Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. Roster Envy. Have you noticed that even though the Cardinals' roster is at 90, the players they cut are quickly claimed by other teams? As was the case this week with WR Kevin Smith of Washington. The fact is that the Cardinals, under the leadership of GM Steve Keim,are being recognized around the league for their ability to identify and sign talent.
2. The Juke and Count Massie. There's some sweet jazz being played in the Cardinals' offense with the emergence of Ellington in the backfield and Massie at right tackle. Even though Massie was slow to pick up the offense last year, the experience Massie garnered as a blocking TE has enabled him to play with greater purpose, understanding and confidence this year.
3. Demens and Minter = Salt and Pepper. I can see these two fresh-legged and aggressive ILBers running away with the two starting jobs at ILB. Why? They are the two best, most physical, down-hill tacklers of the group. Larry Foote should be a valuable third ILB...and I expect quite a battle for the 4th ILB spot between Keenan Clayton and Glenn Carson. While i could be mistaken, I don't see Lorenzo Alexander or Ernie Sims panning out at ILB, as neither of them will prove to be physical enough, like my faves, Kevin "Pepper" Minter....and DemensMyBoys!
4. What Can Brown Do For You? Can you imagine what a great draft this could be if John Brown is just as good or even better than Brandin Cooks? You just know, BA would have wanted to get his hands on Cooks who was sitting pretty at #20. But, what a coup it could be if John Brown, who is just as fast and is a bigger target than Cooks, can be the big speed threat Y.A. Hilton-type WR in BA's offense who enabled Steve Keim to trade down and go ahead and take SS Deone Bucannon instead. As for Bucannon, not only should he make an impact at SS from day one, I have a hunch that he is going to be the 3rd and 4th down nickel/dime ILB who will be used to blitz, to cover RBs and at times to shadow Wilson and Kaepernick. Here is a guy who can take the romance out of the QB scramble!
5. Giving Defenses Fitz. A very interesting development on the offense this year is how the speed element will affect Larry Fitzgerald's production. It is going to force teams to concede single coverage on Fitz. On the one hand that should create more opportunities for Fitz, yet on the other, with all the mismatches that BA will create for the likes of Michael Floyd, The Juke, Ted Ginn Jr., John Brown, Rob Housler, John Carlson, Troy Niklas, Juron Brown and Jake Ballard, the receiving menu is so extensive that there could be games where Fitz gets a handful of passes thrown his way. Thus, Fitz's best value may be in making timely, clutch plays---in other words, making more of less.
6. Matchbox 49. One of the most intriguing scenarios that Todd Bowles and his coaches are already planning for is how to match their personnel up versus the 49ers' receivers. Here's the forecast that may make the most sense:
Crabtree---Peterson
Davis---Cromartie
Boldin---Mathieu
Ellington---Powers
If you see a better combo---please share. It's going to be very interesting to see how the Cardinals get after the 49ers this year.
7. Big Benard. Marcus Benard is a guy that i think is going to play a huge role for the Cardinals as the nickel edge rusher opposite John Abraham. he came on pretty well in that role last year and even though he's not big in stature at 6-2, 256, he has the edge quickness the team needs. Big role. The question is, is there anyone on the roster who can challenge him? I am particularly curious to see what kind of camp Adrian Tracy has---and I even think he's versatile enough to contribute at WILB if need be. Of course, it will be very interesting too see if Acho and/or Okafor can make a splash.
2. The Juke and Count Massie. There's some sweet jazz being played in the Cardinals' offense with the emergence of Ellington in the backfield and Massie at right tackle. Even though Massie was slow to pick up the offense last year, the experience Massie garnered as a blocking TE has enabled him to play with greater purpose, understanding and confidence this year.
3. Demens and Minter = Salt and Pepper. I can see these two fresh-legged and aggressive ILBers running away with the two starting jobs at ILB. Why? They are the two best, most physical, down-hill tacklers of the group. Larry Foote should be a valuable third ILB...and I expect quite a battle for the 4th ILB spot between Keenan Clayton and Glenn Carson. While i could be mistaken, I don't see Lorenzo Alexander or Ernie Sims panning out at ILB, as neither of them will prove to be physical enough, like my faves, Kevin "Pepper" Minter....and DemensMyBoys!
4. What Can Brown Do For You? Can you imagine what a great draft this could be if John Brown is just as good or even better than Brandin Cooks? You just know, BA would have wanted to get his hands on Cooks who was sitting pretty at #20. But, what a coup it could be if John Brown, who is just as fast and is a bigger target than Cooks, can be the big speed threat Y.A. Hilton-type WR in BA's offense who enabled Steve Keim to trade down and go ahead and take SS Deone Bucannon instead. As for Bucannon, not only should he make an impact at SS from day one, I have a hunch that he is going to be the 3rd and 4th down nickel/dime ILB who will be used to blitz, to cover RBs and at times to shadow Wilson and Kaepernick. Here is a guy who can take the romance out of the QB scramble!
5. Giving Defenses Fitz. A very interesting development on the offense this year is how the speed element will affect Larry Fitzgerald's production. It is going to force teams to concede single coverage on Fitz. On the one hand that should create more opportunities for Fitz, yet on the other, with all the mismatches that BA will create for the likes of Michael Floyd, The Juke, Ted Ginn Jr., John Brown, Rob Housler, John Carlson, Troy Niklas, Juron Brown and Jake Ballard, the receiving menu is so extensive that there could be games where Fitz gets a handful of passes thrown his way. Thus, Fitz's best value may be in making timely, clutch plays---in other words, making more of less.
6. Matchbox 49. One of the most intriguing scenarios that Todd Bowles and his coaches are already planning for is how to match their personnel up versus the 49ers' receivers. Here's the forecast that may make the most sense:
Crabtree---Peterson
Davis---Cromartie
Boldin---Mathieu
Ellington---Powers
If you see a better combo---please share. It's going to be very interesting to see how the Cardinals get after the 49ers this year.
7. Big Benard. Marcus Benard is a guy that i think is going to play a huge role for the Cardinals as the nickel edge rusher opposite John Abraham. he came on pretty well in that role last year and even though he's not big in stature at 6-2, 256, he has the edge quickness the team needs. Big role. The question is, is there anyone on the roster who can challenge him? I am particularly curious to see what kind of camp Adrian Tracy has---and I even think he's versatile enough to contribute at WILB if need be. Of course, it will be very interesting too see if Acho and/or Okafor can make a splash.
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