Predicting The 2011 Arizona Cardinals' Roster

[nooch]

Tight Ends- Tight Ends are irrelevant? Are you kidding me? A good TE can make a HUGE difference for an offense. Ours are absolutely terrible. Probably the worst in the NFL.[/QUOTE]

Zach Miller. Do it.

 

[Duckjake]

Wells- I simply don't understand how you can say the guy is done. Has he been what we hoped for this year? No. However, he shows significant flashes of power and production. He does seem to slip more than he should, but he still flashes the ability to be an above average back. The running game as a whole has been a disappointment this year. This includes the backs, o-line, and play calling.

Hightower- How can you claim he is no longer a receiving threat? Just last year he caught over 60 balls. Just because our atrocious QB play has prevented him from catching a bunch of balls doesn't mean he has lost the ability to do so.

Maui'a- Whiz continues to use a FB. If he had no need for one, why would he waste a roster spot on one?

Breaston- Guys like him are dime-a-dozen? He is tough, pretty sure-handed, and is extremely productive when healthy. He has been banged up a majority of the season. He has also played with 3 QBs this year. None-of-which should be starting QBs, and 2 of which shouldn't even be on NFL rosters (Hall and Anderson).

Roberts- You want to get rid of a guy who has shown HUGE strides in his ROOKIE season? This is weird. The guy came from the Citadel and is playing a position that is widely considered one of the most difficult to adjust to in the NFL.

Tight Ends- Tight Ends are irrelevant? Are you kidding me? A good TE can make a HUGE difference for an offense. Ours are absolutely terrible. Probably the worst in the NFL.

We disagree on all these things but that doesn't make my comments weird. #1 I know you haven't been around enough to know that if I say Wells is done he'll be great. He is my anti curse player for the current roster.

Breaston and Roberts are dime a dozen Wide Receivers and totally overrated by ASFN. I really believe that our WRs are a major reason our offense has struggled this season and a position in dire need of an upgrade. Our QBs have taken a lot of heat this season that should have been directed at our less than stellar WRs. They couldn't get open when Warner was QB. He just made amazing throws that they were able to catch.

I claim Hightower is no longer a receiving threat because he went from 63 catches to 19. What else needs to be said?

CKW has a FB on the team but how often is he on the field? How often does he touch the ball? Same goes for the TEs. We use our TEs less than just about any team I've watched the last couple of years.

We line up in 3-4 WR sets all the time with a bunch of guys who can't get open and can't catch the ball when they do. It's crazy.

 

[ReddBird]

I've heard that the Cards have been studying Kolb, considering what they'd need to get him. (1st and a third? 2nd and a fourth?) If they don't think Skelton is the answer, they might pull the trigger.

And this: It's way too soon to give up on Beanie.

 

[Duckjake]

I've heard that the Cards have been studying Kolb, considering what they'd need to get him. (1st and a third? 2nd and a fourth?) If they don't think Skelton is the answer, they might pull the trigger.

And this: It's way too soon to give up on Beanie.

No it isn't. He's the reincarnation of Leland McElroy. I'll bet the coaching staff doesn't let him chew gum for fear he won't be able to walk.

 

[LarryStalling]

I would like to see the Cards draft Martez Wilson in the second round and draft Tyler Sash in the fifth or sixth round for depth at safety. Sash is a real good ball hawk.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Here is My proposed roster though I'm only going to stick with a major free agent and a first round pick. IMO it's fruitless to guess on anything other than a first rounder.

QB: McNabb, Skelton, Bartel
Hall misses the cut. McNabb is brought in as "competition" for Skelton, but obviously has the inside track. Skelton ends up beating out McNabb in the preseason.

RB: THT, Wells, Howling
I'm not going to touch on a 4th string RB, that's going a bit too far in the weeds. Nothing changes, nor do we really "need" a RB. We could use a top guy, but if the offensive line play and QB are improved we can get production from our RB corps.

FB: Mau'ia
Yes he barely plays, but he has been effective enough to hold down a roster spot.

WR: Fitzgerald, Breaston, Roberts, Doucet, Williams
I'm not as down on this group as Duckjake is; I see it game in, game out, these guys are getting open. The QBs are not consistently getting them the ball or aren't throwing catchable balls. Skelton needs to learn to throw with some touch on the shorter routes, or these guys will continue to drop 5 yard laser passes.

TE: Bo Scaife, Dray, possible draft pick
I wouldn't be surprised to see a fairly high draft pick used to shore up the starting job, but obviously veterans get first shot. The Cardinals make an unheralded free agent pick up, snatching Bo Scaife. While he's not a star receiver, he gives the Cardinals the best receiving TE they've had since Freddie Jones. This position is improved but still isn't good.

OL: LT: Donald Penn RG: Rex Hadnot C: Lyle Sendlein LG: Duece Lutui RT: Brandon Keith. Not going to discuss back ups, since this position will have lots of turnover in the offseason. Donald Penn free agent LT from Tampa Bay. Throw a house full of money at him, he's a legit starting LT in the NFL and is a free agent. Hadnot starts by default, but is an upgrade over Faneca, Sendlein is a coaching staff favorite, Lutui is resigned to a decent contract, and Keith comes back.

