Eli Who?

[MadCardDisease]

I'll admit that drafting a stud College QB with strong blood lines sure sounds like the sexy pick. However, I'm not sure if the Cardinals should go after a QB with there first pick.

I believe that there is a special player out there that could imediately make a difference on this team. Assuming that he is allowed to enter the draft I would love to see Larry Fitzgerald in a Cardinal uniform.

He would be the perfect complement to Anquan Boldin. He is a playmaker who could strecht the field with his amazing size and speed. Who would you cover? Anquan Bolding coming across the middle or Fitzgerald steaking down field? To top it off Fitzgerald is a team guy not a me guy.

I think that he would be the perfect fit for the Cardinals and should be their 1st round pick in next years draft if he is allowed to enter it.

Larry Fitzgerald

6'3"
225 lbs
4.4 forty

http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/football/bio.asp?PLAYER_ID=1372

You must be registered for see images

 

[EnglishCardinal]

and who will throw them the ball ?

 

[Pariah]

uh-oh. A sign of things to come...is that a Cardinal trying to grab him from behind (and missing)?

Sure looks like it.

 

[imaCafan]

Does that mean we've given up on Johnson???

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by imaCafan
Does that mean we've given up on Johnson???

Absolutely not. He would become our 3rd WR.

 

[Dback Jon]

A WR should never, ever be taken with one of the top picks. WR's have a high head-case/bust ratio - much riskier than a QB, IMHO.

And, as Quan as proven, you don't need to be a first-rounder to be a stud WR!

 

[Snakester]

Originally posted by EnglishCardinal
and who will throw them the ball ?

Unless Josh McCown shows us he is the man in the next three games, we would have another year screaming at Blake.
Sorry but I would rather draft Manning or Roethlisberger and start either one his rookie year.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Dback Jon
A WR should never, ever be taken with one of the top picks. WR's have a high head-case/bust ratio - much riskier than a QB, IMHO.

And, as Quan as proven, you don't need to be a first-rounder to be a stud WR!

That's the thing with Fitzgerald. He has a great head on his shoulders much like Quan. Basically he is a faster version of Quan.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Dback Jon
WR's have a high head-case/bust ratio - much riskier than a QB, IMHO.

I don't know about that. There have been plenty of first round QB busts that I can recall.

 

[JeffGollin]

I'll hark back to my post on an earlier thread about Suggs, Moss, Ted Washington and other guys being Sack Machines, Pass-catching Machines, Run Stuffing Machines etc.

Granted, Graves' efforts to "rebuild the belly of this football team" may have been warranted and hopefully pay off.

But what this team sorely lacks - everywhere (except arguably with Leonard Davis (RG) and Quan (Slot WR) - are a few legitimate difference makers on each side of the ball - like John Elway, Marshall Faulk, Tory Holt, Michael Strahan, Junior Seau (in his prime) or Roy Williams.

What this has meant is that, when the Cardinals have needed to reach back for "something a little extra" to turn around a game or get the team back on track, the well has been empty. The plays haven't been made.

I think the time has come (some would say it should have come last year) for the Cardinals to draft additional playmakers. No more sacrificing quality for more quantity by trading out of a top space.

For our 1st pick in 2004, The Cards should be looking at legit Throwing Machines, Pass Catching Machines, Sackmasters, Coverage Machines or Hitting Machines at a number of positions - and, whether it's determined that Fitzgerald, Taylor, Wilfork, Roethlisberg, Strait, Ratcliff or Eli fit that bill and can give us someone who can take over a game, I just hope we get one of those and that our scouting dept. makes the right assessment.

 

[AZCB34]

First, I don't believe for a minute the NFL is going to waive Fitzgerald into the draft...no matter how logical his excuse is. The NFL is circling the wagons due to Clarett and they will not make an exception for Fitzgerald. JMHO.

Second, as to the bust/head-case factor. Yes, it seems WRs have become more vocal lately but having heard Fitzgerald speak a few times after games, I am very impressed with his attitude. As for the bust factor, what is the worst scenarion for a team's first rounder busting...a QB who is a bust or a WR who is a bust. IMO, by a long shot a QB as a bust hurts a team long term more than a WR as a bust.

Finally, I hope, if the Cards do decide to bypass a QB in round 1, that they go defense first. The offense, no matter how inept it has been, is still closer to being solid than the defense. The defense is in desperate need of blue chip players.

Having said all that, I would be giddy with a WR corp of Fitzgerald, Boldin, Johnson...add in Jones and Shipp and maybe an OL that can finally realize it's potential with a new coach and personally I think alot of Blake's issues would start to fade away.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by AZCB34
First, I don't believe for a minute the NFL is going to waive Fitzgerald into the draft...no matter how logical his excuse is. The NFL is circling the wagons due to Clarett and they will not make an exception for Fitzgerald. JMHO.

He has been out of High School for 3 years now which technically would allow him to enter the draft if he had gone straight to college.

Clarett on the other hand has only been out of High School for 2 years. So I beleive that their situations are totally different.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by MadCardDisease
He has been out of High School for 3 years now which technically would allow him to enter the draft if he had gone straight to college.

