Drop Thompson, draft Johnson

[red desert]

It's a moot point. If he's still there at #6, there's no way the Titans pass on him.

I agree. And I don't think he even gets that far.

 

[TheCardFan]

I say draft Johnson and KEEP Thompson. Noch is an NFL level talent, and I for one would like to see 53 of those on our roster.

Ray Thompson has two choices...

Show a big time commitment in the offseason to getting stronger and buying into the new system....

or buh bye.

 

[TheCardFan]

Texas has one surefire NFL prospect on the DL right now, Rodrique Wright.

I don't see anything special with Wright. The best DT on the field during the Rose Bowl was Gabriel Watson from Mich (#78 Jr). He has the size 6-4/333 we are looking for...he was double teamed most of the game and still was very disruptive.

If he comes out...he would be a sleeper pick (maybe late day 1).

 

[SECTION 11]

I don't see anything special with Wright. The best DT on the field during the Rose Bowl was Gabriel Watson from Mich (#78 Jr). He has the size 6-4/333 we are looking for...he was double teamed most of the game and still was very disruptive.

If he comes out...he would be a sleeper pick (maybe late day 1).

I love that guy. He looks like he needs to get a little stronger but he has huge potential.

 

[Duckjake]

Why do NFL teams underate Linebackers in the draft? Guys like Ray Lewis, Derrick Brooks, James Farrier, Jonathan Vilma, Karlos Dansby, Takeo Spikes and every linebacker in a Patriot uniform are game turning playmakers. (Yes I know the NE OLB's are really defensive ends but who's counting?)

If stopping the run is one half of the success equation why isn't that position usually addressed until late in the first round if at all (in the 1st)?

I think it's because Dallas won Super Bowls in the 90's while going cheap at the linebacker position. So most of the other NFL teams decided that they could do the same. And of course the game swung back the other direction so that now stud linebackers are essential to a successful defense.

In my opinion the Cardinals defense improved drastically in great measure because of the better talent at linebacker.

Adding Derrick Johnson, who is listed as being bigger than Gerald Hayes, could be the addition that puts the Cardinals defense into elite status in the NFL.

 

[Russ Smith]

I don't see anything special with Wright. The best DT on the field during the Rose Bowl was Gabriel Watson from Mich (#78 Jr). He has the size 6-4/333 we are looking for...he was double teamed most of the game and still was very disruptive.

If he comes out...he would be a sleeper pick (maybe late day 1).

Watson is supposed to be really good. Remember though, Wright was doubled quite a bit and he was going up against David Baas and (forget his name) inside both of whom are pretty highly regarded, especially Baas.

Wright is raw, he's very talented but not as productive as you'd like, he is sort of like Shaun Rogers in that regard when Rogers was at Texas people kept saying he should be better than he is.

I don't think Wright has even declared yet.

 

[40yearfan]

How in the heck did he get the nickname "Big Play" Ray? This guy is too small to play LB in the NFL and is ALWAYS nicked up and can't play. He's another bust from the former regime that needs to be purged. See ya!

I think Cards fans, myself included, need to stop being enamored with the marginal players who have hung on here. Ray Thompson, Ronald McKinnon (Mac continually gushing Singletary's name every time he pumped up Ronnie Mac was disgusting), Josh McCown, Scobey, Croom, ad infinitum who get the love because we'll grasp at any straw that we think will stir the drink is a result of loving a losing organization for so long. I don't want to see any more Preston Parsons debates amoung the Cards fans!

Denny's first draft and the RESULTS on the field from those players give me hope that we will be propping up bona fide NFL stars in years to come. I hope the magic continues in this draft and he pulls a few more "rabbits out of the hat" like last year.

Sorry, don't mean to sound negative and none of my comments are directed at any specific posters here, they are just my general observations from the past couple of seasons reading this board. I love the reparte' that goes on here (for the most part) and the good natured jawing at each other. I just long for the day when we are talking about advancing in the playoffs or....remember dreamin' is FREE...going to the Super Bowl at Cardinal Stadium.


Sweet!!!!

OK, I slapped myself and woke up....

TRW, in McKinnon's 9 years with the Cards, he had 950 tackles, 12 sacks, 10 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles. If you don't consider those good numbers, you wouldn't be satisfied with Superman at that position.

 

[Rats]

Adding Derrick Johnson, who is listed as being bigger than Gerald Hayes, could be the addition that puts the Cardinals defense into elite status in the NFL.

Duck, I would have to see a weight comparison to believe he is as big as Hayes is now. He might be as big as Hayes was coming out of college. He is taller but from a bulk size comparison...I don't think he is as big.

