Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Cardinal’s projected 53-man roster
Posted Saturday, August 1st 2015 @ 4pm
Quarterback (2)
In: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton
Out: Logan Thomas, Chandler Harnish, Phillip Sims
Analysis: Its possible the Cardinals go into the season with two quarterbacks on the active roster, put Sims or Thomas on the practice squad.
Running back (5)
In: Andre Ellington, David Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, Kerwynn Williams, Robert Hughes
Out: Marion Grice, Paul Lasike
Analysis: Taylor entering his third year, like to see more production. Hughes will be the short yardage back. Williams could be in competition as the kick off returner.
Wide receiver (5)
In: Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden
Out: J.J. Nelson, Trevor Harman, Ryan Spadola, Jaxon Shipley, Damond Powell (NFI).
Analysis: Nelson has 4.29 speed, skinny but fast, he’ll need to be out Golden, who plays a role on special teams, could be an option for the practice squad unless they’re afraid he’ll get claimed off waivers. Shipley would be a good option for the practice squad.
Tight end (4)
In: Troy Niklas, Jermaine Gresham, Darren Fells, Ifeanyi Momah
Out: Gannon Sinclair, Gerald Christian, Ted Bolser.
Analysis: The plan for Gresham, he hasn’t had any contact for a while, have him on the PUP list for two to three weeks, bring him along slowly. Chris Cooley still could be an option if they don’t like the depth at the position. Christian is more of an H-back, and could end up on the practice squad.
Offensive linemen (9)
In: Jared Veldheer, Mike Iupati, A.Q. Shipley, Jonathan Cooper, Bobby Massie, D.J. Humphries, Earl Watford, Ted Larsen, Bradley Sowell
Out: Cameron Bradfield, Rob Crisp, John Fullington, Jon Halapio, Antoine McCain, Anthony Steen.
Analysis: Offensive line has some real depth with Humphries, Larsen, Watford & Sowell. Cardinals excited about Crisp upside, an undrafted in free agent along with Steen could be option for the practice squad.
Defensive linemen (8)
In: Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker, Rodney Gunter, Cory Redding, Corey Peters, Ed Stinson, Matt Shaughnessy, Alameda Ta’amu.
Out: Josh Mauro, Xavier Williams
Analysis: Ta’amu goes into camp on the bubble, being healthy and in shape will go a long way. UDFA Williams will push Ta’amu for a roster spot, otherwise Williams is eligible for the practice squad. Mauro is sleeper to make the roster. Something to watch unfold in camp Shaughnessy moving from linebacker to defensive line.
Linebacker (9)
In: Alex Okafor, Lorenzo Alexander, Markus Golden, Kareem Martin, LaMarr Woodley, Sean Weatherspoon, Daryl Sharpton, Kevin Minter, Glenn Carson,
Out: Shaq Riddick, Kenny Demens, Alani Fua, Edwin Jackson, Andrae Kirk, Gabe Martin
Analysis: Woodley is on the bubble going into camp, low risk one-year deal. Riddick missed the entire off-season workouts, considering he’s a draft pick likely makes the roster but if he doesn’t show up in camp, more of practice squad player. Cardinals are intrigued by Fua (6’5, 234) & Gabe Martin.
Secondary (8)
In: Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers Justin Bethel, Tyrann Mathieu, Deone Bucannon, Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson, Jimmy Legree, Shaquille Richardson.
Out: Jimmy Legree, C.J. Roberts, Darren Woodard, Cariel Brooks, Damond Smith, Shaquille Richardson.
Analysis: Nine players in the secondary could change to 10 depending on the numbers game. Cardinals released Alfonzo Dennard a few before camp, he was on the bubble going into camp, 20 career starts in New England. Legree made a lot of plays in the off-season.
Specialist (3)
In: Mike Leach, Dave Zastudil, Chandler Catanzaro
Out: Drew Butler
Analysis: Zasty was healthy at the end of the season, Cardinals needed a roster spot, plus they missed him down the stretch including the post-season game.
As for the final 53-man roster going into the season, expect the Cardinals to continue to search the wavier wire for certain players & positions.
Here was my response on his blog:
MJ---Thanks for this roster projection! Please keep updating it! I've called the show a couple of times (Mitch from Foxborough)---it is great to talk Cardinals with you, as always.
