Off season plan/ mock draft 2.0

[Cbus cardsfan]

If free agency starts, and I think it will, here's my to do list for the Cards:
re-sign:
Lutui- he's earned a new contract, and was the Cards best OL. I don't think Whiz is a big fan though.
Branch- kind of in the same boat as Lutui. I don't think Whiz is all that fond of him but he's finally playing well and has earned a 2nd contract.
Iwebema- Whiz likes him and he's a solid contributor if he can stay healthy.
THT- Whiz loves the guy, and he has earned a 2nd contract.
Sendlein: The Cards could use an upgrade at C but he has been overall solid.
Breaston-I would re-sign him but, as they say, there are bigger fish to fry. You can't re-sign everyone.

Outside Free agents brought in:
Marc Bulger- whether we like it or not, I think this is going to happen. Skelton goes back to the bench in a #2 role to get some more seasoning and takes over the following year.
Logan Mankins- Faneca's replacement. He brings some much needed nastiness to the OL and fills a tremendous hole. He's starting to inch up there in age but he's still a top level OG.
Stephen Tulloch-Most of us want David Harris or Woodley to be added to the LB corp but the Cards will probably only sign 1 expensive guy and that is Mankins. Tulloch has been a tackling machine for the Titans and even though they play 4-3, he could step into the SILB for the Cards.

Draft:
Round 1: Patrick Petrson, CB LSU- the best talent in the draft. He could start out at nickel back and punt returner. Wherever he plays he makes the Cards better and would team with Toler and DRC to give the Cards 3 big, extremely athletic CB's.
Round 2: Jeremy Beal OLB Okla- we don't sign Lamar Woodley but get a guy in the same mold but has more potential as a pass rusher. He's 6'3 267 and plays hard and fast.
Round 3:Matt Reynolds OT BYU- He could come in and start at RT from day 1. He's a little older, 24, than most rookies. he's 6'6 322 and very athletic. He's played at a very high level every year for BYU and has started since he was a freshman.
Round 4: Jon Moffit OG Wisky- he can also play C but this guy is about the best run blocking guard I have seen this year. Brings some more nastiness to the OL. I would an interior OL of Mankis, Moffit, Lutui.One of my favorite players in the draft.
Round 5: Sam Helu RB Neb- he's just the kind of guy you want on your team. He could be a good replacement for Jason Wright on special teams and be the Cards #3 back . He reminds me of a bigger Vai Sikahema.
Round 6: Greg McElroy QB Bama- another winner and the kind of guy want on your team. I think he's vastly underrated and will become a very good #2 QB and possibly be a number 1 down the road. Smart but needs to be a little more accurate.
Round 7: Charles Gantt TE Mich St.- A very good blocker and adequate receiver. Is another guy who brings a great attitude and will be in the NFL for years.

 

[Zeno]

Except for signing Bulger (who I think will be the 2007-2009 Bulger not 2006 Bulger) I like it.

The team will have a ton of money to spend--especially if Faneca & Porter are done here on top of the $30 million or whatever is sitting there now. A ton of holes to fill to be sure too.

 

[Goldfield]

I would be thrilled with that off-season. Not sure about Bulger.

 

[The Commish]

Agree with the above, and I don't think drafting Peterson makes sense. Doesn't matter how good our DBs are if we don't generate a pass rush.

 

[football karma]

in free agency-- lots of very capable tight ends look to be available.

I think the team needs to find a good one. For seemingly forever -- the Cardinal tight ends have been guys teams can cover with a linebacker and not worry about it.

 

[Rats]

Just say no to Bulger but I like everything else and would be happy with that offseason.

 

[Cardiac]

If we aren't taking a QB in rd 1 then I don't want one drafted.

I would rather get the pass rusher then the CB but will go with BPA strategy.

Gotta get a TE or 2 and would prefer to go the FA route.

Is there a quality LT avaible in FA this year? I'm done with Levi Brown at any OT position.

We have to get at least one quality LB in FA.

Bulger or McNabb look like the best options out there at this point. We do need to part ways with DA and a vet QB does need to be brought in. I'm not high on Kolb, especially since the Eagles want quality draft picks for him.

Buckybird (IIRC) has posted a couple of times recently that we need to do whatever it takes to get Luck. I agree with the caveat that if the FO falls in love with Mallet or Newton or?? then I can accept taking that route and saving some draft picks.

