Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
QB:
Locks: Palmer, Stanton.
* Pretty much everyone expects the Cardinals to keep all 3 QBs.
* However, if the Cardinals remain so enamored with Drew Stanton as the #2 QB, and yet they believe that Blaine Gabbert would be in the mix to start for a handful of teams, then they should trade Gabbert and get something for him while he commands some value. This would open up another roster spot, which could help the special teams and perhaps allow the team to carry an extra WR in light of John Brown's uncertainty.
* If Gabbert can't beat out Stanton for the #2, then that does not speak favorably for his future in Arizona.
* Some say that the Cardinals may try to re-sign Gabbert to be next year's #2. Well, that's pure folly, especially when the Cardinals have already indicated that Gabbert would be in the mix to start somewhere else. Gabbert's agent is going to see to it that he is in the mix to start somewhere in 2018.
* Or, which I think is the real truth, the Cardinals are fascinated with Gabbert's potential and want him to learn the playbook inside and out for a chance to be the starter in 2018.
RB:
Locks: David Johnson, K. Williams.
* My own feeling is that Elijhaa Penny, who is this year's Stepfan Taylor on STs, will be on the roster. His blocking on the punt team is critical, for one.
* What that means is that the final roster spot is between Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington. Neither of them figure to be a factor on STs -- so which one brings more value? Even though CJ thus far looks a little slower than one would expect, he still could be a workhorse if need be. Ellington is a 3rd down, situational RB. CJ is the better blocker in pass pro and is a far better runner between the tackles. the bottom line is: CJ brings far more to the table.
* If the coaches are ho-hum about CJ and Ellington, don't be surprised if we see a waiver wire pickup.
WR:
Locks: Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown, Nelson, C. Williams
* While it's tough to say this, there have to be discussions amongst the coaches about the status of John Brown. It seems at this point that because he is so injury prone that he will continue to be day to day. This is further compounded by his sickle cell anemia, because of how slower than normal Brown is able to recover from injuries. It could be that the coaches decide to place him on the IR, try to help him build his body back to full strength and then make a decision on him in 8 weeks. To quote Langston Hughes, Brown's 2017 season could initially be a "dream deferred."
* Brittan Golden has had a very good camp until his recent injury. The questions are: is he just as valuable a WR as Kevin Ross? Is he a greater asset on STs than Kevin Ross? The answers to those questions, imo are: No and Maybe. Ross is the stronger WR. And while Golden is the better gunner on STs, Ross provides depth as a punt returner -- which currently is needed because K. Williams is nursing an ankle injury.
* The wild card here is Chris Hubert, aka "Little Smoke." During a week where BA was irate about the sluggish play of the WRs, one of the brightest comment BA made was that Little Smoke is always "wide-a-- open." Clearly, Little Smoke has been a primary target the last two pre-season games. He broke the Raiders' veteran CB Sean Smith's ankles on a stop and fade route that left Hubert wide open for a TD, which Drew Stanton missed on. Versus the Bears, Hubert not only showed his knack for getting open, he showed nifty hands --- something that has been a question mark about him.
* Hopefully the Cardinals will be able to pass Krishawn Hogan through waivers because this kid has size, speed and skill. And he looks pretty solid on STs too.
TE:
Locks: Gresham, Niklas, Momah
* Hakeem Valles has value on STs, although his holding call on K.Williams' good punt return didn't help his cause. But, he's going to clear waivers and be signed to the PS like last year until he is needed.
* Ricky Seals-Jones could be a prime target for the PS.
OL:
Locks: Humphries, Iupati, Shipley, Boehm, Veldheer, Wetzel, Toner
* The mystery surrounding 4th round pick Dorian Johnson -- who displayed very good strength, punch and balance in one on one drills --- puts his roster selection in doubt. One would think that by now he would be getting 2nd team snaps instead of Kaleb Johnson or Tony Bergstrom, but that hasn't been the case. Can the Cardinals risk putting Dorian on waivers? Perhaps they can if teams that lower his draft ranking because of his medical concerns aren't willing to take the risk. Another thought occurs --- could Dorian be disgruntled enough to elect to sign to some other team's practice squad? Maybe he would prefer to go back to Pittsburgh? Or to Philly? He is from Belle Vernon, PA. Curiously, from day one, the Cardinals poo-hooed any talk of giving Dorian Johnson a chance to compete for the RG spot. Now he can't even crack the 2nd team lineup? The Cardinals threw away a 5th round pick last year -- will they throw away a 4th this year?
* Will Holden has been up and down, but his potential is clearly evident. The question is, do the coaches keep him over Ulrich John? John is having a solid camp and has already shown that he can be counted on as a spot starter. The Cardinals have his rights through 2018, as he will be an RFA next year. The Cardinals will have to weigh 4 years of Holden versus 2 years of John. Holden is the type of physical talent that the Patriots could claim off waivers. He fits their system very well.
* At guard, veteran G/C Tony Bergstrom has been worthy of earning a roster spot. He was signed as insurance and now that Mike Iupati is battling a tricep injury, maybe that tips things in favor of the coaches keeping Bergstrom. John Wetzel and Cole Toner are the swing starters, but Bergstrom's versatility could make him a swing player if Wetzel or Toner has to start.
* G Kaleb Johnson and T Givens Price could be candidates for the PS.
What are your thoughts? Who makes it? Who doesn't? What would you do?
Locks: Palmer, Stanton.
