I Need Help Figuring This Out

[NJCardFan]

I need my fellow Cardinal fans to help me figure this team out. We had 8 draft picks in this draft, one in each round with an extra pick in the 6th. Going into this years draft, we had significant needs: OL, DL, LB, QB. QB was a need but not a glaring need so I'm not upset at not drafting a QB regardless it being one of the top or anyone else. I honestly didn't believe that Locker or Gabbert or Ponder or Mallet or Dalton or anyone else is that significantly better than Skelton. That said, I don't care if we drafted Dan Marino incarnate, behind our offensive line, any quarterback is going to be toast. So, this brings me to this year's draft. Here are all 8 picks by position:

1: CB
2: RB
3: TE
4: DE
5: FB
6: ILB
6: DT
7: WR

OK, the CB. Best player in the draft by many accounts. I'm not mad at that. But a RB in the 2nd round? Was this a pressing need? We have 2 very talented backs and 1 pretty good one who's one heck of a kick returner. OK, so it's evident that either Beanie or THT aren't long for this team. Let's move on. Next, we take a TE. We've had a carousel of TE's on this team in forever. This goes back to the days when we had one and let him get away(anyone remember us having Novacek?). OK, so I can see this and the guy we got looks like he's got the stuff. Let's, again, move on to DE. Finally, a pressing need attended to. And we got a pretty good one here. Next, FB. Huh? We've had a few FB's on this team but we'd never know it. Because we never use one. Which is strange because I've noticed that when we actually use the FB in running situations, we...um...actually gain positive yardage.

Next round, ILB. Ugh. We're in dire need of an OLB so we go for the ILB. Makes sense. And next, DT. Are Dockett, Campbell, Branch, Watson, or Williams going anywhere? And that's just the DT's on our team. And then we draft a WR. Yeah, there was a pressing need. And when all is said and done, for the 3rd year in a row Whiz completely ignores the offensive line. Is he satisfied with what we have? 2 human turnstiles at tackle, an aging has been at one guard and a never was at the other and don't get me started on center. So, please explain to me why Whiz, once again, spent draft picks on positions we didn't need and ignored the one glaring need we did have...again?

 

[Zeno]

Watson & Branch are FA's...that leaves no depth on the DL. Explains the Carter pick.

The coaching staff has repeatedly said they are satisfied with the OL. Not sure why but they are.

 

[Zeno]

Oh and Acho will be playing OLB for us not DE.

 

[TJ]

Here is the rationale from each one of the picks from my end:

1. Peterson - best player in the draft by many accounts. Defense and punt return improve as soon as he takes the field

2. Williams - BPA by many accounts. Could be that Whiz wants the cure for fumblitis or Wells or THT wont be back

3. Housler - Believe it or not, TE has also been a big need for this team. We have had junk at the position since Freddie Jones was here, and he wasnt even that good himself. Housler is a pure receiving TE and has the speed, size and athleticism to cause mismatches in coverage.

4. Acho - Addresses the pass rush need. Great value pick also

5. Sherman - Another need position like TE that has been overlooked for a very long time. Our running game has sucked for many years and part of it is because we have had terrible lead blockers. Good FBs are very hard to find these days on the open market, so the best bet is to draft one. 5th round and later is when they typically start coming off the board and Sherman was the top rated of them all. In addition to which, Houghton has had three knee injuries and Maui'a is not good at all.

6a. Sturdivant - Addresses need at ILB. This is arguably our biggest steal in the draft

6b. Carter - Addresses lack of depth at defensive line. Will be a good 5-technique guy

7. Sampson - Heard a blurb about him here in So Cal that he is a pretty good talent. He's old and slow, but has good hands. Understand, he is a 7th round compensatory pick so who really cares if he even makes the roster??

 

[bg7brd]

Here is the rationale from each one of the picks from my end:

1. Peterson - best player in the draft by many accounts. Defense and punt return improve as soon as he takes the field

2. Williams - BPA by many accounts. Could be that Whiz wants the cure for fumblitis or Wells or THT wont be back

3. Housler - Believe it or not, TE has also been a big need for this team. We have had junk at the position since Freddie Jones was here, and he wasnt even that good himself. Housler is a pure receiving TE and has the speed, size and athleticism to cause mismatches in coverage.

4. Acho - Addresses the pass rush need. Great value pick also

5. Sherman - Another need position like TE that has been overlooked for a very long time. Our running game has sucked for many years and part of it is because we have had terrible lead blockers. Good FBs are very hard to find these days on the open market, so the best bet is to draft one. 5th round and later is when they typically start coming off the board and Sherman was the top rated of them all. In addition to which, Houghton has had three knee injuries and Maui'a is not good at all.

