Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Cornerbacks:
29 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (6-2, 185, 2, Tennessee St.). First round draft pick who came on like gangbusters at mid-season to become the Cardinals most prolific threat at CB since Aeneas Williams. One of the most gifted athletes in the NFL, DRC combines excellent height with blazing 4.26 speed, rare acceleration and a nose for the ball. Was particularly adept at making the big play at key times, like his fourth quarter interception to seal a rare win in Seattle and the textbook bait and swoop interception in the playoffs at Carolina...in the same game where he basically shut down Steve Smith, one of the NFL's elite WRs. In the last two games, DRC was more tentative as he allowed DeShaun Jackson to beat him for a deep TD in the NFC Championship on a play in which he slowed down enough to let Jackson slip by him...in the Super Bowl he missed an opportunity to intercept a deep Roethlisberger pass in which DRC swiftly raced to the underthrown ball, got two hands on it and dropped it...and lastly, his effort on the Steelers' game-winning drive was uncharacteristically poor, as he lost contact with Santonio Holmes on virtually every play of the drive. Finished the regular season with 42 tackles (38 solo), 23 pass breakups and a team leading 4 interceptions. On STs he is a field goal/extra point blocking threat extraordinaire.
26 Rod Hood (5-11, 198, 7, Auburn). Feisty corner who battles hard, but is prone to giving up the big play, or incurring costly holding/pass interference penalties, mostly because he does not turn his head to locate the ball on deep passes thrown in his direction. He's at his best when he can play aggressive underneath the WRs with the luxury of knowing he has safety help behind him. The problem is Hood has not had that luxury in Arizona, as the Cardinal free safeties don't cover the deep sidelines well. Thus, Hood almost always plays on an island, and when a WR gets even a half a step on him, he tends to clutch and grab...again a product of not being able to count on deep help or his ability to get a track on the ball. Hood is not a particularly consistent tackler. He finished the season with 40 tackles (39 solo), 17 pass breakups, and only one interception. Give Hood a stronger pass rush and safety help and he could thrive in this defense.
20 Ralph Brown (5-10, 185, 10, Nebraska). Was performing poorly through the early stages of the season, but about mid-season suddenly became an active, aggressive and opportunistic underneath cover man in nickel and dime packages. Finished the season with 23 tackles, 7 pass breakups and one interception. Carried strong momentum into the playoffs as his first quarter intercpetion of a Matt Ryan pass set a very positive early tone for the defense. Really carved himself a niche in the defense down the stretch. Is not particularly fast or quick, but plays good angles and keeps his eye on the ball.
27 Michael Adams (5-8, 181, 3, Louisiana-Lafeyette). Practice squad player who for two years in a row has been activated down the home stretch and has delivered consistently good ST play as one of the team's gunners in punt and kickoff coverage. Not only is Adams quick to the ball, he's a very sure tackler. Could very well be used in nickel and dime packages next year the way Ralph Brown was. Adams' great play of downing a Ben Graham punt on the one inch line in the Super Bowl, led to a Cardinal safety. Teams need ST aces like Adams, and in him, the Cardinals have a real good one.
35 Eric Green (5-11, 195, 5, Virginia Tech). Talented underachiever. Injuries and spotty play led to a disappointing contract year season. Other players in the system went right past him on the depth chart. Green has the feet and athleticism to be an above average corner...and he has shown at times the willingness to deliver some tackling punch...but, inconsistent technique, combined with subpar hands, have been the cause of his struggles. With the right coach and opportunity, Green may be able to develop into a solid player.
Safeties:
24 Adrian Wilson (6-3, 230, 9, NC St.). The most dynamic player on the defense, Wilson made the Pro Bowl for the second time this year for causing opposing offenses fits with his aggressive tackling and penchant for delivering timely, bone-crushing hits on QBs. His cover skills in the short to intemediate areas and in the goalline defense are very good, but like all the other Cardinal safeties he gets lost in space when covering deep. Whenever Wilson blitzes, and IMO, he is not used nearly enough in that capacity, he is fierce, relentless and virtually unstoppable, no matter who tries to block him. Sure wish the Cardinal coaches had blitzed him on every play late in the Super Bowl as his pressure could have made a significant difference on the outcome. In any case, Wilson is the consummate "box" safety...and has shined like a diamond in that role. His tears following the NFC Championship will never be forgotten. Adrian Wilson is all heart.
