Positions lacking on this team.

[vikesfan]

Ok realistically you will not get all these players in 1 year you might get a few.



1. A second great WR.

2. A big runstuffing DT.

3. A RT. Or move Shelton & get LT.

4. A RG.

5. A speedy pro-bowl type RB.

6. A top notch OLB.

Once these "holes" are filled then the upgrades can start a better MLB a better OLB a better S a better CB etc. And if Pace fails an LDE and if Bryant fails a 1 gap DT. And so on.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Originally posted by vikesfan
Ok realistically you will not get all these players in 1 year you might get a few.



1. A second great WR.

2. A big runstuffing DT.

3. A RT. Or move Shelton & get LT.

4. A RG.

5. A speedy pro-bowl type RB.

6. A top notch OLB.

Once these "holes" are filled then the upgrades can start a better MLB a better OLB a better S a better CB etc. And if Pace fails an LDE and if Bryant fails a 1 gap DT. And so on.

1. I think will be added in this draft, Round 1

2. I don't think this will be addressed this year, because I have not seen a DT brought in for a visit. I think one will be drafted around the 3rd to 5th round but will not start and will just be depth

3. RT will be acquired the second wave of Free agency after the draft, hopefully it's Orlando Brown if it is addressed sooner

4. RG becomes Clement he matches up better with Dt's anyway, if not Clement then it's a late round O-line selection or a non-drafted rookie addition

5. RB I don't think we get one of these unless someone falls into round 2. Would not be surprised if Green takes Clarett if he is there at round 2.

6. our LB's will not be upgraded anymore beyond the signing (if signed) with D Rudd

 

[Wildman©]

questions for vikesfan...

I'm curious: What method(s) did you use for determining these position needs?

Are you an ex- FOOTBALL coach or a super FOOTBALL fan with experience in position grading?

Have you reviewed Cardinal game tapes to determine poor performance(s)?

Please enlighten me and others on this board as to why your opinions should carry weight... What are your qualifications?

Seriously...

For the record... several members of this board may remember that I asked the same question to Ed B a couple of years ago... no malice or disrespect was intended then as none is intended now...

 

[Harry]

If we're ranking them by importance,

1. Right Tackle

2. Wide Out

3. Defensive End

4. Cornerback

Of course this is assuming McCown or King can start effectively and that is not a given.

Filling the RT hole is a must, especially with young quarterbacks. Boldin will become the master of the double move if the Cards can get the QB time to throw.

I think it would help to get a receiver who would open up the field more. White was my recommendation, but a few are still being dangled out there. The current unit should be better if the line is improved. Johnson should stay on track and become about a 700 yard guy. Poole will be a Ricky Proehl-type receiver, given the opportunity and he understands the red zone. Boldin will draw constant double-teams, but still be effective if the QB has time to throw.

One pass rusher isn't enough. If KVB is healthy (which is a big if), he might start with Johnson rotating with him on passing downs. I'm not certain Pace ever develops. He has so far to go. Berry helps, but he is not a one-man gang and he may get frustrated, like Rice did, if he draws constant double-teams. Also, what happens if Berry gets injured? There is no pass rushing depth.

If Hill comes back and Starks is healthy, the Cards are fine at the corner. I'd still like a better veteran than McDaniel on my roster.

As to the other previous positions mentioned, I think there are enough candidates the Cards will be fine at guard, but there's no one to replace Clement at tackle.

The addition of Berry, playing in front of small linebackers, does raise a concern and the likelihood of more lost time due to injury. Still, the team has its best depth at this position and I could live with what they have at this stage of team re-building.

A premier running back is a luxury that can be addressed down the road. I can't imagine it will be addressed with Clarett. He has bust written all over him. He also looks injury-prone, which won't be helped by entering the draft before his body fully matures.

Finally, I didn't mention tight-end. I think Green's comments have been directed at what I saw. Jones doesn't play mean. He needs to pound his blocks and be more physical. Too often he tries to finesse people. I wouldn't change this season unless somehow they traded down and Winslow was the best on the board. That would be about the 9 or 10 slot.

Finally, it may be too costly to fix all this in one season. Still, with some cap room remaining and two impact draft picks (3 & 33), the Cards could get very close.

 

[spanky1]

Originally posted by Harry
If we're ranking them by importance,

1. Right Tackle

2. Wide Out

3. Defensive End

4. Cornerback

Of course this is assuming McCown or King can start effectively and that is not a given.

