Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
I am very interested in reading yours and your explanations because I think this is going to be a very difficult roster to figure out.
Here are my choices----AS IN WHO I WANT, NOT WHAT I THINK THE CARDINALS WILL DO---SAME FOr YOU---- (starters in CAPS):
QB (3): 19-SKELTON; 4-Kolb, 14-Lindley.
The QB who generated the turnaround and winning momentum last year was Skelton---so imo the best way to build on and maintain that momentum is to stick with the guy who brought you a 6-2 record down the stretch.
I worry about Kolb's health, largely because he lacks a 6th sense of how to feel pressure and how to avoid it. He freezes too much at times and he runs away from it too early at times.
I choose Lindley over Bartel because I believe he would be a better scout team QB, because of his strong arm. I also believe that with good coaching he can be a factor if need be in a couple of years.
RB (3): 34-WILLIAMS; 36-Stephens-Howling; 26-Wells.
Li'l Sweetness gets the nod for me, as he is more versatile and potentially dynamic in the passing game and he is quicker to the hole than Wells.
I am hoping that Hyphen gets many more snaps this year because this could be a real breakout year on offense for him, provided he can stay healthy.
Wells becomes the short yardage and goal-line RB, which may enable him to stay healthy all year.
FB (1): 35-SHERMAN.
I would like to see Sherman used as a single back blocker and receiving threat in the passing game.
Curious to see if Jared Crank (Purdue) is worthy of a PS spot.
TE (3): 87-KING; 86-Heap; 85-Housler.
I think all three can have very good years and that we will start to see how special Housler is.
It makes no sense to me to continue to keep 4 TEs. If the last roster spot came down to Jim Dray or CB Michael Adams, there is no question I'd want to keep Adams for his ST prowess.
T (4): 75-BROWN; 70-MASSIE; 73-Bridges; 76-Potter.
I am ready to go with Massie at RT---he's clearly the best athlete for the job and his experience in the SEC in a passing offense has prepared him well.
I give the nod to Bridges right now, but I am anxious to see if my instincts about D'Anthony Batiste are correct.
I do not want to expose Nate Potter to waivers, but I would like to keep D.J. Young on the PS another year.
G (4): 71-COLLEDGE; 68-SNYDER, 64-Kelemete, 74-Batiste.
What's so great roster-wise about Bridges, Kelemete and Batsite is that they all can play guard and tackle.
I am also very interested in seeing Chris Thomas---he might surprise enough to
C (1): 63-SENDLEIN.
I would like to see if we can keep Ryan Bartholomew on the PS another year. Adam Snyder becomes the center if need be.
WR (5): 11-FITZGERALD; 15-FLOYD; 85-Doucet, 12Roberts, 18-S. Williams.
I think Stephen Williams is finally going to break out and be a big catch performer in games.
I am tempted to keep 6, but no one as yet jumps out at me just yet---the one I am very curious about is slot WR Jaymar Johnson because of his speed and quickness.
NT (2): 92-WILLIAMS; 69-Cohen.
David Carter will play some here too, but Carter was at his best last year as a rotation DE and that's where I'd like to see him play the most snaps.
Cohen is solid.
DE (4): 90-DOCKETT; 93-CAMPBELL; 79-Carter, 98-Eason;
What an active group this is!
ILB (4): 51-LENON; 58-WASHINGTON; 55-Bradley; 56-Walker.
I think that Bradley might win the starting job, but for now I list Lenon.
Two young UCFA's who may surprise here are Colin Parker and Marcus McGraw as may last year's 6th rounder, Quan Sturdivant---so Reggie Walker has to be on his game to stick.
OLB (5): 94-ACHO; 50-SCHOFIELD; 54-Groves; 59-B. Williams; 43-Nash.
Groves, Williams and Nash will be a situational rushers---and Nash will be a standout on STs.
CB (6): 21-PETERSON; 28-TOLER; 23-Gay, 20-Jefferson, 22-Butler; 29-Flemming.
I think Jefferson will be vastly improved and may keep the starting RCB position---but that Toler will be a little more of a ballhawker.
Gay and Butler play Marshall's role as nickel CB and S.
Flemming will be pushing for lots of playing time.
Still trying to find a way to keep Mike Adams, but not seeing it right now. I might keep him and keep only 4 OLBers---and I am not convinced that the young DBs would be nearly as good on STs as Adams.
The unsung player to keep an eye on here is UCFA Larry Parker---he is going to turn some heads---and hopefully will make it through waivers onto the PS.
I found it very interesting that the Colts hopped on Korey Lindsay---they have first dibs on waiver claims and the Colts jumped on him. I think teams are keeping a very close eye on our DB depth.
S (4): 24-WILSON; 25-RHODES; 49-Johnson, 39-Sanders.
I am hoping that both Wilson and Rhodes are so on board with the coaching this year that they have fantastic seasons. Johnson and Sanders are solid---and if I am correct, Johnson will be starting at some point this year, possibly even from the get-go.
I don't want to waive Justin Bethel, but I am not sure he is strong enough physically yet to be a factor. The hope is he passes through waivers. In a year or two he could be very good.
The other young guy I am very curious to see is Eddie Elder---I think he's got the right talent and hunger for the position.
ST (3): 3-Feely; 1-Schmitt; 82-Leach.
I think that Ricky Schmitt will win the punting job---he's got the big leg, is very good at directional punting, and he can be used on kickoffs to routinely kick the ball to the back of the end zone.
PS (8): 67-Young (T); 62-Bartholmew (C); 13-Arukwe (WR); 44-Skelton (TE); 41-Parker (LB); 46-Binns (LB); 97-Parker (CB); 31-Bethel (S).
This was challenging---but, what's very interesting is to see how the camp and pre-season games will give us a better sense of who is going to make it.
