Jurecki Wed AM

[football karma]

For what its worth-- Jurecki is talking Cardinal draft this morning on 910--

he says that the Cardinals have identified four guys who they think will be outstanding players at their position:

Calvin Johnson
Adrian Peterson
Alan Branch
Leron Landry

He said it doesnt mean they dont like or wouldnt draft Joe Thomas if he was there, but those were the four names he heard they really like.

 

[JeffGollin]

Why are the Cardinals making that info public?

One possible answer: "Because it's probably true, and they're being forthright."

Nah! GM's, scouts and coaches are hardwired to be evasive and manipulative prior to the draft.

More likely, they're trying to sniff out potential trade-down partners.

Some logic regarding "GM Speak" prior to the draft:

- It makes no sense for the Cards to mention a specific player they like in the hope that a team will deal with them in order to grab that player. (If the Cards liked the player, they'd draft him. Period).

- But it would make sense for a team to mention a particular player they "say" they like in order to encourage another team to leapfrog them in order to draft that player. If, for example, the Cards were targeting Thomas and knew the Falcons, Skins or Vikes really wanted Peterson, it would make sense for them to convince one of those teams to trade up to #2, #3 or #4 to get Peterson, Branch or Landry if it meant the Lions, Browns or Bucs would trade the pick so they couldn't draft Thomas.

- Bottom Line - It makes sense - by public statement, leak or rumor - to create a drumbeat for the players you don't want to draft.

 

[az jam]

Can't believe anything from the GM's and coaches during this time of the year.

 

[football karma]

Why are the Cardinals making that info public?

One possible answer: "Because it's probably true, and they're being forthright."

Nah! GM's, scouts and coaches are hardwired to be evasive and manipulative prior to the draft.

More likely, they're trying to sniff out potential trade-down partners.

Some logic regarding "GM Speak" prior to the draft:

- It makes no sense for the Cards to mention a specific player they like in the hope that a team will deal with them in order to grab that player. (If the Cards liked the player, they'd draft him. Period).

- But it would make sense for a team to mention a particular player they "say" they like in order to encourage another team to leapfrog them in order to draft that player. If, for example, the Cards were targeting Thomas and knew the Falcons, Skins or Vikes really wanted Peterson, it would make sense for them to convince one of those teams to trade up to #2, #3 or #4 to get Peterson, Branch or Landry if it meant the Lions, Browns or Bucs would trade the pick so they couldn't draft Thomas.

- Bottom Line - It makes sense - by public statement, leak or rumor - to create a drumbeat for the players you don't want to draft.

I think everyone gets that Jeff, and I think most understand the value of the source

If we limited draft talk to what we "know", we would eliminate 99% of the posts until after the draft

 

[RON_IN_OC]

This is just like when Denny kept saying he was drafting Lawrence...he was obviously trying to throw all of the other GM's/Coaches off the scent.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Recently, when the Cards have talked to the media about possible draft choices, they have been on target. (Rolle, Arrington, Fitz, etc)

 

[BigRedRage]

who is lawrence?

 

[Shogun]

who is lawrence?

I'm wondering the same.

 

[Dback Jon]

who is lawrence?

I assume Lawrence (Larry) Fitzgerald.

 

[Pariah]

I didn't hear the segment, but from the original post the phrasing "guys they think will be outstanding at their positions" doesn't necessarily mean they're targeting them.

 

[az jam]

However, it would not surpise me if the Cards did indeed draft Alan Branch. At one of Whisenhunt's early press conferences, he said that the Cards need to get tougher inside against the run. Branch would certainly fill that need.
He has had experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes while at Michigan.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

However, it would not surpise me if the Cards did indeed draft Alan Branch. At one of Whisenhunt's early press conferences, he said that the Cards need to get tougher inside against the run. Branch would certainly fill that need.
He has had experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes while at Michigan and even played DE.

If so, Watson would fall to the wayside, or that they (Watson/Branch) would be subbing in every series or so. Branch would be the biggest luxury pick that we could make IMO.

 

[BigRedRage]

IMO we dont need any DT's, we have dockett, clancy and spongeback with cooper to sub in also.

 

[joeshmo]

I didn't hear the segment, but from the original post the phrasing "guys they think will be outstanding at their positions" doesn't necessarily mean they're targeting them.

That is exactly how Jurecki phrased it. He even stated that it doesnt mean they will pick them.

It is only a list of 4 players he got the indication from talking with people on the Cards staff think are some of the best players in the draft. Which is why Johnson is on the list, they arent going to take him but they think highly of him.

Also dreamcastrocks made a great point as well.

 

[RonF]

So who did Jurecki marry this morning?

 

[joeshmo]

At one of Whisenhunt's early press conferences, he said that the Cards need to get tougher inside against the run.