6a. Sturdivant - Addresses need at ILB. This is arguably our biggest steal in the draft

6b. Carter - Addresses lack of depth at defensive line. Will be a good 5-technique guy

7. Sampson - Heard a blurb about him here in So Cal that he is a pretty good talent. He's old and slow, but has good hands. Understand, he is a 7th round compensatory pick so who really cares if he even makes the roster??

Not to mention Sherman's special team abilities. The Cards had him rated as the top ST player in the draft.

 

[joeshmo]

I need my fellow Cardinal fans to help me figure this team out. We had 8 draft picks in this draft, one in each round with an extra pick in the 6th. Going into this years draft, we had significant needs: OL, DL, LB, QB. QB was a need but not a glaring need so I'm not upset at not drafting a QB regardless it being one of the top or anyone else. I honestly didn't believe that Locker or Gabbert or Ponder or Mallet or Dalton or anyone else is that significantly better than Skelton. That said, I don't care if we drafted Dan Marino incarnate, behind our offensive line, any quarterback is going to be toast. So, this brings me to this year's draft. Here are all 8 picks by position:

1: CB
2: RB
3: TE
4: DE
5: FB
6: ILB
6: DT
7: WR

OK, the CB. Best player in the draft by many accounts. I'm not mad at that. But a RB in the 2nd round? Was this a pressing need? We have 2 very talented backs and 1 pretty good one who's one heck of a kick returner. OK, so it's evident that either Beanie or THT aren't long for this team. Let's move on. Next, we take a TE. We've had a carousel of TE's on this team in forever. This goes back to the days when we had one and let him get away(anyone remember us having Novacek?). OK, so I can see this and the guy we got looks like he's got the stuff. Let's, again, move on to DE. Finally, a pressing need attended to. And we got a pretty good one here. Next, FB. Huh? We've had a few FB's on this team but we'd never know it. Because we never use one. Which is strange because I've noticed that when we actually use the FB in running situations, we...um...actually gain positive yardage.

Next round, ILB. Ugh. We're in dire need of an OLB so we go for the ILB. Makes sense. And next, DT. Are Dockett, Campbell, Branch, Watson, or Williams going anywhere? And that's just the DT's on our team. And then we draft a WR. Yeah, there was a pressing need. And when all is said and done, for the 3rd year in a row Whiz completely ignores the offensive line. Is he satisfied with what we have? 2 human turnstiles at tackle, an aging has been at one guard and a never was at the other and don't get me started on center. So, please explain to me why Whiz, once again, spent draft picks on positions we didn't need and ignored the one glaring need we did have...again?

4th round pick is not a DE he is an OLB, so why are you upset that we took another dire need at ILB, and ILB is a dire need.

A lot of people would argue that we have 2 very talented backs and one good one already. Hightower has the most fumbles per touch, and the most drops per target out of every single RB in the NFL over the last two years. He doesnt have the Adrian Peterson skill to make up for that.

Concerning FB, I guess people already forget about Terrelle Smith and the role he played on the super bowl team. When we did have a good FB and Smith is the only one we have had under this regime we used him and we used him a lot. The year after in 2009 we ran behind a FB 50% of the time (not sure what last years splits were). Where is this idea that we don't use a FB coming from?

Campbell, Williams, and Dockett are the only DL under contract. Another DL was without a doubt a big time need.

I don't get it sometimes. People get angry when this team picks for need. So we go and pick for BPA and people still get angry. Even though besides maybe the RB and the WR all other 6 players were needs, We needed a TE, FB, CB(not a fan of Toler), DL, ILB, OLB.

 

[desertdawg]

I need my fellow Cardinal fans to help me figure this team out. We had 8 draft picks in this draft, one in each round with an extra pick in the 6th. Going into this years draft, we had significant needs: OL, DL, LB, QB. QB was a need but not a glaring need so I'm not upset at not drafting a QB regardless it being one of the top or anyone else. I honestly didn't believe that Locker or Gabbert or Ponder or Mallet or Dalton or anyone else is that significantly better than Skelton. That said, I don't care if we drafted Dan Marino incarnate, behind our offensive line, any quarterback is going to be toast. So, this brings me to this year's draft. Here are all 8 picks by position:

1: CB
2: RB
3: TE
4: DE
5: FB
6: ILB
6: DT
7: WR

OK, the CB. Best player in the draft by many accounts. I'm not mad at that. But a RB in the 2nd round? Was this a pressing need? We have 2 very talented backs and 1 pretty good one who's one heck of a kick returner. OK, so it's evident that either Beanie or THT aren't long for this team. Let's move on. Next, we take a TE. We've had a carousel of TE's on this team in forever. This goes back to the days when we had one and let him get away(anyone remember us having Novacek?). OK, so I can see this and the guy we got looks like he's got the stuff. Let's, again, move on to DE. Finally, a pressing need attended to. And we got a pretty good one here. Next, FB. Huh? We've had a few FB's on this team but we'd never know it. Because we never use one. Which is strange because I've noticed that when we actually use the FB in running situations, we...um...actually gain positive yardage.

