Pre-Season Week 4 (SD 12 AZ 9): Thoughts and Roster

[Shaggy]

Golden didn't really get any good balls thrown his way last night, so I can't think he gets cut because he didn't do anything last night. Just never had the chance.

 

[MadCardDisease]

2014 Pre-Season---Sam Acho

3 tackles (2 on STs)
0 sacks

Pre-Season!

He had what ZERO snaps against the Chargers last night.

Maybe 4 snaps against the Texans.

A quarter of pay against the Vikings.

A half against the Bengals.

In very limited time the Cardinals starting defense held these teams to a pair of field goals with Acho on the field.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Golden didn't really get any good balls thrown his way last night, so I can't think he gets cut because he didn't do anything last night. Just never had the chance.

He had a bunch of balls thrown his way that he failed to come down with. It thought it was Golden's worst game of the preseason. No way he makes the roster.

 

[Shaggy]

I remember one that was a deep pass down the sideline, but was somewhat under thrown and was tipped. It was a little more ahead of him, it would have been a TD. I don't think he had any really chances to catch the balls thrown his way last night.

 

[Shaggy]

When are we going to hear about the cuts today? What time do they usually do it, or announce it?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Mitch, I'm guessing your silence on Zach Bauman means he's toast??

 

[MadCardDisease]

I remember one that was a deep pass down the sideline, but was somewhat under thrown and was tipped. It was a little more ahead of him, it would have been a TD. I don't think he had any really chances to catch the balls thrown his way last night.

Golden had the ball thrown his way 9 times last night. He caught 4 of them for an average of 3.5 yards per reception. That is aweful. There was one play on 3rd and 4 where he caught the ball just short of the marker and failed to get the extra 2 yards for the first down. Those are the plays that you have to make if you want a spot on this roster.

 

[kerouac9]

When are we going to hear about the cuts today? What time do they usually do it, or announce it?

1 pm today for the first round of cuts; 1 pm tomorrow to get down to the 53.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, I'm guessing your silence on Zach Bauman means he's toast??

For the current roster---yes, 82CG.

For the PS---I think he has a chance if Taylor is kept on the 53 man roster.

If Taylor is waived---he would be the RB on the PS.

Do you agree?

 

[82CardsGrad]

For the current roster---yes, 82CG.

For the PS---I think he has a chance if Taylor is kept on the 53 man roster.

If Taylor is waived---he would be the RB on the PS.

Do you agree?

Yea... that sounds about right. Would love to see him get a legit shot with the team. He's extremely quick and has great feet. And is stronger than he appears. Hope he makes it and frankly, I would be ok with if it worked out that Taylor was waived. I have never been a fan of Taylor - on the field. Great kid. Just no skills...

 

[Mitch]

Yea... that sounds about right. Would love to see him get a legit shot with the team. He's extremely quick and has great feet. And is stronger than he appears. Hope he makes it and frankly, I would be ok with if it worked out that Taylor was waived. I have never been a fan of Taylor - on the field. Great kid. Just no skills...

Taylor's a lunch pail RB with no wiggle or wow factor, other than wow he is tough and plays hard. But, you win with guys like Taylor because he always puts it on the line and finds a way to get it done.

I think your assessment of Bauman is spot-on---he is stronger than one would think and he has the second best RB feet of anyone on the roster---but his head got ahead of his legs a few times last night, which happens when you want something so badly.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Taylor's a lunch pail RB with no wiggle or wow factor, other than wow he is tough and plays hard. But, you win with guys like Taylor because he always puts it on the line and finds a way to get it done.

I think your assessment of Bauman is spot-on---he is stronger than one would think and he has the second best RB feet of anyone on the roster---but his head got ahead of his legs a few times last night, which happens when you want something so badly.

Agree on Bauman... but on Taylor, I just don't see it... I honestly don't see him having any meaningful value to offer a team. He's terribly slow and his feet are stuck in glue. He's tough. But, tough RB's really aren't that hard to find. I know Keim drafted him, however, I really would be surprised if Taylor stuck with the team...

 

[juza76]

i d prefer to sign henry josey and waive stephen taylor

 

[Mitch]

i d prefer to sign henry josey and waive stephen taylor

Great call on Henry Josey! Check this article:

http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/...ding_phillys_rookies_in_preseason_finale.html

That said---another team will claim Josey before we can.

But, if we do add Josey or a speed RB---i would stick with Taylor and let Hughes go. Taylor is better on STs and he was good at the #3RB/FB role last year.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

Yeah Glenn Carson!

Make that football team!

Big reason I tout this guy is because he is from Manahawkin, NJ.

I will be driving through there (just like you did a couple weeks back Mitch) to get to LBI and have a day at the beach.

Hometown hero.

Hope he makes it.

Either of you guys going to the Cards-Giants game?

 

[Azlen]

Sources say that Bernard was cut.

https://twitter.com/Rand_Getlin/status/505439921075539968

Sopoaga as well.

https://twitter.com/Rand_Getlin/status/505440835349905408

And John Estes.

