My Initial Hopes For The Offseason.

[CardShark]

I hope we sign 2 free agents. Alan Faneca to solidify the o-line and Justin Fargas to take some of the load off of Edge. It would be even better if we could sign Micheal Turner but I think that's a pipe dream.

As for the draft, I really think we need to put defense on the front burner and need a DE that can rotate in with Berry and 2 corners that can cover with speed. I would make all 3 first day picks with that in mind.
So here are my draft picks with profiles provided by http://walterfootball.com/draft2008DE.php



#1. DE Quentin Groves, Auburn
Height: 6-4. Weight: 254.
40 Time: 4.43.
Projected Round: Top 25 Pick.
I have no idea why everyone's so down on Quentin Groves, yet so high on Derrick Harvey. They're the same size. Groves is quicker. He gets more sacks. He struggled in 2007 and had to play outside linebacker a bit because of a nagging foot injury, but he should be ready to go by the Combine. And speaking of the Combine, Groves is going to put up great numbers. If he runs a low 4.4, there's no way he won't be drafted in the first round.

A 3-4 rusher, but can also play the 4-3. Size and speed very similar to Harvey's. Notched 9.5 sacks in 2006.


#2. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 182.
40 Time: 4.37.
Projected Round: 2.
A tall corner who runs a 4.3 is pretty rare. Getting one that picks off six passes in a season is like finding the Loch Ness Monster.



#3. CB Dwight Lowery, San Jose State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 185.
40 Time: 4.38.
Projected Round: 3.
An interception machine, Dwight Lowery led the nation with nine picks in 2006 after registering 13 in 15 games at a Junior College.


#4. WR Steve Johnson, Kentucky
Height: 6-3. Weight: 198.
40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2009): 4.
With Andre Caldwell getting all of the attention, Steve Johnson quietly garnered 61 receptions, 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns. With solid speed at his size, Johnson could go in the fourth round or earlier.


#5. RB Ryan Torain, Arizona State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 213.
40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round: 5.
Compiled 1,229 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2006.


#6. WR Bruce Hocker, Duquesne
Height: 6-4. Weight: 205.
40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round: 5.
A prospect who will skyrocket if he has another great year like he did in 2006 (61 receptions, 1,070 yards, 16 TDs). He was simply a man amongst boys in I-AA. Check out Bruce Hocker's height and 40 time.


#7. LB/DE Andy Studebaker, Wheaton
Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round: 5.
An intriguing prospect out of Wheaton. I've never seen Andy Studebaker play, but if he runs a 4.4 at 245 pounds, he's worth checking out.


I'm hoping that Hocker and Studebaker drop to us in the 6th and 7th rounds.

What do you guys think?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I think that Cromartie is going to shoot up the draft boards around the combine time, and may even be a late 1st round pick. I would grab him if he is in the 2nd.

I like the Lowery pick too.

Not sure about Groves in the 1st though.

 

[CardLogic]

What do you guys think?

That would be a pretty solid draft. I take it you are assuming that the Cardinals strengthen the OL during FA...

 

[CardShark]

I think that Cromartie is going to shoot up the draft boards around the combine time, and may even be a late 1st round pick. I would grab him if he is in the 2nd.

I like the Lowery pick too.

Not sure about Groves in the 1st though.

I also thought of going CB in round 1 and De in round 2.

CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy State (12/28)
Height: 5-11. Weight: 187.
40 Time: 4.38.
Projected Round: Top 20 Pick.
Leodis McKelvin has developed into a solid corner after given up for dead by scouts. He'll be used as a return specialist as well.


CB Antoine Cason, Arizona (11/17)
Height: 6-0. Weight: 182.
40 Time: 4.39.
Projected Round: Top 25 Pick.
Antoine Cason moves up the rankings after dominating the Oregon Ducks.

Considered on the same tier as Leon Hall and Darrelle Revis before he pulled himself out of the 2007 Draft, Antoine Cason has picked off 10 passes in three years at Arizona. Cason has similar attributes as Hall, who was drafted 18th by Cincinnati.


DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
Height: 6-5. Weight: 270.
40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round: 1-2.
Phillip Merling has declared for the 2008 NFL Draft.

Merling, who recorded three sacks as a sophomore, started his junior campaign brilliantly by accumulating eight tackles, a sack and a forced fumble against Florida State.



DE Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-5. Weight: 258.
40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round: 2.
You have to like the speed that comes with his size. Can play both the 4-3 and 3-4. Had six sacks in 2005 but saw that total drop to 4.5 in 2006.

 

[CardShark]

That would be a pretty solid draft. I take it you are assuming that the Cardinals strengthen the OL during FA...

With Faneca. Starks would be nice as well.

 

[joeshmo]

Groves isnt as highly rated becuase some scouts think he is more of an athlete then a football player. He has never had double digit sacks, and isnt all that good with the tackles for loss either. His work ethic and motor have also bee questioned and him dropping out of the senior bowl at the very last minute didnt not help him in that area. All of that is correctable but I can see why he isnt as high on the list as Harvey who is known to have a motor and produced more.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

i like the draft. Groves may be the weakest pick in the bunch but all those guys bring alot of much needed speed.

 

[earthsci]

Groves isnt as highly rated becuase some scouts think he is more of an athlete then a football player. He has never had double digit sacks, and isnt all that good with the tackles for loss either. His work ethic and motor have also bee questioned and him dropping out of the senior bowl at the very last minute didnt not help him in that area. All of that is correctable but I can see why he isnt as high on the list as Harvey who is known to have a motor and produced more.

If this is true I don't want him.

Hmm, so far we have Groves with a bad motor and ethic, Harvey who is weak holding up against the run, and Campbell who needs to fill out his frame and will be a project. But we need an OLB/DE so we'll draft one of these guys and they will be ready to help us when?