We don't have a pick in Rd7 but with the trade of Wells to the Eagles I think we have two picks in Rd6.

 

[football karma]

Buckybird (IIRC) has posted a couple of times recently that we need to do whatever it takes to get Luck. I agree with the caveat that if the FO falls in love with Mallet or Newton or?? then I can accept taking that route and saving some draft picks.

Its where I am at. The Giants paid the price to get the QB they wanted, and they won the SB three years later ( the point being: the extra #1 you give up doesn't necessarily set you back).

It would benefit the Cardinals to have Blaine Gabbert come out and wow at the Combine. You want Carolina thinking that they can get a QB they like just as much at #5 as they can at #1.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I like some of your thinking, but:

1) We need a LT more than a RT. Levi Brown isn't as good as Keith, and he'll be a free agent soon anyway. Why not go after a Matt Light (older, but experienced) or Jared Gaither (huge upside, but coming off an injury)? We have the money to spend, and will have ridiculous amounts if Porter and Faneca don't come back.

I advocate fixing this problem with free agency AND the draft. Bring in a new backup and proposed starter. Don't just fix it with a draft pick or free agency. LT for instance is so important that we need a good veteran AND a good young guy. Same with OLB if we stay with a 3-4. Woodley AND a young guy to go with Schofield, Davis, and Haggans (if he comes back). That way if the young guy doesn't pan out, you aren't screwed.

2) I just come out and say this: I'm not a Best Player Available guy. You may think this is crazy, but few teams actually follow this method. Most teams use the "Best Player Available at a Position of Need" approach. We have many needs; CB is a minor need, and as good as Peterson is, there are nearly equal prospects at other positions that would fill a major need.

QB, LT, LB are the positions you fill here. QB may not be the value that LT is. I know you like Moffit, but what about Gabe Carimi? He's going to shoot up draftboards in offseason workouts, he's a stud.

3) I think NE pays Mankins, he's an elite guard, one who would not be be easy to replace. Plus, I believe that Rex Hadnot is a capable player and will jump into the spot opened up by Faneca's retirement. Last season, Profootballfocus.com had Hadnot rated as one of the best guards in football, which makes the decision to sign Faneca more puzzling (and screams of cronyism). I don't think we need to bring in a high priced veteran here and we could use the money elsewhere.

4) Bulger is likely the guy, I think you're right here. That's scary, and I'd like someone who hasn't been absolutely terrible over his last 2-3 seasons...

 

[Cardiac]

Its where I am at. The Giants paid the price to get the QB they wanted, and they won the SB three years later ( the point being: the extra #1 you give up doesn't necessarily set you back).

It would benefit the Cardinals to have Blaine Gabbert come out and wow at the Combine. You want Carolina thinking that they can get a QB they like just as much at #5 as they can at #1.

Yep. I hope Gabbert and or Newton wows everyone at the combine.

 

[joeshmo]

Not a fan of Beal after going to the Fiesta Bowl. Note that I did not watch it on film or anything I was in the stands so that can skew things a bit. But while watching the game Uconn was running right at the guy all game long and it was working. They were picking on him. Don't think teams pick on guys that should be good.

 

[NJCardFan]

Lutui- he's earned a new contract, and was the Cards best OL. I don't think Whiz is a big fan though.

Because this is another player Green brought in. The purge continues.

 

[Mulli]

Because this is another player Green brought in. The purge continues.

Being the best Card OL, who cares...

 

[Krangodnzr]

Because this is another player Green brought in. The purge continues.

He also showed up in the offseason at 400 LBS!

It's perfectly reasonable and normal for coaches in the NFL to be pissed off at players that show they haven't been preparing for the season.

Lutui still hasn't met his potential IMO.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Not a fan of Beal after going to the Fiesta Bowl. Note that I did not watch it on film or anything I was in the stands so that can skew things a bit. But while watching the game Uconn was running right at the guy all game long and it was working. They were picking on him. Don't think teams pick on guys that should be good.

I didn't see the game but it's ahrd to judge a guy by one game. He's been very productive. They used to run at Simeon Rice and I'd take someone of his ability to rush the passer. I also like Justin Houston from UGA. I think Beal has a little more bulk and would, in the long haul, hold up better in the run game. BUt you never know. I would be happy with either.