Next round, ILB. Ugh. We're in dire need of an OLB so we go for the ILB. Makes sense. And next, DT. Are Dockett, Campbell, Branch, Watson, or Williams going anywhere? And that's just the DT's on our team. And then we draft a WR. Yeah, there was a pressing need. And when all is said and done, for the 3rd year in a row Whiz completely ignores the offensive line. Is he satisfied with what we have? 2 human turnstiles at tackle, an aging has been at one guard and a never was at the other and don't get me started on center. So, please explain to me why Whiz, once again, spent draft picks on positions we didn't need and ignored the one glaring need we did have...again?

(Just kidding with you)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jYcmJNYIMw&feature=related

 

[bg7brd]

4th round pick is not a DE he is an OLB, so why are you upset that we took another dire need at ILB, and ILB is a dire need.

A lot of people would argue that we have 2 very talented backs and one good one already. Hightower has the most fumbles per touch, and the most drops per target out of every single RB in the NFL over the last two years. He doesnt have the Adrian Peterson skill to make up for that.

Concerning FB, I guess people already forget about Terrelle Smith and the role he played on the super bowl team. When we did have a good FB and Smith is the only one we have had under this regime we used him and we used him a lot. The year after in 2009 we ran behind a FB 50% of the time (not sure what last years splits were). Where is this idea that we don't use a FB coming from?

Campbell, Williams, and Dockett are the only DL under contract. Another DL was without a doubt a big time need.

I don't get it sometimes. People get angry when this team picks for need. So we go and pick for BPA and people still get angry. Even though besides maybe the RB and the WR all other 6 players were needs, We needed a TE, FB, CB(not a fan of Toler), DL, ILB, OLB.

Good stuff Joe. Kent Somers was asked if he thought Branch would be re-signed and he said yes. I think he's is going to continue to get better as he matures.

 

[kerouac9]

4th round pick is not a DE he is an OLB, so why are you upset that we took another dire need at ILB, and ILB is a dire need.

A lot of people would argue that we have 2 very talented backs and one good one already. Hightower has the most fumbles per touch, and the most drops per target out of every single RB in the NFL over the last two years. He doesnt have the Adrian Peterson skill to make up for that.

Concerning FB, I guess people already forget about Terrelle Smith and the role he played on the super bowl team. When we did have a good FB and Smith is the only one we have had under this regime we used him and we used him a lot. The year after in 2009 we ran behind a FB 50% of the time (not sure what last years splits were). Where is this idea that we don't use a FB coming from?

Campbell, Williams, and Dockett are the only DL under contract. Another DL was without a doubt a big time need.

I don't get it sometimes. People get angry when this team picks for need. So we go and pick for BPA and people still get angry. Even though besides maybe the RB and the WR all other 6 players were needs, We needed a TE, FB, CB(not a fan of Toler), DL, ILB, OLB.

I was going to mention Terrelle Smith, as well. But scouting reports suggest our fullback draft pick is not a good run blocker, so it's not like we got Terrelle Smith, and guys like Terrelle Smith are available all over free agency and play forever.

I get the PBA idea for the first three picks. I'm not really mad about them except for the RB pick when we're not running the ball.

The long and short of it right now is that we now have a Top 5 WR, 2 3rd Round WRs (Doucet and Roberts), and a TE who can't play in-line and so must be flexed out. It's amazing that people still think we're going to commit to a run game.

I'm also concerned that we still don't have a legit SILB for the defense. We got gouged in the run game last year, and I see Quan projecting as a special teams player and Daryl Washington's backup more than competing with Paris Lenon. Unless we're going to have the lightest linebacking corps in the NFL (including 4-3 defenses), we're going to be looking for an SILB in free agency.

Graves insists that there's a plan for free agency and we're going to be aggressive. I'll believe it when I see it but until that happens we have to trust that one exists.

 

[The Commish]

You can't judge our strategy until after FA. Why don't people get this?

