Monday Musings

[Pariah]

It definitely doesn't make any sense. It's like they picked names out of a hat.

 

[Mitch]

It definitely doesn't make any sense. It's like they picked names out of a hat.

Exactly...all credibility has been shattered. Freeeking Cardinals...can't they just get a HC who really gets it? This is an embarrasment of epic proportions...from what they paid for underachieving Al Johnson and Mike Gandy...to now putting a player in Gandy who is a maginal tackle as ML's blindside protector...to Reggie Wells, the team's weakest run blocker in at LG. It's freeking surreal...and, like I said, a first-rate embarrassment and a perpetution of the kind of coaching and management incompetence that has plagued this organization for eons.

 

[Zeno]

Let me just say that I am in a full-blown panic mode now that the starting o-line has been reported. All my hopes for S LaRon Landry, whom I consider to be the best player in this draft, are dashed.

I am all about Levi Brown at #5 and the best guard prospect on the board at #38...be it Justin Blalock (Texas), Josh Beekman (BC), Ben Grubbs (Auburn) or Arron Sears (Tennessee).

There's NO way we win the reported o-line. No way.

This is a mind-altering day for me. I now have zero faith in the HC...IF...what's been reported is indeed true.

Sorry...panic mode has set in big-time.

I can't say I am in full blown panic mode, I can say I am not too happy. If that is the OLine (or even 3/5 of the OLine) that is going to start the season we have serious issues. My biggest beefs are starting Gandy and moving Wells. As of now Ross would have to be listed as the starter at OT--until we draft his replacement. I just can't believe that Wells at OG is better than Milford Brown or Gandy at RT is better than Reggie Wells (I have my doubts about Johnson being better than Leckey too but I saw that coming).

At this point it elicits a from me because I can't honestly believe the coaching staff is that stupid. Things HAVE to change.

Oh well, at least they are giving us more to talk about than just the draft

 

[Pariah]

This is an embarrasment of epic proportions...

Before I go that far, I'll wait to see what combination is put on the field come opening day.

But, if it's this +a draft pick, you're right.

 

[ajcardfan]

Exactly...all credibility has been shattered. Freeeking Cardinals...can't they just get a HC who really gets it? This is an embarrasment of epic proportions...from what they paid for underachieving Al Johnson and Mike Gandy...to now putting a player in Gandy who is a maginal tackle as ML's blindside protector...to Reggie Wells, the team's weakest run blocker in at LG. It's freeking surreal...and, like I said, a first-rate embarrassment and a perpetution of the kind of coaching and management incompetence that has plagued this organization for eons.

Don't worry Mitch! Once you see our list of UDFA rookies, you'll be back on the kool-aid!

 

[BullheadCardFan]

It's freeking surreal...and, like I said, a first-rate embarrassment and a perpetution of the kind of coaching and management incompetence that has plagued this organization for eons.

And I thought these guys knew what they were doing .. but I am not in a panic mood .. just disappointed .. again ..

Do they really see something in these guys that we don't .. ?? have I been blind watching all the games .. ?? was the coaching that bad .. ??

More ?'s than answers for now ..

 

[AZCB34]

Exactly...all credibility has been shattered. Freeeking Cardinals...can't they just get a HC who really gets it? This is an embarrasment of epic proportions...from what they paid for underachieving Al Johnson and Mike Gandy...to now putting a player in Gandy who is a maginal tackle as ML's blindside protector...to Reggie Wells, the team's weakest run blocker in at LG. It's freeking surreal...and, like I said, a first-rate embarrassment and a perpetution of the kind of coaching and management incompetence that has plagued this organization for eons.

I think a deep breath would be a good thing here Mitch.

OK, now that we have gotten you going towards your happy place, I think you may have gone off the deep end on this a little too far. I think there is cause for concern to be sure with this report but I am hopeful the true OL will shake itself out by the time TC starts...yes the coaches will have wasted precious time trying to make the square pegs fit into the round holes but I gotta hope the right guys land in the right positions.

I never thought Whis was anything remotely close to a good talent evaluator...he is supposed to be an offensive genius not a GM in the making. I have to question Grimm on this one though. PAriah is mostly right on this one...seems like they drew names out of the hat.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Exactly...all credibility has been shattered. Freeeking Cardinals...can't they just get a HC who really gets it? This is an embarrasment of epic proportions...from what they paid for underachieving Al Johnson and Mike Gandy...to now putting a player in Gandy who is a maginal tackle as ML's blindside protector...to Reggie Wells, the team's weakest run blocker in at LG. It's freeking surreal...and, like I said, a first-rate embarrassment and a perpetution of the kind of coaching and management incompetence that has plagued this organization for eons.

Geez!

Get a grip and spare us the gibbering hysterics based on an "if" a radio report is accurate.

 

[spanky1]

Mitch,

Peter King over at SI has an interesting report on the difficulty of trading down in the year of cap reality.