Filling the RT hole is a must, especially with young quarterbacks. Boldin will become the master of the double move if the Cards can get the QB time to throw.

I think it would help to get a receiver who would open up the field more. White was my recommendation, but a few are still being dangled out there. The current unit should be better if the line is improved. Johnson should stay on track and become about a 700 yard guy. Poole will be a Ricky Proehl-type receiver, given the opportunity and he understands the red zone. Boldin will draw constant double-teams, but still be effective if the QB has time to throw.

One pass rusher isn't enough. If KVB is healthy (which is a big if), he might start with Johnson rotating with him on passing downs. I'm not certain Pace ever develops. He has so far to go. Berry helps, but he is not a one-man gang and he may get frustrated, like Rice did, if he draws constant double-teams. Also, what happens if Berry gets injured? There is no pass rushing depth.

If Hill comes back and Starks is healthy, the Cards are fine at the corner. I'd still like a better veteran than McDaniel on my roster.

As to the other previous positions mentioned, I think there are enough candidates the Cards will be fine at guard, but there's no one to replace Clement at tackle.

The addition of Berry, playing in front of small linebackers, does raise a concern and the likelihood of more lost time due to injury. Still, the team has its best depth at this position and I could live with what they have at this stage of team re-building.

A premier running back is a luxury that can be addressed down the road. I can't imagine it will be addressed with Clarett. He has bust written all over him. He also looks injury-prone, which won't be helped by entering the draft before his body fully matures.

Finally, I didn't mention tight-end. I think Green's comments have been directed at what I saw. Jones doesn't play mean. He needs to pound his blocks and be more physical. Too often he tries to finesse people. I wouldn't change this season unless somehow they traded down and Winslow was the best on the board. That would be about the 9 or 10 slot.

Finally, it may be too costly to fix all this in one season. Still, with some cap room remaining and two impact draft picks (3 & 33), the Cards could get very close.

Harry,

Some observations on this post:

a) I do agree with the positional "needs" analysis in terms of your ranking but will add the following: Clement will stay at ORT for this year. We do not have enough cap space left to make an impact FA signing that would make a difference (i.e. Orlando Pace). There isn't really any other option I fear. I believe that Rogers will get a long look but likely isn't the long term answer either. I believe we will look to the draft for a ROG in the fourth round.

b) I believe that (assumimg we stay put at #3) we will address the WR position with this pick. With all due respect, Dez White would not be the answer for what Green wants in terms of a three WR formation.....while he's fast enough, he really isn't what I'd call a "good hands" WR. Bringing in a FA WR would have taken Green's eye off the ball from evaluating much better talent in the draft.......even if it turns out to be in round two.

c) I am concerned that you seem to be giving up on Calvin Pace early. And for that matter Dennis Johnson as well. The addition of Berry will help a lot and I believe that these other two deserve a chance to be coached properly before discarding them so quickly. I would agree that KVB is "under the knife" and I would be surprised if he were to stick.

d) As to the CB situation, well if we don't address this very early we will come up holding the short end of the stick......and I believe, by very early, I mean with pick #2. Much like we saw in FA, there will be a run on the CB's in the middle of round #1 and the pickings will be thin even with the #33 overall.

e) I agree, Clarett is a bust pick. But we need to bring in an RB somewhere this draft.......in my mock, I see Ran Carthon as a potential in round #6. Unfortunately this year is not a good one for RB's. We might have to make do with what we have and assess this after one more season of seeing Shipp.

I would think we are done with FA for this year ( that is if we land Rudd). Swinton would be a real bonus but we will not be in a position to put a drop dead offer in front of him that wouldn't be matched. Then its on to the draft and when that settles, we might make one last foray into the FA market for a June 1st pick up.

 

[JeffGollin]

I'd settle for:

1. Another corner (you forgot to mention that altogether)

2. Marquis wideout

3. 315+ pound NT who can stone the run

If we just accomplished that, I'd be relatively happy.

For now, we may have to get by with Roundtree, Clement, Wragge, Spikes and Grace on the right side of the O-line. And Mac-Dawg (backed by Darling) at MLB.

But fill those first 3 priorities and keep us healthy and I think we could be a playoff team.

Note - I'm not against considering drafting Taylor or one of the two QB's if Denny and his staff truly believe you can't pass one of those guys up. But if we do so, those 3 position priorities will still need to be filled one way or another.

 

[joeshmo]

Originally posted by Harry

If Hill comes back and Starks is healthy, the Cards are fine at the corner. I'd still like a better veteran than McDaniel on my roster.

