RugbyMuffin
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2017 Cardinals preseason is over.
This is a good a time as any to give a prediction on what the Cardinals will be this season. Many posters here at ASFN have thrown around the idea that this is a "last gasp" type season, which makes sense. This team is very similar to last years, but with some switching around at the depth positions.
The coach is the same, the defense is the same, the special teams are the same. Same, same, same. Thus if you didn't like last year, sorry, you are in for more of the same.
The record:
In an attempt to not let the eternal hope of the preseason affect my thinking, I see this team going 9-7. They have a really tough schedule, in my humble opinion, and some really hard away games to play. What I am trying to keep in mind, is this team went 7-8-1 last season. You are what your record is, and I do not see any area where the Cardinals drastically improved. There is a lot of "if's", and "but's" that can talk this team into 10-6, or 11-5, yet that doesn't amount to anything. This is a risk it for the biscuit type year when it comes to thinking playoffs and beyond. I think if the Cardinals are going to make the playoffs they have to be above .500 going into the bye.
The main three things the Cardinals will need in 2017:
1. Luck/Health - They will need to stay healthy. John Brown is a big risk, but look no further than Saturday in Atlanta to see how important he is to the offense. The Cardinals have a lot of older veterans that will need to make it through the 16 game schedule, and if they are lucky, the playoffs. It is a risk, but with the potential of great rewards.
2. Defense - Robert Nkimdiche, Chandler Jones, Marcus Golden, Deone Bucanon, Karlos Dansby, Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Tyvon Branch. The rest can get by, by just doing their jobs/roles. These players need to be playing at full potential. If that happens, this defense will not only have nice stats, but get scored on less, and win more. The rookies ? They look like rookies. While we are waiting for the rookies to get up to speed the veterans HAVE TO be on top of their game. The biggest weakness? Letting teams get up on the Cardinals early. The Cardinals CANNOT have the lazy, uninspired starts to games like they did last season. If teams play power football and run the ball against this defense, it can be a long day. The Cardinals need to put teams in a position to pass, and once that happens, things can snowball into the Cardinals favor very quickly.
3. Special Teams - It is debatable, but there is a the though that this unit cost this team up to four games last season. Did this team do enough in the offseason to offset that? Phil Dawson REALLY helps, he seems to be everything the Cardinals were expecting. Will Matt Wile be an NFL quality punter, and holder ? We will see. He is inconsistent, but the potential is there. The rest will rely on health (we learned what injuries can do to your special teams group last year), and if the depth of this roster improved.
** Note, I do not say anything about the offense. That is because it is basically the same. John Brown is the key here, and there has to be hope Jaron Brown, and JJ Nelson can produce something to compliment Larry Fitzgerald, and John Brown. If there is ANYTHING I can see that will be a "new advantage", it will be a healthy Chris Johnson (yes, he has his roster spot, and the backup RB spot will be more about "role" then who is the 2nd RB, and who is the 3rd RB), and David Johnson being more of a receiver. David Johnson was not used at all in the preseason and you can forget he is easily the team's 3rd best receiver.
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See below for a picture of my final 53, and I will admit, the last two or three spots, I have no idea. There is only really one player that may not make the initial 53, that may still have an impact on this team. I would not be surprised to see Jarvis Jones go on the IR for his neck injury, and mattering on injuries that gives the Cardinals a decent OLBer in reserve if injuries come up during the season.
Outside of that, I think the Cardinals are going to churn the bottom three or four positions early and often in an attempt to find some insurance policies.
Also, I have gone over the final 53 and took a shot at who would be inactive on game, see the asterisks and numbers next to them.
Some notes on some players, that are not completely obvious:
Andre Ellington: This guy has a job as long as TJ Logan doesn't come back after his stint on the IR. I would look at it as, Chris Johnson backs up David Johnson, and Andre Ellington backs up Kerwynn Williams.
Chad Williams: A very disappointing preseason for this rookie, who is no where near ready for the NFL. He is not going to have any impact on this team, and I doubt he sees the field or an active roster spot on game day this year. Off-Topic: Really didn't like this pick in the draft, and it will be hard for me not to pine about not drafting a cornerback instead all season long. *Brittan Golden earned his spot this year, BTW.
4th Tight End: You can look at Cap Capi's roster spot as a place holder. Kid had a pretty good preseason but he can be put on the practice squad, IMHO. This team needs a fourth tight end, but as hard as I tried to find a reason NOT to call Hakeem Valles "hot garbage", he is horrible. This team needs another massive, big body, block 90% and catch a 5 yard out now and again, tight end. They should be able to find one in the cut downs.