 

[Krangodnzr]

No it isn't. He's the reincarnation of Leland McElroy. I'll bet the coaching staff doesn't let him chew gum for fear he won't be able to walk.

That's bologna. And you know I'm not high on Beanie. He's serviceable back. McElroy was king scrub, bust.

Beanie is just not, at this juncture, a good every down NFL RB.

 

[kerouac9]

Donald Penn just signed an extension last offseason.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Now here's what I would do for the defense:

RE: Da'quan Bowers UT: Darnell Dockett NT: Dan Williams LE: Calais Campbell
After the late season experimentation with a 4-3 shows some dividends, the Cardinals decide to move back to a 4-3/3-4 hybrid and select the best pass rusher to come out in years, Da'quan Bowers from Clemson. Bowers has size, speed, and is in the Mario Williams/Julius Peppers mold. This line has 3 legit pass rushers, but also guys that can anchor and stop the run.

WILB: Daryl Washington MLB: David Harris SOLB: Paris Lenon/Clark Haggans/ O'Brien Schofield
The second big free agent acquistion of the offseason, David Harris MLB from the Jets. While Harris wanted to stay with the Jets, the Cardinals overpaid (much like overpaying LT Donald Penn). Daryl Washington moves into the WILL spot, where he can be covered up more and run sideline to sideline. Lenon stays on since he can backup all three LB spots. O'Brien Schofield is the eventual starter at the SOLB position and bring a bit of pass rush and ability to seal the edge as does Clark Haggans.

CBs: DRC, Toler, Adams, Jefferson
Nothing really needs to change here yet; it would be nice if a draftpick could move Toler to the bench and Adams into the nickel but that's a luxury that likely won't be filled.

Safety: Wilson, Rhodes, Johnson, TBD
Nothing changes here. Wilson and Rhodes are entrenched, and Johnson is improving.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Donald Penn just signed an extension last offseason.

Did he, I was searching for that information....Jared Gaither is an unsigned guy, but he has more boom/bust potential.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I think it's imperative we address LT this offseason.

Levi Brown has been terrible at LT.

 

[kerouac9]

Did he, I was searching for that information....Jared Gaither is an unsigned guy, but he has more boom/bust potential.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...enns-deal-wasnt-nearly-as-good-as-advertised/

Six year extension. I know that Michael Lombardi loves him, but I just don't see the big deal.

 

[Duckjake]

That's bologna. And you know I'm not high on Beanie. He's serviceable back. McElroy was king scrub, bust.

Beanie is just not, at this juncture, a good every down NFL RB.

A serviceable back? What a ringing endorsement for a first round pick.

Wells is done. Any 10 year old could tackle him just by slapping his ankles. He's injury prone and lacks balance and can't even beat out a 5th round guy from Richmond. Not exactly the traits you want to see in your "stud" RB.

 

[kerouac9]

Krang, why would the Cards pay to trade for Donnie McNabb now when they weren't interested in last season? After the worst season of his career is he suddenly going to be more interesting to the Cards?

 

[Duckjake]

I think it's imperative we address LT this offseason.

Levi Brown has been terrible at LT.

Brown should have never been moved to LT. He was just starting to do well as a RT. It is just unreal that the Cards could let Leonard Davis go for nothing and pass on Adrian Peterson, just to use a first round draft pick on Leonard Davis. What are these guys thinking?

How can you make the same mistake twice when you have all these supposed football geniuses who know far more than us poor fans working for you?

 

[Krangodnzr]

We disagree on all these things but that doesn't make my comments weird. #1 I know you haven't been around enough to know that if I say Wells is done he'll be great. He is my anti curse player for the current roster.

Breaston and Roberts are dime a dozen Wide Receivers and totally overrated by ASFN. I really believe that our WRs are a major reason our offense has struggled this season and a position in dire need of an upgrade. Our QBs have taken a lot of heat this season that should have been directed at our less than stellar WRs. They couldn't get open when Warner was QB. He just made amazing throws that they were able to catch.

I claim Hightower is no longer a receiving threat because he went from 63 catches to 19. What else needs to be said?

CKW has a FB on the team but how often is he on the field? How often does he touch the ball? Same goes for the TEs. We use our TEs less than just about any team I've watched the last couple of years.

We line up in 3-4 WR sets all the time with a bunch of guys who can't get open and can't catch the ball when they do. It's crazy.

You're wrong about our WRs, they've been open all year long. DeWreck Anderson, Max Hall, and John Skelton have been terrible finding the open man. Granted, they've had the dropsies lately but they've never had an issue getting open.

What other, more plausible explanation would account for THT's precipitous drop in reception numbers? Would the retirement of a HOF QB account for that?

And to harp on Whisenhunt not getting the ball to a FB? That's just laughable, few teams in the league even use FBs much.

TE's I'll agree, but none of them are worth a damn, the front office hasn't drafted one high since Leonard Pope, and haven't tried to significantly upgrade the position in quite some time.

