If the Cards want to fix the defense,do it right.

[Cbus cardsfan]

We all agree that the defense needs an uprgade. Well, if i'm RG, i do it right and get and influx of talent from a very deep draft. I don't know what the 2009 holds,except for alot of OSU players ,but 2008 is considered one of the better ones in recent history.

Be aggressive in this years draft. At #16 take Phillip Merling from Clemson. The talk of re-signing Joe Tafoya,and people being happy about it , got me thinking that a 3-4 DE is a big need for us. We only have Dockett and Smith that are of any significance. Branch may be used there but i'd like to see him in a rotation with Watson. That would give us 5 good young DL plus can add a run plugger in the late round if desired.

Next,in the latter part of round 1,say #25 or higher, deal 2009's #1 and grab Quentin Groves from Auburn. Dallas would be a good trade partner at 28. I think Groves is second to Gholston as an impact 3-4 LB in this years draft.

In round 2,we stay put and take the best CB available be it Cason, Porter, Reggie Smith, Terrell Thomas, whoever.

We've now addressed the 3 biggest needs on that side of the ball. Rounds 3 and 4 can be used to add speed to the offense. A RB like Charles,if Antonio Pittman fell, so can JC, Forte,or Charles Johnson fill the bill in round 3. Round 4 can give us a WR like Bennett or Nelson. Or we can go OL with Duane Brown, Tony Hills, Benedict, Scheuning, et al.

Now in round 5-7, we can add more CB's(Wheaton), OL depth(Barton) or speed at the WR(Jackson, Douglass, Hall) and we've had a very nice addition of talent at positions of need.

The Cards have shown an inkling to try and move up into the late part of the 1st round in trying to acquire Chris Gamble and moved up for Branch last year. So another move is not out of the question. Groves would be worth it.

 

[abomb]

The Cardinals biggest problem is the small number of signed players compared with cap space. They are going to have a lot, lot, lot of crappy players in camp competing for jobs.

 

[SuperSpck]

I think a guy like a Chris Johnson (even a Jamaal Charles, with serious coaching) can be used as a wideout.

That could make for some package fun, especially when the team already likes to play with Boldin in the backfield on occasion.

The one thing the Cardinals don't lack is creativity. Especially along the defensive line. Dockett had a few plays from the 2 point stance last year. I was surprised by the pressure he was able to create from there. Both Dockett and Smith worked as ends and tackles, Berry and Pace (Okeafor would have, if not injured) worked as OLB and ends.
With the signing of LaBoy the team is doing a touch better along the D Line than we've been giving credit for.

 

[BACH]

The Cardinals biggest problem is the small number of signed players compared with cap space. They are going to have a lot, lot, lot of crappy players in camp competing for jobs.

Different cap rules this times of the season. Only the 51 highest paid players count against the cap at this point. I believe I read in another thread that there are already 49 players on the roster. Plenty of cap space to manueve with, now that the big time FAs are gone.

 

[lobo]

Different cap rules this times of the season. Only the 51 highest paid players count against the cap at this point. I believe I read in another thread that there are already 49 players on the roster. Plenty of cap space to manueve with, now that the big time FAs are gone.

Excellent points. I did some checking and most teams are in the same trick bag. The playing field will continue to be leveled.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

i read where SD wants to get out of round 1. They pick at 27.There's our trade partner.

 

[Buckybird]

I think Merling may be gone at #16.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Merling should be there at 16 and is a good fit for 3-4 DE. I've been thinking about him as a possibility for a couple of weeks now.

I don't think we move up this year. Plus I doubt Groves will be available that late with your trad scenario.

Here is how I see the draft going if we go after Merling:

1) I think Phillip Merling DE is a good choice @ #16 overall. I agree it would help provide quality depth along the DL and he would be insurance if A. Smith isn't re-signed at the end of the season.

2) Then in the Second round I might go after Chris Johnson RB to provide speed at the position. He is the home run back that would be the perfect change of pace from Edge.

3) In the Third round I would then go after Tracy Porter CB. He would come in and compete for the nickle position initially.

4) In the Fourth I would like to see Chad Rinehart OT. Here is a raw talent that under Grimm could just blossem. He would provide insurance incase Gandy leaves next year. I just hope he will stay on the board this long.

5) In the Fifth round someone like Gary Guyton LB would be perfect. He would provide depth at LB behind Hayes.

6) In the Sixth round a backup QB like Alex Brink would be nice.

7) In the Seventh a WR/PR like Mikey Henderson would be nice.

 

[Pariah]

I don't think the cards have the luxury of selecting "insurance" picks in the first round. If Merling is clearly the BPA, okay. But, I hope to god the BPA is a CB or OLB! (CB is a no-brainer, Berry and Okeafor are old and Laboy is a gamble. Whereas Smith and Dockett are pretty young and, so far, fairly durable).

 

[General Chaos]

The Cardinals biggest problem is the small number of signed players compared with cap space. They are going to have a lot, lot, lot of crappy players in camp competing for jobs.

So we lost Pace and Blackstock, but we signed Laboy. Net effect is one lost player. I think the stat that we have so few players is exaggerated since they don't count guys like E. Green, E. Brown, and A. Smith as signed (RFA). We still need a few pieces but we aren't that different than last year for depth at this point.

 

[ARZCardinals]

I'll never back giving up our next 1st round pick for next year to end up at the bottom of round one this year.

it's not smart.