As to the other previous positions mentioned, I think there are enough candidates the Cards will be fine at guard, but there's no one to replace Clement at tackle.

A premier running back is a luxury that can be addressed down the road. I can't imagine it will be addressed with Clarett. He has bust written all over him. He also looks injury-prone, which won't be helped by entering the draft before his body fully matures.

First, McDaniel isnt even on the team anymore.

Here is how our depth chart looks like:

1. Starks
2. Macklin
3. Hill
4. Rhinehart(may need to be in the scrubs list)
After that we got what looks to be a bunch of scrubs:
Tate, Joyce, Stone, Goss, Carter

So IMO a CB needs to be picked in the 1st day of the draft to push Macklin and Hill for there spots but to really push Rhinehart off of the depth chart.

Second, I agree about the RG spot. That should be the last thing addresed IMO, becuase Clement, Wells, roundtree or spikes should be able to fill that need in an acceptable manner especially if RT is addressed. The problem is, is Green or Graves looking to get another RT in FA or are they looking at the draft?

Third, as for RB I think Green will pick a speed RB sometime on the 2nd day of the draft. Or a guy like Tatum Bell if he falls to the 3rd round, dude is really fast.

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by JeffGollin


2. Marquis wideout

We tried a Marquis wideout last year, his name was Walker. I think if we're going to add a WR to compliment Boldin we ought to try to add a marquee WR.

 

[JeffGollin]

So IMO a CB needs to be picked in the 1st day of the draft to push Macklin and Hill for there spots but to really push Rhinehart off of the depth chart.


I think we've all received info on good authority that the Cards will draft a corner on the first day.

But I see another reason for needing to add a corner. Both Macklin and Starks are short guys. We need at least one corner who's good enough to start, who can match up well with bigger, more physical receivers. Neither Starks or Macklin will be able to handle fades and deep jump ball throws to tall receivers.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

It cracks me up that you people think Clarett is going to be a bust.I still don't know what you can be basing that on.Definitely not by his on field performance.Also,how does someone
"look" injury prone.Does Jamal Lewis look injury prone? The guy is rock solid but has blown out 2 knees.It'd be better if people said they WANT Clarett to be a bust.The problem is that he's going to be a star.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Cbus cardsfan
Definitely not by his on field performance.Also,how does someone "look" injury prone.Does Jamal Lewis look injury prone? The guy is rock solid but has blown out 2 knees.It'd be better if people said they WANT Clarett to be a bust.The problem is that he's going to be a star.

All of 8 games he played. Maybe that is the reason people have questions about him.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I think our biggest needs right now are:

1) Another Wideout so Green can run his 3 WR sets.

2) A physical Corner to match up against the big WRs in the league.

3) A Rigth Guard with a mean streak.

4) A disruptive Defensive Tackle.

 

[joeshmo]

Originally posted by Cbus cardsfan
It cracks me up that you people think Clarett is going to be a bust.I still don't know what you can be basing that on.Definitely not by his on field performance.Also,how does someone
"look" injury prone.Does Jamal Lewis look injury prone? The guy is rock solid but has blown out 2 knees.It'd be better if people said they WANT Clarett to be a bust.The problem is that he's going to be a star.

OK we will change "looks" injury prone to "is" injury prone. He has never played a full season of football since pop warner. He had criminal charges against him, hangs out with a known high stakes gambler, hasnt played football for more then a year, showed up out of shape to the combines, not fast, and cant catch out of the back field. Now please emlighten me how those 8 games made him look like a superstar.

edit - And that ends my one and only Clarrett rant I have ever done or will do.

 

[AZCB34]

At this moment, the #1 priority IMO is CB. It should be addressed in FA but at least over the short term it appears as though it will not be addressed until draft day.

I am not sure I think RT is a critical need. Bob Wiley is going to whip that line into shape...you can believe it. The Bears OL was incredibly solid even when decimated with injuries. I would say the Cards OL has more pure talent than the Bears OL did. The issue was one of coaching/pushing/accountability. I think they relaxed atmosphere of the pat will be wiped out and a new era of high expectations will be ushered in. I truly believe we will see a whole new AC at RT this year.

DT must be dealt with at some point.

Clarett is an interesting player in this draft. I do believe his bust potential is a tad bit higher simply due to lack of experience coming into the NFL however he certainly seems to have the skills. I think he would be a great use of a compensatory pick if the Cards got one in round 3 (which I doubt). Problem is, I believe he would be gone long before compensatory picks start happening in round 3. Someone will take the risk earlier.

