Preseason Mid-Term Report

[RugbyMuffin]

This roster is about set.

Going into the 3rd preseason game the Cardinals are in pretty good shape for a team that absolutely cleaned house this offseason.

In reality, there is one more preseason game to go. This is not last year where our team was so poor that it was hard to figure out what player sucked less and we needed FIVE whole preseason games to make what turned out to be the wrong personnel decisions anyway. At least things are going well in San Diego, lol.

Bruce Arians has a good idea of who is going to be on this roster. After watching next weeks game I guarantee the answers to a lot of the "10 tough discussions" will be shown to the fans.

Cause preseason game 4 will be used as it should be used. A gigantic scouting festival for rounding out the bottom 5 roster spots, and the team's practice squad. Yet, per Arians request, our current players on our current roster have made it hard for Arians to look at the waiver wire, IMO. ..... OK, maybe not at tight end.

As it stands right now, I see 8 roster spots that are wide open (9 if you count Feely).

As it stands right now, the "bubble" players on this roster are, only a little over a 1/3 of these guys can make the roster:

In no particular order:

1. Javier Arenas - CB. Good tackler. Decent in coverage, like a better Michael Adams. Good on special teams. 75% chance he is on the final 53.

2. Justin Bethel - CB. Faster than last year. Great tackler. Very average in coverage. Great on special teams. 95% chance he is on the final 53.

3. Jamel Flemming - CB. He looked OK last game. Supposedly the problem here is maturity. Looked solid, but needs to do more IMO. 45% chance he is on the final 53.

4. Bryan McCann - CB. Eh. The best thing I can say about McCann is that Arians likes him. 15% chance he is on the final 53.

5. Tony Jefferson - FS. Looked pretty darn good last game. If it were not for Jonathan Amaya being hurt, maybe he never sees the field, or at least not as much as he did yesterday, cause he was only in, during the 4th quarter versus the Packers. Can't ignore making plays like he did. 65% chance he is on the final 53.

6. Curtis Taylor - SS. Showed some flashes last game. Yes, he got lit up by Austin, but at least he stuck his face in there. Right now he is fighting Jefferson, and Amaya for the 4th Safety spot.....that is if we only hang on to 4 safeties. Matheui is kinda like a CB/S so the secondary group is a very fluid situation both in who is going to be on the roster, and how many of each position. 50% chance he is on the final 53.

7. Jonathan Amaya - SS. Hurt for last game, and that is not a good thing with the way Jefferson and to a lesser extent Taylor played against the Cowboys. Amaya is good on special teams, but both Taylor and Jefferson can play special teams as well. 55% chance he is on the final 53.

8. Ryan Lindely - QB. Long and short of it. Are the Cardinals keeping 3 QB's ?

9. Kory Sperry - TE. A lot of hype about this kid, but he has been hurt. Nuff said. He has to show something and play in this 3rd preseason game. There are way too many question at TE, to take a risk on some one who has done literally nothing so far. BA talks about the waiver wire, well there are players putting film out there while Sperry is just talk. 25% chance he is on the final 53.

10. DC Jefferson - TE. Again, if we have 2 quality TE's to rely on, he is probably on the roster for no more reason than he was drafted. He has yet to show a consistent NFL level of talent, IMO. He is fighting against everyone on this roster, and the waiver wire, IMO. 40% chance he is on the final 53.

11. Jim Dray - TE. For a lifer 4th stringer he showed some savvy vet play last week. Solid in the blocking game, solid in the passing game. His competition, Kory Sperry, sits on the bench, and Dray produces. 85% chance he is on the final 53.

12. Charles Hawkins - WR. If I am running the show? Hawkins is on the final 53. No doubt in my mind. Fearless. Savage competitor. Plays special teams, returns punts. Fast, quick. Decent hands. Can take a 5 yd pass and turn it into 20 yards. I mean, the Cardinals start Kerry Taylor on the 2nd string in front of Hawkins last game, and Hawkins responds, once given the opportunity, with a big catch and run. 70% chance he is on the final 53.

