Interesting draft tidbits from USA Today's April 2-8 issue.

[Lomax to Green 84]

I love this USA Today Sports Weekly magazine. No frilly Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine crap, just straight forward sports stats and info. The Sporting News used to be my choice, but even it is going soft. That being said, there were some very interesting draft rumors, etc.. from this weeks issue that could impact the Big Red:

1. Cincinatti's draft plan-The Bengals plan on having their top choice firmed up by next weekend. They want 2 weeks to negotiate a contract with thier guy.

2. More Bengals-There are many rumors circulating that Cincy head coach Marvin Lewis privately prefers Marshall's Byron Leftwich over Carson Palmer and that Leftwich could be the guy if things check out at Leftwich's personal workout on Monday.

3. More Bengals-If neither quarterback comes to the forefront, then the Bengals are seriously considering taking Kansas State CB Terrence Newman, who fits the type of in your face, man to man cornerback Lewis's defense needs to be successful.

4. Larry Johnson RB Penn State-Johnson said that the Cardinals were one of 9 teams to spend a great deal of time with him at the scouting combine in Indy. This kind of puts to rest the speculation that Emmitt Smith was brought here solely for ticket sales. Apparently there are people in the Cards front office who aren't sold on Marcel Shipp being a franchise back.

5. Bryon Leftwich QB Marshall-The Marshall quarterback certainly has caught the eye of new Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells who commented that Leftwich "Acts like a quarterback. He has that charisma that causes fellow players to want to follow you."

6. Terrell Suggs DE Arizona State-Not only was Suggs workout a disappointment from a numbers standpoint, but many in attendance were taken back by what they described as Suggs having a uninterested and listless attitude toward the workout.

7. more Terrell Suggs-Suggs agent has scrambled to put together another workout sometime the week preceding the draft in hopes of erasing the bad taste many had from his March 27th workout.

8. New Orleans Saints-The Saints have apparently offered both of their #1's to the Cowboys in hopes of landing Kansas State's Terrence Newman. Dallas has said that it will take more than the 2 number #1's for them to move down.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Thanks Holian!

Interesting....so the Cards aren't fully sold on Shipp, and rightfully so. He could be the back that we saw in a few games, or he could just be a try hard type of player.

I like the way the Cards are operating right now (though some of the negativist might disagree). Shipp is a nice player, but far from proven, so the team goes out and get the most proven player at the RB spot.

 

[imaCafan]

Maybe this bad workout for Suggs was all a ploy so he would be there so the Cards could draft him!! Boy, could you ever imagine someone wanting to be a Card that bad!!!!!! Wouldn't that be great!!!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by imaCafan
Maybe this bad workout for Suggs was all a ploy so he would be there so the Cards could draft him!! Boy, could you ever imagine someone wanting to be a Card that bad!!!!!! Wouldn't that be great!!!

Just think about the possibilities....

 

[TrentAZCards]

Glad someone said that he was doin this on purpose to ruin his standing to be a Cardinal.

I thought that since I heard of it, but never mentioned anything because of being called an optimistic moron. I'm behind ya on that imaCaFan.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
Just think about the possibilities....

Yup, just what the Cards need. A guy who throws a workout. I bet he wouldn't do that when he has all the money now will he.

Krang, I find it very hard to believe you are not even remotely sold on Shipp. He isn't a Pro Bowl back but geez, behind a healthy line like the Cards he will look like one. Didn't what he accomplished last year behind a messed up, banged up, practice squad playing line mean anything?

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by AZCB34

Krang, I find it very hard to believe you are not even remotely sold on Shipp. He isn't a Pro Bowl back but geez, behind a healthy line like the Cards he will look like one. Didn't what he accomplished last year behind a messed up, banged up, practice squad playing line mean anything?

There's a difference between "not even remotely sold" and having some questions. I think he showed flashes of brilliance, of what a "franchise back" should be; but he also showed signs over average-ness, of what a quality backup should be.

I like Shipp. But I'd also like to see more of him before I anoint him the next best thing since sliced bread.

I also think it would be a monumental mistake to draft Larry Johnson at #6. If we trade down and get two mid-round selections, then MAYBE (that's a big maybe). I'd rather see them stay completely away from the RB position in this year's draft.

I also liked what I saw of Scobey in college. I hope he gets some carries this year, but I guess that's pretty doubtful unless something completely unforseen happens on the field with Smith and/or Shipp.

 

[HoodieBets]

So that mean johnson could be our pick in the round #2. That would be a huge mistake. RB is not even close to a problem why waste a pick on it?

 

[Mr. Boldin]

If we are not sold on Shipp as our future back.. it does not make too much sense to think Johnson would be. They are almost the same kind of player. Why not go after a surefire back in McGahee. Before you say he isnt a sure fire back remember how he played before the injury. He was no doubt a top 3 pick. There is no reason to think he will not be able to play at that caliber again. Im not saying he will next year. But if he is on the Cardinals he doesnt have to! He can sit and learn fromt he best of all time in Emmitt. I just dont understand going after Johnson when we have the same thing in Shipp.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Pariah
There's a difference between "not even remotely sold" and having some questions. I think he showed flashes of brilliance, of what a "franchise back" should be; but he also showed signs over average-ness, of what a quality backup should be.

I like Shipp. But I'd also like to see more of him before I anoint him the next best thing since sliced bread.

I also think it would be a monumental mistake to draft Larry Johnson at #6. If we trade down and get two mid-round selections, then MAYBE (that's a big maybe). I'd rather see them stay completely away from the RB position in this year's draft.