 

[Pariah]

1. CB--like Jeff said, let's get a guy with size who can play some of the bigger receivers in the league.

**Big drop of here in terms of need**

2. MLB--I like McKinnon as much as the next guy, but I'd like to see a more traditional type of MLB here--bigger and faster.

3. DT, WR, RG & QB--It may seem strange that I've lumped these positions together, but I think we're in the same spot with them. Are we rpck-solid there? No, but we're not exactly on shakey ground, either, IMO.
~Our DTs have been woefully coached, woefully schemed and suffered from a woeful pass rush over the past few years. I don't think we're lacking talent here, but if we can add a "difference-maker," great, let's do it.

~We have a lot of young talent at WR. Johnson will develop. We still have a kid in McAddley that's shown flashes of brilliance. Again, if we have a chance to add a super-star (or potenial super-star), so be it.

~We're acting as if we need to have all-pro players at every position on our offensive line. I don't believe that's necessary, or even realistic. We have the talent across the line to have one of the best in football. It's up to Wiley to get something out of them, and judging by his work in Chicago, I think he can.

~Our QB situation isn't terrible--but it's far from a sure-thing. McCown is the starter this year and King backs him up. McCown has promise, but sometimes promises get broken. Much like DT and WR, we wouldn't hurt ourselves by adding a player at this position that is either proven to be very good or has that potential.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Originally posted by joeshmo
OK we will change "looks" injury prone to "is" injury prone. He has never played a full season of football since pop warner. He had criminal charges against him, hangs out with a known high stakes gambler, hasnt played football for more then a year, showed up out of shape to the combines, not fast, and cant catch out of the back field. Now please emlighten me how those 8 games made him look like a superstar.

edit - And that ends my one and only Clarrett rant I have ever done or will do.

So you like reading the papers.Surprisingly,you haven't heard much about his"high stakes gambling buddy".The papers love readers like you who believe everything they read.The facts are that there was nothing of any legitimacy there to follow up on excpet that a guy who was is an acquaintance of an acquaintance is who actually made about 3 off shore,LEGAL bets on some college football games and none were involving OSU. I think his 1300 yards and 16 TD's in 8 games is what i'm looking at. He'll run under a 4.5 at his workout and is a very good receiver out of the backfield.The Buckeyes just don't throw to their backs at all.When they did, Clarett caught the ball.WArch the Michigan game in '02 and you'll see him making a very good downfield catch. You're right,though,teams shouldn't draft a guy like that.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Oh yeah,his criminal charges were filing a false insurance claim.Guys like him shouldn't be allowed to roam the streets.

 

[CardLogic]

While I wouldn't argue with any of the assessments made on this thread, I believe that most of you are being unrealistic.

Do you constantly desire to upgrade every position on your football team - certainly! But having said that you have got to realize that you are always going to have weak spots in some area... it the nature of today's NFL.

Using the Denny Green "barometer" how does this team's starters and backups rate against the player on the other teams in the division? Then understand that no team is going to have the top rated player at every position.

Although, we would all like the Cardinal to get there!

 

[Skkorpion]

vikesfan:

If there is an underrated position on this team, it's OLB. Ray Thompson, Levar Fisher, LeVar Woods, and #54 Gerald Hayes will play well in an attacking system. If we sign Dwayne Rudd, we'll have our 5 man rotation, making OLB the defense's strong point.

1. CB is still our most pressing need because we don't know if Starks can play.
2. DT is next. We need a bulldozer.
3. RB is also weak. Now that Damien Anderson has destroyed his future, the only decent RB on the roster is Marcel Shipp. We need 2 more RBs.
4. A speed WR.
5. A safety. Adrian Wilson is a total bust.
6. One Olineman. Only one. Preferably a RG with quicks who can pull.

If we don't trade down and get Philip Rivers, then address DT in round 1, CB in round 2, RB in round 3.

 

[SECTION 11]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
vikesfan:

If there is an underrated position on this team, it's OLB. Ray Thompson, Levar Fisher, LeVar Woods, and #54 Gerald Hayes will play well in an attacking system. If we sign Dwayne Rudd, we'll have our 5 man rotation, making OLB the defense's strong point.

