Positives from Walter Mitchell

[Skkorpion]

http://arizonasportsfans.com/storypage.php?Story_ID=472&Category=cardinals

 

[Chainthroer]

Real nice analysis Walt. I can agree with you on Clement’s dropping, based on last year performance. However, that makes him a really expensive backup! In other words, a luxury that does not seem practical. Hopefully, a fire has been lit under Clement, so as to leave him on the first team.

I have not been paying attention lately to the current roster, but I’m assuming that Wragge, Kenny Rogers Frank Garcia are still on the team. So, based on my assumption, I would think it would make good sense to have Rountree as backup at RT and Wragge backup at RG. That would but both Garcia and Rogers on the bubble.

You did not make mention of the FBs. I’m hopeful Hodgins returns consistently to his better form as a lead blocker, like he was at the Rams. That leaves Obifemi A……. and Josh Rue. I am believing DG had a reason to bring Obi here, i.e., receive passes when not blocking. Rue should b good enough to win a spot on special teams. Anyway, do you or anyone else have thoughts as to what will happen at FB?

 

[joeshmo]

I think you laid out the starting Oline for 2005 but I doubt it happens this year, becuase very rarely do 2 second day draft picks come in and start and start well.

As for the 3-4, I really do not want to wait for Berry to learn a new position. If he was 3 years younger and we were not so deprived for wins then I would say yes but neither is the case.

 

[40yearfan]

Thanks Walter. It really makes me feel good to see you get excited about this team. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year that my predictions will come true for a change and the Cards will become the darlings of the NFL.

 

[ajcardfan]

You just aren't going to give up the ghost on the 3-4 are you Walter? Or, Kendall moving back to guard.

Oh well. Enjoyable read anyhow.

 

[Bobcat]

http://arizonasportsfans.com/storypage.php?Story_ID=472&Category=cardinals

Great article!!!!! It really gets you looking forward to the start of training camp, the season and beyond.

Thank you for such a great article.

Allan

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

Real nice analysis Walt. I can agree with you on Clement’s dropping, based on last year performance. However, that makes him a really expensive backup! In other words, a luxury that does not seem practical. Hopefully, a fire has been lit under Clement, so as to leave him on the first team.

I have not been paying attention lately to the current roster, but I’m assuming that Wragge, Kenny Rogers Frank Garcia are still on the team. So, based on my assumption, I would think it would make good sense to have Rountree as backup at RT and Wragge backup at RG. That would but both Garcia and Rogers on the bubble.

You did not make mention of the FBs. I’m hopeful Hodgins returns consistently to his better form as a lead blocker, like he was at the Rams. That leaves Obifemi A……. and Josh Rue. I am believing DG had a reason to bring Obi here, i.e., receive passes when not blocking. Rue should b good enough to win a spot on special teams. Anyway, do you or anyone else have thoughts as to what will happen at FB?

Kenny Rogers is on the squad? He's a bit old, yes? "You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em..."

 

[seesred]

++
I'm pumped! Lets get at it. 27 days till camp...

GO CARDS
40

 

[azwulf]

I sure hope that this is not pure cool-aid. It certainly is optimistic and if only half of that comes true we will have a nice season.

Thanks, I can't wait till we start playing.

 

[Redrage]

I have to part company with you regarding the 3-4. Ronnie Mac just doesn't have the size. He already makes too many takles down field in the 4-3.

 

[slanidrac16]

Stop it Walter........

you're giving me goosebumps!

Nice article. A bit heavy on the kool-aid, but you made it clear it was an optimistic point of view.

*I don't see Steponovich cracking the starting line-up this year. Green will want as much experience out there as possible. This offense needs to click very quickly to make this season a "cinderella story".
*Unless you have inside info, speculation of any type of trade is not reality. I don't disagree with your theory of why it would be a good trade, but it just won't happen. A more likely scenario is the waiver wire to get that type of player and that player would not be a stud.
*I think we will see an array of defensive fronts. We will stunt often and blitz more. Green will utilize EVERY player on the roster.
*I agree , whole heartedly, that BJ and Jones are the keys to this offense becoming a powerhouse. Of coarse we are assuming McCown is the QB that DG thinks he is.

This is the time for optimism and koolaid. Training camp is right around the corner and our first exhibition game is less than 6 weeks away. Lets rally round the team boys!!!

 

[Cardiac]

Always an enjoyable read.

