Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Inside Linebackers:
54 Gerald Hayes (6-1, 249, 7, Pittsburgh). Finished second on the team in tackles with 88 (67 solo). Had 1/2 a sack, forced 4 fumbles and recovered 2. Active and athletic ILB who plays his best when he can run downhill to the ball. Tends at times to react late to inside runs. Is a good blitzer up the middle, but was used sparingly in that role. Solid pass defender. Shows up big in some games, and disappears in others. The team needs more consistent production from him. Is signed until 2011.
58 Karlos Dansby (6-4, 250, 6, Auburn). Led the team in tackles with 119 (95 solo). Registered 4 sacks, 7 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries. Rangy and athletic ILB who is prolific in pass coverage. The hybrid 3-4 scheme aims to protect Dansby to give him free shots at the ball. But, when challenged by traps and screens to his side, he does not step up to disrupt the plays fast enough. Finishes off tackles well. Is a very good blitzer. Very good size to speed ratio. Has emerged as a vocal leader. Has been given the franchise tag again and he and the team hope to sign him to a lucrative long-term deal. But, for some reason, that appears unlikely to happen, as he and the team do not quite agree on his market value.
52 Monty Beisel (6-3, 244, 9, Kansas St.). Solid backup ILB who, following a back injury in the off-season, appeared to get stronger in each game. One of the team's more active and productive special teamers. Finished the season with 20 tackles (15 solo). Played some ILB in the Super Bowl. Has played well in a substitute role in the past. Is now a UFA. Will most likely be re-signed and could make more of a steady impact on the defense next year, especially if new DC Bill Davis wants to move Karlos Dansby to the edge at times.
95 Ali Highsmith (6-1, 223, 2, LSU). Smallish in size...needs to add strength and weight, but plays with passion and flair. Was one of the best STers on cover teams until he was injured. Was missed in that capacity. Has a nose for the ball. Is instinctive. Good tackler. Is one of the team's most intriguing young talents.
51 Pago Togafau (5-10, 242, 3, Idaho St.). ST player who was brought back at mid-season to replace Highsmith. Recorded 8 tackles and did a decent job, although he was beaten badly on a couple of long returns. Battled through injuries. Coaches have liked him. Has proven to be a solid tackler when he breaks down properly.
Free Agent to Watch:
Bart Scott, Baltimore (6-2, 240, 8, Southern Illinois). His addition would allow the team to switch Karlos Dansby to the outside. This may sound crazy, but the Cardinal coaches might believe they have a poor man's version of Scott in Monty Beisel, and thus may not want to pour the money it woud take in order for the team to win a bidding war for Scott.
Draftees To Watch:
Rey Maualaga (6-2, 250, USC). Will likely be off the board at #31, but one never knows. Has tremendous ability. Reminds some of Junior Seau.
Darry Beckwith (6-1, 240, LSU). Highsmith's teammate at LSU, is a natural athlete who can run, hit and cover.
Scott McKillop (6-2, 242, Pittsburgh). May be the best tackler between the tackles in this draft. Is instinctive and fundamentally sound.
54 Gerald Hayes (6-1, 249, 7, Pittsburgh). Finished second on the team in tackles with 88 (67 solo). Had 1/2 a sack, forced 4 fumbles and recovered 2. Active and athletic ILB who plays his best when he can run downhill to the ball. Tends at times to react late to inside runs. Is a good blitzer up the middle, but was used sparingly in that role. Solid pass defender. Shows up big in some games, and disappears in others. The team needs more consistent production from him. Is signed until 2011.
58 Karlos Dansby (6-4, 250, 6, Auburn). Led the team in tackles with 119 (95 solo). Registered 4 sacks, 7 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries. Rangy and athletic ILB who is prolific in pass coverage. The hybrid 3-4 scheme aims to protect Dansby to give him free shots at the ball. But, when challenged by traps and screens to his side, he does not step up to disrupt the plays fast enough. Finishes off tackles well. Is a very good blitzer. Very good size to speed ratio. Has emerged as a vocal leader. Has been given the franchise tag again and he and the team hope to sign him to a lucrative long-term deal. But, for some reason, that appears unlikely to happen, as he and the team do not quite agree on his market value.
52 Monty Beisel (6-3, 244, 9, Kansas St.). Solid backup ILB who, following a back injury in the off-season, appeared to get stronger in each game. One of the team's more active and productive special teamers. Finished the season with 20 tackles (15 solo). Played some ILB in the Super Bowl. Has played well in a substitute role in the past. Is now a UFA. Will most likely be re-signed and could make more of a steady impact on the defense next year, especially if new DC Bill Davis wants to move Karlos Dansby to the edge at times.
95 Ali Highsmith (6-1, 223, 2, LSU). Smallish in size...needs to add strength and weight, but plays with passion and flair. Was one of the best STers on cover teams until he was injured. Was missed in that capacity. Has a nose for the ball. Is instinctive. Good tackler. Is one of the team's most intriguing young talents.
51 Pago Togafau (5-10, 242, 3, Idaho St.). ST player who was brought back at mid-season to replace Highsmith. Recorded 8 tackles and did a decent job, although he was beaten badly on a couple of long returns. Battled through injuries. Coaches have liked him. Has proven to be a solid tackler when he breaks down properly.
Free Agent to Watch:
Bart Scott, Baltimore (6-2, 240, 8, Southern Illinois). His addition would allow the team to switch Karlos Dansby to the outside. This may sound crazy, but the Cardinal coaches might believe they have a poor man's version of Scott in Monty Beisel, and thus may not want to pour the money it woud take in order for the team to win a bidding war for Scott.
Draftees To Watch:
Rey Maualaga (6-2, 250, USC). Will likely be off the board at #31, but one never knows. Has tremendous ability. Reminds some of Junior Seau.
Darry Beckwith (6-1, 240, LSU). Highsmith's teammate at LSU, is a natural athlete who can run, hit and cover.
Scott McKillop (6-2, 242, Pittsburgh). May be the best tackler between the tackles in this draft. Is instinctive and fundamentally sound.