14. Jaron Brown - WR. Not saying the WR position is an easy choice. Jaron Brown is the 5th WR on this team, IMO. Big body. Good hands. Can make the catch in traffic. But, purely a possession receiver. Have no idea what the Cardinals were thinking running him on a reverse. 51% chance he is on the final 53.

15. Kerry Taylor - WR. Well, he made his case for himself last game. Had a drop but so have Hawkins, and Brown this preseason. Had a couple nice catches and run. Goes over the middle. Good size, speed, and hands blend. If it were not for Taylor the WR group would already be finalized, IMO. 49% chance he is on the final 53.

16. Chilo Rachal - OG. He is out there with the 2nd team so he must be in the mix. But I do not see him making the roster. We cut Rex Hadnot a couple years ago, and don't need his doppleganger on the roster, IMO. Yet, I have not seen or heard from Rachal since game 1....that is a good thing for him, yet the guard he is competing with, Paul Fanaika is not on this list because he is already on the roster. 10% chance he is on the final 53.

17. The immortal Mike Gibson - OC. For all the talk during this time, about stories telling how a player got to this point, Gibson is a good story. He was picked up "in the shadows" as I say. If you sneezed you missed he was signed. Originally a guard, and after the Cardinals go out and get 3 other centers this offseason, Mike Gibson ends up playing 2nd team center. Mike Gibson may not make this roster, but if he is eligible for the practice squad he can hide out there all season without getting poached in my opinion. He is solid enough to be the backup center sitting on the practice squad, IMO. 15% chance he is on the final 53.

18. Senio Kelemete - OG. Kinda like Chilo Rachal but is playing better at the point of attack. A left over from the Whiz era, but a player whom may not make this roster because he is "old regime". Would not be surprised to see him playing for another NFL team. Nothing special, but not horrible. If Paul Fanaika doesn't come out of no where, then Kelemete would have had a shot at this roster......but you never know, again he is on the 2nd team right now. 20% chance he is on the final 53.

19. Daryl Talley - NT/DE. Was very surprised that Daryl Talley comes in and starts over David Carter, and Padric Scott. He did "well". Does his versitility and the obviously belief in his ability by the coaches get him on the final 53. Talley has been a lifer on the Cardinals practice squad. Always has been a solid depth guy for cheap. I was VERY shocked to see him start last weeks game with David Carter, and Padric Scott available. If Frostee Rucker was healthy I guarantee he would have been out there at NT before Talley. YET, the biggest thing in Talley's favor? He plays special teams. 55% chance he is on the final 53.

20. Padric Scott - NT. I really, really like this kid. I like his balance, his technique, and his instincts. There is just one problem. He is not there yet, not even close. He does 75% of what he needs to do well, and then the NFL talent just overtakes him. A cut by the back that he cannot react to, a block that gets him by surprise knocks him down, and is a little too slow off the ball. Yet, he is risk on the practice squad, cause if I am the Jets, pick him up. 25% chance he is on the final 53.

21. David Carter, - NT/DE. I think Carter is in, and didn't originally have him on this "bubble list". Yet, he took a clear step back last year, and Daryl Talley did start at NT over him last game. I think Carter is too versatile to cut, but he should go ask the coaches to try him on special teams just in case. I mean he is on this list but could easily be left off of it, it would be a surprise if he is cut IMO. 95% chance he is on the final 53.

22. Zach Nash, OLB - Good special team, and is starting to get to that level where he is a serviceable OLBer. Good motor. Plays to the whistle. I don't know if Nash could have the pass rushing effect against the starters, but he is showing promise. He has to be in the conversation for the final 53. 35% chance he is on the final 53.

23. Jay Feely, K - Has to look better. Nuff said. 60% chance he is on the final 53.

OUT: Ryan Williams, and Robert Gill have lost their shot at being on the Arizona Cardinals for the 2013 season. Williams should just be put on IR, IMO. Robert Gil ? At least had his 15 min. of fame. There is no way to justify a spot to Williams with the way the top 3 backs are playing, and Williams cannot play special teams like A.Smith, and it no where near as durable. Robert Gil ? He is so far down the depth chart, that he has to be footnoted in.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I am very disappointed in Feely so far. I know it's preseason, but he needs to make the kicks so the team has confidence in him. I would like to bring in another kicker for a look.