I also liked what I saw of Scobey in college. I hope he gets some carries this year, but I guess that's pretty doubtful unless something completely unforseen happens on the field with Smith and/or Shipp.

You answered Cubbie better than I could.

In football, a smart team always covers there bases. There have been numerous examples of players being one year wonders, so a well built team will always have two good runningbacks.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Mr. Boston89
If we are not sold on Shipp as our future back.. it does not make too much sense to think Johnson would be. They are almost the same kind of player. Why not go after a surefire back in McGahee. Before you say he isnt a sure fire back remember how he played before the injury. He was no doubt a top 3 pick. There is no reason to think he will not be able to play at that caliber again. Im not saying he will next year. But if he is on the Cardinals he doesnt have to! He can sit and learn fromt he best of all time in Emmitt. I just dont understand going after Johnson when we have the same thing in Shipp.

Huh? McGahee is anything but a surefire back.....the dude just had a massive knee injury (his second), and will probably never be the same again.

Dude, you should ask Skkorp about changing your name!

 

[JeffGollin]

Interesting....so the Cards aren't fully sold on Shipp
Krang - You are jumping to conclusions. The post didn't say the Cards weren't fully sold on Shipp. It said that (those legendary "unknown") sources reported that the Cards weren't sold on him. I suspect those sources may be right. But they've been wrong before, and I wouldn't write that rumor in stone quite yet.

Regarding Johnson and McGahey, this is just a guess but I think the Cards would love to draft a feature RB of the Future to groom behind Emmitt (AND Shipp if Marcel continues to play at so a high level). But not at the #6 hole.

Maybe Johnson (who's forty time was considerably faster than Dayne's or Enis's) with the second of two later 1st round picks or McGahey at #37 - or if we get lucky and he lasts til #70.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
Interesting....so the Cards aren't fully sold on Shipp
Krang - You are jumping to conclusions. The post didn't say the Cards weren't fully sold on Shipp. It said that (those legendary "unknown") sources reported that the Cards weren't sold on him. I suspect those sources may be right. But they've been wrong before, and I wouldn't write that rumor in stone quite yet.

Regarding Johnson and McGahey, this is just a guess but I think the Cards would love to draft a feature RB of the Future to groom behind Emmitt (AND Shipp if Marcel continues to play at so a high level). But not at the #6 hole.

Maybe Johnson (who's forty time was considerably faster than Dayne's or Enis's) with the second of two later 1st round picks or McGahey at #37 - or if we get lucky and he lasts til #70.

I don't think it is much of a jump. They did bring in another runningback to start. Shipp showed a lot last year, but he also showed some things that make him questionable. His blitz pickup was terrible and he fumbled at bad times.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
You answered Cubbie better than I could.

In football, a smart team always covers there bases. There have been numerous examples of players being one year wonders, so a well built team will always have two good runningbacks.

Yeah but I am not suggesting they go with Shipp alone and they have more than enough backs to cover their bases...especially now that Smith is aboard. I am saying Shipp showed alot of promise and while he can improve his gamer, every indication is he is the type of player who will make every effort to be better.

I just find it hard to believe the Cards would use say a 2nd or even 3rd rounder on Johnson when RB is somewhat stacked already and there are so many glaring holes on this team that need filling.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by AZCB34


I just find it hard to believe the Cards would use say a 2nd or even 3rd rounder on Johnson when RB is somewhat stacked already and there are so many glaring holes on this team that need filling.

Oh I agree, and I think ultimately the team agreed also, since they did sign Emmitt. Signing Emmitt, closes the door imo to drafting a RB early. I like Shipp a lot, but I want to see more than one good season before I'm sold on him.

If he improves the weaknesses in his game and continues to get stronger, Shipp could be a very good player.

 

[outcent]

I just don't think you extend Shipp, sign Emmitt to a somewhat lucrative deal, and draft a RB to take over for them all in the same year. If they draft a RB on the first day I will be seriously confused about what "The Plan" is. Lets not forget we have Scoby,Prentice, and Anderson, one of which will get cut. If McGahee is around in the second maybe. At least we could put him on the IR for the year. If Emmitt falls apart and Shipp disappoints then next year we can answer the problem.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

OK, McGahee isnt a surefire back he is a surefire talent. No question that when you set the Miami school record for tds in a season that you dont have talent. As compared to Johnson he is a good hard running back, but isnt that exactly what Shipp is? At least if we had McGahee we would have, as Bobby Bowden calls it... "Fastball and curveball backs" He was refering to Greg Jones as the hard running strong fastball, while Nick Maddox was the curveball the speedy change of pace back.

Yeah I should see about changing my name...

 

[HoodieBets]

Originally posted by outcent
I just don't think you extend Shipp, sign Emmitt to a somewhat lucrative deal, and draft a RB to take over for them all in the same year. If they draft a RB on the first day I will be seriously confused about what "The Plan" is. Lets not forget we have Scoby,Prentice, and Anderson, one of which will get cut. If McGahee is around in the second maybe. At least we could put him on the IR for the year. If Emmitt falls apart and Shipp disappoints then next year we can answer the problem.

The doctors have said willis will be ready for this season. He is way beyond the schedule set, and that is why he has moved up so much in the draft. We would also have to cut probably two of the three young RB's you mentioned unless we put 2 on the practice squad. What are the requirements for putting people on the IR? You cant just put anyone on it can you?

 

[artp]

The Cardinals are sold on Shipp like they are sold on McCown. lets give him another year to prove himself. We won't draft a RB and we won't draft a QB on Day 1. Who is going to play WR? Who is going to play DE?