I think you make a good move by keeping 2 QBs and 1 on PS---as you know, roster spots this year are going to be very valuable.
The selections that I have question marks with:
RB Stepfan Taylor---like you said, he needs to be more productive. But, I think BA might keep 4 RBs and 6 WRs so he doesn't risk losing J.J. Nelson off waivers. I think you are spot-on about Brittan Golden making it this year.
T Bradley Sowell---with D.J. Humphries being able to play LT and RT, and with Earl Watford being able to swing to RT if need be, Sowell is going to have a hard time making the roster. In addition, I think Anthony Steen is going to turn some heads and make a good case for the roster.
NT Alameda Ta'amu---BA has mentioned playing Ed Stinson some at NT behind starter Corey Peters. Gunter is a big body to help inside as well, if need be. I think you are correct about Josh Mauro being a sleeper---I think that not only will he make the roster, he will be active on game days on STs and as a rotation option at DE.
LBs Daryl Sharpton---I can't see him making it over Gabe Martin or Alani Fua, unless they or Weatherspoon are injured. Glenn Carson has a good chance, I agree with you---but if Martin and Fua have good camps, Carson might be headed back to the PS, if he clears waivers (very likely). I think Kenny Demens and Andrae Kirk might surprise. And I wonder about Lorenzo Alexander---I get the locker room leadership, but he's not been anywhere near the STs player he was in Washington. And he doesn't factor into the defensive rotations. He says he's healthy now, but it's been three years of sub-par play from him. If Zach Wagenmann or Shaq Riddick flashes edge rush pressure, Alexander might not be a lock.I like Wags---reminds me some of Clay Matthews.
CB Shaquille Richardson---you are lsiting 9 DBs instead of 8 and both Jimmy Legree and Richardson are listed as roster guys and waiver guys. You don't mention S Chris Clemons anywhere and I think that because he can play a role in sub packages at a cover safety, he's got a decent chance. It may come down to Legree and Clemons. Two possible sleepers: CB C.J. Roberts and S Harold Jones-Quartey.
Posted Saturday, August 1st 2015 @ 4pm
Quarterback (2)
In: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton
Out: Logan Thomas, Chandler Harnish, Phillip Sims
Analysis: Its possible the Cardinals go into the season with two quarterbacks on the active roster, put Sims or Thomas on the practice squad.
Running back (5)
In: Andre Ellington, David Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, Kerwynn Williams, Robert Hughes
Out: Marion Grice, Paul Lasike
Analysis: Taylor entering his third year, like to see more production. Hughes will be the short yardage back. Williams could be in competition as the kick off returner.
Wide receiver (5)
In: Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden
Out: J.J. Nelson, Trevor Harman, Ryan Spadola, Jaxon Shipley, Damond Powell (NFI).
Analysis: Nelson has 4.29 speed, skinny but fast, he’ll need to be out Golden, who plays a role on special teams, could be an option for the practice squad unless they’re afraid he’ll get claimed off waivers. Shipley would be a good option for the practice squad.
Tight end (4)
In: Troy Niklas, Jermaine Gresham, Darren Fells, Ifeanyi Momah
Out: Gannon Sinclair, Gerald Christian, Ted Bolser.
Analysis: The plan for Gresham, he hasn’t had any contact for a while, have him on the PUP list for two to three weeks, bring him along slowly. Chris Cooley still could be an option if they don’t like the depth at the position. Christian is more of an H-back, and could end up on the practice squad.
Offensive linemen (9)
In: Jared Veldheer, Mike Iupati, A.Q. Shipley, Jonathan Cooper, Bobby Massie, D.J. Humphries, Earl Watford, Ted Larsen, Bradley Sowell
Out: Cameron Bradfield, Rob Crisp, John Fullington, Jon Halapio, Antoine McCain, Anthony Steen.
Analysis: Offensive line has some real depth with Humphries, Larsen, Watford & Sowell. Cardinals excited about Crisp upside, an undrafted in free agent along with Steen could be option for the practice squad.
Defensive linemen (8)
In: Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker, Rodney Gunter, Cory Redding, Corey Peters, Ed Stinson, Matt Shaughnessy, Alameda Ta’amu.
