Herman Johnson at RT and Keith at Guard

[Arizona's Finest]

Per Somers....

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/KentSomers/52405

*Herman Johnson, the team's fifth-round pick, is beginning his Cardinals career at right tackle. Johnson played guard at LSU and he could still end up at guard for the Cardinals. But coaches think he looks natural at tackle. At least so far.

*Brandon Keith, who played some guard and tackle last year, is playing guard in camp. The hope is he can play both and be a key backup this year. Keith eventually could move to left tackle.

 

[187]

I think that the house will end up playing inside for us. If Keith is being groomed to play left tackle in the future, we will still have Levi at RT unless he just doesn't progress and the coaches move him and his run blocking abilities inside to guard. We've got a lot of young talent in Keith, Johnson, and Canfield so I'm excited for our lines future.

 

[Shzm13]

Sweet, we finally have some solid depth on the OLine

 

[az jam]

Nice to have some depth in the offensive line.

 

[lauraw]

Canfield may have me sipping KoolAide at some point, with sugar of course.. Don't need sugar for the KoolAide I drink for Calais Campbell, he providesthe sweetness with his effort/atleticism...I may change the name of my KoolAide to BeanieAide..

 

[Goldfield]

LT-Gandy, LG-Keith, C-Wells, RG-Brown, RT-Johnson

If we cant run behind that OL I give up.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

LT-Gandy, LG-Keith, C-Wells, RG-Brown, RT-Johnson

If we cant run behind that OL I give up.

I agree. That's a whole lot of beef to run behind.

 

[PoolBoy]

I agree. That's a whole lot of beef to run behind.

can wells play center?

 

[CardLogic]

...I may change the name of my KoolAide to BeanieAide..

Shane said it should be ChrisAide.

 

[SpokaneCardfan]

can wells play center?

Yes, from what I hear, Wells is the emergency center.

 

[PoolBoy]

Yes

is that a possibility, or would that line suffer with pass blocking?

 

[SpokaneCardfan]

He is a very versitile lineman and can play all three positions.Hard to say since he hasn't played center in so long.

 

[SuperSpck]

Geez, there's a lot of heft in those backups. Considering one of the biggest knocks on Johnson was his footwork, it's surprising to see him there, but he could be a mauler outside. God help the poor DE he gets his hooks on.

Still, I'm backing Keith at every position including QB and WR until he's out of the league, so I'm biased.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree. That's a whole lot of beef to run behind.

Some day in the future (if all goes well), the fans may have to incorporate the word hog in describing the Cardinals offensive line.

 

[Carddan]

I will be watching the O-Line carefully but I don't think I can outguess or outcoach Grimm and Whisenhunt. Gandy, Lutui, and Elton Brown are only signed through this year. Something's gotta give.

 

[SpokaneCardfan]

I will be watching the O-Line carefully but I don't think I can outguess or outcoach Grimm and Whisenhunt. Gandy, Lutui, and Elton Brown are only signed through this year. Something's gotta give.

That could be very good for us this years since they will all be playing for new contracts and actually have competition.

 

[Jetstream Green]

compared to what we are used to in the past, Gandy, Lutui and Brown are still an improvement and the very notion we can even improve on that is so refreshing

 

[lauraw]

You said it, Jetstream!

 

[Redsz]

I'm on the Brandon Keith bandagon. He can really move out there. He has the feet and raw power to be a real player. I think he can start at RG for us.

 

[Ryanwb]

Sweet!

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[Cardiac]

I will be watching the O-Line carefully but I don't think I can outguess or outcoach Grimm and Whisenhunt. Gandy, Lutui, and Elton Brown are only signed through this year. Something's gotta give.

I was going to start a thread about this yesterday but I had to go to work. The possible Oliver Ross signing truly has me wondering what the Cards are planning. Is Keith ready to take over at LT? Are we going to see another CAP casualty on the O-line? If Hood can get cut then a lot of players could be next.

 

[JeffGollin]

Considering one of the biggest knocks on Johnson was his footwork, it's surprising to see him there, but he could be a mauler outside. God help the poor DE he gets his hooks on.
QUOTE]
Herman looked surprisingly agile blocking against the edge rush during the Senior Bowl.

My major concern involves his run blocking. Against high-level college opponents, he was able to get away with running to a spot, walling off would-be tacklers and daring them to move around him (& by that time, the RB typically would be through the hole and gonzo).

But I don't know if he can get away with that at the pro level, and never saw him get his pad level low and drive block. (I believe that sort of stuff can be taught and - if Russ G can coach him up and John Lott can harden him up a little - we may end up with a more intense, more focused version of Leonard Davis).

Regarding possible personnel moves along the O-line, I'd be more inclined to "think backup" rather than shake up our starting O-line. (I realize there were and are deficiencies, but my gut tells me the coaches also value stability and unit teamwork - and may be reluctant to break up the starting 5). More likely we'll be building really talented depth, and (working under the assumption that this unit won't be as lucky in the injury dept. as it was a year ago) we'll see guys like Keith, Canfield, Johnson, E Brown etc. move up as our starters go down. (Now watch Russ G replace Gandy and shift guys before training campis halfway completed).

 

[RugbyMuffin]

If you have not gone to a Cardinals home game, or Cardinals game in general then you really don't get a good look at how big Brandon Keith is.

He is HUGE!

Him and Herman Johnson on one side of the line would be disgusting. I would hope it would translate to production, but the potential for a power running game is there.

 

[Goldfield]

Here is my Fantasy Lineup...

LT-Gandy, LG-Keith, C-Wells, RG-Brown, RT-Herman.

 

[Cardiac]

Here is my Fantasy Lineup...

LT-Gandy, LG-Keith, C-Wells, RG-Brown, RT-Herman.

Close to mine. Switch Gandy and Keith for me. Gandy has proven to be solid but not an elite LT. So if Keith "beats" him out for the LT position then that would be an upgrade.

Waiting for Joeshmo to trample the fantasy about this in 10, 9, 8 ...