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Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 24, 2005 12:00 AM
Like someone in a rocking chair, the Cardinals were in constant motion Saturday during the first three rounds of NFL draft, but they never went anywhere.
Rejecting trade offers and temptations, the Cardinals stayed in place and filled three needs with their four selections.
Coach Dennis Green compared it with last year, when a similar philosophy on the first day of the draft netted the Cardinals three starters.
"We didn't move, we didn't jump, we didn't panic," Green said. "We didn't waver, and so we're excited about it."
The Cardinals needed cornerbacks and got them: Miami's Antrel Rolle in the first round with the eighth overall pick and Virginia Tech's Eric Green in the third round.
They needed a running back and found him: California's J.J. Arrington in the second round.
And they needed a backup outside linebacker and got him: Virginia's Darryl Blackstock with their second pick in the third round.
Don't expect a similar philosophy every year, advised Green, who thinks the team will be much improved over last year's 6-10 record.
"Remember," he said, "next year we're going to be picking in the 20s, so there will be a little bit different strategy."
The early part of the draft broke as the Cardinals expected. The top three running backs, Texas' Cedric Benson and Auburn's Ronnie Brown and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, were taken in the first five selections.
So the Cardinals turned to their cornerback need and chose Rolle over Auburn's Carlos Rogers, one of the top three corners.
"We're not a team that's going to go out and play man-to-man, blitz coverage 90 percent of the game," Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said. "We're more mix it up: zone, man. He gives us more flexibility. They (Miami) used him in a lot of different positions, which was appealing because he was a very smart kid and has shown flexibility in his career."
Rolle immediately becomes the starter on the left side, and he applauded the Cardinals' wisdom.
"I think it was a great decision," Rolle said. "I know I bring the whole package to the table. I can dominate the run as well as the pass. I can play on the inside slot receiver. I can play nickel and dime."
The team's biggest drama came in the second round, when they passed on a chance to trade offensive tackle L.J. Shelton to Buffalo for running back Travis Henry. Buffalo also wanted to switch picks in that round, but the Cardinals decided against it and took Arrington at No. 44.
"We kept our communication open with Buffalo right up to the time of the pick," said Rod Graves, the team's vice president for football operations. "We also felt it wasn't going to work. And we had an opportunity at a player like J.J. Arrington."
The Cardinals desperately needed a running back, with Emmitt Smith's retirement and Marcel Shipp having missed last season with a broken leg.
Arrington will compete with Shipp and Troy Hambrick for the starting job.
At 5 feet 8 1/2 and 212 pounds, Arrington is small, but he's fast and gives the team a big-play threat. He led the nation in rushing last year with 2,018 yards.
Arrington was the fourth running back taken Saturday, behind the big three. If he were bigger, he might have gone in the first round.
"Some of the best running backs in the league were short," he said. "I'm going to be fine. I'm going to be all right with my height."
Green had no qualms.
"Emmitt Smith is probably 5-9," he said. "I think that backs come in all shapes and sizes."
Coming up
The Cardinals did a nice job addressing needs Saturday, but their work isn't done. They still need a tight end, although they could add one through rookie free agency. Teams always like to draft offensive linemen, and the Cardinals could use help at guard. They have the 10th pick in the fourth round today, the 111th choice overall, another pick in the fifth and one in the seventh.
Fan reaction
"I'm in complete agreement (with picking Antrel Rolle). Since they didn't get a chance to draft a running back, Rolle was the best guy for them."
- Dewoody McClinton, 70, Gilbert
"(Carlos Rogers) was a better cover guy than Rolle. Rogers had to cover better guys while at Auburn. Rogers was the next pick after Rolle, so we'll see what happens." - Pat Palas, 52, Glendale
"We've had so much criticism on our last few drafts, but (Larry) Fitzgerald was good, so I'm optimistic about this year."
- Anna Garcia, 47, Apache Junction
"I think it was a wise pick. (Rolle) has the youth that can be trained and taught to do things right, whereas (former Cardinals cornerback Duane Starks) already had won a championship and was already doing his thing."
- Bilal Shansid-Deen, 34, Phoenix
"(Coach Dennis) Green can still go for Travis Henry and not have to worry about drafting a cornerback. Rolle is a physical guy and will make it in the pros."
- Daniel Murray, 51,Glendale
"There have been a couple surprises, but (the draft) has gone pretty much how it was supposed to go. I wish we had been able to get (Carnell Williams), but we'll see how Rolle does."
- Tammy Wallis, 40,Phoenix
"I wanted Adam 'Pac-Man' Jones because he can return. But I also like that Rolle came from Miami, because they play a hard-nosed defense there."
- Paul Hummell, 51, Phoenix
"We haven't had a good running back to have explosiveness and gain yards since we've been in Phoenix. I (wanted) to see them draft Cadillac Williams."
- William Ponder, 66,Glendale
"We had a need at corner, and (Rolle) is a playmaker. That's Dennis Green's preference, and I trust him."
- Gabriel Luna, 19, Phoenix
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