Yep. One of the first things he ever said as a Cards coach and he has stated it a number of times since then is that he wants the front 7 to be more stout. And all of those rumors we were looking at Ian Scott. Then free agency roles around and we do nothing to make our front 4 more stout like Wiz wants. It is kind of odd and I see only 2 reasons for the sudden change in heart.

1. They really like a DE, DT, OLB group in this draft and taking of or all 3 very high in the draft is a very real possibility including Branch at #5.

2. He has had more time to meet and greet with the DL coach, Pendy, Dlinemen, OLB's, watch more film talk to more scouts, and he thinks the front 7 is a lot more stout then his original reaction.

 

[DakotaCardsFan]

That is exactly how Jurecki phrased it. He even stated that it doesnt mean they will pick them.

It is only a list of 4 players he got the indication from talking with people on the Cards staff think are some of the best players in the draft. Which is why Johnson is on the list, they arent going to take him but they think highly of him.

Also dreamcastrocks made a great point as well.

Exactly. I think this is the like saying "We think Peyton Manning and LT are pretty good football players."

 

[az jam]

With the exception of the Cards taking Thomas if he is there at #5, I am basically clueless on who else could be their pick.

Adams, Anderson, Peterson, Branch, Brown, Landry, Willis, Okoye

 

[lobo]

With the exception of the Cards taking Thomas if he is there at #5, I am basically clueless on who else could be their pick.

Adams, Anderson, Peterson, Branch, Brown, Landry, Willis, Okoye

Agree. I see this as strictly a trial baloon. Of course they are all worth of being drafted at 5. Our problem is we are the only team of the top five that eveyone and their uncles know who we want. Even there is a bit of uncertainty at number 1. Saw where Thomas visited Tampa and going to visit Detroit. I think we will be trading down a few pegs and go for Brown if we have to. We might be able to pick up a very high 3 and get another (sort of) quality OT without jeopardizing the possibility of another DB or LB which I believe will pop up for us in round 3.

 

[Gee!]

Can't believe anything from the GM's and coaches during this time of the year.

Only time I ever believed it was when we were gonna draft Fitz.. That had to be a boring offseason for the mock drafters..

 

[kerouac9]

If so, Watson would fall to the wayside, or that they (Watson/Branch) would be subbing in every series or so. Branch would be the biggest luxury pick that we could make IMO.

Watson is never going to be a guy that's going to play 35 snaps a game. That's why he was still available on the second day of the draft. If you want him to be an impact player, you only put him in the lineup 20-25 times a game. That's just how he is, and he'll likely always be that way, no matter how much quality time he spends with John Lott.

Branch is a guy who can play 35+ snaps a game, especially at NT. If Whis looks at Branch and sees Casey Hampton, it's hard to disagree with him. A 3-4 set (if we take Branch at 5 it's almost a guarantee that this is Pendy's last season in Arizona and the team will be switching to a 3-4 base in the next two years) with Branch in the middle, Watson/Dockett on one end and Clancy on the other would be very stout, especially if you could sub in someone like Jonathon Lewis and Dockett on obvious passing downs, since they can be disruptive.

 

[Duckjake]

I think we will be trading down a few pegs and go for Brown if we have to. We might be able to pick up a very high 3 and get another (sort of) quality OT without jeopardizing the possibility of another DB or LB which I believe will pop up for us in round 3.

The more I read about Levi Brown the more he reminds me of Leonard Davis. Good run blocker, inconsistent, lacks aggresiveness, probably better suited to Right Tackle, once he locks on the defender is done...

Brown even started as a Defensive lineman before being switched to LT in college just like BIGG.

 

[MadCardDisease]

For what its worth-- Jurecki is talking Cardinal draft this morning on 910--

he says that the Cardinals have identified four guys who they think will be outstanding players at their position:

Calvin Johnson
Adrian Peterson
Alan Branch
Leron Landry

He said it doesnt mean they dont like or wouldnt draft Joe Thomas if he was there, but those were the four names he heard they really like.

Translation: these are 3 players we are not really interested. However we would be willing to trade our pick to someone else who wants to move up and snag one of them if they fall to us at 5.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Translation: these are 3 players we are not really interested. However we would be willing to trade our pick to someone else who wants to move up and snag one of them if they fall to us at 5.

Laron Landry and Branch will definitely be there at 5. The thing i like about the list is that it includes AP. If these are guys the Cards think can be great then why would you pass on AP because,other than CJ who has no chance of being there, Peterson is the highest rated player?

 

[MadCardDisease]

Laron Landry and Branch will definitely be there at 5. The thing i like about the list is that it includes AP. If these are guys the Cards think can be great then why would you pass on AP because,other than CJ who has no chance of being there, Peterson is the highest rated player?

I think these are all guys that the Cardinals want other teams to think that the Cards are high on. It's a poker game to try and get the most out of other teams should a trade happen. Convince other teams that you might take a guy they want.