Floyd pick just doesn't make sense to me.

[BigRedRage]

I don't know who's comparing Floyd to Bolin. Blackmon was the one drawing the comparisons to #81.

The fact of the matter is that Michael Floyd over the course of his first contract is going to make the almost same amount as Anquan Boldin will in the next year of his. There were legitimate durability concerns with Breaston, and Boldin wanted to be paid like a Top 10 NFL wideout, which he is not.

This wasn't a "need" pick. Anyone who's trying to overstate a need at #2 WR is going to end up frustrated. The OL prospects after Kalil were just not that good.

In 3 years you will be throwing a fit about upper management and what they do with this guy once he earns top 10 money and we let him walk. I wanted us to take OLB or something similar or trade down. I didnt like the OT left at 13

I read floyd is a very strong, YAC reciever ala boldin.

 

[kerouac9]

WRONG. I have given plenty of reasons why WR2 is a need, but I no longer have to bang my head against the wall with people who refuse to see reality. THE TEAM'S OWN STATEMENT listed WR2 as a need. Thanks for playing.

Is this the quote that you're talking about?

“There’s been a lot of talk about us needing a No. 2 (receiver),” Whisenhunt said. “We’ve added another good young player to the mix."

http://prod.www.cardinals.clubs.nfl...ing-Pick/8a1a2a0a-5f89-4798-8e7c-b8961ed93619

That doesn't say what you think it does. Read it carefully.

 

[JCSunsfan]

You take the bpa in the first round and figure out the rest later. Its not what the Cardinals did not do historically.

There was no LT that would have been possible at that point anyway. This is the way good teams draft.

 

[Duckjake]

Boldin wanted to be paid like a Top 10 NFL wideout, which he is not.

He would be if the Ravens played the Cardinals every week.

Seriously, I agree with your post.

I have been wanting a WR who can get off the LOS more quickly than the guys we have now. I thought I read somewhere that this was one of Floyd's strengths. Have you seen anything to that affect?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

You take the bpa in the first round and figure out the rest later.

Agree, but I think Ingram was BPA.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Agree, but I think Ingram was BPA.

Wasn't to the Cards, St. Louis, Seattle (who picked a pass rusher), NY Jets (who also picked a pass rusher), or Cincinnati.

 

[RonF]

I thought Floyd is supposed to be faster and bigger than Blackmon. And reviewing some of the film on Floyd, I'm not worried about his ability to separate himself from DBs who are covering him. He is a beast who can out leap, out power and dominate against any pair of DBs who may try and cover him.

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

Let's be honest, WRs are the prima donas of the NFL. They are the party animals and most likely to get into trouble, through temper tantrums, etc. Remember Boston. This kid Floyd has some warning signs like this also, not necessarily the same, but still the typical WR red flags. Still he should by all respects be better than Boldin, afterall he is the 13th overall pick. He is supposed to be a stud WR in every respect at that spot.

To me, he and Ingram were the top and best players on the board at 13. I would have liked Ingram like a lot of you, but have relaxed a bit after a good night's sleep and now feel either pick was probably of equal value to our team and makes us a lot better on that side of the ball.

I know I lean much more towards drafting for need if possible than a lot of you, and that is why I loved and coveted DeCastro the most. I rambled on enough about what a running game would mean to us, our passing game, red zone play, and controlling clock. Hopefully one day we will draft for that, especially since we seem to like to draft RBs so much. I can't see having the RBs without the run blocking to go with them. I feel so strongly about this that it influences my preferences in the draft.

We will love Floyd, like we did Boldin, but it still leaves me feeling a bit empty regarding our running game.

 

[JeffGollin]

Agree, but I think Ingram was BPA.

I had Ingram, DeCastro & Reiff rated ahead of Floyd at #13, but I'm not paid what Graves or Keim make; nor am I privy to the info they have on Floyd or others.

The pick has been made. Let's hope the guy is everything they expect him to be.

The focus now shifts to #80.

 

[football karma]

T

When Pittsburgh drafted DeCastro I said, "And that is why the Steelers are always winning."

When the Patriots drafted Hightower I said, "And that is why the Patriots are always winning."

I thought that same thing

on the other hand: both were taken at spots in the draft where it made a ton of sense

there is a big difference between taking a guard at #13 and #24

or taking a two down middle linebacker (his current rep) at #13 vs #25

 

[Duckjake]

We will love Floyd, like we did Boldin, but it still leaves me feeling a bit empty regarding our running game.

Floyd is supposed to be a good blocker. So that will help. Our run game really hinges on Ryan Williams rehab. If he turns out to be as good as advertised we have our thunder and lightning as well as getting back the receiving threat out of the backfield we lost when Hightower suddenly stopped getting receptions.

 

[kerouac9]

Floyd is supposed to be a good blocker. So that will help. Our run game really hinges on Ryan Williams rehab. If he turns out to be as good as advertised we have our thunder and lightning as well as getting back the receiving threat out of the backfield we lost when Hightower suddenly stopped getting receptions.