 

[Gandhi]

I didn't see the game but it's ahrd to judge a guy by one game. He's been very productive. They used to run at Simeon Rice and I'd take someone of his ability to rush the passer. I also like Justin Houston from UGA. I think Beal has a little more bulk and would, in the long haul, hold up better in the run game. BUt you never know. I would be happy with either.

Cbus, I too think highly of Houston.

He is the highest rated player, who plays the 3-4 outside linebacker position exclusively (Von Miller is used as some sort of hybrid).

When Todd Grantham came over from Dallas, to be the defensive coordinator in Georgia, he brought the system with him, and Houston has really blossomed in it. 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, 67 tackles as well as 1 interception, 2 broken up passes and 2 forced fumbles tells the story.

Do you think there is any chance he will be available in the top of the second round?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Cbus, I too think highly of Houston.

He is the highest rated player, who plays the 3-4 outside linebacker position exclusively (Von Miller is used as some sort of hybrid).

When Todd Grantham came over from Dallas, to be the defensive coordinator in Georgia, he brought the system with him, and Houston has really blossomed in it. 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, 67 tackles as well as 1 interception, 2 broken up passes and 2 forced fumbles tells the story.

Do you think there is any chance he will be available in the top of the second round?

I think there's a great chance he's there but that could easily change. If he blows up the combine he'll likely be gone. I read something else on him, it was not only his impressive sack/TFL totals, but he also has something like 30+ QB pressures on top of that. That's pretty amazing.

 

[Snakester]

If free agency starts, and I think it will, here's my to do list for the Cards:
re-sign:
Lutui- he's earned a new contract, and was the Cards best OL. I don't think Whiz is a big fan though.
Branch- kind of in the same boat as Lutui. I don't think Whiz is all that fond of him but he's finally playing well and has earned a 2nd contract.
Iwebema- Whiz likes him and he's a solid contributor if he can stay healthy.
THT- Whiz loves the guy, and he has earned a 2nd contract.
Sendlein: The Cards could use an upgrade at C but he has been overall solid.
Breaston-I would re-sign him but, as they say, there are bigger fish to fry. You can't re-sign everyone.

Outside Free agents brought in:
Marc Bulger- whether we like it or not, I think this is going to happen. Skelton goes back to the bench in a #2 role to get some more seasoning and takes over the following year.
Logan Mankins- Faneca's replacement. He brings some much needed nastiness to the OL and fills a tremendous hole. He's starting to inch up there in age but he's still a top level OG.
Stephen Tulloch-Most of us want David Harris or Woodley to be added to the LB corp but the Cards will probably only sign 1 expensive guy and that is Mankins. Tulloch has been a tackling machine for the Titans and even though they play 4-3, he could step into the SILB for the Cards.

Draft:
Round 1: Patrick Petrson, CB LSU- the best talent in the draft. He could start out at nickel back and punt returner. Wherever he plays he makes the Cards better and would team with Toler and DRC to give the Cards 3 big, extremely athletic CB's.
Round 2: Jeremy Beal OLB Okla- we don't sign Lamar Woodley but get a guy in the same mold but has more potential as a pass rusher. He's 6'3 267 and plays hard and fast.
Round 3:Matt Reynolds OT BYU- He could come in and start at RT from day 1. He's a little older, 24, than most rookies. he's 6'6 322 and very athletic. He's played at a very high level every year for BYU and has started since he was a freshman.
Round 4: Jon Moffit OG Wisky- he can also play C but this guy is about the best run blocking guard I have seen this year. Brings some more nastiness to the OL. I would an interior OL of Mankis, Moffit, Lutui.One of my favorite players in the draft.
Round 5: Sam Helu RB Neb- he's just the kind of guy you want on your team. He could be a good replacement for Jason Wright on special teams and be the Cards #3 back . He reminds me of a bigger Vai Sikahema.
Round 6: Greg McElroy QB Bama- another winner and the kind of guy want on your team. I think he's vastly underrated and will become a very good #2 QB and possibly be a number 1 down the road. Smart but needs to be a little more accurate.
Round 7: Charles Gantt TE Mich St.- A very good blocker and adequate receiver. Is another guy who brings a great attitude and will be in the NFL for years.

I really like the Moffit pick. I would like to draft Carimi more than any other lineman in this draft though. Right now I just don't see a defensive player in this draft that I want at number five. I want a QB with our first round pick. if we didn't take a QB then I would rather take AJ Green or Gabe Carimi.