md's 1st 2010 Mock--Senior Bowl Edition

[cardsfanmd]

After the playoffs and with Warner's retirement, 2 things are apparent, (1) we will pass the ball less and (2) the D needs to be upgraded. With those two things in mind, the team has finally traded Q. We sent him and our 3rd rounder (89th overall) to New England for the last 2 of their 3 2nd round picks (#'s 47 and 53).

In FA the team did little more than retain guys from last year.
*Matt Ware= re-signed
*Jeremy Bridges was re-signed to be the backup tackle.
*Levi is now penciled in as the starter on the left side. The team has been itching to get Keith on the field IMO and Levi will have it easier at LT than most being as though his QB is a lefty.
*Our biggest acquisition outside of 2009 Cardinals was Baltimore OLB Antwan Barnes. Living in MD I have got to see this guy for a few years and I really like him. He plays the strong side but can slide inside too as well as rush the passer. Stuck behind Jarrett Johnson he knew he wasn't seeing the field anytime soon (barring injury) and the Ravens couldn't match a decent offer on him anyhow.
*Trent Edwards is brought in as Matt's backup
*I think being that the year is uncapped and Rashaad Johnson showed little last year, Rolle may actually get his 8 mill this year. he's a good guy and a hard worker, hopefully he's extended.

1. (26)--Sean Witherspoon OLB Mizzou 6'1 241
Whether it's the right decision or not, Bidwill is not going to OK a 3rd franchising for Dansby. Say hello to Karlos' replacement. ILB was the last place I wanted to go with this pick, buuuut I LOVE this kid. He flies around the field, is a leader, good blitzer, sound tackler and very good in coverage. Keep in mind this is assuming Jerry Hughes is gone. Were he available, he would be the pick and I would target a guy like Pawelek or AJ Edds in the middle rounds.


2a. (47)-- Terrence Cody NT Alabama 6'4 370 (200 in the bra)
I know there isn't a whole lot of love for him after the Senior Bowl weigh-ins, but the fact remains that he is nothing short of dominant on the field. A few years ago this might not have a great idea (Alan Branch anyone??) but with the culture that our team possesses now I dont worry nearly as much. With the hardworking guys on our line (Dockett, Campbell, Robinson, Watson and maybe even Branch these days) I think the kid would have almost no choice but to buy into Lotts' program.


2b. (53) Brandon Ghee CB Wake Forest 5'11 189
This pick is a perfect fit for the team's "BPA at a position of need" strategy. Here is a kid with great measurements (4.4), a high ceiling and above average ball skills. He plays the run well and is unafraid to lay the wood. He's looked great in the Senior Bowl practices and is currently tied for 4th in my CB rankings behind only Haden, Warren and Kyle Wilson. A little raw, he has a year to learn as the 4th CB behind DRC, Toler and McFadden before Bryant's contract ends after the season. Ghee also returns punts and will immediately take over for Breaston in that capacity. McFadden was yet another poor signing because he's a press corner being asked to play off his man. Ghee is better suited for our scheme.


2c. (58)-- Koa Misi OLB Utah 6'3 244
Here's a guy who may have finally found his niche. After playing DE in college he dropped 20 lbs for the Senior Bowl and looks like a 3-4 OLB rusher to me. He has had a MO of being a workout warrior who's talents don't transfer onto the field, but he sure looked to be getting after the QB consistently last night. granted I only have been able to watch a few series of the game so far, but he does look fluid in the hip and appears to have speed to spare. If he's gone, I like:
Cameron Sheffield OLB Troy 6'3 256
He may be a reach here but so was Brown last year. What I like about this guys is that he comes from a school/scheme that has produced a few stud 3-4 OLBs and he looks great in coverage for a big guy.
*In the event that Rolle is cut, I go FS here, hoping that Nate Allen (South Florida) is still on the board.


4. (122)-- Micah Johnson ILB Kentucky 6'2 254
A beast of a man who is a steal this late IMO. Here's Hayes' backup this year and his future replacement.


5. (154)-- Colin Peek TE Alabama 6'5 250
More running plays mean more 2 TE sets. Becht was on a 1 yr deal and hasn't been resigned and Spach is a quality backup, nothing more IMO. Peek is a tenacious blocker who defenses can't forget about because he has decent wheels and can catch the ball.-----UPDATE---- damn I'm good, Peek just caught a tough TD and showed some toughness holding onto the ball while getting blasted.