I just disagree with this. Ryan Williams returning healthy hurts Beanie, who needs 12-15 rushes to get going and be effective. I don't think that Ryan Williams brings much more than what LSH brings to the offense, especially considering the amount of touches he's going to demand week-to-week.

The offense is going to pass even more now, especially considering that our offensive line is (probably) not going to be very good. It's perverse, but if the OL can't open up seams in the run game, than we're going to call a lot of short drop passes, which will result in more 2nd and 7-14s, which will result in more passes.

Over/Under for total rushes by the Cards next year is 350. That's less than 22 per game. Does anyone think that 10 rushes for Beanie, 10 rushes for LilSweetness, and 2 carries for LSH is going to work?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I just disagree with this. Ryan Williams returning healthy hurts Beanie, who needs 12-15 rushes to get going and be effective. I don't think that Ryan Williams brings much more than what LSH brings to the offense, especially considering the amount of touches he's going to demand week-to-week.

The offense is going to pass even more now, especially considering that our offensive line is (probably) not going to be very good. It's perverse, but if the OL can't open up seams in the run game, than we're going to call a lot of short drop passes, which will result in more 2nd and 7-14s, which will result in more passes.

Over/Under for total rushes by the Cards next year is 350. That's less than 22 per game. Does anyone think that 10 rushes for Beanie, 10 rushes for LilSweetness, and 2 carries for LSH is going to work?

I think, all players being healthy, that Wells will get about 15-19 carries a game and Williams 8-12 while each averaging about 16 and 9 respectively. LSH probably won't even get 2 carries a game if those 2 are healthy, maybe 2 at most.

 

[MadCardDisease]

We should have drafted Jonathan Martin, Cordy Glenn or Mike Adams. Oh wait... they are still available!


Crazy how about a month or two ago all those guys were mentioned as possible 1st rounders for the Cards based on Need and not BPA.

The Cards trusted their board and I like it!

 

[kerouac9]

I think, all players being healthy, that Wells will get about 15-19 carries a game and Williams 8-12 while each averaging about 16 and 9 respectively. LSH probably won't even get 2 carries a game if those 2 are healthy, maybe 2 at most.

That's 400 carries on the year. That's more than a carry a game more than last year--the most carries the Arizona Cardinals have had in the Whisenhunt era. Difficult to think that the Cards would call that many runs after investing a 1st rounder on a WR and giving Kevin Kolb every chance to prove that he's worth $10 million in salary next year.

I'd love to see it. Sad fact: even with 400 rushes, the Cards would still rank 25th in the NFL in rushing attempts in 2011.

Of the top 10 teams in rushing attempts in 2011, fully half were playoff teams. Of course, the eventual Super Bowl champion ended up 22nd in rushing attempts last year.

 

[Stout]

Is this the quote that you're talking about?



http://prod.www.cardinals.clubs.nfl...ing-Pick/8a1a2a0a-5f89-4798-8e7c-b8961ed93619

That doesn't say what you think it does. Read it carefully.

No, not in the least.

They needed a receiver and thought the drop-off after Floyd was stepper than the drop in talent after Iowa tackle Riley Reiff.

Pretty clear that receiver was considered a team need.

 

[52brandon]

I don't think that Ryan Williams brings much more than what LSH brings to the offense

I disagree. Williams is bigger and stronger than LSH. Watching him run before his injury, I expected him to be our #1 by the end of the season. Sadly, things don't always work out

 

[Jetstream Green]

we have a lot of needs, so one must not confuse that Floyd was a pick based on need. The Cards went best possible player on their board and most teams try to avoid drafting for need because it does not work. All one has to do is look at the other teams and where DeCastro, Reiff and the rest where taken. I would say Floyd was ranked higher than the other players on just not the Card's board.

 

[Mainstreet]

As I view it, the Cardinals are keyed in on drafting play makers early in the draft and filling needs later in the draft or FA. I believe Floyd should really help the offense. Fitz and Floyd should keep defenses honest.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

That's 400 carries on the year. That's more than a carry a game more than last year--the most carries the Arizona Cardinals have had in the Whisenhunt era. Difficult to think that the Cards would call that many runs after investing a 1st rounder on a WR and giving Kevin Kolb every chance to prove that he's worth $10 million in salary next year.

I'd love to see it. Sad fact: even with 400 rushes, the Cards would still rank 25th in the NFL in rushing attempts in 2011.

Of the top 10 teams in rushing attempts in 2011, fully half were playoff teams. Of course, the eventual Super Bowl champion ended up 22nd in rushing attempts last year.

It's crazy that Jamal Anderson carried the ball 400+ times one year. Of course he was never the same after that. Even if the Cards rush betwen 350-400 times, there will be enough carries between the two. I know Whiz will never do it, but if the defense plays like it did the last half of the season, I wouldn't mind running an offense similar to what Bmore did a couple years ago with McGahee, Rice, and McClain.