 

[the_future23]

Can't see the team giving up on Ryan Williams so early.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I am very disappointed in Feely so far. I know it's preseason, but he needs to make the kicks so the team has confidence in him. I would like to bring in another kicker for a look.

Disagree. Don't get me wrong I don't have a problem with bringing in competition, but Feely has basically had one bad kick this preseason and that was the one he missed against Dallas. The other miss this preseason was a 53 yard attempt in Lambeau Field so it is hard to tell if it was just a poor attempt or if maybe it got caught up in a breeze. The guy made 90% of his FGAs last year to include 14 straight to end the season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Can't see the team giving up on Ryan Williams so early.

Fair enough to say you can't see the Cardinals giving up on Williams.

As for early ?

Kid has had 3 years to show it. Which is WAY, WAY longer than most get in this league.

Early ?

He might turn into, too little, too late.

3 years is a LONG TIME in the NFL.

He would have to look incredible in the 3rd preseason game, show he can play special teams, and stay on the field for more than 30 plays to prove he is worth a spot on this roster.

And every spot is going to count. Those 2 "extra" spots on the roster ? They are already in the midst of high level competition.

The only way I see Williams staying on the Cardinals is with him being on the IR for the 3rd straight year.

 

[JeffGollin]

We presumably gave up on Schofield partly due to his being injured a lot and 2 weeks later, he turns into the next Lawrence Taylor.

Explosive RB's aren't a dime a dozen. Do we want to risk making the same mistake with Ryan Williams that we seem to have made with Schofield?

At the very least, we should wait as long as possible to give him every available opportunity to earn his way onto the final roster.

 

[PJ1]

Nice post. My observations as follows:

I believe Fleming is gone. Just hasn't cut it.

Have Brown and Taylor making team ahead of Hawkins but like you I would put Hawkins on the team as I love that speed. Just not sure the coaching staff will.

If Jim Dray is our best TE we have really screwed up this position. One of our TE's is not on the roster yet.

I believe Reggie Walker is in danger of not making the team. At least he should be as he hasn't done anything.

Feely isn't going anywhere in my opinion.

Agree time to stop fooling with R.Williams. I am not an Alphonso Smith fan either.

 

[Chopper0080]

We presumably gave up on Schofield partly due to his being injured a lot and 2 weeks later, he turns into the next Lawrence Taylor.

Explosive RB's aren't a dime a dozen. Do we want to risk making the same mistake with Ryan Williams that we seem to have made with Schofield?

At the very least, we should wait as long as possible to give him every available opportunity to earn his way onto the final roster.

The only thing explosive about Ryan Williams at this point are his joints. I liked him when we drafted him but the facts are that he is worthless if he can't stay on the field and in his 3rd year, he can't.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

We presumably gave up on Schofield partly due to his being injured a lot and 2 weeks later, he turns into the next Lawrence Taylor.

Explosive RB's aren't a dime a dozen. Do we want to risk making the same mistake with Ryan Williams that we seem to have made with Schofield?

At the very least, we should wait as long as possible to give him every available opportunity to earn his way onto the final roster.

It is one preseason game against 2nd teamers. If Schofield was not an ex-Cardinal you would not be talkin that way. If he is the next LT then where was the 15+ sacks that we should have watched him get while playing here. He got prime opportunities while here and did very little. He wasn't cut just because of his injuries, it was because he could not produce and was terrible against the run.

I call bullpucky on that talk.

If the Cardinals keep Williams and cut someone else that soneone else will, as per the norm, will be called, The next Great blank and if Williams gets cut he is the next greatest running back. Its no win for this club sometimes.

Both Williams and Schofield have gottn very fair and long chances to stay in Arz. Heck, if you want to talk this year they both were given more of an opportunity then Adrian Wilson.