 

[joeshmo]

I was going to mention Terrelle Smith, as well. But scouting reports suggest our fullback draft pick is not a good run blocker, so it's not like we got Terrelle Smith, and guys like Terrelle Smith are available all over free agency and play forever.

Where are these FB's you speak of?

And what scouting reports are you reading that suggest our fullback is not a good run blocker? Which ever one it is you need to find a new source. He is an outstanding run blocker. Mike Mayock - "The Cardinals pick up a tough, hard-nosed lead blocker in Sherman. He has the skills to be whammer between the tackles." He is without a doubt a good run blocker, good pass blocker as well.

 

[kerouac9]

Where are these FB's you speak of?

And what scouting reports are you reading that suggest our fullback is not a good run blocker? Which ever one it is you need to find a new source. He is an outstanding run blocker. Mike Mayock - "The Cardinals pick up a tough, hard-nosed lead blocker in Sherman. He has the skills to be whammer between the tackles." He is without a doubt a good run blocker, good pass blocker as well.

Vonta Leach (HOU) is a pending free agent. John Kuhn is an RFA but wasn't drafted, so he possibly wouldn't have any compensatory pick. Jason Snelling. Lawrence Vickers. Tony Richardson. Heath Evans. Gimme a break, Joe.

Lindy's lists Sherman as the #7 overall fullback and listed him as a free agent possibility. The Sporting News doesn't even list him (although they feature like 5 FBs). Is there a draft pick that Mike Mayock doesn't like? He apparently loved every pick that we made. Were there any picks he disagreed with? He gets paid by the NFL; he's not going to take a dump on his employers on the day that he gets the most exposure.

 

[kerouac9]

BTW--Wasn't Terrelle Smith a Denny acquisition? It hasn't been a remarkable list of performers that Whis has brought with him: Dan Kreider's stinking corpse, a guy we traded a roster player to cut at the end of camp, a guy who walked through sheetrock on YouTube.

Pretty impressive.

Finally, your choice to quote the pick analysis after the choice is made, but not the initial analysis from NFL.com is pretty telling:

Sherman is a stout fullback that does not have the strength to be a lead blocker at the next level.

 

[desertdawg]

BTW--Wasn't Terrelle Smith a Denny acquisition? It hasn't been a remarkable list of performers that Whis has brought with him: Dan Kreider's stinking corpse, a guy we traded a roster player to cut at the end of camp, a guy who walked through sheetrock on YouTube.

Pretty impressive.

Finally, your choice to quote the pick analysis after the choice is made, but not the initial analysis from NFL.com is pretty telling:

Are you saying bustmode or do you think he can benefit the team? I'm not asking about where we took him, or what others think.

 

[kerouac9]

Are you saying bustmode or do you think he can benefit the team? I'm not asking about where we took him, or what others think.

I'm guessing he'll likely make the roster as a special teams player, but I wouldn't be surprised if Boughton wins the job should he stay healthy. We have room on the roster for special teams guys since we didn't tender Iwebema or Michael Adams.

It's hard to "bust" as a 5th round pick, even as a fullback. If he's on the roster in three years and is a special teams captain, that's a pretty good pick.

 

[desertdawg]

I'm guessing he'll likely make the roster as a special teams player, but I wouldn't be surprised if Boughton wins the job should he stay healthy. We have room on the roster for special teams guys since we didn't tender Iwebema or Michael Adams.

It's hard to "bust" as a 5th round pick, even as a fullback. If he's on the roster in three years and is a special teams captain, that's a pretty good pick.

Money Mike gone? Not that it would piss me off but I got some love for the midget.
I like Sherman's leadership skills and heart, I think it's why we got him. I love field position and I see him bringing that tackle that counts.

 

[TJ]

BTW--Wasn't Terrelle Smith a Denny acquisition? It hasn't been a remarkable list of performers that Whis has brought with him: Dan Kreider's stinking corpse, a guy we traded a roster player to cut at the end of camp, a guy who walked through sheetrock on YouTube.

Pretty impressive.

Finally, your choice to quote the pick analysis after the choice is made, but not the initial analysis from NFL.com is pretty telling:

Terelle Smith was a Whiz acquisition. Got him in 2007

Put your torch and pitchfork down

 

[Catfish]

The selection of Sherman has one other bonus that needs to be defined. He is an elite receiver out of the backfield, and thus gives us the ability to suddenly mix our plays without having the defense key on our personnel packages. We have been lacking this for a great period of time now. Both Sherman at FB and Housler at TE will make this become a threat to any defense we face anytime they are in the game. No longer should defenses be able to know what we intend to do because of who is in the game at the time. We have once again come up with a Larry Centers type FB, and a TE that can run.