1. CB is still our most pressing need because we don't know if Starks can play.
2. DT is next. We need a bulldozer.
3. RB is also weak. Now that Damien Anderson has destroyed his future, the only decent RB on the roster is Marcel Shipp. We need 2 more RBs.
4. A speed WR.
5. A safety. Adrian Wilson is a total bust.
6. One Olineman. Only one. Preferably a RG with quicks who can pull.

skkorp speaks the truth here.

 

[spanky1]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
vikesfan:

If there is an underrated position on this team, it's OLB. Ray Thompson, Levar Fisher, LeVar Woods, and #54 Gerald Hayes will play well in an attacking system. If we sign Dwayne Rudd, we'll have our 5 man rotation, making OLB the defense's strong point.

1. CB is still our most pressing need because we don't know if Starks can play.
2. DT is next. We need a bulldozer.
3. RB is also weak. Now that Damien Anderson has destroyed his future, the only decent RB on the roster is Marcel Shipp. We need 2 more RBs.
4. A speed WR.
5. A safety. Adrian Wilson is a total bust.
6. One Olineman. Only one. Preferably a RG with quicks who can pull.

If we don't trade down and get Philip Rivers, then address DT in round 1, CB in round 2, RB in round 3.

skkorp,

I agree with you regarding your comments about the LB position.

Regarding Starks.....by all accounts he's 100%. Whether he remains this way throughout the season is anyone's guess.

You talk about Anderson "destroying" his future. Pretty harsh on him here......my understanding is that he wasn't driving the car when it crashed so irrespective if his BAL was high, he cannot be blamed for this accident.

Once again, you use the term "total bust" when describing Wilson. I think you are being quick to judge here (much as you were with Dennis Johnson in camp last year).

And finally, are you advocating a trade down to the middle of the draft and picking up Rivers? I know that we are all entitled to our opinions but as David Toms said to Sign Boy (on the commercial where he jumps into the water nude to retreive golf balls)......have you gone completely mad?

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
vikesfan:

If there is an underrated position on this team, it's OLB. Ray Thompson, Levar Fisher, LeVar Woods, and #54 Gerald Hayes will play well in an attacking system. If we sign Dwayne Rudd, we'll have our 5 man rotation, making OLB the defense's strong point.

1. CB is still our most pressing need because we don't know if Starks can play.
2. DT is next. We need a bulldozer.
3. RB is also weak. Now that Damien Anderson has destroyed his future, the only decent RB on the roster is Marcel Shipp. We need 2 more RBs.
4. A speed WR.
5. A safety. Adrian Wilson is a total bust.
6. One Olineman. Only one. Preferably a RG with quicks who can pull.

If we don't trade down and get Philip Rivers, then address DT in round 1, CB in round 2, RB in round 3.

3. Didn't Jim O report that Anderson was seen working out at the training facility this week? It's a little premature to say he has destroyed his future. He sure didn't help it though.

5. Wilson a total bust? I think you might be going a little far there. Sure he hasn't lived up to expectations but I wouldn't call him a total bust. He has shown flashes.

 

[Skkorpion]

Spanky:

Damien Anderson, among many other injuries, lost his speel and damaged his liver.

As I understand it, loss of spleen affects the body's ability to provide the large amounts of oxygen athletes need and damaged livers have all kinds of future health ramifications.

As far as Adrian Wilson is concerned, I'm sorry. I just don't see any football smarts. He'a great athlete with no instincts and no smarts.

 

[az1965]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
vikesfan:

If there is an underrated position on this team, it's OLB. Ray Thompson, Levar Fisher, LeVar Woods, and #54 Gerald Hayes will play well in an attacking system. If we sign Dwayne Rudd, we'll have our 5 man rotation, making OLB the defense's strong point.

1. CB is still our most pressing need because we don't know if Starks can play.
2. DT is next. We need a bulldozer.
3. RB is also weak. Now that Damien Anderson has destroyed his future, the only decent RB on the roster is Marcel Shipp. We need 2 more RBs.
4. A speed WR.
5. A safety. Adrian Wilson is a total bust.
6. One Olineman. Only one. Preferably a RG with quicks who can pull.

If we don't trade down and get Philip Rivers, then address DT in round 1, CB in round 2, RB in round 3.

Agree on most, especially Adrian Wilson. Me also think Wendall Bryant is a bust.

 

[slanidrac16]

IMO

as much as I love Fitzgerald, I think it would be best to trade down and pick up an additional 2nd round pick.

That being done would allow us to get a top rated wr that DG needs in the first round, a cb in the 2nd round and a play making rb with the other 2nd round pick.