Here are my choices----AS IN WHO I WANT, NOT WHAT I THINK THE CARDINALS WILL DO---SAME FOr YOU---- (starters in CAPS):
QB (3): 19-SKELTON; 4-Kolb, 14-Lindley.
The QB who generated the turnaround and winning momentum last year was Skelton---so imo the best way to build on and maintain that momentum is to stick with the guy who brought you a 6-2 record down the stretch.
I worry about Kolb's health, largely because he lacks a 6th sense of how to feel pressure and how to avoid it. He freezes too much at times and he runs away from it too early at times.
I choose Lindley over Bartel because I believe he would be a better scout team QB, because of his strong arm. I also believe that with good coaching he can be a factor if need be in a couple of years.
RB (3): 34-WILLIAMS; 36-Stephens-Howling; 26-Wells.
Li'l Sweetness gets the nod for me, as he is more versatile and potentially dynamic in the passing game and he is quicker to the hole than Wells.
I am hoping that Hyphen gets many more snaps this year because this could be a real breakout year on offense for him, provided he can stay healthy.
Wells becomes the short yardage and goal-line RB, which may enable him to stay healthy all year.
FB (1): 35-SHERMAN.
I would like to see Sherman used as a single back blocker and receiving threat in the passing game.
Curious to see if Jared Crank (Purdue) is worthy of a PS spot.
TE (3): 87-KING; 86-Heap; 85-Housler.
I think all three can have very good years and that we will start to see how special Housler is.
It makes no sense to me to continue to keep 4 TEs. If the last roster spot came down to Jim Dray or CB Michael Adams, there is no question I'd want to keep Adams for his ST prowess.
T (4): 75-BROWN; 70-MASSIE; 73-Bridges; 76-Potter.
I am ready to go with Massie at RT---he's clearly the best athlete for the job and his experience in the SEC in a passing offense has prepared him well.
I give the nod to Bridges right now, but I am anxious to see if my instincts about D'Anthony Batiste are correct.
I do not want to expose Nate Potter to waivers, but I would like to keep D.J. Young on the PS another year.
G (4): 71-COLLEDGE; 68-SNYDER, 64-Kelemete, 74-Batiste.
What's so great roster-wise about Bridges, Kelemete and Batsite is that they all can play guard and tackle.
I am also very interested in seeing Chris Thomas---he might surprise enough to
C (1): 63-SENDLEIN.
I would like to see if we can keep Ryan Bartholomew on the PS another year. Adam Snyder becomes the center if need be.
WR (5): 11-FITZGERALD; 15-FLOYD; 85-Doucet, 12Roberts, 18-S. Williams.
I think Stephen Williams is finally going to break out and be a big catch performer in games.
I am tempted to keep 6, but no one as yet jumps out at me just yet---the one I am very curious about is slot WR Jaymar Johnson because of his speed and quickness.
NT (2): 92-WILLIAMS; 69-Cohen.
David Carter will play some here too, but Carter was at his best last year as a rotation DE and that's where I'd like to see him play the most snaps.
Cohen is solid.
DE (4): 90-DOCKETT; 93-CAMPBELL; 79-Carter, 98-Eason;
What an active group this is!
ILB (4): 51-LENON; 58-WASHINGTON; 55-Bradley; 56-Walker.
I think that Bradley might win the starting job, but for now I list Lenon.
Two young UCFA's who may surprise here are Colin Parker and Marcus McGraw as may last year's 6th rounder, Quan Sturdivant---so Reggie Walker has to be on his game to stick.
OLB (5): 94-ACHO; 50-SCHOFIELD; 54-Groves; 59-B. Williams; 43-Nash.
Groves, Williams and Nash will be a situational rushers---and Nash will be a standout on STs.
CB (6): 21-PETERSON; 28-TOLER; 23-Gay, 20-Jefferson, 22-Butler; 29-Flemming.
I think Jefferson will be vastly improved and may keep the starting RCB position---but that Toler will be a little more of a ballhawker.
Gay and Butler play Marshall's role as nickel CB and S.
Flemming will be pushing for lots of playing time.
Still trying to find a way to keep Mike Adams, but not seeing it right now. I might keep him and keep only 4 OLBers---and I am not convinced that the young DBs would be nearly as good on STs as Adams.
The unsung player to keep an eye on here is UCFA Larry Parker---he is going to turn some heads---and hopefully will make it through waivers onto the PS.
I found it very interesting that the Colts hopped on Korey Lindsay---they have first dibs on waiver claims and the Colts jumped on him. I think teams are keeping a very close eye on our DB depth.
S (4): 24-WILSON; 25-RHODES; 49-Johnson, 39-Sanders.
I am hoping that both Wilson and Rhodes are so on board with the coaching this year that they have fantastic seasons. Johnson and Sanders are solid---and if I am correct, Johnson will be starting at some point this year, possibly even from the get-go.
I don't want to waive Justin Bethel, but I am not sure he is strong enough physically yet to be a factor. The hope is he passes through waivers. In a year or two he could be very good.
The other young guy I am very curious to see is Eddie Elder---I think he's got the right talent and hunger for the position.
ST (3): 3-Feely; 1-Schmitt; 82-Leach.
I think that Ricky Schmitt will win the punting job---he's got the big leg, is very good at directional punting, and he can be used on kickoffs to routinely kick the ball to the back of the end zone.
PS (8): 67-Young (T); 62-Bartholmew (C); 13-Arukwe (WR); 44-Skelton (TE); 41-Parker (LB); 46-Binns (LB); 97-Parker (CB); 31-Bethel (S).
This was challenging---but, what's very interesting is to see how the camp and pre-season games will give us a better sense of who is going to make it.