6. (186)-- Cory Jackson FB Maryland 6'1 245
A beast that I got to see every week, he's a hard worker and a hard hitter. bets blocking FB in the NCAA last year IMO. Kreider obviously has the experience, but this guy has young legs, plays STs and is cheaper. Whiz's staff has never picked a FB before, but with Matty at the helm now, the position has never been as vital IMO.


7. (218)--Sean Canfield QB Oregon St. 6'3 221
Here's a smart and accurate passer to fight Tyler Palko over the #3 spot QB spot.


Notable UDFA-Chris Hall C Texas 6'4 310
The coaches are high on Sendlein and I can respect that, but the fact remains that we have poor depth behind him. Hall has been better at Texas than Sendlein was IMO and Lyle should be a good teacher for him. As is necessary in a backup center, Hall is versatile and has experience at every spot on the line.


A problem with this draft is that we now have a rookie, another guy who's essentially a rookie (Cody Brown) and another guy who has 9 games under his belt as 3 of our 4 OLBs. My thought is that with the versitilty of Haggans, Barnes, House, Bridges, LSH and Chris Hall we should be able to carry 5 this year.

I know many will go nuts that I didn't grab any tackles, but I dont think the team is hurting for them as bad as some may think. Couple that with the fact that we need a LT and those disappear quick it just didn't happen this year. Switching from Warner to Leinart should help the O-line a ton is pass pro simply because Matty can move a little and won't hold onto the ball as long.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Oops, had no idea that Joe's thread existed. Mods feel free to move in order to keep from cluttering the board.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Good stuff although I can't imagine we go THAT defensive. A tackle/guard/center should be drafted in the 4th or 5th (that seems to be Graves/Kiem's/Wiz's sweet spot anyway and I desperately want a TE in the first three rounds, maybe even depending what we do in FA in the first two. This becomes especially true if we trade Q.

Saying all that I would run around screaming if we have the draft you just listed. That's the kind of draft where even if a couple guys miss, we have restocked our defense for years.

 

[TJ]

Good stuff although I can't imagine we go THAT defensive. A tackle/guard/center should be drafted in the 4th or 5th (that seems to be Graves/Kiem's/Wiz's sweet spot anyway and I desperately want a TE in the first three rounds, maybe even depending what we do in FA in the first two. This becomes especially true if we trade Q.

Saying all that I would run around screaming if we have the draft you just listed. That's the kind of draft where even if a couple guys miss, we have restocked our defense for years.

COUGH Rob Gronkowski COUGH

 

[devilalum]

No way they get that much for Q. They couldn't get that much last year and his stock is lower now.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

COUGH Rob Gronkowski COUGH

I imagine you and I are going to totally annoy everybody on this topic leading up to the draft. The guy will fall after missing this past season and I know from watching pretty much every single game of his he is going to be better in the NFL then in college.

Gronko is the truth. I am much surer of him then I was even of guys like Antoine Cason and Chris McAllister.

 

[Shane]

No way they get that much for Q. They couldn't get that much last year and his stock is lower now.

In his scenario they werent getting that much just for Q. We were also giving up a 3rd rounder.

But Like Joe stated in an earlier thread that you think Q's trade value is less but that isn't necessarily true. With all the restrictions in FA this year its going to be much harder for teams to improve in areas they would like via FA. So they may be willing to give up a tad more via a trade this year as compared to last.

 

[Hypothesis]

In his scenario they werent getting that much just for Q. We were also giving up a 3rd rounder.

But Like Joe stated in an earlier thread that you think Q's trade value is less but that isn't necessarily true. With all the restrictions in FA this year its going to be much harder for teams to improve in areas they would like via FA. So they may be willing to give up a tad more via a trade this year as compared to last.

Add to that the fact that Wes Welker is a major question mark this year. It is still be seen whether he plays at all this season. Randy Moss is getting up there in age and just doesn't seem to be the same as in years past...I could easily see NE putting together a pretty sweet deal for Q.

