RugbyMuffin
ASFN IDOL
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2003
- Posts
- 30,485
- Reaction score
- 4,877
Like some of you here in ASFN land, I spend a lot of time on this board discussing the Cardinals to the point of insanity. There have been many a day I step up on the soapbox proclaiming the ignorance of our front office, and staff. The underlining tone, being one of WTF.
Well, after looking at the final 53, what should I complain about ? Really, I have what I asked for. Is it 100% the way I wanted it all to go down ? LOL, not even close. Yet, is the end result what I was looking for ? Actually, yes.
QB:
I wanted John Skelton to start, and he is starting. For all the pro-Kolb fans out there, I tip my hat to you all. I think, as Gee's highly amusing post pokes fun of, Team Skelton and Team Kolb got behind there guy, made good cases for both, and today as the final decision was made, both teams shook hands, and got behind the Cardinals starter.
I don't know when Skelton won this job, and in my opinion, I am not 100% confident in Skelton. He has work to do, and has very apparent warts in his game. I concede this fact.
Yet, getting back on topic, John Skelton is the guy I wanted at QB. He has an NFL arm, great composure in the pocket, he has the size to take the ungodly beating that he will have to endure this year, is clutch in crunch time, and can win with our team. Furthermore, I think the the play calls the Cardinals use for Skelton are more suited for the team. The Cardinals use more bunch packages, pulls & traps, 2-back sets, 2 TE sets when Skelton is in the game. The team as a whole seems to run better out of these formations, and allows for easier reads for the QB. Lindley runs the same package as well, BTW.
Finally, my biggest reason for getting behind Double Deuce is that he realizes this is the NFL, and you gotta have a pair. I hate to say this word, but you cannot play scared (better word would be ultra-conservative). No I don't think Kolb is a scared person. I don't question Kolb's courage, or ability to take a hit. But, Skelton attacks teams. He throws down the field, and challenges the defense. I understand this asset that I like about Skelton is also his biggest downfall but I will take the good and the bad, and hope his decision making (which is really his worse attribute, way worse then his accuracy) improves.
But, he is the guy I wanted back there.
RB:
Using Wells, and Williams as thunder and lighting is going to be an asset. Whiz comes from the coaching tree that uses 2 backs and always has used 2 backs. The most successful Whiz coaching tree teams had a "Thunder and Lighting" combo. Higgins and Washington for Gibbs, Bettis and Parker for Cowherd. We have Wells and Williams, with the wild card that is LSH.
Again, I am happy with the RB situation.
WR:
Last year, my biggest complaint about the receiving situation last year was, even though Doucet/Roberts converted a lot of 3rd downs, when it was clutch time, and we needed a catch, not a catch and run, just a catch to move the chains, we had nothing.
We needed a big bodied receiver. I didn't think we needed a 1st round big bodied receiver. I thought a free agent pick up, or a late draft pick to just fill a role on the offense would be enough. Someone like LaRon Byrd, who I am very happy made the final cuts, and feel Byrd earned his spot would have sufficed. But, again, not the way I would go about it, but Michael Floyd is what I was looking for. I am still wary of Floyd, and his hands. He needs to "catch everything" on 3rd downs. His TD catch was awesome, I will say that, but I will be more excited about Floyd when he converts those hard 3rd down catches in traffic, and tight coverage. Yet, I should also state, that Michael Floyd has been a fantastic surprise as a blocking WR. He is not Anquan Boldin, but he is very, very good. He was in the middle of a lot of big runs for the Cardinals this offseason.
So, I got what I wanted again this offseason with not only one big bodied WR, but a second one in LaRon Byrd, who really makes our WR unit one the better ones in the league, IMO.
FB/TE:
Anthony Sherman, and Jeff King are going to start. Thank goodness for that, they both are NFL quality starters that can catch, and most importantly block. I would have liked to see Steve Skelton get a spot over Todd Heap, but if Skeleton gets on the PS that may happen later in the year when Heap gets hurt.
Rob Housler's plummet down the depth chart was nothing surprising to me, so that doesn't bother me. Jim Dray will be Jim Dray.
Again, I have no problems here.
OL:
OK, here I can have a little beef this this organization. Again, I am in the camp that wanted to replace Levi Brown, during free agency with players that have experience in the NFL. Sorry to be lazy, but the lists of players I was looking at (Jeff Backus, King Dunlap, Demetrius Bell, etc, etc) could have helped this team. Levi Brown should have been playing RT this preseason, IMO.