Ryan Williams is not explosive he is injury prone. To be explosive you actually got to do something on the field, not just talk about it.

Sent from my space ship

 

[Catfish]

We presumably gave up on Schofield partly due to his being injured a lot and 2 weeks later, he turns into the next Lawrence Taylor.

Explosive RB's aren't a dime a dozen. Do we want to risk making the same mistake with Ryan Williams that we seem to have made with Schofield?

At the very least, we should wait as long as possible to give him every available opportunity to earn his way onto the final roster.

Big difference IMO is that Schofield is not afraid to play, (Williams is).

 

[Cardiac]

This roster is about set.


As it stands right now, the "bubble" players on this roster are, only a little over a 1/3 of these guys can make the roster:

In no particular order:

1. Javier Arenas - CB. Good tackler. Decent in coverage, like a better Michael Adams. Good on special teams. 75% chance he is on the final 53.

99% he makes the roster. Maybe Keim will try and trade him.

2. Justin Bethel - CB. Faster than last year. Great tackler. Very average in coverage. Great on special teams. 95% chance he is on the final 53.

110% he makes the team. Dude is uber fast and a ST's demon. He needs further development at CB but has ALL the required skills.


5. Tony Jefferson - FS. Looked pretty darn good last game. If it were not for Jonathan Amaya being hurt, maybe he never sees the field, or at least not as much as he did yesterday, cause he was only in, during the 4th quarter versus the Packers. Can't ignore making plays like he did. 65% chance he is on the final 53.

I think you may be right but my gut is screaming he needs to make the team.

6. Curtis Taylor - SS. Showed some flashes last game. Yes, he got lit up by Austin, but at least he stuck his face in there. Right now he is fighting Jefferson, and Amaya for the 4th Safety spot.....that is if we only hang on to 4 safeties. Matheui is kinda like a CB/S so the secondary group is a very fluid situation both in who is going to be on the roster, and how many of each position. 50% chance he is on the final 53.

If this clod makes it over Jefferson I will be upset. Agree that Matheui's flexibility could mean we keep an extra Safety.


10. DC Jefferson - TE. Again, if we have 2 quality TE's to rely on, he is probably on the roster for no more reason than he was drafted. He has yet to show a consistent NFL level of talent, IMO. He is fighting against everyone on this roster, and the waiver wire, IMO. 40% chance he is on the final 53.

He has a roll as the blocking TE, best we have on the team at this moment and will continue to develop. He is getting a ton of reps so BASK are giving him every chance to make the team. I give his odds at 75%.


11. Jim Dray - TE. For a lifer 4th stringer he showed some savvy vet play last week. Solid in the blocking game, solid in the passing game. His competition, Kory Sperry, sits on the bench, and Dray produces. 85% chance he is on the final 53.

If Dray makes the team than we wiffed on a trade and the WW.

12. Charles Hawkins - WR. If I am running the show? Hawkins is on the final 53. No doubt in my mind. Fearless. Savage competitor. Plays special teams, returns punts. Fast, quick. Decent hands. Can take a 5 yd pass and turn it into 20 yards. I mean, the Cardinals start Kerry Taylor on the 2nd string in front of Hawkins last game, and Hawkins responds, once given the opportunity, with a big catch and run. 70% chance he is on the final 53.

Taylor has been listed as 2nd string on the Depth chart so he got his normal playing time as he comes off his injury.

I think it's a coin toss on which of the trio make it on the roster. Maybe it gets down to who they think can more easily clear waivers and be put on the PS.

19. Daryl Talley - NT/DE. Was very surprised that Daryl Talley comes in and starts over David Carter, and Padric Scott. He did "well". Does his versitility and the obviously belief in his ability by the coaches get him on the final 53. Talley has been a lifer on the Cardinals practice squad. Always has been a solid depth guy for cheap. I was VERY shocked to see him start last weeks game with David Carter, and Padric Scott available. If Frostee Rucker was healthy I guarantee he would have been out there at NT before Talley. YET, the biggest thing in Talley's favor? He plays special teams. 55% chance he is on the final 53.