 

[kerouac9]

I hate Sean Witherspoon. He's Buster Davis 2.0. He'll be solid in a 4-3 defense, but he's too small (he's really 6' 3/4") to replace Dansby. If he's stuck in a 3-4 defense, he'll be playing special teams until he's a free agent.

 

[Reddog]

No way they get that much for Q. They couldn't get that much last year and his stock is lower now.

I actually thought giving them our 3rd was too much given the Uncapped year, Welkers's injury and Q's low contract. There is great value for the Pats. I could see swaping our 3rd for their 4th.

 

[Mitch]

Real good, thorough and well designed Mock, MD. Kudos.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Real good, thorough and well designed Mock, MD. Kudos.

Thank you sir.

 

[joeshmo]

I hate Sean Witherspoon. He's Buster Davis 2.0. He'll be solid in a 4-3 defense, but he's too small (he's really 6' 3/4") to replace Dansby. If he's stuck in a 3-4 defense, he'll be playing special teams until he's a free agent.

Buster Davis a is 5-9 loser who refused to listen to coaches in the NFL or workout with his strength coach. Not sure how that equates to a 6-1 Weatherspoon with a big time love for the game and vast leadership skills being Davis 2.0.

Only looked at 5 of the 3-4 teams in the NFL but all of them have LB's in the same measurement zone as Weatherspoon 6-1 240 pounds.

 

[PJ1]

In his scenario they werent getting that much just for Q. We were also giving up a 3rd rounder.

But Like Joe stated in an earlier thread that you think Q's trade value is less but that isn't necessarily true. With all the restrictions in FA this year its going to be much harder for teams to improve in areas they would like via FA. So they may be willing to give up a tad more via a trade this year as compared to last.

Very true and even more so for the better teams that have more restrictions.

A team like the Ravens may also give up more for Q via trade than in the past.

 

[Hypothesis]

Very true and even more so for the better teams that have more restrictions.

A team like the Ravens may also give up more for Q via trade than in the past.

Another team that I wouldn't be surprised if they made a play for Q, is Tampa. They are in need of a WR and have multiple second round picks...also aren't very likely in my eyes to make a play on many top FA's this year.

 

[Hypothesis]

Okay...I like your thinking on this. I would be pretty ecstatic with that mock...

Using your template, I'm going to make just a couple changes of my own.

In FA the team did little more than retain guys from last year.
*Matt Ware= re-signed
*Jeremy Bridges was re-signed to be the backup tackle.
*Levi is now penciled in as the starter on the left side. The team has been itching to get Keith on the field IMO and Levi will have it easier at LT than most being as though his QB is a lefty.
*Our biggest acquisition outside of 2009 Cardinals was Baltimore OLB Antwan Barnes. Living in MD I have got to see this guy for a few years and I really like him. He plays the strong side but can slide inside too as well as rush the passer. Stuck behind Jarrett Johnson he knew he wasn't seeing the field anytime soon (barring injury) and the Ravens couldn't match a decent offer on him anyhow. I like this thought...Barnes is a very good LB and would fit in very well with our defense.
*Trent Edwards is brought in as Matt's backup
*I think being that the year is uncapped and Rashaad Johnson showed little last year, Rolle may actually get his 8 mill this year. he's a good guy and a hard worker, hopefully he's extended.
*Rumor is Vernon Gholston will be cut being this is an uncapped year and the Jets won't have his salary counting against a cap this season. He has been a bust thus far in his career, therefore would not command a large salary as he would have zero leverage to demand one. Bring him in for training camp and see if perhaps he is just a late bloomer like James Harrison. If he turns out to be a total bust here, then it didn't hurt us much.
*Another person who may not be tendered, is Brodie Croyle. With the uncertainty of BSP's back, wouldn't hurt to look at him either. He is a guy I feel can be a serviceable backup QB

1. (26)--Sean Witherspoon OLB Mizzou 6'1 241
Whether it's the right decision or not, Bidwill is not going to OK a 3rd franchising for Dansby. Say hello to Karlos' replacement. ILB was the last place I wanted to go with this pick, buuuut I LOVE this kid. He flies around the field, is a leader, good blitzer, sound tackler and very good in coverage. Keep in mind this is assuming Jerry Hughes is gone. Were he available, he would be the pick and I would target a guy like Pawelek or AJ Edds in the middle rounds.