 

[Dayman]

I'm also having trouble getting comfortable with the Floyd pick. He should turn into a solid player, but the investment of resources on this team is severely unbalanced.

We have 7 offensive skill position players taken in the first 3 rounds (Fitz, Floyd, Doucet, Roberts, Housler, Wells, Williams). We spent another 2nd and a player taken with a 1st on the QB. Conversely, we've only taken 1 of our O-linemen in the first 3 rounds. We've invested 3 picks in the first 3 rounds on linebackers, but only 1 ever played a regular season snap.

There has to be a point where team needs factor into BPA. What if a WR is again the BPA in round 3? Do you take another one? What if there's another RB sitting there who Whis must have? At some point, stockpiling players at the same position leads to diminishing returns. The Cards passed on Navarro Bowman two years ago because they were in love with Andre Roberts. Now Andre Roberts is our #4 (and I actually wouldn't be surprised to see him shopped in a trade), while Bowman is a star at a position still in need for this team. Jimmy Graham was also taken a couple picks later. Last year it was Ryan Williams over players like Brooks Reed. There was a need for a true #2 WR this year, but not to the point of being the only team in the league with 2 WRs drafted in the top 15. Especially considering our QB situation.

I understand not wanting to pass on superior talent, but I think the Levi gaffe really scarred our front office. They've returned to the philosophy of ignoring the trenches and stacking the team with flashier weapons, which hasn't worked out very well in the past.

 

[AzKarl]

You nailed it

he never seemed to run away from college DB's so I don't expect him to be able to do that in the NFL. He has great hands and uses his size well but I never thought speed was his forte. Then again, ND didn't have the best guys throwing the ball to him and he was their #1 weapon that teams tried to shut down.

ND had QB problems and he frequently had to come back for balls. He will create huge match up problems for the other defense with Larry on the other side. He ran a surprising 4.47 40 and is deceivingly fast. He lacks the initial explosion of Blackmon but he breaks tackles. Think of him as a bigger/ faster version of Anquan Boldin who can get behind defenses. He runs good routes and gives 100% effort. I'm ecstatic.

 

[DoTheDew]

Having Floyd on the roster makes Fitz even better and it makes our QBs better because if Fitz is doubled they have someone who will actually catch the ball consistently when thrown to. People seem to think that a WR only contributes on plays when the ball is thrown to him. This simply isn't true. Floyd should make the opposing defense's job more difficult. This should improve our entire offense to an extent.

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

I wonder if taking Floyd was influenced in some sense by the bad trade for Kolb and having now to help make him look as good as they can. Not that that doesn't help the team, but that it became most important for them to save face after the disappointment he was in 2011.

 

[Darkside]

I wonder if taking Floyd was influenced in some sense by the bad trade for Kolb and having now to help make him look as good as they can. Not that that doesn't help the team, but that it became most important for them to save face after the disappointment he was in 2011.

I considered this as well, and I think it's twofold: they're giving Kolb every possible weapon he could possibly need. This leaves him (and Whis and our FO) with no excuses should he fail. If he can't make this work, he's obviously done here and, I believe, they'll invest heavily in Skelton (I truly believe this). By the same token, they are investing heavily in Kolb with this pick and giving him every chance to succeed. We discussed awhile back whether Whis calling his QB's "knuckleheads" had any effect on them. This pick puts all that to rest. With Leinart it always felt like Whis was kind of hedging his bets a little. There is no hedging here with this pick.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly is that I think the Levi Brown pick destroyed their confidence in choosing high grade O Lineman. They most likely consider it a bigger risk than their drafting of skill positions. They considered Floyd can't miss and were still questionable on some of the others. Let's be honest, according to most fans, our biggest recent blunder was using our # 1 on Levi Brown. That has stayed with the team, with Whis, with this front office for YEARS. And probably well into the future. That is a serious perception problem, really serious. People still talk about busted picks even before Levi, and there's no reason to assume we (and other fans) won't be discussing the busted Levi pick for years into the future.

As a coach, especially when it comes to the draft (the future health of the franchise, perhaps long after the coach is gone) you can't continually make the same mistakes. You want to leave a team better off than when you got there. Whis and co. didn't make the same mistakes, and by drafting Floyd the franchise is in a better position than it was. If Whis were to somehow be let go next year or the year after, they still have several of his picks to work with and build around. That is all you can ask as a coach and it shows management that his main focus is making the franchise better, regardless of what fans or pundits think. You can't ask for anything more from a leader. If Whis were to leave or be fired does he want his legacy to be perhaps 2 Levi Brown's on the O line? Or to leave an improved Fitz, a Floyd, Beanie, Housler, etc to rebuild around? Whether it works or not is yet to be seen, but in today's NFL I believe it's easier to build around a Floyd than a Tackle.