Questions Re: The Cardinals' Offensive Personnel

[Mitch]

QB:

* Would it be wise to limit Carson Palmer's snaps in the pre-season until the coaches have a better sense of how T D.J. Humphries stacks up?

* Just how good is Drew Stanton?

* Now that Matt Barkley has drawn some praise from BA, does he have a good shot at making the roster? Is BA talking him up to try to get some trade value? Would he pass waivers and be able to join the PS?

RB:

* Is all the hype about David Johnson having HOF talent a good thing at this point in his career?

* Does Chris Johnson have his breakaway speed back?

* Is BA really serious about making Andre Ellington the return man---especially with his history of injuries and his shyness about contact? Why can't BA finally find and pick a more fearless and enthusiastic return man?

* With the addition of talented ST players on defense, is Stepfan Taylor still one of the better STs guys?

* Can Kerwynn Williams win the job as kick returner? Is he a better fit in the offense than Taylor?

* BA has mentioned Elijaah Perry a few times as his "big back." Does Perry have any chance at all of winning a roster spot?

TE:

* With Darren Fells' weight loss and added speed, will he emerge as a big-time receiving threat?

* With all the weapons the Cardinals have on offense, will there be enough passes his way to satisfy Jermaine Gresham?

* Is this the year we see what the Cardinals saw in Troy Niklas to pick him in the 2nd round?

* Will Ifeanyi Momah have the kind of splashy pre-season he had last year?

* Will Gerald Christian's versatility land him a roster spot?

WR:

* With all the in-the-box blocking the Cardinals ask Larry Fitzgerald to do, shouldn't they be more concerned about his legs getting rolled on from behind?

* Can Michael Floyd stay healthy and take his game to an elite level? Will he be more aggressive in RACs over the middle?

* Will his concussion slow John Brown down and would it be wise to take him off of punt return duties?

* Will J.J. Nelson's groin injury slow his tremendous progress down?

* Should the Cardinals consider signing Jaron Brown to a multi-year deal sooner rather than later?

* Does Chris Hubert have a legitimate shot of making the roster?

* Wouldn't Jaxson Shipley, despite not being a burner, be a very good option as punt returner because of his hands and nifty feet?

C:

* Is A.Q. Shipley as good as BA suggests?

* Is Earl Watford a legitimate challenger at center? Isn't Watford one of the five best offensive linemen on the roster?

* Does Evan Boehm have a legitimate chance to win the center job at some point this year? Would the Cardinals risk waiving him in order to sign him to the PS?

G:

* Will Mike Iupati continue to have injury issues? Could he be the most dominant guard in the NFL this year?

* Just how concerned should the coaches be about Evan Mathis' return from injury? Would it be wise to limit his snaps in the pre-season?

* Could Earl Watford be just as good if not better than Mathis?

* Is Antoine McClain as good as the coaches have been saying?

* Is guard the right position for Cole Toner?

T:

* With the added weight this year, will Jared Veldheer become more dominant at LT?

* With all the mixed reviews in camp about D.J. Humphries why hasn't Steve Keim made a move to add a veteran tackle? Can the Cardinals afford to be patient with Humphries as his play develops on the field? Few tackles can jump right into action and be consistently effective---but will Humphries be able to adjust well and grow confidence? Should BA, at least for a while, offer Humphries chip help in pass pro?

* Could it be that Keim and the coaches are very high on John Wetzel? Wentzel has very good size and strength, but is he athletic enough to protect the edge?

* Rob Crisp has been playing LT on the 2nd unit---is he a possible swing tackle? Who plays LT if Veldheer needs to be subbed for? Humphries?

Would like to hear your thoughts, predictions and answers to any or all of these questions.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Just how good is Drew Stanton ?

He is one of the better backup QB's in the league, and easily in the top 5. He is VASTLY under appreciated by many Cardinals fans, IMHO.

The whole argument against him is "he sucks", well that is kinda of a broad brush stroke. There are QB's that are starting for NFL teams this up coming season that "suck". The league doesn't have 32 QB's that do NOT suck, so there are teams where Drew Stanton could be competing for a starting position with the starters.