This is why, I really think that Detroit stays at #2......and passes on Joe Thomas (you have summarized their incumbent OT's, which are two decent OT's IMO) on their roster and they won't pay #2 money for Thomas. They will take a QB at #2.....and I'm guessing Quinn over Russell.

Oakland passed on Carr and Harrington.....yet they are rumored to be talking to Detroit about McCown. Strange IMO. I can see Calvin Johnson in Oakland as their #1 pick, but only if they get rid of Moss. Otherwise, Russell is the pick.

Cleveland have to go with AP. They need him and he could be a future Pro-Bowler very quickly.

Tampa Bay will not even blink for a NY minute if Gaines Adams is available at #4. Simeon Rice (like Bertrand Berry, is in the twilight years).

Thomas will be ours if we want him....and any talk of Gandy as a starter will be totally forgotten....Thomas as a RT and Wells as a LT....that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[JeffGollin]

Assuming our coaches are realists and not Kool Aid drinkers, I'll predict right now that - regardless of who they have penciled in today on the O-line, our O-line on opening day will look different.

The coaches will have ample opportunity to observe who is and isn't getting the job done and (true to Russ Grimm's early statement) will put the best 5 guys (in the best combination) on the field.

The only thing about this that makes me nervous is the potential loss of "jell time" while the coaches play mix & match in order to arrive at the right combo of players/positions.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Oakland passed on Carr and Harrington.....yet they are rumored to be talking to Detroit about McCown. Strange IMO. .

I agree ... how can McCown be of help to that club when they are going to be running the west coast offense ..??? it relys on short accurate passes and quick decisions .. none of which are his strengths ...

 

[EndZone]

My thoughts are that Whiz is just putting a starting lineup out there, using who was starting lastyear and putting in one of the new guys at RT where Davis was. Once practice starts Whiz's guys will be in there and we have have the O-Line that most of us are currently thinking should be the starters.

 

[BigRedArk]

I still say the F.O. should have tagged Big. We should be starting the season with the same OL (barring injury of course) that we ended with last year. The new staff could then build on what seemed to be some cohesive play amongst them last year. I wonder when the last time was that the Cards started the season with the same OL that they finished with the previous year?

Unless of course the new staff thinks they can improve and exceed the performance of the OL in the last 6 games of 2006 by moving and inserting new and current players whereever they see fit.

Yeah I know Big has his warts but he could have been kept for another year and then let Whis and Grimm groom his replacement. Oh well it's water under the bridge now.

 

[vinnymac]

1. Thus far the thing that has impressed me the most about Ken Whisenhunt is that with him the words and the music seem to match...in other words, he says that he wants to employ a physcial smashmouth running game, and then he goes and signs two interior linemen in Al Johnson and Mike Gandy who have the ability to be physical run blockers, and then he goes and signs a hard-nosed blocking FB in Terrell Smith.

Whiz said that the free agent signings would be to create depth and competition for starting jobs...and one must concur that this is exactly what he's done...and in the process he's helped make the special teams, a long-time Cardinal weakness, a potential strength this year by adding Sean Morey to a group that includes Aaron Francisco, Hanik Milligan, Marcel Shipp, Monty Beisel and Roderick Hood. Great stuff there.

However...if what was reported on the radio this morning is accurate...that the starting offensive line heading into minicamp is LT-Ross, LG-Wells, C-Johnson, RG-Lutui and RT Gandy...Whiz's credibility must now fall into serious question. Had Whiz deemed Gandy the starting LG and kept Wells as the starting RT, fine. But...to return the team's weakest interior run blocker to the all-important position of LG is simply asinine---there's no better way to put it, really.

We saw first hand that Milford Brown played the left guard postion with far more pop and power than the way Wells did. We also saw first hand that Wells was by far the best RT the Cardinals have tried there in recent memory (which isn't saying all that much---but still, Wells was solid there). So, what is up with all of this?

Whiz should know the importance of the LG position, especially for teams that want to run the ball. For years, Whiz had his best and most physical interior blocker at LG in Alan Faneca---just the mere thought of Whiz coming to the conclusion that Reggie Wells belongs at LG is preposterous.

I am feeling shocked and, quite frankly, disillusioned...and I echo the sentiments of my fellow posters who said: "same ol' same ol'---some things never seem to change."

Also, has Whiz watched any of the Buffalo films to see that Gandy is stronger inside than out? Has he watched the last five game tapes on Milford Brown? Did he watch the first four game tapes of Reggie Wells at LG? Don't try to con us with excuses like, the players were missing assignments. Anyone could see that Reggie Wells was getting overpowered at LG. Anyone.

2. Draft Updates:

#1. Oakland quietly brought local QB prospect Trent Edwards (Stanford) in for a visit this past week and is thinking about taking Edwards at #33, thus giving them the go-ahead to take WR Calvin Johnson. Edwards told the local media following his visit that he feels he is "very much in the mix" in Oakland. Oakland has been in conversations with the Lions about acquiring Josh McCown. Both situations would indicate that Johnson is their #1 pick.

