect I have seen in years.

big red definitely has to draft 2 secondary players no doubt!!!


Yes I would. But I'm not sure Keim is willing to cough up a #3 to move up to take him