...quick example San Fran - lost a top 10 pick to get Joe Staley at the bottom of round one last year....No WAY if Staley was in this draft would he be chosen top 10. NO WAY. Even if they threw him in now with one year of NFL experience.

 

[MadCardDisease]

The true lets get Defensive draft:

1) Phillip Merling DE - I agree it would help provide quality depth along the DL and he would be insurance if A. Smith isn't re-signed at the end of the season. In fact I think he would push Smith for the starting role mid way through the season.

2) Jeremy Geahters DE/OLB - Competes for the starting OLB spot with Berry. Pass Rush specialist.

3) Tracy Porter CB. - Will be our starting Nickle back.

4) Chad Rinehart OT - Future starter at OT. Needs a year under Grimm.

5) Gary Guyton LB - Backup to Hayes.

6) DJ Wolfe CB/FS - Could provide depth at CB and FS.

7) Alex Brink QB - Start grooming future 2nd string QB when Warner retires.

 

[SuperSpck]

I'm digging the UNI love for Rinehart but he's not the mauler type that the coaching staff seems to be attracted to.

If he's there I hope the Cards get him though.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I'm digging the UNI love for Rinehart but he's not the mauler type that the coaching staff seems to be attracted to.

If he's there I hope the Cards get him though.

He really impressed me during senior bowl week. With a little teaching I think he will be very good. The kid appeared to be a quick learner and under Grimm he could be special.

 

[Stout]

I don't think the cards have the luxury of selecting "insurance" picks in the first round. If Merling is clearly the BPA, okay. But, I hope to god the BPA is a CB or OLB! (CB is a no-brainer, Berry and Okeafor are old and Laboy is a gamble. Whereas Smith and Dockett are pretty young and, so far, fairly durable).

Amen, brother. Amen.

 

[overseascardfan]

There are a couple of FA's out there I'd be interested in:

DE Marques Douglas - Has the size of a 3-4 end & would battle Smith for starting spot. Not going to be a sack artist but will give 5 to 6.

DE Darrion Scott - Another well sized 3-4 DE at 293 ILB's with some pass rush skills (8 last year) and only 27 years old.

OLB Clark Haggans - Makes LB unit older but ths guy still has something left in the tank. We could draft his replacement this year.

WR Drew Carter - If we lose Bryant Johnson then we should go after this guy. He is faster and would probably be cheaper than BJ.


Say we get Carter, Haggans & Douglas relatively cheap my draft would go:

1. CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie
2. OT Sam Baker
3. RB Ray Rice
4. CB Trae Williams
5. OLB/DE Marcus Howard
6. P Durant Brooks
7. QB Alex Brink

 

[SuperSpck]

There are a couple of FA's out there I'd be interested in:

DE Marques Douglas - Has the size of a 3-4 end & would battle Smith for starting spot. Not going to be a sack artist but will give 5 to 6.

DE Darrion Scott - Another well sized 3-4 DE at 293 ILB's with some pass rush skills (8 last year) and only 27 years old.

OLB Clark Haggans - Makes LB unit older but ths guy still has something left in the tank. We could draft his replacement this year.

WR Drew Carter - If we lose Bryant Johnson then we should go after this guy. He is faster and would probably be cheaper than BJ.


Say we get Carter, Haggans & Douglas relatively cheap my draft would go:

1. CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie
2. OT Sam Baker
3. RB Ray Rice
4. CB Trae Williams
5. OLB/DE Marcus Howard
6. P Durant Brooks
7. QB Alex Brink

Carter was signed by the Raiders today.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Darion Scott must be a RFA. If he's available,he needs to be brought in.

 

[overseascardfan]

Darion Scott must be a RFA. If he's available,he needs to be brought in.

According to Scout.com he is a UFA.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Unless there is some injury i don't know about,the Cards should look at him. By looking at his size,he may have gotten himself a little heavy.They list him at 6'3 289. I think he should probably be around 275. He ame to OSU as a FB/LB and weighed about 230.

 

[DaisyCutter]

He really impressed me during senior bowl week. With a little teaching I think he will be very good. The kid appeared to be a quick learner and under Grimm he could be special.

Grimm has never "coached up" a mid-round pick into playing like a first rounder. All of his linemen have been early picks.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Grimm has never "coached up" a mid-round pick into playing like a first rounder. All of his linemen have been early picks.

Elton Brown was a mid round pick. He had the best season of his career under Grimm.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Elton Brown was a mid round pick. He had the best season of his career under Grimm.

Maybe, but he didn't make him into a solid starter, did he? Grimm coached him up so well that Brown was deactivated for the last 5 games of the season in favor of Keydrick Vincent.

I think that Grimm gets the most out of the talent that's given to him, but he's not going to make a 5th round pick play like a 2nd round pick, a la Alex Gibbs or Jim Hanifan.

We all love Deuce Lutui, but you couldn't see Grimm's coaching of him improve his game. He was very adequate in his second season as a starter.

 

[HookemCards]

If you want to get better on the defensive side, one of the best ways is to get a punter like Brooks in the 5th. A good RB would do wonders for the defense as well. I'd be happy with RB in 2nd, OT in 4th, and P in 5th, and then a guy like Ikegwuono in the 6th. Bring in Ty Law, and draft a DB in the 1st or 3rd, and the rest of the draft work get DE and OLBs.