The Cardinals are fortunate enough to have him as a backup, and for a good price. It is one of the stronger assets this team has. The constant call for Stanton to be replaced, is just asking for a QB who is worse than Stanton to be brought in for the sake of something new, and valuing potential over production. Its just a bad thought process that I simply do not understand.

Every NFL team wants a backup that can come in and win you 2 out of 3 games while your starter is on the shelf. Stanton, especially with the running game we have now, can do that. Thus I have NO IDEA why this is constantly questioned, and why Stanton's value is not accepted.

 

[Mitch]

QB:

* Would it be wise to limit Carson Palmer's snaps in the pre-season until the coaches have a better sense of how T D.J. Humphries stacks up?

I think it would---plus---pacing Carson Palmer and keeping him healthy are of paramount importance.

* Just how good is Drew Stanton?

I thought he wasn't very sharp last pre-season and I still don't have a great sense of what he can do. Do you?

* Now that Matt Barkley has drawn some praise from BA, does he have a good shot at making the roster? Is BA talking him up to try to get some trade value? Would he pass waivers and be able to join the PS?

The more I think of it, the more I believe that the team needs to keep Barkley in case of injuries. Thus, I am hoping that he plays well and makes the roster.

RB:

* Is all the hype about David Johnson having HOF talent a good thing at this point in his career?

Good thing that David Johnson is so inherently humble. Coaches should never put the HOF monkey on a 2nd year player's back.

* Does Chris Johnson have his breakaway speed back?

He says he does and I am anxious to see. I think he could have a great year this year.

* Is BA really serious about making Andre Ellington the return man---especially with his history of injuries and his shyness about contact? Why can't BA finally find and pick a more fearless and enthusiastic return man?

What is it with BA and STs? Doesn't he know when a player is shy of contact? Ted Ginn...Pat P.... and now Ellington? That's BA's answer to the problem?

* With the addition of talented ST players on defense, is Stepfan Taylor still one of the better STs guys?

Stepfan Taylor has been a solid STs player, but there are more talented tacklers on the squad this year.

* Can Kerwynn Williams win the job as kick returner? Is he a better fit in the offense than Taylor?

What I like about Williams is his sneaky lower body strength and his aggressiveness. And his 4.9 ypc the last two seasons proves he's a better fit than Taylor.

* BA has mentioned Elijaah Perry a few times as his "big back." Does Perry have any chance at all of winning a roster spot?

Unless he lights it up on STs, no. But, PS is a possibility.

TE:

* With Darren Fells' weight loss and added speed, will he emerge as a big-time receiving threat?

I think he is going to be a huge surprise. I think the Cardinals should sign him to an extension now.

* With all the weapons the Cardinals have on offense, will there be enough passes his way to satisfy Jermaine Gresham?

My worry is that Palmer, who was instrumental in persuading Gresham to return will try to force it his way when he shouldn't. Hopefully he won't and Gresham will show up at key moments.

* Is this the year we see what the Cardinals saw in Troy Niklas to pick him in the 2nd round?

I wonder whether Niklas just isn't athletic or durable enough to be a dynamic performer in the NFL. I hope he is and that the light goes on for him this year.

* Will Ifeanyi Momah have the kind of splashy pre-season he had last year?

I think he will.

* Will Gerald Christian's versatility land him a roster spot?

I am very curious about him because he's tough and he would be good on STs and as a situational TE/HB/FB.

WR:

* With all the in-the-box blocking the Cardinals ask Larry Fitzgerald to do, shouldn't they be more concerned about his legs getting rolled on from behind?

The coaches should do all they can to protect Larry's legs. Use him more as passing option decoy to deceive the ILBers.

* Can Michael Floyd stay healthy and take his game to an elite level? Will he be more aggressive in RACs over the middle?

I am not sure Floyd is an elite WR because his underneath game over the middle has not been very good. If that changes, then Floyd could be special.

* Will his concussion slow John Brown down and would it be wise to take him off of punt return duties?

