Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
DT/DE:
Locks: Rucker, Peters, Mauro, Nkemdiche, Gunter, Pierre
* This unit has been underwhelming in the pre-season thus far save some superb flashes from Robert Nkemdiche (now injured with a calf strain).
* Xavier Williams would appear to be roster bound, but Steve Keim may need to make a move to add another player to this unit and if so, Williams might be the one to go.
* Ed Stinson remains injured and he was on the outside looking in to begin with. The question is whether the Cardinals will reach an injury settlement with him or put him on IR (which seems unlikely given that they already would like to get T.J. Logan back from the IR in 8-9 weeks).
* The Cardinals cannot afford to keep more than 7 on this unit as last year their STs suffered because of the decision to keep 9 (3 deep at each 3 spots).
* Newly added Peli Anau has shown a very good motor and some splash penetration plays.
OLB:
Locks: M. Golden, C. Jones, K. Martin
* Martin has been making a very good case to be the rotation DE, a la Alex Okafor last year.
* Jarvis Jones, who was signed to assume Okafor's role, is still out with a disc problem. What will they do with Jones? Will they keep him on the 53 until he is healthy? Will they place him on IR? Will they reach an injury settlement and release him?
* Cap Capi and Alex Bazzie have been making some noise. Capi is the stronger of the two, Bazzie is the faster. Both are PS eligible.
* Will Steve Keim add to the position through waiver claims or a trade?
ILB:
Locks: Bucannon, Dansby, Reddick
* Bucannon is off the PUP list, but will he be ready to go versus the Lions?
* Dansby has missed most of training camp. Will he be healthy and in good game shape come week 1?
* Reddick is struggling and looks a little overwhelmed, understandably for a player transitioning to the NFL at a new position.
* Scooby Wright is one of the best STs players. As a fill-in for Dansby, he's made some tackles but has been exposed for his lack of LB speed.
* Xaviar Gooden is much like Wright. Physical but on the slow side, especially in coverage.
* Josh Bynes had the best game of any ILB versus the Raiders and now he is working his way back from injury.
* Philip Wheeler is a seasoned vet working his way back from injury, and making some good plays in practice (interception).
* Tre'Von Johnson looks like a strong possibility for the PS.
CB:
Locks: Peterson, Bethel, B. Williams
* One of the brightest developments in this year's camp has been the improved CB play of Bethel and Williams. BA&SK have gambled that this would be the case, and so far, so good.
* Tramon Williams has been solid in the games and looks like the likely #4 CB, although he was out of yesterday's practice. Not sure why.
* Beyond Tramon Williams, the Cardinals could elect to keep combo CB/Ss Harlan Miller and Rudy Ford. Other than that, there are no other viable candidates to make the 53 man roster.
* Will Keim stick with Tramon Williams or Harlan Miller or Rudy Ford? Or will he be very active during the waiver claims and trading flurry?
S:
Locks: Mathieu, Bethea, Branch, Baker
* All 4 of the sure-bet safeties are interchangeable, just the way the Cardinals prefer.
* Harlan Miller continues to make strides as a safety.
* Rudy Ford showed the kind of speed and range the coaches want.
* Will they keep Miller or Ford or both? Seeing as Mathieu, Branch and Baker can all play slot CB, a case can be made for keeping 9 DBs, with Miller and Ford included.
STs:
Locks: Brewer (LS), Dawson (PK)
* BA said that neither punter (Wile or Leone) has separated himself as yet. Both have shown strong legs and inconsistencies.
* BA also said that Phil Dawson "has his preference" for his holder, but that Dawson said he could make it work with either one. This being the case, the punting job may very likely come down to which player is Dawson's preferred holder. Judging from the last couple of pre-season games, the preferred holder appears to be Richie Leone.
Who are your top 25 on defense and top 3 on STs?
Locks: Rucker, Peters, Mauro, Nkemdiche, Gunter, Pierre
* This unit has been underwhelming in the pre-season thus far save some superb flashes from Robert Nkemdiche (now injured with a calf strain).
* Xavier Williams would appear to be roster bound, but Steve Keim may need to make a move to add another player to this unit and if so, Williams might be the one to go.
* Ed Stinson remains injured and he was on the outside looking in to begin with. The question is whether the Cardinals will reach an injury settlement with him or put him on IR (which seems unlikely given that they already would like to get T.J. Logan back from the IR in 8-9 weeks).
* The Cardinals cannot afford to keep more than 7 on this unit as last year their STs suffered because of the decision to keep 9 (3 deep at each 3 spots).
* Newly added Peli Anau has shown a very good motor and some splash penetration plays.
OLB:
Locks: M. Golden, C. Jones, K. Martin
* Martin has been making a very good case to be the rotation DE, a la Alex Okafor last year.
* Jarvis Jones, who was signed to assume Okafor's role, is still out with a disc problem. What will they do with Jones? Will they keep him on the 53 until he is healthy? Will they place him on IR? Will they reach an injury settlement and release him?
* Cap Capi and Alex Bazzie have been making some noise. Capi is the stronger of the two, Bazzie is the faster. Both are PS eligible.
* Will Steve Keim add to the position through waiver claims or a trade?
ILB:
Locks: Bucannon, Dansby, Reddick
* Bucannon is off the PUP list, but will he be ready to go versus the Lions?
* Dansby has missed most of training camp. Will he be healthy and in good game shape come week 1?
* Reddick is struggling and looks a little overwhelmed, understandably for a player transitioning to the NFL at a new position.
* Scooby Wright is one of the best STs players. As a fill-in for Dansby, he's made some tackles but has been exposed for his lack of LB speed.
* Xaviar Gooden is much like Wright. Physical but on the slow side, especially in coverage.
* Josh Bynes had the best game of any ILB versus the Raiders and now he is working his way back from injury.
* Philip Wheeler is a seasoned vet working his way back from injury, and making some good plays in practice (interception).
* Tre'Von Johnson looks like a strong possibility for the PS.
CB:
Locks: Peterson, Bethel, B. Williams
* One of the brightest developments in this year's camp has been the improved CB play of Bethel and Williams. BA&SK have gambled that this would be the case, and so far, so good.
* Tramon Williams has been solid in the games and looks like the likely #4 CB, although he was out of yesterday's practice. Not sure why.
* Beyond Tramon Williams, the Cardinals could elect to keep combo CB/Ss Harlan Miller and Rudy Ford. Other than that, there are no other viable candidates to make the 53 man roster.
* Will Keim stick with Tramon Williams or Harlan Miller or Rudy Ford? Or will he be very active during the waiver claims and trading flurry?
S:
Locks: Mathieu, Bethea, Branch, Baker
* All 4 of the sure-bet safeties are interchangeable, just the way the Cardinals prefer.
* Harlan Miller continues to make strides as a safety.
* Rudy Ford showed the kind of speed and range the coaches want.
* Will they keep Miller or Ford or both? Seeing as Mathieu, Branch and Baker can all play slot CB, a case can be made for keeping 9 DBs, with Miller and Ford included.
STs:
Locks: Brewer (LS), Dawson (PK)
* BA said that neither punter (Wile or Leone) has separated himself as yet. Both have shown strong legs and inconsistencies.
* BA also said that Phil Dawson "has his preference" for his holder, but that Dawson said he could make it work with either one. This being the case, the punting job may very likely come down to which player is Dawson's preferred holder. Judging from the last couple of pre-season games, the preferred holder appears to be Richie Leone.
Who are your top 25 on defense and top 3 on STs?