#2. Detroit has indicated that T Joe Thomas is their pick, but that they would like to trade down with Tampa Bay should Oakland go with Russell. What's somewhat curious about Detroit wanting Thomas is that they would appear to be set at the tackles positions already having Jeff Backus (a player they franchised last year--who is only heading into his 7th year and has been about as durable as they come)...and having acquired RT George Foster from the Broncos to solidify their greatest need at RT.

Because QB's Russell and Quinn may both be on the board at #2...the Lions may have some suitors for their #2 pick...but it won't be Tampa Bay.

If the Lions do stay and take Joe Thomas...might the Cardinals try to trade for Jeff Backus or George Foster? Backus is certainly the more physical and he's a LT, which is what they need most. But Foster is a 5th year player with pretty solid talent.

Or--will the Cardinals decide to go after T Levi Brown instead, either by reaching for him at #5 or trading down a few spots and taking him there? With the chance that one of the two QBs may be still on the board when the Cardinals pick, they might get a taker for a trade down.

#3. The Browns are saying that they don't want to draft a QB here. It's likely that they will decide between RB Adrian Peterson and DE Gaines Adams. With RB Jamal Lewis signed for only one year (and Droughns traded away)--Peterson will be the pick here. Count on it.

#4. Tampa Bay, in this scenario, would have its phones rining because both QBs are still on the board. Gruden loves drafting QBs...but...he's got some major holes to fill on his defense. If he stays put and doesn't draft a QB...the Cardinals would be sitting at #5 with--in all likelihood--a few offers to trade down with teams that would want to hop on Russell or Quinn.

So...here's the question of the day...if the scenario plays out that this is the way the first four picks go...and you have to stay put at #5 because the trade offers aren't good enough, who do you pick if you are the Cardinals?

#1. OAK: Johnson, WR

#2. DET: Thomas, T

#3. CLE: Peterson, RB

#4. TB: Adams, DE

#5 ARI: Options:

The stay put options to take:

a) Brown, T
b) Landry, S
c) Okoye, DT
d) Anderson, DT
e) Branch, DT
f) Ginn, WR
g) Willis, LB

I'll offer my pick and the rationale in a few minutes.

Imo the first 5 picks are

Raiders- Russell
Lions- Quinn
Browns-Peterson
Bucs- Johnson
Cardinals-Adams/Thomas

If the cardinals have total faith in there FA signings, then are going to draft Adams. If not, they will draft Thomas.


Now sticking to your scenario Mitch:

I believe the phones are going to be ringing off the hook in the cardinal's war room for Quinn and Russell. I believe Miami will come up with a better trade offer. The cardinals will trade down with Miami and the cardinals will pick Okoye/Brown. Okoye if the cardinals have faith in there free agent signings.

 

[JeffGollin]

...if what was reported on the radio this morning is accurate...that the starting offensive line heading into minicamp is LT-Ross, LG-Wells, C-Johnson, RG-Lutui and RT Gandy...Whiz's credibility must now fall into serious question.
I still maintain the timing of that little bit of info is somewhat suspect.

I believe that Whisenhunt is using the lineup at the first minicamp to signal other NFL teams that - because he's establishing a starting O-line unit - the Cards don't plan to draft Thomas or L Jones with their first pick. (Motive - there'd be less reason for another team coveting Thomas to trade up above #5 to get him).

What gives it away is the insertion of Gandy at RT as a replacement for Wells. Gandy did not establish himself at tackle for the Bills. Wells did a pretty good job protecting Leinart's blind side. So why make this move?

Logical answer: Because the Cards, in fact, do plan to draft Thomas (or L Jones) and would immediately slot him at RT.

By moving Wells to a new position early, the other four positions are kept intact, with Gandy being the only odd man out. Presumably, because of his versatility, he'd be available to push Ross or Wells for a starting spot or keep the seat warm for Thomas (or Jones) until he earned the right to start.

Bottom line, I think the Cards have too high a regard for Wells to leave him at RT only to get displaced by a rookie later in the preseason. Better to get him comfortable in a different spot as early as possible.

(Note - While (if I'm right) my main concern is that Wells didn't run block very well when he was originally at LG, the Cards always have the option of moving him outside to compete with Ross at LT or back to RT to push, replace or backup our rookie).

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I believe that Whisenhunt is using the lineup at the first minicamp to signal other NFL teams that - because he's establishing a starting O-line unit - the Cards don't plan to draft Thomas orL Jones with their first pick.

Logical answer: Because the Cards, in fact, do plan to draft Thomas (or L Jones) and would immediately slot him at RT.

he'd be available to push Ross or Wells for a starting spot or keep the seat warm for Thomas (or Jones) until he earned the right to start.

Jeff ...

Who is Jones .. ??

Do you mean Levi Brown .. ???