Fully agree with everything except I would put his chances at 80%.

20. Padric Scott - NT. I really, really like this kid. I like his balance, his technique, and his instincts. There is just one problem. He is not there yet, not even close. He does 75% of what he needs to do well, and then the NFL talent just overtakes him. A cut by the back that he cannot react to, a block that gets him by surprise knocks him down, and is a little too slow off the ball. Yet, he is risk on the practice squad, cause if I am the Jets, pick him up. 25% chance he is on the final 53.

Agree

21. David Carter, - NT/DE. I think Carter is in, and didn't originally have him on this "bubble list". Yet, he took a clear step back last year, and Daryl Talley did start at NT over him last game. I think Carter is too versatile to cut, but he should go ask the coaches to try him on special teams just in case. I mean he is on this list but could easily be left off of it, it would be a surprise if he is cut IMO. 95% chance he is on the final 53.

Before preseason I would have agreed Carter makes the team (95%). I now lower those odds to 75%.


23. Jay Feely, K - Has to look better. Nuff said. 60% chance he is on the final 53.

I don't know who else is available but I would give Feely a 95%.

OUT: Ryan Williams, and Robert Gill have lost their shot at being on the Arizona Cardinals for the 2013 season. Williams should just be put on IR, IMO. Robert Gil ? At least had his 15 min. of fame. There is no way to justify a spot to Williams with the way the top 3 backs are playing, and Williams cannot play special teams like A.Smith, and it no where near as durable. Robert Gil ? He is so far down the depth chart, that he has to be footnoted in.

Yeah I don't see Gill making the team. Fully admit that I am probably wrong about Ryan Williams but I would like to see what he can do in the 3rd preseason game.

 

[JeffGollin]

It is one preseason game against 2nd teamers. If Schofield was not an ex-Cardinal you would not be talkin that way. If he is the next LT then where was the 15+ sacks that we should have watched him get while playing here. He got prime opportunities while here and did very little. He wasn't cut just because of his injuries, it was because he could not produce and was terrible against the run.

I call bullpucky on that talk.

If the Cardinals keep Williams and cut someone else that soneone else will, as per the norm, will be called, The next Great blank and if Williams gets cut he is the next greatest running back. Its no win for this club sometimes.

Both Williams and Schofield have gottn very fair and long chances to stay in Arz. Heck, if you want to talk this year they both were given more of an opportunity then Adrian Wilson.

Ryan Williams is not explosive he is injury prone. To be explosive you actually got to do something on the field, not just talk about it.

Sent from my space ship

A nice, lengthy impassioned rebuttal that conveniently avoids the point I was trying to make - mainly that we don't give up on Ryan any earlier than we have to. (What do we have to lose by giving him as long as possible to prove his critics wrong)? Note - My allusion to Lawrence Taylor was partly jest (as in the media and some fans were making Schofield "sound" like he was LT/not that he actually was that good).

 

[Gee!]

Of your list the four IMO that make it are:
Arenas
Bethel
Tony Jefferson
Jaron Brown

 

[BigRedRage]

Can't see the team giving up on Ryan Williams so early.

The only way he makes the team is if we cut alphonso smith instead of him.

Smith has been a workhorse this preseason and showed his versatility. Williams has showed that he is always injured.

His odds are VERY low to make the team IMO. Unless he returns to practice today and lights it up all week I dont see him staying.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

A nice, lengthy impassioned rebuttal that conveniently avoids the point I was trying to make - mainly that we don't give up on Ryan any earlier than we have to. (What do we have to lose by giving him as long as possible to prove his critics wrong)? Note - My allusion to Lawrence Taylor was partly jest (as in the media and some fans were making Schofield "sound" like he was LT/not that he actually was that good).

OH.

LOL



Sounds good, JG.

 

[Krangodnzr]

1. Javier Arenas - CB. Good tackler. Decent in coverage, like a better Michael Adams. Good on special teams. 75% chance he is on the final 53.

