Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. The common denominator of the the three UFA signings of C/G Al Johnson, FS Terrence Holt and CB Roderick Hood: young players with 4-5 years of NFL experience. The philosophy is a sound one to sign players who are ready to emerge as solid, productive performers.
2. The questions are (with regard to the limited cap space to sign UFAs): (1) why a center (at $7m the first year) and not an offensive tackle?...particularly in light of tendering C Nick Leckey at $1.3M...which, if both remain at center, the Cardinals are alloting $8.3M of the cap on the center position...has to be an NFL record allotment for centers, by far. (2) why a free safety and not an outside linebacker?...particularly in light of the handsome contract extension the Cardinals gave to FS Aaron Francisco.
3. Good news: the players who have been added are coming in to compete for starting jobs...and comeptition for starting jobs will be a focal point of the upcoming mini-camps, training camp and pre-season. This is what the team needs...because competition at all positions will only make the team stronger and it will make it imperative for players to come to camp in great shape if they want to win starting jobs.
4. Interesting thought: Is T Levi Brown a better fit for Whiz's system than T Joe Thomas? Whiz loves big maulers at tackle to propel the physical style of offensive line play in order to help produce a formidible running attack. Brown is the best run blocking tackle in the draft...Thomas is more of a finesse tackle, who is more adept at pass blocking on an island. But, according to the scouts, Brown's footwork in pass blocking will no longer be an issue once he's coached properly, because Brown does have quick feet, he just lacks consistent technique.
Trusting the pundits is tempting...but...every year there are late first, second and third round surprises who wind up out-playing the elite prospects...
In light of this notion and in light of the proto-typical offensive linemen the Steelers have always been adept at drafting...I would be willing to bet you that the offensive lineman in this draft that Whiz and Grimm would like to have more that any other is T/G Justin Blalock of Texas. Blalock fits the Steeler mold to a tee.
The Cards would have to trade up from #38 to select Blalock, who is likely to go in the 24-34 range. But...don't be too shocked if Pittsburgh takes him at #15.
5. Interesting thought II: Edgerrin James is not the downhill-type RB Whiz likes for his offense. One has to wonder what will become of Edge this year, especially if Whiz finds a Willie Parker type RB who will hit the holes with a burst.
6. With Terrence Holt's signing...if Holt appears to have the edge over Aaron Francisco as the starting FS, I would love to see the coaches have Francisco challenge Antrel Rolle for the starting LCB position. Francisco was signed as a CB out of BYU and is no stranger to the position. He has better wheels than Rolle and is just as sudden a run forcer and tackler.
7. Why in the world hasn't an OLB been coveted? Are the Cardinals really expecting to find their starter at SLB in the second or third round of this draft?
It's not a particularly good or deep draft for linebackers to begin with...in fact, only one LB looks like a first round lock: MLB Patrick Willis of Mississippi. Paul Posluszny, Lawrence Timmons and Jon Beason are projected as late first, early second rounders. The Cardinals may be able to draft one of them at #38...but PFW has Willis going to SF at #11, Posluszny to NO at #27 and Timmons to BAL at #29...and if this is somewhat accurate, it's likely that Beason will be well gone by #38...
I would venture to say that no other linebackers in this draft are ready to jump in as bona fide, productive starters.
2. The questions are (with regard to the limited cap space to sign UFAs): (1) why a center (at $7m the first year) and not an offensive tackle?...particularly in light of tendering C Nick Leckey at $1.3M...which, if both remain at center, the Cardinals are alloting $8.3M of the cap on the center position...has to be an NFL record allotment for centers, by far. (2) why a free safety and not an outside linebacker?...particularly in light of the handsome contract extension the Cardinals gave to FS Aaron Francisco.
3. Good news: the players who have been added are coming in to compete for starting jobs...and comeptition for starting jobs will be a focal point of the upcoming mini-camps, training camp and pre-season. This is what the team needs...because competition at all positions will only make the team stronger and it will make it imperative for players to come to camp in great shape if they want to win starting jobs.
4. Interesting thought: Is T Levi Brown a better fit for Whiz's system than T Joe Thomas? Whiz loves big maulers at tackle to propel the physical style of offensive line play in order to help produce a formidible running attack. Brown is the best run blocking tackle in the draft...Thomas is more of a finesse tackle, who is more adept at pass blocking on an island. But, according to the scouts, Brown's footwork in pass blocking will no longer be an issue once he's coached properly, because Brown does have quick feet, he just lacks consistent technique.
Trusting the pundits is tempting...but...every year there are late first, second and third round surprises who wind up out-playing the elite prospects...
In light of this notion and in light of the proto-typical offensive linemen the Steelers have always been adept at drafting...I would be willing to bet you that the offensive lineman in this draft that Whiz and Grimm would like to have more that any other is T/G Justin Blalock of Texas. Blalock fits the Steeler mold to a tee.
The Cards would have to trade up from #38 to select Blalock, who is likely to go in the 24-34 range. But...don't be too shocked if Pittsburgh takes him at #15.
5. Interesting thought II: Edgerrin James is not the downhill-type RB Whiz likes for his offense. One has to wonder what will become of Edge this year, especially if Whiz finds a Willie Parker type RB who will hit the holes with a burst.
6. With Terrence Holt's signing...if Holt appears to have the edge over Aaron Francisco as the starting FS, I would love to see the coaches have Francisco challenge Antrel Rolle for the starting LCB position. Francisco was signed as a CB out of BYU and is no stranger to the position. He has better wheels than Rolle and is just as sudden a run forcer and tackler.
7. Why in the world hasn't an OLB been coveted? Are the Cardinals really expecting to find their starter at SLB in the second or third round of this draft?
It's not a particularly good or deep draft for linebackers to begin with...in fact, only one LB looks like a first round lock: MLB Patrick Willis of Mississippi. Paul Posluszny, Lawrence Timmons and Jon Beason are projected as late first, early second rounders. The Cardinals may be able to draft one of them at #38...but PFW has Willis going to SF at #11, Posluszny to NO at #27 and Timmons to BAL at #29...and if this is somewhat accurate, it's likely that Beason will be well gone by #38...
I would venture to say that no other linebackers in this draft are ready to jump in as bona fide, productive starters.
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