 

[Russ Smith]

Duck, I would have to see a weight comparison to believe he is as big as Hayes is now. He might be as big as Hayes was coming out of college. He is taller but from a bulk size comparison...I don't think he is as big.

He's tall and lean, he's gained weight in college and can probably carry more but he's never going to be a 250 pound LB.

I hope he's there but when I play around with a mock draft the only way he gets past 5 is if I cheat and just hold him back for the Cards. Brooks not entering the draft makes it very unlikely we'll get Johnson.

 

[Rats]

He's tall and lean, he's gained weight in college and can probably carry more but he's never going to be a 250 pound LB.

I hope he's there but when I play around with a mock draft the only way he gets past 5 is if I cheat and just hold him back for the Cards. Brooks not entering the draft makes it very unlikely we'll get Johnson.

So cheat....when we get a Rb in FA and sign Ken Lucas...he will be the pick we need

 

[Duckjake]

Duck, I would have to see a weight comparison to believe he is as big as Hayes is now. He might be as big as Hayes was coming out of college. He is taller but from a bulk size comparison...I don't think he is as big.

I can see how you might think that but Hayes was listed at 6'1 237 in the 2003 Media Guide as a rook. He's listed at 6' 238 on the Cardinals roster at nfl.com/rosters and at 6'1 242 @nfl.com/players.

DJ is listed at 6'4 235 at texassports.com. Which to me makes him "bigger" than Hayes though he will look slighter because of the heigth difference.

Say DJ adds 5lbs like Hayes did and Johnson is playing at 6'4 240 which is the same range as guys like Posey, Haggans, Colvin, Spikes, Vilma, Diggs, Eric Barton, and Dansby.

But the real point is that looking at the guys on the above list and the impact they have on the game you have to wonder why teams don't take these guys sooner in the draft.

 

[WildBB]

I can see how you might think that but Hayes was listed at 6'1 237 in the 2003 Media Guide as a rook. He's listed at 6' 238 on the Cardinals roster at nfl.com/rosters and at 6'1 242 @nfl.com/players.

DJ is listed at 6'4 235 at texassports.com. Which to me makes him "bigger" than Hayes though he will look slighter because of the heigth difference.

Say DJ adds 5lbs like Hayes did and Johnson is playing at 6'4 240 which is the same range as guys like Posey, Haggans, Colvin, Spikes, Vilma, Diggs, Eric Barton, and Dansby.

But the real point is that looking at the guys on the above list and the impact they have on the game you have to wonder why teams don't take these guys sooner in the draft.

Big and fast LB's are THE PREMIUM PICKS NOW - Like Big Quick DT's were a few years ago. We seemingly got burned with one of em. Bryant. Unless a miracle happens with him this offseason and he commits to excellence. Not likely.

But the big fast Lb's like Vilma, and EJ Henderson and our own Dansby last yr. are making big contributions fast, to todays D schemes. Look for it to continue this yr. if they're available.

Derrick Johnson is gone before the 6th pick. Brooks would have been nice too.

 

[Redmark]

I say draft Johnson and KEEP Thompson.
Depends on who's there at #8.

At this early point, my board would line up something like:

1. Edwards
2. Rolle
3. Leinart
4. Baas
5. Mike Williams
6. Benson
7. Johnson
8. Cody

Who is this Edwards guy and what position does he play? I don't follow the college game that closely and am not familiar with every potential draft choice, especially if given just a last name (and a common one at that). Also unfamiliar with the guy at #4. I did learn there's a Sean Cody (USC, I think) and a Dan Cody (OK). If you're just posting this for draft gurus than don't bother to reply.

 

[HookemCards]

Who is this Edwards guy and what position does he play? I don't follow the college game that closely and am not familiar with every potential draft choice, especially if given just a last name (and a common one at that). Also unfamiliar with the guy at #4. I did learn there's a Sean Cody (USC, I think) and a Dan Cody (OK). If you're just posting this for draft gurus than don't bother to reply.

Braylean Edwards is a WR from Michigan, and he's good. Baas is an OG from Michigan, I doubt he goes in the top ten, but stranger things have happened.

 

[Redmark]

Braylean Edwards is a WR from Michigan, and he's good. Baas is an OG from Michigan, I doubt he goes in the top ten, but stranger things have happened.

Oh that Edwards! Yes I've seen him do some incredible things this year. Fortunately we won't be using our #1 on a WR this year, I hope. Thanks for making the obvious perfectly clear