Ulrick John: Not on the roster. He will be the poster boy for the talent level at tackle in the NFL. He could be put on the practice squad as a veteran mind you, but does he clear waivers ? He should, but if he doesn't that give you an idea of how desperate teams are for offensive tackle talent. This team is going to ask John Wetzel and Cole Toner (<-- surprise of camp for me) to hold it down if there are any issues. I think the Cardinals, based on what I saw against Atlanta, will keep both Dorian Johnson, and Will Holden on the final 53, and they will be inactive all year long.
Xiaver Williams: The camp battle no one talked about. Xiaver Williams and a final 53 roster spot, or Pasoni Tasini and a practice squad spot. I think Xiaver Williams spot is as safe as Tasini making it through waivers. Williams looked pretty poor if you ask me, and was pancaked a lot this preseason and this kid is supposed to have power and strength. I think putting Tasini on the practice squad for insurance is enough. Gunter and Rucker can play NT in pinch, IMHO. The curious case of Ed Stinson will continue as he will be cut after holding on to him like gold bars for two years.......maybe they IR him and he continues to amaze me with his ability to stay on a NFL roster with doing nothing.
Phillip Wheeler: If you blinked, you missed it. Wheeler not only played ILBer against Atlanta, but OLBer as well. That versatility alone gives him value. He is on the bottom of the roster, but a guy who I saw play special teams, ILBer, and OLBer has value, especially with the lack of depth at OLBer at the moment.
Josh Bynes: He beats out Scooby Wright III (Wright III hopefully clears waivers for our PS) because he is faster than Wright III. Bynes is far from a capable ILBer but he showed more than any other ILBer that was in camp.
Rudy Ford: Not going to make this roster. He got hurt, and that was that for his preseason. Is he a safety ? Is he a cornerback ? Who knows, but he is not going to beat our Harlan Miller for the special teams/CB/S roster spot and role. If Ford doesn't make clear waivers, I can see him finding his way back to the practice squad later in the year when a team who does pick him up realizes he is a man without a position.
That is it. Bring on the Lions! I am ready for the season, and excited to see this all unfold.
Football is back!
This is a good a time as any to give a prediction on what the Cardinals will be this season. Many posters here at ASFN have thrown around the idea that this is a "last gasp" type season, which makes sense. This team is very similar to last years, but with some switching around at the depth positions.
The coach is the same, the defense is the same, the special teams are the same. Same, same, same. Thus if you didn't like last year, sorry, you are in for more of the same.
The record:
In an attempt to not let the eternal hope of the preseason affect my thinking, I see this team going 9-7. They have a really tough schedule, in my humble opinion, and some really hard away games to play. What I am trying to keep in mind, is this team went 7-8-1 last season. You are what your record is, and I do not see any area where the Cardinals drastically improved. There is a lot of "if's", and "but's" that can talk this team into 10-6, or 11-5, yet that doesn't amount to anything. This is a risk it for the biscuit type year when it comes to thinking playoffs and beyond. I think if the Cardinals are going to make the playoffs they have to be above .500 going into the bye.
The main three things the Cardinals will need in 2017:
1. Luck/Health - They will need to stay healthy. John Brown is a big risk, but look no further than Saturday in Atlanta to see how important he is to the offense. The Cardinals have a lot of older veterans that will need to make it through the 16 game schedule, and if they are lucky, the playoffs. It is a risk, but with the potential of great rewards.
2. Defense - Robert Nkimdiche, Chandler Jones, Marcus Golden, Deone Bucanon, Karlos Dansby, Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Tyvon Branch. The rest can get by, by just doing their jobs/roles. These players need to be playing at full potential. If that happens, this defense will not only have nice stats, but get scored on less, and win more. The rookies ? They look like rookies. While we are waiting for the rookies to get up to speed the veterans HAVE TO be on top of their game. The biggest weakness? Letting teams get up on the Cardinals early. The Cardinals CANNOT have the lazy, uninspired starts to games like they did last season. If teams play power football and run the ball against this defense, it can be a long day. The Cardinals need to put teams in a position to pass, and once that happens, things can snowball into the Cardinals favor very quickly.