2a. (47)-- Terrence Cody NT Alabama 6'4 370 (200 in the bra)
I know there isn't a whole lot of love for him after the Senior Bowl weigh-ins, but the fact remains that he is nothing short of dominant on the field. A few years ago this might not have a great idea (Alan Branch anyone??) but with the culture that our team possesses now I dont worry nearly as much. With the hardworking guys on our line (Dockett, Campbell, Robinson, Watson and maybe even Branch these days) I think the kid would have almost no choice but to buy into Lotts' program.


2b. (53) Akwasi Owusu-Ansah CB/FS Indiana University of Pennsylvania 6'2 200
Yet another small school CB that has all the tools needed to be very good in this league. He has great size for the position and he is very very fluid in his movements. Has valuable ball skills and has his head on a swivel, always looking for the ball. Also a very physical corner who can play press coverage, man or zone. Has been clocked at 4.4 in the 40 and has good hip flex coming out of his backpeddal. Comes from a very hardworking East African family, and is considered to have a very very strong work ethic and a high set of morale/values. Certainly will need time to be groomed for the position but should transition very well. Also very valuable in the return game having 7 returned punts/kicks for touchdowns. By the way, his first name means "Born on Sunday". With the possible departure of Antrel Rolle, he could be a valuable asset as he has and can play both CB and Free Safety.


2c. (58)-- Koa Misi OLB Utah 6'3 244
Here's a guy who may have finally found his niche. After playing DE in college he dropped 20 lbs for the Senior Bowl and looks like a 3-4 OLB rusher to me. He has had a MO of being a workout warrior who's talents don't transfer onto the field, but he sure looked to be getting after the QB consistently last night. granted I only have been able to watch a few series of the game so far, but he does look fluid in the hip and appears to have speed to spare. If he's gone, I like:
Cameron Sheffield OLB Troy 6'3 256
He may be a reach here but so was Brown last year. What I like about this guys is that he comes from a school/scheme that has produced a few stud 3-4 OLBs and he looks great in coverage for a big guy.
*In the event that Rolle is cut, I go FS here, hoping that Nate Allen (South Florida) is still on the board.


4. (122)-- Micah Johnson ILB Kentucky 6'2 254
A beast of a man who is a steal this late IMO. Here's Hayes' backup this year and his future replacement.


5. (154)-- Jason Worilds OLB Virginia Tech 6'2 254
Jason Worilds is an outstanding athlete and has good size. His technique needs polishing but he has a strong drive and is strong willed. He played with his hand down nearly his whole career in VA Tech, but has the size and natural athletic ability to learn to play standing up and play in space. He needs to improve his pass rush repertoire but that will come with coaching as he shows the ability to learn. He does run off at the mouth a little, like recently 'guaranteeing he will be a first round pick' but as of right now he is slotted by many to go anywhere from the 3rd to 6th round. Definitely will need time to learn the position but could turn out to be a gem.


6. (186)-- Crezdon Butler CB Clemson 6'0 185
A corner with good size and a pretty impressive resume from Clemson. Has shown to be a little inconsistent when it comes to his 40 yard dash times, but is still fast enough to be effective. Very rarely makes mental errors but will need time to learn the pro game. Could be groomed to be one heck of a nickel back and certainly has the size to be effective. Does need to get in the weight room a little more as he is not a sure tackler, though his technique is pretty sound, he just lacks the upper body strength to keep his arms wrapped around the ball carrier. A great project player in my opinion.


7. (218)--Sean Canfield QB Oregon St. 6'3 221
Here's a smart and accurate passer to fight Tyler Palko over the #3 spot QB spot.


Notable UDFA-Chris Hall C Texas 6'4 310
The coaches are high on Sendlein and I can respect that, but the fact remains that we have poor depth behind him. Hall has been better at Texas than Sendlein was IMO and Lyle should be a good teacher for him. As is necessary in a backup center, Hall is versatile and has experience at every spot on the line.

There...just added a few names of my preference, but as I said, I would be ecstatic if the draft followed your mock.

I think we'll resign Becht for one more year and don't see us going after a TE. And some may think I'm nuts, but I've got a feeling that Reagan Maui'a is going to surprise some of us come training camp. He seems suited perfectly for a power running game.