I can't believe Stepanovich and Leckey both start, at least at the start of the season. I like Kendall at Center and Wells at LG. Big needed to play LT to see if he is worth his draft status and salary. I love the idea of Shelton at RT and then let's see if Clement can win the RG position.

I'm still hoping McAddley emerges as a deep threat. He showed flashes early then has been hit by the injury bug.

I truly hope Starks and Macklin are the starters with Hill as the #3 CB.

I also want to see what Dockett, Bryant can do as the DT's. Russell Davis is good on a rotation basis when he plays about 30% of the snaps. If we good get Thorton the great but not as a NT in the 3-4 scheme.

Pendergast (sp) will mix up fronts and defenses so we will see some 3-4 but I doubt it becomes the base defense. The great news is the Cards have many players who will be able to play in a variety of schemes and positions. I just don't think Berry should be moved to OLB. It took him years to excel at the DE position.

Dansby, King, Hayes, Wakefield are the players most likely to be moved around in different sets and schemes.

It should be a fun season. I'm sure none of us can predict entirely what DG and his coaches will end up doing but it is fun to speculate.

 

[john h]

http://arizonasportsfans.com/storypage.php?Story_ID=472&Category=cardinals

Thanks Walter I needed that. I hope it is not like a shot of cortizone and just wears off and the pain begins once again.........

 

[justAndy]

walter

is straight up EATING kool-aide powder w/out bothering to mix in any water.

 

[Dan H]

We signed John Thornton?

 

[Bobcat]

We signed John Thornton?

So far only in our dreams...!!!

Allan

 

[Russ Smith]

http://arizonasportsfans.com/storypage.php?Story_ID=472&Category=cardinals

I think you're putting way too much stock in Green's ability to get QB's to play well. MOst of those Viking teams that went to the playoffs did so with experienced QB's. Josh is essentially a 2nd year player since he did almost nothing as a rookie. He's a good athlete but to expect him to do what Cunningham did is a bit much, Randall had been around a lot and that experience clearly helped him.

If Sully were the OC I would be predicting disaster for Josh, with Green in charge I think he'll do reasonably well, I think that highly of Green. But there's just no way he's going to have Josh comparable to Cunningham this year when he's this raw.

I think we can have a very explosive passing game but I also think you're overestimating the 3 WR set, we ran it a LOT last year without a whole lot of success opening the run game. For it to work you have to do it so well that teams have to scheme for it opening up the run. We didn't do it last year, we have better WR personnel and a MUCH better OC this year, but we still are going to have to show teams we can hit the big play if they cheat into the box to stuff the run.

 

[az1965]

All I can say after reading the article, Walter, is that you just had way too much of...

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[CaptTurbo]

We signed John Thornton?

Walter signed up for the medical marijuana testing. Just dont write articles while you are "working" walter lol

 

[lrk27]

First of all, trades are extremely rare in the NFL, so don't go expecting Ray Thompson to be carted off anytime soon in a trade. Second of all, Bert Berry will not play OLB. Kenny King is a DT and will stay there. And Pete Kendall will not, repeat WILL NOT, go back to being a guard. You must come to accept this. He is a center now, and will be for the remainder of his career.

If you want to get McKinnon, Hayes, Berry and Dansby on the field together, just play Hayes and Dansby on the outside and Berry at DE.

If this is your own little dream about the team, then OK. But if you actually believe any of this will come true, then you're off base. On opening day, the lineup will resemble the starters Denny has announced a lot more than this lineup. They will not have a 4-3 base where tackles play end and ends play OLB. Thompson isn't getting traded, Starks is a starter, Kendall is a center and Shipp is not nearly as good as you give him credit for. But nevertheless, anything to get excited about is good. Just 25 days to go.

 

[slanidrac16]

I think the one thing that has become clear is the offensive line, although not set, will be very flexible if injuries occur. I think Green was well aware of the talent on the offensive line but on the same hand realized the lack of depth AND flexibility.
Will Kendall be moved to guard? No, but he could if needed.
"Big" is now our left tackle, but he could move to guard, etc., etc.
You can talk all you want about CB's and defensive fronts, but if this team is to take off THIS year, it will be because of OUTSTANDING play of the offensive line.
Will that happen? We don't know, but we have a group of guys that have been successful in their past at every level and have now been together for a couple of years. They will now be playing in a tried and true system. The time may be ripe for this O-line to come together.
If it does, look out, because this offense will flourish!