 

[wa52lz]

Were you not at that Cards-Cowboys game back in the day that ended like 9-6 at Sun Devil?

Didnt Grammatica miss like 4 FGS that day and Dallas missed an extra point?? OT win right?

 

[Vermont Maverick]

My quick thoughts before the cutdown in 5 minutes.

Stepfan Taylor is the best pass protecting back we have. And he contributes on special teams. I think he is a lock as the #3 back. I'm think they will look for a speedier option as the #4 back ultimately, Hughes gets cut. 3 backs and 6 receivers.

I would wonder if they could get something for Ted Ginn. Do they trust the Brown brothers that much? Do they trust John Brown or Powell with punt return duties?

Interesting decision as many have pointed out between Carson and Bishop. Alexander is history.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

I also think we keep Teddy Williams and McCann to start the season, for 6 CBS. The reason is that with Matthew, we have only 3 safeties. Got to have at least 9 DBs.

If we sign Harrison, I'd say Bishop is out. (Per what others said, Bernard is out, leaving 4 OLB without Harrison.

 

[Redneck Voodoo]

Very difficult game to watch---vanilla schemes and lackluster performances abound.

The most disturbing trend that continues to rear its ugly head are the blown pass protection assignments---with the starters in PS Games 2 & 3---and with the second teamers in Games 3 & 4.

Classic case in point last week when Jared Veldheer blocked down and TE Carlson to Veldheer's side released, allowing the Bengals' DE a free shot into backfield. Either Veldheer missed his assignment or Carlson did. And these types of mis-commincations or missed assignments are happening with alarming frequency.

The most encouraging trend on defense is the improvement in pass coverage. The players are picking up their assignments and are playing tighter coverage and are in better positions to make plays.

The players in Game 4 who made the strongest claims for making the roster (in my opinion):

WR Walt Powell. We can see why the Cardiinals drafted him---he has nifty feet and better than average vision/awareness/escapability.

DT/DE Tommie Kelly. Gets good push on his pass rush and looks athletic.

DT/DE Bruce Gaston. This guy was a high-effort physical presence in the game, and has been in practice and throughout the pre-season.

ILB Glenn Carson. Gotta hand it to Rubgy who has been touting Carson's chances because he was defensive MVP last night with 10 tackles and a handful of good plays in pass coverage---plus, he made a couple of nice plays on STs.

S Curtis Taylor. He's had his best pre-season and had another good game last night before breaking his arm. Not sure whether he would have made the roster---but he sure was making a case.

K Chandler Catanzaro. His performance throughout the pre-season has been impressive and he has now eliminated the doubt as to whether the Cardinals would seek a waiver wire addition.

Players whose roster chances are iffy:

RB Stepfan Taylor. Not that he's playing poorly---it's just that the team lacks explosion and quickness behind lead RB Andre Ellington. It seems Robert Hughes has locked up the #3 RB/FB/ST role---the role that Taylor filled fairly well last year.

Ts Nate Potter (injured shoulder) and Bradley Sowell---both were subpar in last night's game, with Sowell looking the poorest in pass protection. Both are eligible for the PS, so if Steve Keim can find a swing tackle off waivers, it would seem to be a no brainer at this point.

WR Brittan Golden---before last night, Golden may have had some slight trade value---but, despite being impressive in previous games, he did very little to separate himself versus the Chargers. His tape in this game is not good.

DT Isaac Sopoaga---as they say you can't make the club from the tub.

DT/NT Christian Tupou---he's played hard and has made some very good plays---but the numbers don't work in his favor.

DE Ed Stinson---his tape last night and throughout the pre-season isn't going to land him a waiver claim if he gets waived. He's a thud defender who does not make plays on the ball or create any disruption or pressure on the QB.

CB Teddy Williams---has done very little this pre-season, even on STs, which is supposed to be his forte. Looks the part---has the speed and size you like---but doesn't play with any real sense of command.

Bubble Players who may or may not make the roster:

G Earl Watford. With Cooper struggling the team may need to pick up a veteran backup G. Watford is making progress---he's still a year or two away from making a legit run for the starting lineup. Chances are good he would pass through waivers and be quickly added to the PS, if need be.

TE Darren Fells. He may still need some more time to develop on the PS---if Steve Keim can add a TE he likes off waivers. Chances are he will stick---and the Cardinals are 20th in the waiver claim pecking order, which means they may not be able to pick up most of the players they put in a claim in for.

ILB Desmond Bishop. He's the speediest of the ILBers, but he has struggled the past two weeks as he tries to work his way back into football shape. He may be worth being patient with---but---the way Carson played last night---Bishop might not have done enough.

OLB Sam Acho. With James Harrison potentially on the verge of signing with the team---because Harrison plays the run well---he could be the base ROLB in the 34, which would allow John Abraham to focus on being the nickel RDE. Which OLB would be the odd man out? It would seem Alex Okafor would get the nod over Sam Acho. Acho hasn't shown up on tape the way Okafor has.