I am hoping that he can bounce back quickly and that the coaches are wise enough to keep him off of STs. His deep threat potential is so key to the success of the offense.

* Will J.J. Nelson's groin injury slow his tremendous progress down?

I sure hope not. He has been lights out until his injury.

* Should the Cardinals consider signing Jaron Brown to a multi-year deal sooner rather than later?

Yes. Gives the team some added protection if Floyd bolts. Jaron is a legit deep threat who hasn't quite gotten on track just yet, and unlike Floyd, he's tough on catches over the middle.

* Does Chris Hubert have a legitimate shot of making the roster?

I believe he does because of his speed and playmaking ability.

* Wouldn't Jaxson Shipley, despite not being a burner, be a very good option as punt returner because of his hands and nifty feet?

I thought the coaches should have promoted him from the PS last year to take over the PR duties from a very tentative Pat P.

C:

* Is A.Q. Shipley as good as BA suggests?

If the two games he started last year are an indication, then yes, he is.

* Is Earl Watford a legitimate challenger at center? Isn't Watford one of the five best offensive linemen on the roster?

The coaches want Watford to be the Swiss Army knife---but he is legitimately one of the best 5 offensive linemen on the roster---and for some reason the coaches have been unable to commit him to a spot. He's a player they should extend asap.

* Does Evan Boehm have a legitimate chance to win the center job at some point this year? Would the Cardinals risk waiving him in order to sign him to the PS?

Without regular reps with the first team, no. I think they will keep Boehm on the roster as the 8th OL.

G:

* Will Mike Iupati continue to have injury issues? Could he be the most dominant guard in the NFL this year?

His neck and shoulder stingers were a nagging issue last year and the hope is that they won't be recurring. With the Cardinals' added emphasis on the running game this year, Iupati could have a huge season.

* Just how concerned should the coaches be about Evan Mathis' return from injury? Would it be wise to limit his snaps in the pre-season?

There should be some concern and some caution early on until Mathis feels like his legs are strong again.

* Could Earl Watford be just as good if not better than Mathis?

Physically he could---but mentally, not just yet. He needs experience.

* Is Antoine McClain as good as the coaches have been saying?

I am very curious to see. I think Watford, he and Boehm will be the three roster keepers.

* Is guard the right position for Cole Toner?

No, not in my opinion. I think he is a RT or a C.

T:

* With the added weight this year, will Jared Veldheer become more dominant at LT?

He seems very dedicated and focused.

* With all the mixed reviews in camp about D.J. Humphries why hasn't Steve Keim made a move to add a veteran tackle? Can the Cardinals afford to be patient with Humphries as his play develops on the field? Few tackles can jump right into action and be consistently effective---but will Humphries be able to adjust well and grow confidence? Should BA, at least for a while, offer Humphries chip help in pass pro?

The good news is that Humphries has matured a good deal in his preparation and approach. Some fans are likely going to freak out when he struggles, especially after the stigma that was put on him last year. Every young tackle needs a growth curve because so few can step right in and win the majority of the battles. Let's not forget that Humphries has not only had to learn the nuances of this highly sophisticated offense, he has had to re-train his muscle memory by playing the right side where his footwork, drop steps, hand placements and weight shifts are reversed. That takes time. Thus, the coaches and the fans have to trust in the process and be patient with him. The coaches should offer him as much help as they can early on until they can feel confident that he can hold up on an island. That said, it would be wise to add a veteran as a fall-back option, unless the coaches believe Earl Watford and/or John Wetzel are just as good as any other options currently available.

* Could it be that Keim and the coaches are very high on John Wetzel? Wentzel has very good size and strength, but is he athletic enough to protect the edge?

I watched all of Wentzel's games at BC. He is one tough cookie. What I am curious to see is how he holds up on the edge in pass pro. At BC he was good at making adjustments and ridding his man wide of the pocket, but like most big tackles, he would get qutquicked at times by speed rushers. Not that often...but occasionally.

* Rob Crisp has been playing LT on the 2nd unit---is he a possible swing tackle? Who plays LT if Veldheer needs to be subbed for? Humphries?