But, I digress.... The Cardinals did bring in some youth, and youth that was good enough to be protected after the cut to 53. Massie, Kelemete, and Potter are all on the final 53. So, the Cardinals have found a possible solution at RT in Bobby Massie. Massie has shown constant improvement this offseason, and I hope he stays at RT for the entire year. That would be great. D'Anthony Batiste is not the replacement at LT that I would use, and this is not the way I would have gone about replacing our LT, but it is a new name. Who knows what Batiste will do this year ? And to be fair to Batiste, if he is better than Levi Brown (with all due respect, is not THAT big of a challenge) then it is an improvement at the position. Regardless of what Somers says, Kelemete (a tackle in college) looks promising at guard, and IMO, is better than Adam Snyder already. So, there IS change on the offensive line, and that is what I asked for.
That is about as sugar-coated as it gets. This offensive line is a extremely weak link on this team. Colledge is touted as our best offensive lineman at LG, and he looked pretty bad to me this preseason. That is not good. I have never liked Sendlein, and Adam Snyder has everyone scratching their heads on why we picked him up. Yet, to be fair, I didn't ask to change the interior line, just the OT's and they have been changed.
Again, got what I asked for.
DL:
We re-signed Campbell to a long term extension. It took about 1 1/2 years longer than it should, but it happened. Nothing changed on the roster from last year at this position, nor should it have.
Again got what I asked for.
OLB:
Since the end of last year, for pass rushing purposes, I have said I am happy with Schofield, and Acho as our pass rushing OLB'ers. Schofield, unfortunately, proved us all right about being a liability against the run, but he can get after the QB, IMO.
I have no problem with Clark Haggans being let go, and he might be back, BTW. And I am fine with that. I see Bradley coming in at OLB as well, and I am good with that. Finally, bringing in Quentin Groves looks to be a very good move by the Cardinals as well.
Again, got what I asked for.
ILB:
YAY!
Stewart Bradley looks like Stewart Bradley. He sure made a lot of people look stupid last year. The Cardinals front office, and myself. Well, he looks like the player I thought we would be getting.
Stewart Bradley - 6'4" and 258 lbs.
First things first. The guy can bring it, against the run. He can take on offensive linemen, he can stand up big running backs (Marshawn Lynch, Frank Gore, Stephen Jackson) at the line, and can cover in the the passing game. Not to mention he is big and quick enough to rush the passer from the inside or outside. When Lenon is gone next season, Bradley will be calling the leader in the huddle, relaying the plays, and getting players where they need to be. Best story this of this preseason, IMO.
Lenon, and Daryl Washington look ready. Washington, I don't know what other people are looking at, looks primed for a huge season. He is so fast, and quick is it ridiculous.
And last but not least, Reggie Walker woke up. In the 3rd preseason game he just woke up, and was all over the field. He is not only a ST guy now, he is good solid depth at ILB.
Couldn't be happier with our ILB position.
CB:
We needed a CB#2. I was happy with Greg Toler as the guy, but the Cardinals did better and then some. William Gay, and Jamell Flemming are better than Toler, so Greg Toler is our 4th CB. Yeah, that is pretty sweet. That is a very good talent secondary. I hope and it seems to be that Jamell Flemming is going to be the CB#2 sooner rather than later. Flemming is listed at 5'11" but looks bigger and taller than that. We are going to have two big, fast, smart, and talented CB's on the edges.
Not only am I happy about this situation, it is better than I expected.
S:
Being one of the few that respects, and likes Kerry Rhodes, and Wilson is Wilson I was fine with the Cardinals starting safeties. I am still wary of Rashad Johnson, but I really like James Sanders, and Justin Bethel who is extremely raw has all the physical tools to be a great FS someday.
With the improved depth, I couldn't be happier with this situation.
Special Teams:
Eh. Keeping Feely and Zastudil is well..... eh. Not great, not bad. I would have really liked a better punter, but Zastudil has not be horrible to be fair.
As for the rest? Michael Adams, LSH, William Powell, and Justin Bethel. That is some good talent on special teams. Then for FG blocks you add Patrick Peterson, and Calais Campbell. Futhermore, we have Peterson returning punts, and LSH/Powell returning kicks.
Not bad at all.
So yeah. This team has some flaws. If they win 8 games I will be happily surprised. But, while the Cardinals didn't do EXACTLY what I would have done, they did follow the philosophy, and wants and needs that I was looking for.