21 Antrel Rolle (6-0, 208, 5, Miami). Switched from CB to FS with mixed results. Missing a few weeks in training camp due to injuries, was a setback, as it took Rolle several games to accustom himself to his new position. Even when accustomed, Rolle struggled mightily in coverage, as his lack of range, pure speed, fluid hips and anticipation rendered him consistently ineffective. However, when the coaches moved him up to a nickel role on passing downs, Rolle was at his best, making timely breaks on the ball. The area that Rolle improved the most was his run support from the free safety spot, as toward the latter half of the season he was quicker at reading the plays and more consistent in his ability to get to the ball and finish off the play. His electrifying TD in the opening series of the third quarter in the Atlanta game when he plucked a Michael Turner (caused by a spearing Darnell Dockett) fumble out of mid-air and raced it to the house was perhaps the biggest play of the post-season. Rolle has an uncanny knack of finding the endzone off turnovers where he shows exceptional vision and elusiveness.
47 Aaron Francisco (6-2, 207, 5, Brigham Young). One of the team's best and most physical tacklers...a real gem on STs...and a player who will deliver timely tackles in the box when brought up in key situations. His covering ability as a free safety in the nickel and dime packages is the weakness in his game. He lacks the speed, range and decisiveness to offer deep help. Was beaten beat over the middle by Kevin Curtis on the third and 19 in the second half of the NFC Championship. In the Super Bowl, he slipped on a seam route to Santonio Holmes (during what must have been a blown coverage, seeing as how alone Holmes was), which led to a 40 yard gain, which, to Francisco's credit he eventually made the tackle on as he got up, chased and never quit on the play. Belongs at strong safety behind Adrian Wilson. Finished the season with 56 tackles and one forced fumble. His days as a nickel FS are likely over.
22 Matt Ware (6-2, 234, 6, UCLA). Backup safety who contributes on STs. Had 21 tackles on the season, but was slowed by injuries and never quite got into a consistent groove.
38 Dennis Keyes (6-2, 199, 2, UCLA). PS player who played well in pre-season, returning one interception for a TD and making some solid tackles. Is a big hitter.
28 Keith Lewis (6-0, 228, 6, Oregon). Free agent signee (reportedly) who is very familiar with Cardinals DC Bill Davis. Lewis is a good STs player. The hope is that he is the rangy cover FS the Cardinals need in the nickel and dime packages.
Free Agent Possibility:
20 Bryant McFadden (6-0, 190, 5, Florida St., Steelers). Started against the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Has good size and athletic ability. Plays strong on his feet and with a good awareness of where the ball is. Has trouble at times with double moves. Thrives is a pressure style defense.
Draft Possibilities:
CB Alphonso Smith (5-9, 190, Wake Forest). One of the best three players at the Senior Bowl. Plays fast and with excellent anticipation. Is a pick six threat from anywhere on the field.
29 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (6-2, 185, 2, Tennessee St.). First round draft pick who came on like gangbusters at mid-season to become the Cardinals most prolific threat at CB since Aeneas Williams. One of the most gifted athletes in the NFL, DRC combines excellent height with blazing 4.26 speed, rare acceleration and a nose for the ball. Was particularly adept at making the big play at key times, like his fourth quarter interception to seal a rare win in Seattle and the textbook bait and swoop interception in the playoffs at Carolina...in the same game where he basically shut down Steve Smith, one of the NFL's elite WRs. In the last two games, DRC was more tentative as he allowed DeShaun Jackson to beat him for a deep TD in the NFC Championship on a play in which he slowed down enough to let Jackson slip by him...in the Super Bowl he missed an opportunity to intercept a deep Roethlisberger pass in which DRC swiftly raced to the underthrown ball, got two hands on it and dropped it...and lastly, his effort on the Steelers' game-winning drive was uncharacteristically poor, as he lost contact with Santonio Holmes on virtually every play of the drive. Finished the regular season with 42 tackles (38 solo), 23 pass breakups and a team leading 4 interceptions. On STs he is a field goal/extra point blocking threat extraordinaire.
26 Rod Hood (5-11, 198, 7, Auburn). Feisty corner who battles hard, but is prone to giving up the big play, or incurring costly holding/pass interference penalties, mostly because he does not turn his head to locate the ball on deep passes thrown in his direction. He's at his best when he can play aggressive underneath the WRs with the luxury of knowing he has safety help behind him. The problem is Hood has not had that luxury in Arizona, as the Cardinal free safeties don't cover the deep sidelines well. Thus, Hood almost always plays on an island, and when a WR gets even a half a step on him, he tends to clutch and grab...again a product of not being able to count on deep help or his ability to get a track on the ball. Hood is not a particularly consistent tackler. He finished the season with 40 tackles (39 solo), 17 pass breakups, and only one interception. Give Hood a stronger pass rush and safety help and he could thrive in this defense.
20 Ralph Brown (5-10, 185, 10, Nebraska). Was performing poorly through the early stages of the season, but about mid-season suddenly became an active, aggressive and opportunistic underneath cover man in nickel and dime packages. Finished the season with 23 tackles, 7 pass breakups and one interception. Carried strong momentum into the playoffs as his first quarter intercpetion of a Matt Ryan pass set a very positive early tone for the defense. Really carved himself a niche in the defense down the stretch. Is not particularly fast or quick, but plays good angles and keeps his eye on the ball.