OLB Marcus Benard. He made some big hits on STs last night---and was very active in the game, before and after getting nicked up. But---he hasn't been the pass rushing presence this pre-season that one would have hoped for.

OLB Adrian Tracy. He's the speediest of the OLBers---but lacks strength and the the slipperiness to maneuver around blocks. He is PS eligible---so maybe that's where he winds up for now.

CB Bryan McCann. He's been inconsistent and was again last night. He has ST value and he is playing tough physically---man he punished one WR last night after a catch, but should have been in a better position to make a play on the ball. Chances are he's done enough to make the roster---but, if Keim finds a CB he likes off waivers, then McCann might be the odd man out.

Players who seem like PS givens:

G Philip Blake
TE Andre Hardy
LB Jonathan Brown
CB Eddie Whitley (if arm is broken, he goes to IR---he really had a nice game last night---so did Jimmy Legree who made his case for the PS).

Roster Prediction (players who could be waived for waiver claims or trade additions are in italics):

QB (3): Palmer; Stanton; Thomas

RB (4): Ellington; Dwyer; Hughes; Taylor

TE (4): Carlson; Houlser; Niklas; Fells (Trade chip perhaps, Housler? He's had a very quiet camp---with Carlson it's more by design, but with Housler? He's been quiet for 4 years.)

WR (6): Fitzgerald; Floyd; Jaron Brown; John Brown; Ginn Jr.; Powell

OL (8): Veldheer; Larsen; Sendlein; Fanaika; Massie; Cooper; Watford; Sowell (Potter to IR?)

NT (2) Williams; Ta'amu

DE (5): Campbell; Rucker; Kelly; Martin; Gaston

ILB (4): Minter; Foote; Demens; Bishop/Carson

OLB (5): Shaughnessy; Abraham; Benard; Okafor; Acho/Harrison?

CB (5): Peterson; Cromartie; Powers; Bethel; McCann

S (4): Mathieu; Bucannon; Johnson; Jefferson

ST (3): Catanzaro; Leach; Zastudil

It will be interesting to see if Steve Keim makes a trade or two. Picking #20 in waiver claims is going to make it more difficult than last year to add the players they put in a claim for....which could cause Keim to be more pro-active.

Nice read, as usual. I agree on Carson, Powell, Tommy Kelly and Catanzaro.
If Sowell makes this team after last night, Somebody has some pictures on somebody.
Stinson has been very disappointing.
Bubble: Watford will be on this team
I like Benard. Sorry to see he was cut.
No way Harrison replaces replaces Acho.

On a side note: Did anybody see the interview with Tommy Kelly? I want to invite that guy to my next BBQ. I'll bet he's a hoot.

 

[Garthshort]

Couple of thoughts on:
1. Acho and Okafor. For the most part,imo, Acho was playing against starters, and Okafor against backups.
2. Catanzarro's kickoffs, how were they?
3. Bernard being cut might mean Harrison will be signed.
4. ILB's, Minter (if healthy) and Foote to start. Demens and either Bishop or Carson to back up. And I'm guessing Bishop, as judging by the FA's brought in, experience is liked by BASK. I'd hate to see Carson go elsewhere and develop into a vg player.
5. Would be surprised to see Bauman on the PS, as there must be better RB's out there.
6. Besieds Taylor there will probably be a few IR surprises.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Couple of thoughts on:
6. Besieds Taylor there will probably be a few IR surprises.

Taylor didn't break his arm. Just has a bad hematoma.

 

[Mitch]

I am wondering about WR Walt Powell. I felt pretty sure he had made the team, but in listening to BA's remarks, when asked what he felt about how Powell did in the return game, BA lauded the blockers and said Powell did ok. It sounded like BA wasn't all that impressed. Funny, but I thought Powell was one of the very few bright spots in that difficult-to-watch game.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Powell did have some nice moves on his returns. But he was carrying the ball like a loaf of bread and that is a fumble waiting to happen.

 

[Mitch]

Players I was wrong about:

In:

Alexander
Carson (I gave Bishop the slight nod thinking we could have Carson on the PS---but I did pose the possibility of the team keeping both and thought it would have keep 3 RBs or 4 CBs instead)
Stinton

Out:

Benard
Gaston
McCann

Turns out MJ and D.Urban also had Benard and McCann on their projected rosters.

I am very surprised that Alexander makes the team over Benard. Benard is still the second best edge rusher on the roster---his 4.0 sacks last year were second best for edge rushers on the team. Not only did Benard generate some rare edge pressure a couple of times this pre-season, he had that nifty interception in pass coverage. Alexander offers the team nothing on defense---he's not been even decent inside or outside, and he hasn't stood out on STs, whereas Benard has made some jarring tackles. Weird.

I've got my fingers crossed that Gaston will go unclaimed---I really felt that he had the best and most productive pre-season of any of the young defensive linemen. His 6 tackles in the last pre-season game was as much as Stinson and Martin had all pre-season combined. And Gaston even battled back from injury to achieve that.