On a sidenote....

To all you that believe that Whisenhunt has all this control over personnel: Why is our payroll so low this year? Want to blame Whis for that? You think he wants to operate with a lower payroll?

 

[Krangodnzr]

Krang, why would the Cards pay to trade for Donnie McNabb now when they weren't interested in last season? After the worst season of his career is he suddenly going to be more interesting to the Cards?

McNabb will be released.

Most indications point to both parties wanting this.

 

[CtCardinals78]

If the QB platoon is Skelton, Bulger and Bartell expect another 5-11 season.

 

[Krangodnzr]

A serviceable back? What a ringing endorsement for a first round pick.

Wells is done. Any 10 year old could tackle him just by slapping his ankles. He's injury prone and lacks balance and can't even beat out a 5th round guy from Richmond. Not exactly the traits you want to see in your "stud" RB.

No it's definitely NOT a ringing endorsement, but I don't think the jury is out on him yet.

The proverbial "light" has come on for many players after their first 2 seasons.
I don't think it's an indictment that he can't beat out a "fifth round pick from Richmond". Quite a few great RBs came from from small schools or were drafted late.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Brown should have never been moved to LT. He was just starting to do well as a RT. It is just unreal that the Cards could let Leonard Davis go for nothing and pass on Adrian Peterson, just to use a first round draft pick on Leonard Davis. What are these guys thinking?

How can you make the same mistake twice when you have all these supposed football geniuses who know far more than us poor fans working for you?

We have the benefit of hindsight.

And don't forget, the football world is filled with dumbjocks

Levi Brown was one of the worst starting RT's in the league last year BTW, which is actually more of an indictment of his move to LT. After a rough start, Keith was actually playing pretty well before his injury, better than Levi typically did.

 

[Proteus]

No it's definitely NOT a ringing endorsement, but I don't think the jury is out on him yet.

The proverbial "light" has come on for many players after their first 2 seasons.
I don't think it's an indictment that he can't beat out a "fifth round pick from Richmond". Quite a few great RBs came from from small schools or were drafted late.

Running backs usally don't have the light come on after their 2nd season though.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Running backs usally don't have the light come on after their 2nd season though.

Thomas Jones.

 

[binkar]

We disagree on all these things but that doesn't make my comments weird. #1 I know you haven't been around enough to know that if I say Wells is done he'll be great. He is my anti curse player for the current roster.

I am around plenty. Been here for along time. I pay more attention to the content of the post then the person who posted it.

Breaston and Roberts are dime a dozen Wide Receivers and totally overrated by ASFN. I really believe that our WRs are a major reason our offense has struggled this season and a position in dire need of an upgrade. Our QBs have taken a lot of heat this season that should have been directed at our less than stellar WRs. They couldn't get open when Warner was QB. He just made amazing throws that they were able to catch.

How many times have you seen open WR missed this season? If you haven't seen a bunch, you haven't watched very closely. Still think it's ridiculous to write Roberts off after the improvement he has made. We have had 3 QBs who have struggled going through their reads and finding the open man. DA do to stupidity, the others do to inexperience (for now).

I claim Hightower is no longer a receiving threat because he went from 63 catches to 19. What else needs to be said?

Ummmmm that we have the worst QB play that I have ever seen? Fitz production has dropped exponentially too.

CKW has a FB on the team but how often is he on the field? How often does he touch the ball? Same goes for the TEs. We use our TEs less than just about any team I've watched the last couple of years.

Why does a "blocking" fullback need to touch the ball?

We line up in 3-4 WR sets all the time with a bunch of guys who can't get open and can't catch the ball when they do. It's crazy.

See comments above.

 

[joeshmo]

Curious as to why you hate Quinn as a prospect.

What I have seen of his play. He has great hustle if he isn't being blocked. First sign of contact and he stops working, wont even try to beat a double team. Played liked a pansy the times I saw him play. His one and only year of solid production was just that solid, it wasn't great, 15th in the league in college ball in TFL's and sacks isn't all worldly like the press clippings would lead people to believe. Press clippings that probably came from an agents PR staff, the same agent or partner that gave him the $2500 watches that got the kid in trouble with the NCAA. Combined with the fact that the brain tumor he had only 3-4 years ago can easily come back at any time and you get the next Aaron Maybin or Derrick Harvey. Pass rushers get over valued more so then any other position in the draft and this is just another case of that.

 

[bg7brd]

What I have seen of his play. He has great hustle if he isn't being blocked. First sign of contact and he stops working, wont even try to beat a double team. Played liked a pansy the times I saw him play. His one and only year of solid production was just that solid, it wasn't great, 15th in the league in college ball in TFL's and sacks isn't all worldly like the press clippings would lead people to believe. Press clippings that probably came from an agents PR staff, the same agent or partner that gave him the $2500 watches that got the kid in trouble with the NCAA. Combined with the fact that the brain tumor he had only 3-4 years ago can easily come back at any time and you get the next Aaron Maybin or Derrick Harvey. Pass rushers get over valued more so then any other position in the draft and this is just another case of that.

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