So, while I can nit-pick this guy over that guy, I cannot exactly say they didn't do anything that needed to be done this offseason. Nor can I say they don't have a roster with changes that I wanted to see.
Go Cardinals!
Well, after looking at the final 53, what should I complain about ? Really, I have what I asked for. Is it 100% the way I wanted it all to go down ? LOL, not even close. Yet, is the end result what I was looking for ? Actually, yes.
QB:
I wanted John Skelton to start, and he is starting. For all the pro-Kolb fans out there, I tip my hat to you all. I think, as Gee's highly amusing post pokes fun of, Team Skelton and Team Kolb got behind there guy, made good cases for both, and today as the final decision was made, both teams shook hands, and got behind the Cardinals starter.
I don't know when Skelton won this job, and in my opinion, I am not 100% confident in Skelton. He has work to do, and has very apparent warts in his game. I concede this fact.
Yet, getting back on topic, John Skelton is the guy I wanted at QB. He has an NFL arm, great composure in the pocket, he has the size to take the ungodly beating that he will have to endure this year, is clutch in crunch time, and can win with our team. Furthermore, I think the the play calls the Cardinals use for Skelton are more suited for the team. The Cardinals use more bunch packages, pulls & traps, 2-back sets, 2 TE sets when Skelton is in the game. The team as a whole seems to run better out of these formations, and allows for easier reads for the QB. Lindley runs the same package as well, BTW.
Finally, my biggest reason for getting behind Double Deuce is that he realizes this is the NFL, and you gotta have a pair. I hate to say this word, but you cannot play scared (better word would be ultra-conservative). No I don't think Kolb is a scared person. I don't question Kolb's courage, or ability to take a hit. But, Skelton attacks teams. He throws down the field, and challenges the defense. I understand this asset that I like about Skelton is also his biggest downfall but I will take the good and the bad, and hope his decision making (which is really his worse attribute, way worse then his accuracy) improves.
But, he is the guy I wanted back there.
RB:
Using Wells, and Williams as thunder and lighting is going to be an asset. Whiz comes from the coaching tree that uses 2 backs and always has used 2 backs. The most successful Whiz coaching tree teams had a "Thunder and Lighting" combo. Higgins and Washington for Gibbs, Bettis and Parker for Cowherd. We have Wells and Williams, with the wild card that is LSH.
Again, I am happy with the RB situation.
WR:
Last year, my biggest complaint about the receiving situation last year was, even though Doucet/Roberts converted a lot of 3rd downs, when it was clutch time, and we needed a catch, not a catch and run, just a catch to move the chains, we had nothing.
We needed a big bodied receiver. I didn't think we needed a 1st round big bodied receiver. I thought a free agent pick up, or a late draft pick to just fill a role on the offense would be enough. Someone like LaRon Byrd, who I am very happy made the final cuts, and feel Byrd earned his spot would have sufficed. But, again, not the way I would go about it, but Michael Floyd is what I was looking for. I am still wary of Floyd, and his hands. He needs to "catch everything" on 3rd downs. His TD catch was awesome, I will say that, but I will be more excited about Floyd when he converts those hard 3rd down catches in traffic, and tight coverage. Yet, I should also state, that Michael Floyd has been a fantastic surprise as a blocking WR. He is not Anquan Boldin, but he is very, very good. He was in the middle of a lot of big runs for the Cardinals this offseason.
So, I got what I wanted again this offseason with not only one big bodied WR, but a second one in LaRon Byrd, who really makes our WR unit one the better ones in the league, IMO.
FB/TE:
Anthony Sherman, and Jeff King are going to start. Thank goodness for that, they both are NFL quality starters that can catch, and most importantly block. I would have liked to see Steve Skelton get a spot over Todd Heap, but if Skeleton gets on the PS that may happen later in the year when Heap gets hurt.
Rob Housler's plummet down the depth chart was nothing surprising to me, so that doesn't bother me. Jim Dray will be Jim Dray.
Again, I have no problems here.
OL:
OK, here I can have a little beef this this organization. Again, I am in the camp that wanted to replace Levi Brown, during free agency with players that have experience in the NFL. Sorry to be lazy, but the lists of players I was looking at (Jeff Backus, King Dunlap, Demetrius Bell, etc, etc) could have helped this team. Levi Brown should have been playing RT this preseason, IMO.
