Interesting Draft Rumors swirling - concerning Running Backs.

[joeshmo]

It may or may not happen but I would not be surprised one bit to see us taking a RB in this years draft. Not in just any round but a high round.

3 of the argueably top 10 RB's in this years draft have been brought in for a pre-draft visit. 2 of the top 5 according to huddlereport.

I know coach is not enamored with Wells desire for football or Hightowers leading the league in fumbles per touch over the last two years.

Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas
Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams
Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones

Just something to think about.....

 

[Crazy Canuck]

It may or may not happen but I would not be surprised one bit to see us taking a RB in this years draft. Not in just any round but a high round.

3 of the argueably top 10 RB's in this years draft have been brought in for a pre-draft visit. 2 of the top 5 according to huddlereport.

I know coach is not enamored with Wells desire for football or Hightowers leading the league in fumbles per touch over the last two years.

Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas
Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams
Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones

Just something to think about.....

With only one RB with a a first round grade, according to Mayoch, they represent value picks later in the draft... IMO.

 

[Pariah]

If we take a running back in the first 3 rounds I'd hope we'd be able to trade THT or Wells and get a good deal.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

If we take a running back in the first 3 rounds I'd hope we'd be able to trade THT or Wells and get a good deal.

Can't trade players without a CBA.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

It may or may not happen but I would not be surprised one bit to see us taking a RB in this years draft. Not in just any round but a high round.

3 of the argueably top 10 RB's in this years draft have been brought in for a pre-draft visit. 2 of the top 5 according to huddlereport.

I know coach is not enamored with Wells desire for football or Hightowers leading the league in fumbles per touch over the last two years.

Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas
Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams
Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones

Just something to think about.....

I agree Joe 100%. I've been saying for a long time that Whisenhunt isn't enamored with our backs. Very interesting stuff. The Jones kid from Eastern Washington is expected to run in the 4.3's at his pro day. I heard that he was unable to run at the combine due to injury, but may be the fastest guy in the draft.

 

[kerouac9]

I agree Joe 100%. I've been saying for a long time that Whisenhunt isn't enamored with our backs. Very interesting stuff. The Jones kid from Eastern Washington is expected to run in the 4.3's at his pro day. I heard that he was unable to run at the combine due to injury, but may be the fastest guy in the draft.

Then he shouldn't have f-ing drafted them. The coaching staff doesn't trust our scouting department, the scouting department doesn't know what the coaching staff wants, the General Manager is just trying to keep everyone happy, and no one has an actual vision for what this team should be.

Fan-damn-tastic. I hope we continue to waste draft resources at a position that we use 40% of the time.

 

[ARodg]

Never Take A Rb Early. None Of Them Are Probowlers For More Than 6 Years.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Fan-damn-tastic. I hope we continue to waste draft resources at a position that we use 40% of the time.

Especially when we have so many other more dire needs that must be addressed.

 

[joeshmo]

With only one RB with a a first round grade, according to Mayoch, they represent value picks later in the draft... IMO.

Picking a RB in the first three rounds is more then just a value pick though.

Now if one of those guys falls out of the first three rounds, then it would just be due diligence/ value pick.

 

[Russ Smith]

Shane Vereen in the 4th or 5th round will make everyone forget JJ.

 

[joeshmo]

Then he shouldn't have f-ing drafted them.

Well if he had the power of hindsight like we fans do I am sure he wouldnt have.

 

[kerouac9]

Never Take A Rb Early. None Of Them Are Probowlers For More Than 6 Years.

Why should that preclude you from taking an RB early? Even Top 10 contracts are only 6 years long. If you get a Top 10 pick to 4 Pro Bowls in 6 years, you're doing a pretty good job.

The rule should be Never Extend an RB Contract. Even then, Chris Johnson's contract extension was 5 years, $12 million with only $7 million guaranteed (per rotoworld).

Steven Jackson's 2008 contract extension was 6 years, $44.805 million, $20.5 million guaranteed, $11.395 million signing bonus. The last 2 years (and $14 million total) void with minimum playing time (1200 yd rushing/400 yd receiving). A real deal is 4 years, $30 million for one of the top 5 runners in the game? That's not too shabby.

 

[kerouac9]

Well if he had the power of hindsight like we fans do I am sure he wouldnt have.

