New Trends in Drafting???

[JeffGollin]

I haven't thought this through entirely, but here's what popped into my head:

Newer offensive schemes seem to stress getting favorable one on one matchups in the open field.

I'm wondering whether this elevates "reliable one-on-one open field tackling" to a higher priority when drafting defensive players. Should it be a Cardinal priority?

 

[Mitch]

I haven't thought this through entirely, but here's what popped into my head:

Newer offensive schemes seem to stress getting favorable one on one matchups in the open field.

I'm wondering whether this elevates "reliable one-on-one open field tackling" to a higher priority when drafting defensive players. Should it be a Cardinal priority?

Absolutely, Jeff. Right on the money.

Good safeties are in higher demand---

And so are fast playmakers on offense.

For example---even though WR Tavon Austin of West Virginia is only 5-9, 176...he will rise quickly up the draft boards.

Look at what WR T.Y, Hilton, 5-9, 183, has done for the Colts as a rookie.

50/861/7 TDs

 

[Superfuzz]

God i would love to have Tavon Austin. Whens the last time we had that kind of speed on offense?

 

[perivolaki]

I haven't thought this through entirely, but here's what popped into my head:

Newer offensive schemes seem to stress getting favorable one on one matchups in the open field.

I'm wondering whether this elevates "reliable one-on-one open field tackling" to a higher priority when drafting defensive players. Should it be a Cardinal priority?

I agree too.

One only has to look in our own back yard at ASU to see a player like Marion Grice.

I think a kid like this who can both effectively run the ball and catch the ball out of the backfield put tremendous pressure on defenses.

You can come out in a normal set or formation and run the ball. But with players like Grice it's almost like having another reciever in the game.

When he's in the game do you adjust your defense to stop the run or do you risk finding yourself with a linebacker or safety trying to cover him.

Not only do I think this elevates tackling ability but also versitility. Having a player that has enough size to be able to come up and help on the run game but can also cover will be more and more of a priority and I think the Cardinals do need to take it into consideration.

 

[CardsFan88]

Glad we got flemming then.

 

[Duckjake]

I haven't thought this through entirely, but here's what popped into my head:

Newer offensive schemes seem to stress getting favorable one on one matchups in the open field.

I'm wondering whether this elevates "reliable one-on-one open field tackling" to a higher priority when drafting defensive players. Should it be a Cardinal priority?

An excellent point Jeff. You would think that after several years of the spread offenses DBs would be coming into the NFL with good open field tackling skills. But they aren't. The open field tackling in college remains poor and that's why the scores are 55-42 in the spread conferences.

It makes me wonder if teaching those tackling skills isn't extremely difficult.

Of course its the way the game is refereed in college that allow the spread offenses to work. Allowing offensive players to grab and hold defenders jerseys and pads at the shoulder and not allowing any contact more than 5 yards down field by defenders.

Fortunately the NFL refs don't allow that type of grab and turn by offensive players. Yet.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Austin would definitely make this offense more dangerous, and even a player like WR Goodwin, out of UT drafted later in the draft, instead can make an impact with his speed.

 

[WildBB]

Absolutely, Jeff. Right on the money.

Good safeties are in higher demand---

And so are fast playmakers on offense.

For example---even though WR Tavon Austin of West Virginia is only 5-9, 176...he will rise quickly up the draft boards.

Look at what WR T.Y, Hilton, 5-9, 183, has done for the Colts as a rookie.

50/861/7 TDs

I expect Tavon to go quickly in the 2nd.