 

[football karma]

I dunno

i watched Groves in the Auburn bowl game and he was invisible. No effort. When the ball ran away from him, he stood up and just kinda jogged in the direction of the ball carrier.

One game doesnt make a complete scouting report, but it sure changed my mind.

The guys I want are the guys who perform (or at a minimum, try the most) during the biggest games.

 

[CardShark]

Of course all of this is before we learn more about these players. Harvey just might be a better choice than Groves, but here is another viewpoint on Groves.


http://www.realfootball365.com/college/articles/2008/01/auburn_tigers_nfl_draft_bio_qu.html

Quentin Groves is the first Auburn player since running backs Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams to have a shot at breaking the top 10 in the NFL draft. Why?

Well, he has the speed you want in an outside linebacker at the next level (4.46 in the 40). He also the pass-rushing skills, including a very strong first step. Besides, Groves has been productive in a tough league. For reinforcement, here are his numbers over the past three college football seasons:

2005: 21 tackles and six sacks.
2006: 37 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
2007: 38 tackles and three sacks (injuries hampered Groves' stats).

Further, Groves is No. 1 in sacks in Auburn history and the current leader in college football. As was indicated earlier, he has an amazing initial burst which will help him on Sundays, as will the fact that he has played against stellar SEC competition. That said, he is coming off of a foot injury; no matter how minor, that may work against him. In addition, he has been somewhat inconsistent during his career.

The good thing, of course, is that Groves always seems to play well in big games. Therefore, at least when the Tigers have needed him, he's come through.

In the end, Groves should definitely be a first-round draft choice this April. Will he break the top 10 as some have predicted?

Probably not. But figure on Groves going somewhere in the top 20. He should make someone's pass rush significantly better.

 

[DaisyCutter]

It looks like it's going to be a shame that there's going to be a mini-hole in quality at the defensive positions where a lot of people are going to want us to draft in the first round. If Jenkins if off the board, we'll likely have to reach a little bit to fill areas of need at DE/OLB or CB.

That might be the best argument for taking a RB in Stewart. He might be the BPA in that instance.

 

[Matt L]

Does anyone think that a team might want to trade up to our spot for a Jonathan Stewart or Mendenhall or anyone else?

I would love a trade down for an additional third and a pick in next year's draft.

 

[Skkorpion]

If this is true I don't want him.

Hmm, so far we have Groves with a bad motor and ethic, Harvey who is weak holding up against the run, and Campbell who needs to fill out his frame and will be a project. But we need an OLB/DE so we'll draft one of these guys and they will be ready to help us when?

Priceless, earthsci, priceless. Thank you.

And people will go on merrily quoting the "experts" who always, always, always leave themselves a back door by saying something negative about every prospect they like, just in case a kid busts.

Gawd I love this stuff. Bashing 'em is as much fun as quotin' 'em.

The very best threads are the ones where posters line up, toe to toe, mano a mano, and hurl conflicting "experts" opinions at each other, supplemented with gobs of supporting or denigrating stats.

Carry on boys, carry on. Other than liking Matt Ryan as the #1 overall pick, I have neither the gonads nor the ability to make intelligent choices for us or any other team.

Don't any draftniks get insulted, please. I trust every one of you to make better informed choices for the Cards than any of the experts will.

And so far, every cards mock posted here has had a good logical foundation to it, in my opinion.

Just bear with my bashing the clowns who make herd decisions based on 15 mns of video highlights.

 

[CardShark]

Harvey, Derrick : Defensive End
http://www.draftseason.com/index2.php?Page_Name=PlayerProfile2&id=803

Full Name : Harvey, Derrick
College : Florida
Height: 6'5
Weight : 250 lbs.
Position : Defensive End
NFL Comp : Kyle Vanden Bosch - Titans
BIO:
Harvey is a pass rushing demon who has been terrorizing quarterbacks for 3 seasons as a Gator. He has a plethora of excellent pass rushing moves, uses his hands well, and has a powerful burst out of his stance. Though he needs to improve against he run, Harvey is a sure fire first rounder.


Groves, Quentin : Defensive End
http://www.draftseason.com/index2.php?Page_Name=PlayerProfile2&id=763

Full Name : Groves, Quentin
College : Auburn
Height: 6'3
Weight : 254 lbs.
Position : Defensive End
NFL Comp : Darren Howard - Eagles
BIO:
Groves is a sack master who can play defensive end or outside linebacker. He is a student of the game and is very quick off the snap, and uses his hands well. He is just a disruptive force off the edge, and should be considered in the first or early second round.



Merling, Phillip : Defensive End
http://www.draftseason.com/index2.php?Page_Name=PlayerProfile2&id=829

Full Name : Merling, Phillip
College : Clemson
Height: 6'5
Weight : 280 lbs.
Position : Defensive End
NFL Comp : Antwan Odom - Titans
BIO:
Merling is a defensive end prospect who spends a lot of time in opponents backfields. He has a good sized frame, is also solid vs. the run and gets off the snap quickly. Merling will be at the top of the 2nd tier of defensive ends this year.

 

[shoe]

If we could get Donnie Avery in the second round it would be a done deal..........this is a true speedster that would compliment Q and Fitz ...I believe the D is closer then we all think...Draft best RB(Mendenhall)then Avery

 

[Skkorpion]

If we could get Donnie Avery in the second round it would be a done deal..........this is a true speedster that would compliment Q and Fitz ...I believe the D is closer then we all think...Draft best RB(Mendenhall)then Avery

shoe, 44 posts since 2003, welcome back. Long time no read. Funny how the draft brings members back for a visit.

 

[WisconsinCard]

shoe, 44 posts since 2003, welcome back. Long time no read. Funny how the draft brings members back for a visit.

I dig the avatar too. That's old school...