2. Justin Bethel - CB. Faster than last year. Great tackler. Very average in coverage. Great on special teams. 95% chance he is on the final 53.

I think you're wrong here, and I think that's because you're only going on what you see and not looking at other indicators. Arians specifically said that Bethel is going to be here so he is NOT a bubble player at all. Arenas will be here is well, the only question is will the team want to carry another cornerback after these two. Peterson, Powers, Cason, Arenas and Bethel are the cornerbacks with Mathieu also making the team as well. No room for Flemming and McCann on this roster. Another wasted pick...

5. Tony Jefferson - FS. Looked pretty darn good last game. If it were not for Jonathan Amaya being hurt, maybe he never sees the field, or at least not as much as he did yesterday, cause he was only in, during the 4th quarter versus the Packers. Can't ignore making plays like he did. 65% chance he is on the final 53.

6. Curtis Taylor - SS. Showed some flashes last game. Yes, he got lit up by Austin, but at least he stuck his face in there. Right now he is fighting Jefferson, and Amaya for the 4th Safety spot.....that is if we only hang on to 4 safeties. Matheui is kinda like a CB/S so the secondary group is a very fluid situation both in who is going to be on the roster, and how many of each position. 50% chance he is on the final 53.

7. Jonathan Amaya - SS. Hurt for last game, and that is not a good thing with the way Jefferson and to a lesser extent Taylor played against the Cowboys. Amaya is good on special teams, but both Taylor and Jefferson can play special teams as well. 55% chance he is on the final 53.

I think these guys are all competing for one spot, so I think it's more accurate to break it down something like this: 50% Jefferson, 30% Amaya, 20% Taylor. I think that Jefferson should be the guy to look at making this spot. The coaching staff might not agree though for reasons we're not seeing, i.e. how he practices, what they bring on special teams, and their influence in the lockerroom/weight room.

12. Charles Hawkins - WR. If I am running the show? Hawkins is on the final 53. No doubt in my mind. Fearless. Savage competitor. Plays special teams, returns punts. Fast, quick. Decent hands. Can take a 5 yd pass and turn it into 20 yards. I mean, the Cardinals start Kerry Taylor on the 2nd string in front of Hawkins last game, and Hawkins responds, once given the opportunity, with a big catch and run. 70% chance he is on the final 53.

14. Jaron Brown - WR. Not saying the WR position is an easy choice. Jaron Brown is the 5th WR on this team, IMO. Big body. Good hands. Can make the catch in traffic. But, purely a possession receiver. Have no idea what the Cardinals were thinking running him on a reverse. 51% chance he is on the final 53.

15. Kerry Taylor - WR. Well, he made his case for himself last game. Had a drop but so have Hawkins, and Brown this preseason. Had a couple nice catches and run. Goes over the middle. Good size, speed, and hands blend. If it were not for Taylor the WR group would already be finalized, IMO. 49% chance he is on the final 53.

Taylor is above the other two. He's been around for a few years, has shown flashes and plays on special teams. Plus he's listed at 4th on the depth chart right now and has drawn some praise from Arians. I think the indicators point to this conclusion.

So it's really between Jaron Brown and Charles Hawkins. I think Brown gets the nod over Hawkins with Hawkins going to the PS since Brown fits the mold of what Arians says he likes in a receiver: Big, strong and can run. But it's not that cut and dried since the guy who makes it will have to play special teams.

16. Chilo Rachal - OG. He is out there with the 2nd team so he must be in the mix. But I do not see him making the roster. We cut Rex Hadnot a couple years ago, and don't need his doppleganger on the roster, IMO. Yet, I have not seen or heard from Rachal since game 1....that is a good thing for him, yet the guard he is competing with, Paul Fanaika is not on this list because he is already on the roster. 10% chance he is on the final 53.

17. The immortal Mike Gibson - OC. For all the talk during this time, about stories telling how a player got to this point, Gibson is a good story. He was picked up "in the shadows" as I say. If you sneezed you missed he was signed. Originally a guard, and after the Cardinals go out and get 3 other centers this offseason, Mike Gibson ends up playing 2nd team center. Mike Gibson may not make this roster, but if he is eligible for the practice squad he can hide out there all season without getting poached in my opinion. He is solid enough to be the backup center sitting on the practice squad, IMO. 15% chance he is on the final 53.