 

[kerouac9]

The selection of Sherman has one other bonus that needs to be defined. He is an elite receiver out of the backfield, and thus gives us the ability to suddenly mix our plays without having the defense key on our personnel packages. We have been lacking this for a great period of time now. Both Sherman at FB and Housler at TE will make this become a threat to any defense we face anytime they are in the game. No longer should defenses be able to know what we intend to do because of who is in the game at the time. We have once again come up with a Larry Centers type FB, and a TE that can run.

 

[NJCardFan]

You know guys, all this is well and good, however, we still have 5 marshmallows as a starting offensive line. I don't care if we have Walter Payton at halfback, Tom Rathman at FB, Dan Marino at QB, this offensive line couldn't block a high school JV team consistently. Does Whiz think this O-Line will finally get it? To me, it seems, he doesn't want to hurt Grimm's feelings. Grimm probably keeps telling him we're fine with what we have and Whiz is saying, 'OK'. How else do you explain not drafting 1 offensive lineman worth keeping in the last 3 drafts? Do you realize that Whiz has drafted 8 defensive linemen in 5 drafts? And yet he's drafted only 4 offensive linemen in that same time frame. It's obvious going the FA route ain't workin'. Unless he goes and gets actual serviceable lineman and not old friends from Pittsburgh.

 

[Cardiac]

No one is putting our O-line in the probowl, but 5 marshmellows?

We need a legit LT. Levi then slides to LG and Lutui re-signed and we are fine.

If you want an upgrade at C that's okay but it isn't vital.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Graves insists that there's a plan for free agency and we're going to be aggressive. I'll believe it when I see it but until that happens we have to trust that one exists.

Yeah, I'm interested in seeing this plan in action also.

Graves moves very slow in FA, so if he really has a plan it will be interesting to see if it involves waiting until everyone else makes their move and clean up on the leftovers.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

If you want an upgrade at C that's okay but it isn't vital.

I would like to see Hadnot get a shot at starting center.

If we are not going to use him at guard let's give him some playing time at center and see what he has to offer.

 

[Cardiac]

I would like to see Hadnot get a shot at starting center.

If we are not going to use him at guard let's give him some playing time at center and see what he has to offer.

I'm not against that idea. I don't know that Hadnot will be much of an upgrade over Senlein but that's because I think Sendlien is better then most give him credit for.

IMWO the center position is undervalued by many people. This is the QB of your O-line and if the C is special then great things will happen. That's what I meant by potentially upgrading the C position. Think about the Steelers, they typically have outstanding C's and good to decent OG's and below avg OT's.
Having a great C is why they can run the ball so well, again IMO.

I don't necessarily want to upset the chemistry (can't wait for the sarcastic jokes that will follow) of the O-line by upgrading Sendlien with Hadnot because I don't think either is probowl material. I want a Probowl C for this unit and a Legit LT. We have enough talent at the other positions IMO.

 

[kerouac9]

I'm not against that idea. I don't know that Hadnot will be much of an upgrade over Senlein but that's because I think Sendlien is better then most give him credit for.

IMWO the center position is undervalued by many people. This is the QB of your O-line and if the C is special then great things will happen. That's what I meant by potentially upgrading the C position. Think about the Steelers, they typically have outstanding C's and good to decent OG's and below avg OT's.
Having a great C is why they can run the ball so well, again IMO.

I don't necessarily want to upset the chemistry (can't wait for the sarcastic jokes that will follow) of the O-line by upgrading Sendlien with Hadnot because I don't think either is probowl material. I want a Probowl C for this unit and a Legit LT. We have enough talent at the other positions IMO.

IMO, LG was a bigger problem than OC was last year. Sendlein is solid, and he's put on like 20 pounds since he's come out (He's listed over 300 when he came out at like 285). I worry that Sendlein isn't seeing the defenses that teams are attacking him with (thus why we so frequently have unblocked edge rushers and OTs who seemingly aren't bothered to put a hand on them), but apparently coaches are happy with him.

Not only is Faneca a UFA, but he wasn't that good when he was here. At his best, he was unremarkable. At his worst, he paired with Levi Brown for the least dependable pass blocking duo in the NFL.

Not sure that Rex Hadnot has the experience and mobility to play LG, and I think he's being overrated here slightly. But I continue to think that the offensive line problems aren't necessarily talent-related so much as scheme-related and the QB play didn't help them out at all last year.