It should be interesting to see Crisp play and to see what he brings to the equation.

Would like to hear your thoughts, predictions and answers to any or all of these questions.

Here are my responses (in blue) to the questions if you want to click and read them.

 

[Goldfield]

Yes to extending Juran Brown, and Watford.

 

[Reign Blood]

P

Are we going to get a punter this year seriously. Whenever a punter gets hurt we just regurgitate punters that we're on the team the when the last guy got hurt. Ya it's the punter but still a glaring weakness and has been for quite some time.

 

[kerouac9]

FO said that Kerwynn Williams' awful performances as a KR essentially erased the benefits that David Johnson provided before he became too valuable to risk.

 

[Ohcrap75]

Yes. Not Good. 40/60. Yes. 50/50. No affect. I will take 80% of it. Yes. Good Question. No. No. Yes. Hopefully. Depends on your definition of Big-Time. Don't care. I wish! Yes. No. No. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. Yes. No. No. Not sure yet. No. Yes. No. Hopefully nothing major. One of, sure. Extremely. Yes. No. No. Yes. Slightly. Maybe he doesn't have the same mixed views. Yes. Can only find out after PT. Yes. Doubt it. No. I guess. Yikes! Maybe?

 

[Mitch]

FO said that Kerwynn Williams' awful performances as a KR essentially erased the benefits that David Johnson provided before he became too valuable to risk.

I never saw that. Do you have a link? KW only had 8 returns, 15.8 ave, long of 24. He's not listed as a KR on the depth chart released yesterday, so I do not doubt what you are saying. He is listed ahead of Stepfan Taylor at RB, however.

Yes. Not Good. 40/60. Yes. 50/50. No affect. I will take 80% of it. Yes. Good Question. No. No. Yes. Hopefully. Depends on your definition of Big-Time. Don't care. I wish! Yes. No. No. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. Yes. No. No. Not sure yet. No. Yes. No. Hopefully nothing major. One of, sure. Extremely. Yes. No. No. Yes. Slightly. Maybe he doesn't have the same mixed views. Yes. Can only find out after PT. Yes. Doubt it. No. I guess. Yikes! Maybe?

Great answers!

 

[kerouac9]

I never saw that. Do you have a link? KW only had 8 returns, 15.8 ave, long of 24. He's not listed as a KR on the depth chart released yesterday, so I do not doubt what you are saying. He is listed ahead of Stepfan Taylor at RB, however.

It's from their annual, so it's not available online (But it's a steal at any price—a recommended buy). Here's the quote:

David Johnson wowed fans with a 108-yard kick return touchdown in Week 2, but he lost the return job after becoming the workhorse back. Kerwynn Williams’ negative value as his replacement essentially cancelled out Johnson’s positive value.​

 

[Buckybird]

1) I still say Shipley isn't starting material on an NFL Oline & I think he's out by week 5 or we might be in trouble with him.

2) another thing I hope BA & Palmer have learned is don't throw as pass in the end zone from 30 & inside to John Brown or make him the primary read unless he's wide open. Too many picks & he gets outmuscled for the ball because of his size. Please don't call another fade to #12 this year BA...please!!!

 

[CFLredzoned]

TE:
* With all the weapons the Cardinals have on offense, will there be enough passes his way to satisfy Jermaine Gresham?
It was funny hearing him on Burns and Gambo. I knew he didn't turn down $12 mil. There's no way somebody was going to guarantee that to him after he's had back surgery for herniated discs. He wouldn't comment on it, but left us to infer that it was misinformaton.
He did look good in these blocking drills though - http://www.azcardinals.com/videos/v...k-Begins/1aa66d0a-fb2f-4f0f-81ca-6a82cd68ab66 Held off Golden, pissed him off it looked like. Then held off Jones. Who said this guy couldn't block? I guess it is just a drill. He does weight 260 though. So he's no string bean.

G:
* Is Antoine McClain as good as the coaches have been saying?
I think they're comfortable with him. OTC has him at $.5mil on the cap. Sounds like a good deal to me if he can be our Ted Larsen for 2016.