There were plenty of people saying that the Cards shouldn't be drafting Beanie Wells at the time he was drafted. If Beanie and Tim Hightower aren't starters in two years, how terrible is the Ken Whisenhunt draft philosophy going to look?

It's hard to build your team through the draft when your players rarely sign second contracts and you keep drafting players who don't work out.

 

[ARodg]

Why should that preclude you from taking an RB early? Even Top 10 contracts are only 6 years long. If you get a Top 10 pick to 4 Pro Bowls in 6 years, you're doing a pretty good job.

The rule should be Never Extend an RB Contract. Even then, Chris Johnson's contract extension was 5 years, $12 million with only $7 million guaranteed (per rotoworld).

Steven Jackson's 2008 contract extension was 6 years, $44.805 million, $20.5 million guaranteed, $11.395 million signing bonus. The last 2 years (and $14 million total) void with minimum playing time (1200 yd rushing/400 yd receiving). A real deal is 4 years, $30 million for one of the top 5 runners in the game? That's not too shabby.

Because most running backs last 3 years before they're gone and you can often find UDFAs or late round picks that have much more success.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Until we can put together an O-Line that can win the battle up front, drafting a RB early seems like a luxury.

 

[Mitch]

It may or may not happen but I would not be surprised one bit to see us taking a RB in this years draft. Not in just any round but a high round.

3 of the argueably top 10 RB's in this years draft have been brought in for a pre-draft visit. 2 of the top 5 according to huddlereport.

I know coach is not enamored with Wells desire for football or Hightowers leading the league in fumbles per touch over the last two years.

Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas
Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams
Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones

Just something to think about.....

I think you are right on the money, Joe. Whiz wants to add another option to the mix. These three candidates bring much different styles to the equation.

Thomas is the biggest of the three...and, imo, has the most upside. He has a knack for sifting through traffic...he makes a lot of people miss, and uses his off-hand well to fend off tackles and rip them aside. He lack elite speed, but his blend of strength and quicks, makes him very atrractive. Plus, he's got good hands and should be able to block at the next level.

Williams is a hit or miss back who has a nice burst when he gets a crease...not going to break a lot of tackles...and slips up too often because he runs a little out of control...not the kind of RB who is patient to let the blocks develop in front of him. Has good hands and the ability to break off good runs in the open field. Imo, he didn't get better with time at Va. Tech. Played better earlier and sort of hit a plateau.

Jones is electric---has exceptionally quick feet and great vision...but he's small---which works to his advantage quite often, but may not as much at the next level. Would seem like strictly a 3rd down RB in the NFL.

What I would prefer is the Cardinals making a big run at UFA Mike Tolbert (Chargers)...it's time to get serious about running the ball and this thumper gets it done...plus he can double as a FB.

That said, if the Cardinals draft Thomas...he might fit the bill...kind of a slightly quicker more elusive version of Eddie George.

 

[kerouac9]

Because most running backs last 3 years before they're gone and you can often find UDFAs or late round picks that have much more success.

How hard is it to check your facts before you dig yourself deeper?

Michael Turner: 7th season.
MoJo Drew: 5 seasons.
Adrian Peterson: 4 seasons.
Steven Jackson: 7 seasons.

All these guys were among the top backs in the NFL last year. Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, and Rashard Mendenhall are all entering their fourth season. Do you expect all of them to suddenly self-destruct when the new league year opens?

Good grief, man. 7 of the Top 10 rushers in 2010 were drafted in the 1st 2 rounds. I mean, you can hope to plug and play late-round picks and hope to get the next Arian Foster, but you're going to go through a lot of Mike Goodsons, Jason Snellings, Keiland Williamses, and Jerome Harrisons along the way.

 

[desertdawg]

With Whiz's pass/run ratio, I could see a solid and sturdy running back lasting a good 20 years here.

 

[Buckybird]

Throwing the ball 70% of the time & drafting a RB...we really know what we're doing in AZ...very smart!!!

I still say that THT, Wells & LSH can run the rock if given their opportunities!!! Sometimes I really question if this organization really knows what they want in personell, scheme or just plain stupid.

I guess Beanie will at some point prove the Cards idiots just like Hearst & TJ did.

 

[Mainstreet]

How hard is it to check your facts before you dig yourself deeper?

