Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. If someone told you one year ago that in the 2009 draft the Cardinals would have the choice of having to choose between RB Beanie Wells and LB Rey Maualuga, you would most assuredly have thought, wow, the Cardinals must be picking in the top three again. Instead, the Cardinals rode lat year's team to the Super Bowl and still had the chance to pick between Wells and Maulauga at #31. Unreal.
In Wells the Cardinals get a potential superstar RB...and if Wells is as motivated to be just that...we can all finally erase the memory of missing out on Adrian Peterson two years ago.
Give the Cardinals' management an A for being as prepared as they were to select Wells. While many of us were convinced that Donald Brown was the Cardinals' guy, the Cardinals had Wells in for a visit (at the time, I think we all thought that was wishful thinking, didn't we?) and they followed him closely at the combine and at his pro day.
2. The selection of OLB Cody Brown at #63 was also a very well prepared decision. The Cardinals interviewed Brown at the combine, attended his pro day and had subsequent talks with him. They are going to get him fast at work with John Lott and try to make him stronger, particularly in his lower body so that he will be able to effectively "secure the edge."
Brown had 34 career sacks at UConn, which is a very impressive achievement, particularly since he missed some time with a broken arm.
What's great about this kid is his relentless effort getting after the QB...and he has a knack for setting the tackle wide and then ripping back inside on a dime to sack the QB. He also reminds me of a slightly smaller Bertrand Berry in the way he reaches out at the right time to poke the ball out of the QB's hand just prior to the release.
What's also interesting is that the Cardinals took Brown over Michael Johnson, which suggests that whatever Whiz learned from the GT coaches about Johnson was not especially encouraging. That said, if the Cardinals take him today, he's certainly be quite a value---talent-wise---as a day 2 pick.
3. As for the other teams in the NFC West, their picks were excellent...the Rams got the most athletic T in Jason Smith, the Seahawks got the best LB in the draft in Aaron Curry and the Niners got the best playmaking WR in Michael Crabtree.
While all of them had top ten picks to get those players, we have to feel especially thankful that in turn, picking miles away at #31, the Cardinals got the most physcialy gifted and talented RB in the draft...and were quite fortunate that the Saints were unable to trade ahead of them to get Wells.
BUT...most of all...and I think this is a key, with the aging QBs in the division (Bulger and Hasselbeck), neither the Rams nor the Seahawks took the franchise QB in Mark Sanchez. IMO, both team missed a golden opportunity and may look back and regret it. In this sense, the draft has already been a plus within the NFC West for the Cardinals.
4. We saw yesterday why so many of us were conspiring ways to try to acquire another second rounder, as the players in the eary to middle portions of the round were great value picks. I was reaching for the Kleenex when OLB34s Connor Barwin, Everette Brown, David Veikune and Paul Kruger were all snagged in close proximity of each other. I had grown quite attached to all of those guys...and really couldn't believe that Everette Brown slid as far as he did...thought by many to be a possible top ten pick...he is the most naturally gifted pass rusher in this draft, IMO.
The Texans are now my favorite AFC Team...I think what they are doing in personnel over there is tremendous. Adding LBs Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin to their defense that already features the likes of Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Dunta Robinson, and Antonio Smith is very impressive...and their offense with Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson is turning into a dynamo.
But...I am going to be extra curious and fascinated to see QB Pat White running the Wildcat in Miami. Still wonder where he was in the Cardinals' player rankings.
Interesting too that the teams that expressed the most interest in Anquan Boldin took WRs with their first picks: PHI (Jeremy Maclin), NYG (Hakeem Nicks) and TEN (Kenny Britt).
The Eagles are building the Arizona East offense...and now have a WR quintet of Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, Jermey Maclin, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett and a RB duo of Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy.
Kinda makes you feel extra glad the Cardinals' WR quintet is still intact, doesn't it?
5. The one question about today's picks for the Cardinals is whether they will make a move to trade up to take a player they really like. The Patriots who had 4 picks in the second round yesterday, have 4 third rounders today and if any team wants to move up and is willing to give up a pick in next year's draft will be quickly able to do so...same with the Cowboys who have 12 picks today.
My guess would be the Cardinals will continue to let the draft come to them, as they are accustomed to doing...only this time it's a far longer wait each round. Regardless, the Cardinals are very well prepared. I am very imrpessed with how far the Cardinals have come in terms of scouting and making strong, sensible picks.