3. Special Teams - It is debatable, but there is a the though that this unit cost this team up to four games last season. Did this team do enough in the offseason to offset that? Phil Dawson REALLY helps, he seems to be everything the Cardinals were expecting. Will Matt Wile be an NFL quality punter, and holder ? We will see. He is inconsistent, but the potential is there. The rest will rely on health (we learned what injuries can do to your special teams group last year), and if the depth of this roster improved.
** Note, I do not say anything about the offense. That is because it is basically the same. John Brown is the key here, and there has to be hope Jaron Brown, and JJ Nelson can produce something to compliment Larry Fitzgerald, and John Brown. If there is ANYTHING I can see that will be a "new advantage", it will be a healthy Chris Johnson (yes, he has his roster spot, and the backup RB spot will be more about "role" then who is the 2nd RB, and who is the 3rd RB), and David Johnson being more of a receiver. David Johnson was not used at all in the preseason and you can forget he is easily the team's 3rd best receiver.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See below for a picture of my final 53, and I will admit, the last two or three spots, I have no idea. There is only really one player that may not make the initial 53, that may still have an impact on this team. I would not be surprised to see Jarvis Jones go on the IR for his neck injury, and mattering on injuries that gives the Cardinals a decent OLBer in reserve if injuries come up during the season.
Outside of that, I think the Cardinals are going to churn the bottom three or four positions early and often in an attempt to find some insurance policies.
Also, I have gone over the final 53 and took a shot at who would be inactive on game, see the asterisks and numbers next to them.
Some notes on some players, that are not completely obvious:
Andre Ellington: This guy has a job as long as TJ Logan doesn't come back after his stint on the IR. I would look at it as, Chris Johnson backs up David Johnson, and Andre Ellington backs up Kerwynn Williams.
Chad Williams: A very disappointing preseason for this rookie, who is no where near ready for the NFL. He is not going to have any impact on this team, and I doubt he sees the field or an active roster spot on game day this year. Off-Topic: Really didn't like this pick in the draft, and it will be hard for me not to pine about not drafting a cornerback instead all season long. *Brittan Golden earned his spot this year, BTW.
4th Tight End: You can look at Cap Capi's roster spot as a place holder. Kid had a pretty good preseason but he can be put on the practice squad, IMHO. This team needs a fourth tight end, but as hard as I tried to find a reason NOT to call Hakeem Valles "hot garbage", he is horrible. This team needs another massive, big body, block 90% and catch a 5 yard out now and again, tight end. They should be able to find one in the cut downs.
Ulrick John: Not on the roster. He will be the poster boy for the talent level at tackle in the NFL. He could be put on the practice squad as a veteran mind you, but does he clear waivers ? He should, but if he doesn't that give you an idea of how desperate teams are for offensive tackle talent. This team is going to ask John Wetzel and Cole Toner (<-- surprise of camp for me) to hold it down if there are any issues. I think the Cardinals, based on what I saw against Atlanta, will keep both Dorian Johnson, and Will Holden on the final 53, and they will be inactive all year long.
Xiaver Williams: The camp battle no one talked about. Xiaver Williams and a final 53 roster spot, or Pasoni Tasini and a practice squad spot. I think Xiaver Williams spot is as safe as Tasini making it through waivers. Williams looked pretty poor if you ask me, and was pancaked a lot this preseason and this kid is supposed to have power and strength. I think putting Tasini on the practice squad for insurance is enough. Gunter and Rucker can play NT in pinch, IMHO. The curious case of Ed Stinson will continue as he will be cut after holding on to him like gold bars for two years.......maybe they IR him and he continues to amaze me with his ability to stay on a NFL roster with doing nothing.
Phillip Wheeler: If you blinked, you missed it. Wheeler not only played ILBer against Atlanta, but OLBer as well. That versatility alone gives him value. He is on the bottom of the roster, but a guy who I saw play special teams, ILBer, and OLBer has value, especially with the lack of depth at OLBer at the moment.
Josh Bynes: He beats out Scooby Wright III (Wright III hopefully clears waivers for our PS) because he is faster than Wright III. Bynes is far from a capable ILBer but he showed more than any other ILBer that was in camp.
Rudy Ford: Not going to make this roster. He got hurt, and that was that for his preseason. Is he a safety ? Is he a cornerback ? Who knows, but he is not going to beat our Harlan Miller for the special teams/CB/S roster spot and role. If Ford doesn't make clear waivers, I can see him finding his way back to the practice squad later in the year when a team who does pick him up realizes he is a man without a position.
That is it. Bring on the Lions! I am ready for the season, and excited to see this all unfold.
Football is back!
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