But, I digress.... The Cardinals did bring in some youth, and youth that was good enough to be protected after the cut to 53. Massie, Kelemete, and Potter are all on the final 53. So, the Cardinals have found a possible solution at RT in Bobby Massie. Massie has shown constant improvement this offseason, and I hope he stays at RT for the entire year. That would be great. D'Anthony Batiste is not the replacement at LT that I would use, and this is not the way I would have gone about replacing our LT, but it is a new name. Who knows what Batiste will do this year ? And to be fair to Batiste, if he is better than Levi Brown (with all due respect, is not THAT big of a challenge) then it is an improvement at the position. Regardless of what Somers says, Kelemete (a tackle in college) looks promising at guard, and IMO, is better than Adam Snyder already. So, there IS change on the offensive line, and that is what I asked for.
That is about as sugar-coated as it gets. This offensive line is a extremely weak link on this team. Colledge is touted as our best offensive lineman at LG, and he looked pretty bad to me this preseason. That is not good. I have never liked Sendlein, and Adam Snyder has everyone scratching their heads on why we picked him up. Yet, to be fair, I didn't ask to change the interior line, just the OT's and they have been changed.
Again, got what I asked for.
DL:
We re-signed Campbell to a long term extension. It took about 1 1/2 years longer than it should, but it happened. Nothing changed on the roster from last year at this position, nor should it have.
Again got what I asked for.
OLB:
Since the end of last year, for pass rushing purposes, I have said I am happy with Schofield, and Acho as our pass rushing OLB'ers. Schofield, unfortunately, proved us all right about being a liability against the run, but he can get after the QB, IMO.
I have no problem with Clark Haggans being let go, and he might be back, BTW. And I am fine with that. I see Bradley coming in at OLB as well, and I am good with that. Finally, bringing in Quentin Groves looks to be a very good move by the Cardinals as well.
Again, got what I asked for.
ILB:
YAY!
Stewart Bradley looks like Stewart Bradley. He sure made a lot of people look stupid last year. The Cardinals front office, and myself. Well, he looks like the player I thought we would be getting.
Stewart Bradley - 6'4" and 258 lbs.
First things first. The guy can bring it, against the run. He can take on offensive linemen, he can stand up big running backs (Marshawn Lynch, Frank Gore, Stephen Jackson) at the line, and can cover in the the passing game. Not to mention he is big and quick enough to rush the passer from the inside or outside. When Lenon is gone next season, Bradley will be calling the leader in the huddle, relaying the plays, and getting players where they need to be. Best story this of this preseason, IMO.
Lenon, and Daryl Washington look ready. Washington, I don't know what other people are looking at, looks primed for a huge season. He is so fast, and quick is it ridiculous.
And last but not least, Reggie Walker woke up. In the 3rd preseason game he just woke up, and was all over the field. He is not only a ST guy now, he is good solid depth at ILB.
Couldn't be happier with our ILB position.
CB:
We needed a CB#2. I was happy with Greg Toler as the guy, but the Cardinals did better and then some. William Gay, and Jamell Flemming are better than Toler, so Greg Toler is our 4th CB. Yeah, that is pretty sweet. That is a very good talent secondary. I hope and it seems to be that Jamell Flemming is going to be the CB#2 sooner rather than later. Flemming is listed at 5'11" but looks bigger and taller than that. We are going to have two big, fast, smart, and talented CB's on the edges.
Not only am I happy about this situation, it is better than I expected.
S:
Being one of the few that respects, and likes Kerry Rhodes, and Wilson is Wilson I was fine with the Cardinals starting safeties. I am still wary of Rashad Johnson, but I really like James Sanders, and Justin Bethel who is extremely raw has all the physical tools to be a great FS someday.
With the improved depth, I couldn't be happier with this situation.
Special Teams:
Eh. Keeping Feely and Zastudil is well..... eh. Not great, not bad. I would have really liked a better punter, but Zastudil has not be horrible to be fair.
As for the rest? Michael Adams, LSH, William Powell, and Justin Bethel. That is some good talent on special teams. Then for FG blocks you add Patrick Peterson, and Calais Campbell. Futhermore, we have Peterson returning punts, and LSH/Powell returning kicks.
Not bad at all.
So yeah. This team has some flaws. If they win 8 games I will be happily surprised. But, while the Cardinals didn't do EXACTLY what I would have done, they did follow the philosophy, and wants and needs that I was looking for.
So, while I can nit-pick this guy over that guy, I cannot exactly say they didn't do anything that needed to be done this offseason. Nor can I say they don't have a roster with changes that I wanted to see.
Go Cardinals!