Michael Turner: 7th season.
MoJo Drew: 5 seasons.
Adrian Peterson: 4 seasons.
Steven Jackson: 7 seasons.

All these guys were among the top backs in the NFL last year. Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, and Rashard Mendenhall are all entering their fourth season. Do you expect all of them to suddenly self-destruct when the new league year opens?

Good grief, man. 7 of the Top 10 rushers in 2010 were drafted in the 1st 2 rounds. I mean, you can hope to plug and play late-round picks and hope to get the next Arian Foster, but you're going to go through a lot of Mike Goodsons, Jason Snellings, Keiland Williamses, and Jerome Harrisons along the way.

It seems you are against drafting a RB early and then build a case for it (see above). I can understand if you feel the Cardinals failed to draft the right running back in past drafts but that doesn't mean the position should be ignored now.

 

[Mitch]

Throwing the ball 70% of the time & drafting a RB...we really know what we're doing in AZ...very smart!!!

I still say that THT, Wells & LSH can run the rock if given their opportunities!!! Sometimes I really question if this organization really knows what they want in personell, scheme or just plain stupid.

I guess Beanie will at some point prove the Cards idiots just like Hearst & TJ did.

Yeah, Bucky. I know what you are saying.

My feeling is I still believe in Tim Hightower. I love how hard he runs...and how fearless and tough he is. The fumbles are a concern, no doubt. But, if he corrects that, we've got a winner in this kid.

At times last year THT danced a little much on plays that he usually hits harder...and that has to be corrected as well. But he blocks and we know he's a receiving threat---which in this offense is imperative.

As for Wells...he strikes me as the kind of RB who will always be hurt because his running style is far too upright...which also accounts for why he takes too many hard hits and coughs the ball up more than he should. And if they change the stiff-arming rule (which I think they will in the near future)...put a fork in Beanie...that's his main weapon and the main way hen tries to protect his upright self. Hey, love the speed and burst...but in the NFL you need your backs to make 3-4 yards in plays that are well defended, and the way he runs, he's not going to do that.

And LSH...should be a wonderful 3rd down RB if he can stay healthy.

 

[kerouac9]

It seems you are against drafting a RB early and then build a case for it (see above). I can understand if you feel the Cardinals failed to draft the right running back in past drafts but that doesn't mean the position should be ignored now.

I think if you're going to draft ANYONE early, it should be a player you can put into a position to succeed. To give up on Wells after two seasons is a failure of the front office--the kind that should cost people their jobs.

I think you're best off drafting a back early and PLAYING
HIM. If you're not going to play a guy or immediately have buyer's remorse, then you're better off drafting wideouts every year.

 

[Dayman]

I'm split on this news. On one hand, this offense needs more speed. Guys like Williams and Jones would add an element this offense has lacked for a long time. Plus, I think we could use a legitimate change of pace back, since THT and Beanie have similar styles.

On the other hand, are you serious? Another early round pick given up on in the first three years? I appreciate the ability to admit a mistake and move on, but the FO simply has to make better decisions. Taking McCoy, whom I remember hearing the Cards weren't a fan of, instead of Beanie would have made this a non-issue.

Yeah, I know hindsight is easier, but this team needs to add a considerable amount of foresight in the offseason. Making all of these 1-2 year moves is a key reason for the debacle of last year.

 

[Mainstreet]

Maybe the Cardinals are thinking about moving down in the draft so they have an extra pick to address RB.

 

[kerouac9]

Maybe the Cardinals are thinking about moving down in the draft so they have an extra pick to address RB.

I wonder if the Cards are doing due diligence for our second-round pick. It's possible that the only thing left on the board is going to be offensive linemen and 3-4 DEs when we draft in the second, and for some ungodly reason we might not be interested in drafting at those positions. Then we'd be looking at the RBs, or trading out for someone who wants one.

Or, this is another one of Coach Whis's uber-successful mind games with Beanie and Hightower. The kind that has built #7's confidence as a starting QB, re-established Derek Anderson as a top-shelf NFL starting quarterback, developed Max Hall into a dependable starter, cured Tim Hightower of his fumbling problems, made Levi Brown a Pro Bowl left tackle, cured the consistency problems of Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Greg Toler, etc.