Clarett on the other hand has only been out of High School for 2 years. So I beleive that their situations are totally different.

Never said I disagreed with Fitzgerald...in fact I think he has a good case. Never compared him to Clarett either but rather said with the NFL circling the wagons because of Clarett, they likely won't make ANY exception. The "rule" I believe is three years of college not 3 years though. I could be wrong on that though.

The other problem with allow Fitzgerald in for the NFL is they will give all these young players a blueprint for getting into the league early because clearly there is some issue that his draft eligiblity is in question.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by AZCB34
Never said I disagreed with Fitzgerald...in fact I think he has a good case. Never compared him to Clarett either but rather said with the NFL circling the wagons because of Clarett, they likely won't make ANY exception. The "rule" I believe is three years of college not 3 years though. I could be wrong on that though.

The other problem with allow Fitzgerald in for the NFL is they will give all these young players a blueprint for getting into the league early because clearly there is some issue that his draft eligiblity is in question.

ESPN says it's a very debatable point. 3 years with one as a redshirt, and you're draft eligible, case in point Michael Vick. 3 years with one at a "prep school" is debatable. Prep schools are rampant with college hoops, not so with football. Fitgerald would have been prop 48 out of HS and couldn't afford to go to Pitt without a scholarship, so he went to prep school for a year(I have no idea the cost differences between prep school and college to know how he afforded it).

So the debate is, by not allowing Fitgerald in, are they in essence making a decision that discriminates based on financial means of a recruit?

Tough call, I suspect they'll fight Fitzgerald too, the point being if you weren't prop 48 you wouldn't have had the issue and you'd be draft eligible now, but there's at least a chance he can win the argument.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Russ Smith
ESPN says it's a very debatable point. 3 years with one as a redshirt, and you're draft eligible, case in point Michael Vick. 3 years with one at a "prep school" is debatable. Prep schools are rampant with college hoops, not so with football. Fitgerald would have been prop 48 out of HS and couldn't afford to go to Pitt without a scholarship, so he went to prep school for a year(I have no idea the cost differences between prep school and college to know how he afforded it).

So the debate is, by not allowing Fitgerald in, are they in essence making a decision that discriminates based on financial means of a recruit?

Tough call, I suspect they'll fight Fitzgerald too, the point being if you weren't prop 48 you wouldn't have had the issue and you'd be draft eligible now, but there's at least a chance he can win the argument.

So it is 3 years of college (including redshirts) and not 3 calendar years?

I still think Fitzgerald has a good case. In fact I would like to see the NFL grant it to him. He seems like such a solid kid. Although, at least as it appears to me, he doesn;t care if he gets in or not. Seems like his Dad is pushing this harder than he is.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by AZCB34
So it is 3 years of college (including redshirts) and not 3 calendar years?

I still think Fitzgerald has a good case. In fact I would like to see the NFL grant it to him. He seems like such a solid kid. Although, at least as it appears to me, he doesn;t care if he gets in or not. Seems like his Dad is pushing this harder than he is.

yes, Vick played only 2 years at VA. Tech he was in the draft because he had redshirted.

The whole argument is redshirt year vs prep school because let's face it most of the kids coming out as redshirt sophs are not going to graduate so it's a farce if the NFL is saying that 3 years in college is better for the kid than 2, in both cases they play only 2 years and I bet less than 1% of them get their degree.

Fitgerald has supposedly promised his parents he'll get his degree, so it's ironic that his dad now seems to be pushing him to come out.

 

[CaliCards]

Originally posted by AZCB34
First, I don't believe for a minute the NFL is going to waive Fitzgerald into the draft...no matter how logical his excuse is. The NFL is circling the wagons due to Clarett and they will not make an exception for Fitzgerald. JMHO.

Second, as to the bust/head-case factor. Yes, it seems WRs have become more vocal lately but having heard Fitzgerald speak a few times after games, I am very impressed with his attitude. As for the bust factor, what is the worst scenarion for a team's first rounder busting...a QB who is a bust or a WR who is a bust. IMO, by a long shot a QB as a bust hurts a team long term more than a WR as a bust.

Finally, I hope, if the Cards do decide to bypass a QB in round 1, that they go defense first. The offense, no matter how inept it has been, is still closer to being solid than the defense. The defense is in desperate need of blue chip players.

Having said all that, I would be giddy with a WR corp of Fitzgerald, Boldin, Johnson...add in Jones and Shipp and maybe an OL that can finally realize it's potential with a new coach and personally I think alot of Blake's issues would start to fade away.

I agree with all that's said here, but if Eli Manning falls in the Cards lap, they should draft him and then look to see what other teams are willing to offer for him.

 

[imaCafan]

If memory serves me (which it rarely does) Swann didn't go to college, correct? If so, what made him eligable to draft? 3 years out of HS? Being on a semi-pro team first? Being a certain age?????

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by imaCafan
If memory serves me (which it rarely does) Swann didn't go to college, correct? If so, what made him eligable to draft? 3 years out of HS? Being on a semi-pro team first? Being a certain age?????