Out: Josh Mauro, Xavier Williams
Analysis: Ta’amu goes into camp on the bubble, being healthy and in shape will go a long way. UDFA Williams will push Ta’amu for a roster spot, otherwise Williams is eligible for the practice squad. Mauro is sleeper to make the roster. Something to watch unfold in camp Shaughnessy moving from linebacker to defensive line.
Linebacker (9)
In: Alex Okafor, Lorenzo Alexander, Markus Golden, Kareem Martin, LaMarr Woodley, Sean Weatherspoon, Daryl Sharpton, Kevin Minter, Glenn Carson,
Out: Shaq Riddick, Kenny Demens, Alani Fua, Edwin Jackson, Andrae Kirk, Gabe Martin
Analysis: Woodley is on the bubble going into camp, low risk one-year deal. Riddick missed the entire off-season workouts, considering he’s a draft pick likely makes the roster but if he doesn’t show up in camp, more of practice squad player. Cardinals are intrigued by Fua (6’5, 234) & Gabe Martin.
Secondary (8)
In: Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers Justin Bethel, Tyrann Mathieu, Deone Bucannon, Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson, Jimmy Legree, Shaquille Richardson.
Out: Jimmy Legree, C.J. Roberts, Darren Woodard, Cariel Brooks, Damond Smith, Shaquille Richardson.
Analysis: Nine players in the secondary could change to 10 depending on the numbers game. Cardinals released Alfonzo Dennard a few before camp, he was on the bubble going into camp, 20 career starts in New England. Legree made a lot of plays in the off-season.
Specialist (3)
In: Mike Leach, Dave Zastudil, Chandler Catanzaro
Out: Drew Butler
Analysis: Zasty was healthy at the end of the season, Cardinals needed a roster spot, plus they missed him down the stretch including the post-season game.
As for the final 53-man roster going into the season, expect the Cardinals to continue to search the wavier wire for certain players & positions.
Here was my response on his blog:
MJ---Thanks for this roster projection! Please keep updating it! I've called the show a couple of times (Mitch from Foxborough)---it is great to talk Cardinals with you, as always.
I think you make a good move by keeping 2 QBs and 1 on PS---as you know, roster spots this year are going to be very valuable.
The selections that I have question marks with:
RB Stepfan Taylor---like you said, he needs to be more productive. But, I think BA might keep 4 RBs and 6 WRs so he doesn't risk losing J.J. Nelson off waivers. I think you are spot-on about Brittan Golden making it this year.
T Bradley Sowell---with D.J. Humphries being able to play LT and RT, and with Earl Watford being able to swing to RT if need be, Sowell is going to have a hard time making the roster. In addition, I think Anthony Steen is going to turn some heads and make a good case for the roster.
NT Alameda Ta'amu---BA has mentioned playing Ed Stinson some at NT behind starter Corey Peters. Gunter is a big body to help inside as well, if need be. I think you are correct about Josh Mauro being a sleeper---I think that not only will he make the roster, he will be active on game days on STs and as a rotation option at DE.
LBs Daryl Sharpton---I can't see him making it over Gabe Martin or Alani Fua, unless they or Weatherspoon are injured. Glenn Carson has a good chance, I agree with you---but if Martin and Fua have good camps, Carson might be headed back to the PS, if he clears waivers (very likely). I think Kenny Demens and Andrae Kirk might surprise. And I wonder about Lorenzo Alexander---I get the locker room leadership, but he's not been anywhere near the STs player he was in Washington. And he doesn't factor into the defensive rotations. He says he's healthy now, but it's been three years of sub-par play from him. If Zach Wagenmann or Shaq Riddick flashes edge rush pressure, Alexander might not be a lock.I like Wags---reminds me some of Clay Matthews.
CB Shaquille Richardson---you are lsiting 9 DBs instead of 8 and both Jimmy Legree and Richardson are listed as roster guys and waiver guys. You don't mention S Chris Clemons anywhere and I think that because he can play a role in sub packages at a cover safety, he's got a decent chance. It may come down to Legree and Clemons. Two possible sleepers: CB C.J. Roberts and S Harold Jones-Quartey.
bringin up his name should be 2 wks for you lol 