Who is going to be the Steve Breaton or Tim Hightower of this draft?
Man, this is exciting!
Enjoy it all pals!
Mitch
In Wells the Cardinals get a potential superstar RB...and if Wells is as motivated to be just that...we can all finally erase the memory of missing out on Adrian Peterson two years ago.
Give the Cardinals' management an A for being as prepared as they were to select Wells. While many of us were convinced that Donald Brown was the Cardinals' guy, the Cardinals had Wells in for a visit (at the time, I think we all thought that was wishful thinking, didn't we?) and they followed him closely at the combine and at his pro day.
2. The selection of OLB Cody Brown at #63 was also a very well prepared decision. The Cardinals interviewed Brown at the combine, attended his pro day and had subsequent talks with him. They are going to get him fast at work with John Lott and try to make him stronger, particularly in his lower body so that he will be able to effectively "secure the edge."
Brown had 34 career sacks at UConn, which is a very impressive achievement, particularly since he missed some time with a broken arm.
What's great about this kid is his relentless effort getting after the QB...and he has a knack for setting the tackle wide and then ripping back inside on a dime to sack the QB. He also reminds me of a slightly smaller Bertrand Berry in the way he reaches out at the right time to poke the ball out of the QB's hand just prior to the release.
What's also interesting is that the Cardinals took Brown over Michael Johnson, which suggests that whatever Whiz learned from the GT coaches about Johnson was not especially encouraging. That said, if the Cardinals take him today, he's certainly be quite a value---talent-wise---as a day 2 pick.
3. As for the other teams in the NFC West, their picks were excellent...the Rams got the most athletic T in Jason Smith, the Seahawks got the best LB in the draft in Aaron Curry and the Niners got the best playmaking WR in Michael Crabtree.
While all of them had top ten picks to get those players, we have to feel especially thankful that in turn, picking miles away at #31, the Cardinals got the most physcialy gifted and talented RB in the draft...and were quite fortunate that the Saints were unable to trade ahead of them to get Wells.
BUT...most of all...and I think this is a key, with the aging QBs in the division (Bulger and Hasselbeck), neither the Rams nor the Seahawks took the franchise QB in Mark Sanchez. IMO, both team missed a golden opportunity and may look back and regret it. In this sense, the draft has already been a plus within the NFC West for the Cardinals.
4. We saw yesterday why so many of us were conspiring ways to try to acquire another second rounder, as the players in the eary to middle portions of the round were great value picks. I was reaching for the Kleenex when OLB34s Connor Barwin, Everette Brown, David Veikune and Paul Kruger were all snagged in close proximity of each other. I had grown quite attached to all of those guys...and really couldn't believe that Everette Brown slid as far as he did...thought by many to be a possible top ten pick...he is the most naturally gifted pass rusher in this draft, IMO.
The Texans are now my favorite AFC Team...I think what they are doing in personnel over there is tremendous. Adding LBs Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin to their defense that already features the likes of Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Dunta Robinson, and Antonio Smith is very impressive...and their offense with Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson is turning into a dynamo.
But...I am going to be extra curious and fascinated to see QB Pat White running the Wildcat in Miami. Still wonder where he was in the Cardinals' player rankings.
Interesting too that the teams that expressed the most interest in Anquan Boldin took WRs with their first picks: PHI (Jeremy Maclin), NYG (Hakeem Nicks) and TEN (Kenny Britt).
The Eagles are building the Arizona East offense...and now have a WR quintet of Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, Jermey Maclin, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett and a RB duo of Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy.
Kinda makes you feel extra glad the Cardinals' WR quintet is still intact, doesn't it?
5. The one question about today's picks for the Cardinals is whether they will make a move to trade up to take a player they really like. The Patriots who had 4 picks in the second round yesterday, have 4 third rounders today and if any team wants to move up and is willing to give up a pick in next year's draft will be quickly able to do so...same with the Cowboys who have 12 picks today.
My guess would be the Cardinals will continue to let the draft come to them, as they are accustomed to doing...only this time it's a far longer wait each round. Regardless, the Cardinals are very well prepared. I am very imrpessed with how far the Cardinals have come in terms of scouting and making strong, sensible picks.
Who is going to be the Steve Breaton or Tim Hightower of this draft?
Man, this is exciting!
Enjoy it all pals!
Mitch
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