T:
* With the added weight this year, will Jared Veldheer become more dominant at LT?
I think he has a career year and forces the Cardinals to address his salary next offseason.

* Could it be that Keim and the coaches are very high on John Wetzel? Wentzel has very good size and strength, but is he athletic enough to protect the edge?
I don't know. The old reports I saw said he was a waist bender. And you can see why if you see a picture of the guy standing next to other humans. His butt would come up to your neck. It's hard to see how he can get his center of gravity low enough. We'll see though. Maybe they've been working on that.

 

[Mitch]

Good post, CFL! I saw Gresham's one on one blocks as well---they were so good I wondered if he could double as pass blocking RT? If BA wants to give DJ some help, Gresh to his side would be sweet.

 

[Jetstream Green]

* With all the in-the-box blocking the Cardinals ask Larry Fitzgerald to do, shouldn't they be more concerned about his legs getting rolled on from behind?"

Well, he has been doing a great job in the box now for a while with no bad results... I think that observation is a moot point but really like your other observations

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I think they need to sign a veteran backup OT. I don't like the fact if Veldheer or Humphries go down that Rob Crisp, Earl Watford, or John Wentzel are the choices to step in and play.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, I doubt that the question of whether Kerwyn Williams is a better fit for the offense than Stephan Taylor. As the fourth RB Williams has to prove that he's a better fit for ST's than Taylor. If he wins the KR job than he'll beat out ST, if he doesn't, he won't. At least that's the way I see it.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, I doubt that the question of whether Kerwyn Williams is a better fit for the offense than Stephan Taylor. As the fourth RB Williams has to prove that he's a better fit for ST's than Taylor. If he wins the KR job than he'll beat out ST, if he doesn't, he won't. At least that's the way I see it.

Garth, whenever it has been a choice between KW and ST for playing time in the offense, BA has gone with KW. He hits the holes faster and is a better receiving threat. His 4.9 ypc the past two seasons is hard to ignore. This year KW is listed ahead of ST on the depth chart.

With regard to special teams, Taylor has been solid, but his ST's role could be phased out by the young defensive players Keim has added.

All that said, BA has always valued Taylor's work ethic. He's as solid as they come. Thus, it is going to be a difficult decision. Last year, they waived KW---he went unclaimed and they stashed him on the PS until they needed to promote him to the 53 man roster. This year they might do the same...but they might be more concerned this time about KW getting claimed off waivers.

 

[Mitch]

I think they need to sign a veteran backup OT. I don't like the fact if Veldheer or Humphries go down that Rob Crisp, Earl Watford, or John Wentzel are the choices to step in and play.

Could Jake Long pass his physical and be that guy?

Or---will Keim make a trade---or wait for waiver claims. The problem with waiver claims is that the Cardinals have 28 teams ahead of them.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Could Jake Long pass his physical and be that guy?

Or---will Keim make a trade---or wait for waiver claims. The problem with waiver claims is that the Cardinals have 28 teams ahead of them.

Long would be ideal if healthy. Eugene Monroe is also out there but would either accept a backup role?

I was going to suggest Mike Adams, from Pittsburgh, but he just signed with Chicago today. He struggled in Pittsburgh though.

William Beatty and Khalif Barnes, imo, would be better options than what the Cards have right now.

 

[BigRedRage]

Long would be ideal if healthy. Eugene Monroe is also out there but would either accept a backup role?

I was going to suggest Mike Adams, from Pittsburgh, but he just signed with Chicago today. He struggled in Pittsburgh though.

William Beatty and Khalif Barnes, imo, would be better options than what the Cards have right now.

I cant imagine they would come to be backups but they are unsigned right now so maybe they swallow their pride and hope to get a shot

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, I understand your comparison of Williams to Taylor in BA's offense, but I'm guessing that we didn't have three healthy RB's (like we do now) ahead of them. If one of our top three gets knocked out, then I could see KW being kept. Or like I said, if he wins the KR job.