* Pretty much everyone expects the Cardinals to keep all 3 QBs.
* However, if the Cardinals remain so enamored with Drew Stanton as the #2 QB, and yet they believe that Blaine Gabbert would be in the mix to start for a handful of teams, then they should trade Gabbert and get something for him while he commands some value. This would open up another roster spot, which could help the special teams and perhaps allow the team to carry an extra WR in light of John Brown's uncertainty.
* If Gabbert can't beat out Stanton for the #2, then that does not speak favorably for his future in Arizona.
* Some say that the Cardinals may try to re-sign Gabbert to be next year's #2. Well, that's pure folly, especially when the Cardinals have already indicated that Gabbert would be in the mix to start somewhere else. Gabbert's agent is going to see to it that he is in the mix to start somewhere in 2018.
* Or, which I think is the real truth, the Cardinals are fascinated with Gabbert's potential and want him to learn the playbook inside and out for a chance to be the starter in 2018.
RB:
Locks: David Johnson, K. Williams.
* My own feeling is that Elijhaa Penny, who is this year's Stepfan Taylor on STs, will be on the roster. His blocking on the punt team is critical, for one.
* What that means is that the final roster spot is between Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington. Neither of them figure to be a factor on STs -- so which one brings more value? Even though CJ thus far looks a little slower than one would expect, he still could be a workhorse if need be. Ellington is a 3rd down, situational RB. CJ is the better blocker in pass pro and is a far better runner between the tackles. the bottom line is: CJ brings far more to the table.
* If the coaches are ho-hum about CJ and Ellington, don't be surprised if we see a waiver wire pickup.
WR:
Locks: Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown, Nelson, C. Williams
* While it's tough to say this, there have to be discussions amongst the coaches about the status of John Brown. It seems at this point that because he is so injury prone that he will continue to be day to day. This is further compounded by his sickle cell anemia, because of how slower than normal Brown is able to recover from injuries. It could be that the coaches decide to place him on the IR, try to help him build his body back to full strength and then make a decision on him in 8 weeks. To quote Langston Hughes, Brown's 2017 season could initially be a "dream deferred."
* Brittan Golden has had a very good camp until his recent injury. The questions are: is he just as valuable a WR as Kevin Ross? Is he a greater asset on STs than Kevin Ross? The answers to those questions, imo are: No and Maybe. Ross is the stronger WR. And while Golden is the better gunner on STs, Ross provides depth as a punt returner -- which currently is needed because K. Williams is nursing an ankle injury.
* The wild card here is Chris Hubert, aka "Little Smoke." During a week where BA was irate about the sluggish play of the WRs, one of the brightest comment BA made was that Little Smoke is always "wide-a-- open." Clearly, Little Smoke has been a primary target the last two pre-season games. He broke the Raiders' veteran CB Sean Smith's ankles on a stop and fade route that left Hubert wide open for a TD, which Drew Stanton missed on. Versus the Bears, Hubert not only showed his knack for getting open, he showed nifty hands --- something that has been a question mark about him.
* Hopefully the Cardinals will be able to pass Krishawn Hogan through waivers because this kid has size, speed and skill. And he looks pretty solid on STs too.
TE:
Locks: Gresham, Niklas, Momah
* Hakeem Valles has value on STs, although his holding call on K.Williams' good punt return didn't help his cause. But, he's going to clear waivers and be signed to the PS like last year until he is needed.
* Ricky Seals-Jones could be a prime target for the PS.
OL:
Locks: Humphries, Iupati, Shipley, Boehm, Veldheer, Wetzel, Toner
* The mystery surrounding 4th round pick Dorian Johnson -- who displayed very good strength, punch and balance in one on one drills --- puts his roster selection in doubt. One would think that by now he would be getting 2nd team snaps instead of Kaleb Johnson or Tony Bergstrom, but that hasn't been the case. Can the Cardinals risk putting Dorian on waivers? Perhaps they can if teams that lower his draft ranking because of his medical concerns aren't willing to take the risk. Another thought occurs --- could Dorian be disgruntled enough to elect to sign to some other team's practice squad? Maybe he would prefer to go back to Pittsburgh? Or to Philly? He is from Belle Vernon, PA. Curiously, from day one, the Cardinals poo-hooed any talk of giving Dorian Johnson a chance to compete for the RG spot. Now he can't even crack the 2nd team lineup? The Cardinals threw away a 5th round pick last year -- will they throw away a 4th this year?
* Will Holden has been up and down, but his potential is clearly evident. The question is, do the coaches keep him over Ulrich John? John is having a solid camp and has already shown that he can be counted on as a spot starter. The Cardinals have his rights through 2018, as he will be an RFA next year. The Cardinals will have to weigh 4 years of Holden versus 2 years of John. Holden is the type of physical talent that the Patriots could claim off waivers. He fits their system very well.
* At guard, veteran G/C Tony Bergstrom has been worthy of earning a roster spot. He was signed as insurance and now that Mike Iupati is battling a tricep injury, maybe that tips things in favor of the coaches keeping Bergstrom. John Wetzel and Cole Toner are the swing starters, but Bergstrom's versatility could make him a swing player if Wetzel or Toner has to start.
* G Kaleb Johnson and T Givens Price could be candidates for the PS.
What are your thoughts? Who makes it? Who doesn't? What would you do?
I can't do it because they always say....He came flying down the field with his hair on fire! (...And I DON't have any..."hair", that is.) 