18. Senio Kelemete - OG. Kinda like Chilo Rachal but is playing better at the point of attack. A left over from the Whiz era, but a player whom may not make this roster because he is "old regime". Would not be surprised to see him playing for another NFL team. Nothing special, but not horrible. If Paul Fanaika doesn't come out of no where, then Kelemete would have had a shot at this roster......but you never know, again he is on the 2nd team right now. 20% chance he is on the final 53.

I'll puke if Adam Snyder V 2.0 makes the roster. Rachal is a stiff who has proven that he isn't a starting caliber lineman in the NFL and doesn't offer much positional versatility since he can't really play C or T. The team has made an emphasis at looking for a backup center, but I think that the team will ultimately look to sign one to the PS and just move Cooper to C if Sendlein goes down. Kelemete has played well all preseason. Honestly I would love to keep him AND Earl Watford on the team and I would cut Colledge. Kelemete could be a swing back up or possible starter down the road and we already know that Colledge is only a moderate to bad starter in the NFL. Watford has starting potential down the road and offers a nasty streak most of our line lacks.

19. Daryl Talley - NT/DE. Was very surprised that Daryl Talley comes in and starts over David Carter, and Padric Scott. He did "well". Does his versitility and the obviously belief in his ability by the coaches get him on the final 53. Talley has been a lifer on the Cardinals practice squad. Always has been a solid depth guy for cheap. I was VERY shocked to see him start last weeks game with David Carter, and Padric Scott available. If Frostee Rucker was healthy I guarantee he would have been out there at NT before Talley. YET, the biggest thing in Talley's favor? He plays special teams. 55% chance he is on the final 53.

20. Padric Scott - NT. I really, really like this kid. I like his balance, his technique, and his instincts. There is just one problem. He is not there yet, not even close. He does 75% of what he needs to do well, and then the NFL talent just overtakes him. A cut by the back that he cannot react to, a block that gets him by surprise knocks him down, and is a little too slow off the ball. Yet, he is risk on the practice squad, cause if I am the Jets, pick him up. 25% chance he is on the final 53.

21. David Carter, - NT/DE. I think Carter is in, and didn't originally have him on this "bubble list". Yet, he took a clear step back last year, and Daryl Talley did start at NT over him last game. I think Carter is too versatile to cut, but he should go ask the coaches to try him on special teams just in case. I mean he is on this list but could easily be left off of it, it would be a surprise if he is cut IMO. 95% chance he is on the final 53.

I think with roster battles being more intense elsewhere and the glut of linebackers on the roster will force the club to going lighter on the d line. Campbell, Dockett, Williams, Rucker and Probably Carter figure into the mix. With Shaughnessy and Abraham I think the club decides not to keep any of the linemen you mentioned since we have more than positional versatility and actually have a few nonstarters who have played at a high level in the NFL.

22. Zach Nash, OLB - Good special team, and is starting to get to that level where he is a serviceable OLBer. Good motor. Plays to the whistle. I don't know if Nash could have the pass rushing effect against the starters, but he is showing promise. He has to be in the conversation for the final 53. 35% chance he is on the final 53.

OUT: Ryan Williams, and Robert Gill have lost their shot at being on the Arizona Cardinals for the 2013 season. Williams should just be put on IR, IMO. Robert Gil ? At least had his 15 min. of fame. There is no way to justify a spot to Williams with the way the top 3 backs are playing, and Williams cannot play special teams like A.Smith, and it no where near as durable. Robert Gil ? He is so far down the depth chart, that he has to be footnoted in.

I definitely agree. I loved the Ryan Williams pick and it's been frustrating watching him fail. I can't help but wonder if he hadn't been hurt his first training camp if things wouldn't have worked out very differently. I still think Williams could surprise if he could get healthy, stay healthy and get over his fears, but as of right now he's too much damaged goods to make the team.