27 Michael Adams (5-8, 181, 3, Louisiana-Lafeyette). Practice squad player who for two years in a row has been activated down the home stretch and has delivered consistently good ST play as one of the team's gunners in punt and kickoff coverage. Not only is Adams quick to the ball, he's a very sure tackler. Could very well be used in nickel and dime packages next year the way Ralph Brown was. Adams' great play of downing a Ben Graham punt on the one inch line in the Super Bowl, led to a Cardinal safety. Teams need ST aces like Adams, and in him, the Cardinals have a real good one.
35 Eric Green (5-11, 195, 5, Virginia Tech). Talented underachiever. Injuries and spotty play led to a disappointing contract year season. Other players in the system went right past him on the depth chart. Green has the feet and athleticism to be an above average corner...and he has shown at times the willingness to deliver some tackling punch...but, inconsistent technique, combined with subpar hands, have been the cause of his struggles. With the right coach and opportunity, Green may be able to develop into a solid player.
Safeties:
24 Adrian Wilson (6-3, 230, 9, NC St.). The most dynamic player on the defense, Wilson made the Pro Bowl for the second time this year for causing opposing offenses fits with his aggressive tackling and penchant for delivering timely, bone-crushing hits on QBs. His cover skills in the short to intemediate areas and in the goalline defense are very good, but like all the other Cardinal safeties he gets lost in space when covering deep. Whenever Wilson blitzes, and IMO, he is not used nearly enough in that capacity, he is fierce, relentless and virtually unstoppable, no matter who tries to block him. Sure wish the Cardinal coaches had blitzed him on every play late in the Super Bowl as his pressure could have made a significant difference on the outcome. In any case, Wilson is the consummate "box" safety...and has shined like a diamond in that role. His tears following the NFC Championship will never be forgotten. Adrian Wilson is all heart.
21 Antrel Rolle (6-0, 208, 5, Miami). Switched from CB to FS with mixed results. Missing a few weeks in training camp due to injuries, was a setback, as it took Rolle several games to accustom himself to his new position. Even when accustomed, Rolle struggled mightily in coverage, as his lack of range, pure speed, fluid hips and anticipation rendered him consistently ineffective. However, when the coaches moved him up to a nickel role on passing downs, Rolle was at his best, making timely breaks on the ball. The area that Rolle improved the most was his run support from the free safety spot, as toward the latter half of the season he was quicker at reading the plays and more consistent in his ability to get to the ball and finish off the play. His electrifying TD in the opening series of the third quarter in the Atlanta game when he plucked a Michael Turner (caused by a spearing Darnell Dockett) fumble out of mid-air and raced it to the house was perhaps the biggest play of the post-season. Rolle has an uncanny knack of finding the endzone off turnovers where he shows exceptional vision and elusiveness.
47 Aaron Francisco (6-2, 207, 5, Brigham Young). One of the team's best and most physical tacklers...a real gem on STs...and a player who will deliver timely tackles in the box when brought up in key situations. His covering ability as a free safety in the nickel and dime packages is the weakness in his game. He lacks the speed, range and decisiveness to offer deep help. Was beaten beat over the middle by Kevin Curtis on the third and 19 in the second half of the NFC Championship. In the Super Bowl, he slipped on a seam route to Santonio Holmes (during what must have been a blown coverage, seeing as how alone Holmes was), which led to a 40 yard gain, which, to Francisco's credit he eventually made the tackle on as he got up, chased and never quit on the play. Belongs at strong safety behind Adrian Wilson. Finished the season with 56 tackles and one forced fumble. His days as a nickel FS are likely over.
22 Matt Ware (6-2, 234, 6, UCLA). Backup safety who contributes on STs. Had 21 tackles on the season, but was slowed by injuries and never quite got into a consistent groove.
38 Dennis Keyes (6-2, 199, 2, UCLA). PS player who played well in pre-season, returning one interception for a TD and making some solid tackles. Is a big hitter.
28 Keith Lewis (6-0, 228, 6, Oregon). Free agent signee (reportedly) who is very familiar with Cardinals DC Bill Davis. Lewis is a good STs player. The hope is that he is the rangy cover FS the Cardinals need in the nickel and dime packages.
Free Agent Possibility:
20 Bryant McFadden (6-0, 190, 5, Florida St., Steelers). Started against the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Has good size and athletic ability. Plays strong on his feet and with a good awareness of where the ball is. Has trouble at times with double moves. Thrives is a pressure style defense.
Draft Possibilities:
CB Alphonso Smith (5-9, 190, Wake Forest). One of the best three players at the Senior Bowl. Plays fast and with excellent anticipation. Is a pick six threat from anywhere on the field.
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