You are correct but I can't remember how old he was when he entered the draft.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by imaCafan
If memory serves me (which it rarely does) Swann didn't go to college, correct? If so, what made him eligable to draft? 3 years out of HS? Being on a semi-pro team first? Being a certain age?????

Swann was 20 when drafted, born in August of 1970 so he was a couple months shy of 21. I believe he was draft eligible because his graduating class in HS had been out of school for 3 years.

It's a very good point though if Prep school is being held against Fitgerald, why was Swann allowed in, he played Semi pro ball and briefly attended Wake Technical college, so he had FAR less school than Fitgerald has.

That's a terrific argument FOR Fitgerald.

 

[red desert]

Originally posted by MadCardDisease
I'll admit that drafting a stud College QB with strong blood lines sure sounds like the sexy pick. However, I'm not sure if the Cardinals should go after a QB with there first pick.

I believe that there is a special player out there that could imediately make a difference on this team. Assuming that he is allowed to enter the draft I would love to see Larry Fitzgerald in a Cardinal uniform.

He would be the perfect complement to Anquan Boldin. He is a playmaker who could strecht the field with his amazing size and speed. Who would you cover? Anquan Bolding coming across the middle or Fitzgerald steaking down field? To top it off Fitzgerald is a team guy not a me guy.

I think that he would be the perfect fit for the Cardinals and should be their 1st round pick in next years draft if he is allowed to enter it.

Larry Fitzgerald

6'3"
225 lbs
4.4 forty

http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/football/bio.asp?PLAYER_ID=1372

You must be registered for see images

I am 100% with you. Fitzgerald is better than Rogers and Andre Johnson. Would be great to have Josh "rock" these few games and convice mgmt. that he's the guy, then, get the number one pick, trade down one or two slots (preferably one) and get Fitzgerald. Get a number for the following year by trading down and take Tommie Harris who decided to stay in school.

I know, I know... dream on.

 

[daytripper]

I agree with Mad Card . All options need to be kept open. Our first priority (IMHO) needs to be getting a coaching staff in place.

 

[red desert]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
I'll hark back to my post on an earlier thread about Suggs, Moss, Ted Washington and other guys being Sack Machines, Pass-catching Machines, Run Stuffing Machines etc.

Granted, Graves' efforts to "rebuild the belly of this football team" may have been warranted and hopefully pay off.

But what this team sorely lacks - everywhere (except arguably with Leonard Davis (RG) and Quan (Slot WR) - are a few legitimate difference makers on each side of the ball - like John Elway, Marshall Faulk, Tory Holt, Michael Strahan, Junior Seau (in his prime) or Roy Williams.

What this has meant is that, when the Cardinals have needed to reach back for "something a little extra" to turn around a game or get the team back on track, the well has been empty. The plays haven't been made.

I think the time has come (some would say it should have come last year) for the Cardinals to draft additional playmakers. No more sacrificing quality for more quantity by trading out of a top space.

For our 1st pick in 2004, The Cards should be looking at legit Throwing Machines, Pass Catching Machines, Sackmasters, Coverage Machines or Hitting Machines at a number positions - and, whether it's determined that Fitzgerald, Taylor, Wilfork, Roethlisberg, Strait, Ratcliff or Eli fit that bill and can give us someone who can take over a game, I just hope we get one of those and that our scouting dept. makes the right assessment.

yeah...

 

[kerouac9]

My understanding on Fitzgerald is that he's not all that fast. I know that Pitt says that he runs a 4.4, but I"m not sure I believe it. Colleges usually embellish the 40 times of they're players (remember T. Suggs's 4.2?).

I think that Fitz's report is going to look a lot like 'Quan's. Fitz looks like a guy with solid character credentials, decent speed only, but with solid hands and good field vision. What I've seen of Pitt's games, he's not really outrunning anyone, he's just getting the ball out of the air. I'd personally rather wait for more of a "prototype" speed guy to complement Anquan, because you don't need two guys that can't immediately get past the corner and to the safety.

Pure speed WRs can usually be found in round 2, so I'd wait until then. I personally think that we're all right with a 2nd Year Johnson and Split end and Anquan at Flanker, with Gilmore coming out of the slot A la Hakim or Ron Dixon. #1 or Top 5 money is a lot to invest in a player who is only going to touch the ball 10 times a game maximum, especially when you already have two high-round picks invested in that area. I think that a Free Agent speed guy (Steve Smith might come available, we'll get another shot at Marcus Robinson, Troy Edwards might come free...) or lower-round choice (or both) could be invested, but QB, corner, or pass rusher should probably be used with that high a pick. I do agree with Jeff that this is a time when the Cards desperately need Playmakers (I've been saying this since the last draft, by the way), and can't afford to settle for quantity rather than quality, or look for "diamonds in the rough".

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by kerouac9
My understanding on Fitzgerald is that he's not all that fast. I know that Pitt says that he runs a 4.4, but I"m not sure I believe it. Colleges usually embellish the 40 times of they're players (remember T. Suggs's 4.2?).

I don't remember ASU saying he ran a 4.2. I heard Koetter on the radio raving about Nick "I got kicked off the team" Johnson, saying that he was faster than Suggs (a 4.6 is what he said).