Gill most likely has practice squad eligibility so he's a candidate.

 

[Mulli]

So, another iffy pick that super skout Steve Keim had nothing to do with, interesting.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Can't see the team giving up on Ryan Williams so early.

It is sad to say because he is a good person, but I believe Ryan Williams has given up on Ryan Williams.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I think these guys are all competing for one spot, so I think it's more accurate to break it down something like this: 50% Jefferson, 30% Amaya, 20% Taylor. I think that Jefferson should be the guy to look at making this spot. The coaching staff might not agree though for reasons we're not seeing, i.e. how he practices, what they bring on special teams, and their influence in the lockerroom/weight room.

Not sure how they see him in those other areas, but from what I have been hearing he has looked very good in practice, especially the week prior to the Dallas game. Hopefully he can keep this up because I would be very glad to see him make the team.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I think Bethel has already made the team based off of his special teams play. The kid is just a flat out stud on special teams.

 

[schutd]

So, another iffy pick that super skout Steve Keim had nothing to do with, interesting.

Duly noted in the sarcasm department, but reality is that none of us can possibly know how much voice Keim had in the old regime. Its his ship now, time to float, or head for the bottom, we'll soon see.

If it turns out that he's actually quite a skilled talent evaluator, I expect some crow eating, as well as acknowledging that not once has he used the old regime as a crutch as to why picks in the past havent worked out. He's thrown no one under the bus, which would be super easy to do.

Lets hold off on the snarky evals until we have some concrete evidence. When did you become such a hater?

 

[Chopper0080]

Duly noted in the sarcasm department, but reality is that none of us can possibly know how much voice Keim had in the old regime. Its his ship now, time to float, or head for the bottom, we'll soon see.

If it turns out that he's actually quite a skilled talent evaluator, I expect some crow eating, as well as acknowledging that not once has he used the old regime as a crutch as to why picks in the past havent worked out. He's thrown no one under the bus, which would be super easy to do.

Lets hold off on the snarky evals until we have some concrete evidence. When did you become such a hater?

Wasn't his title DVP of Player Personnel, essentially Graves next in command? Seems like proof to me. Regardless of the voice he had, he was part of the group that drafted those players. Furthermore, I can see him preferring a player or two differently, but anything more and he would have been fired for not being on the same page as Graves and Whis. You don't keep a person in that position who disagrees with every pick you want to make as a GM.

 

[ajcardfan]

Why does everyone here take guys who live in New Jersey and Massachusetts, and their evaluation of the Cards talent, so seriously?

Mitch is a friggin' English teacher high school coach, and Rugby's claim to sports fame is that he plays Rugby.

Any of us who follow this team 365 days a year are as qualified as those two. We can all get some right and some wrong. Big frigging deal.

 

[schutd]

Wasn't his title DVP of Player Personnel, essentially Graves next in command? Seems like proof to me. Regardless of the voice he had, he was part of the group that drafted those players. Furthermore, I can see him preferring a player or two differently, but anything more and he would have been fired for not being on the same page as Graves and Whis. You don't keep a person in that position who disagrees with every pick you want to make as a GM.

And you know this how? Good business dictates as much dissenting opinion as possible. Im not discounting the possibility that Keim isnt all he's hyped up to be. But it SURE aint gospel, and many ere run around all smug, as if being a wise guy makes it so.

You can offer all the opinion you want. Mine is that at its core, the haters have no concrete proof about anything from Keim before he was elevated to GM this off season. Now, we can let the chips fall where they may. Referencing the past does nothing but make n'er-do-wells feel better about themselves.

 

[Garthshort]

Rugby, only one I'm sure of:
1. Move Bethel from 95% to 100%.
2. I'm surprised by Curtis Taylor and I doubt he makes it. But I admit I know nothing, at least not much, about him, and he did play early against Dallas.
3. If we keep only two extra WR's, I have them rated, in order, Taylor, Brown and Hawkins. But wouldn't be surprised if BASK disagreed.

Thanks for all your hard work. It's a great read.