Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
2008 Defensive Stats:
Points: 26.6 (28th)
Total Yards Per Game: 331.5 (19th)
Passing Yards: 3,540 (22nd)
Rushing Yards: 1,764 (16th)
Nose Tackles:
97 Bryan Robinson (6-4, 304, 13, Fresno St.). Started all 16 games at a position he is not ideally suited for. Was a steady veteran presence. Recorded a mere 20 tackles and one sack. Not particularly adept at holding his ground on double teams. Was not double teamed as much as some think, as he was not considered a threat to blow up plays in the backfield. His tipped pass in the Super Bowl that led to Karlos' Dansby's interception, was Robinson's biggest pay of the season. If he is starting at NT again next year, that will not speak well for the direction of the defense. Could be a decent rotation player at DE, but not a starter. Has one year left on his contract.
98 Gabe Watson (6-3, 332, 4, Michigan). Was fast becoming one of the budding young stalwarts on the team until he injured his knee while training in the off-season. He battled back through rehab admirably and made a contribution, although he clearly was not as stout at the point of attack as he had been last year. Recorded 20 tackles and 1 sack, which is what Robinson recorded while playing the vast majority of the snaps. Heads into a contract year, so this off-season will be big for him. Look for him to re-emerge as the starter and regain his form.
78 Alan Branch (6-5, 332, 3, Michigan). Wasted year from a player that the Cardinals traded up to get in the 2006 draft. Has bust label written all over him. The so-called "light bulb" the coaches talked about has yet to even flicker. Was inactive for the majority of the games, even though an aging veteran Bryan Robinson was playing out of position, and fellow Wolverine Gabe Watson was hampered by knee problems. Still has enormous potential at his size, but seems like the kind of player that needs a full-time coach just to make sure he gets up on time and goes to the weight room. Well, this isn't college anymore, and this guy needs to start acting like a professional. Otherwise, he can join Wendell Bryant on the long list of impressive college DTs who blew over like a dandelion in the NFL.
Defensive Ends:
90 Darnell Dockett (6-4, 285, 6, Florida St.). Quick, high-motored and disruptive DE, who turned in his best year as a Cardinal. "As Dockett and Smith go, the Cardinals go," was one of my most redundant refrains during the course of the season. When Dockett was up to the task, he was at times uncontainable, like in the Cowboys game where he put a whipping on Tony Romo. One could argue that the play where he blew up the handoff to the Falcon's Michael Turner at the beginning of the second half that caused the ball to pop into Antrel Rolle's hands for an electrifying TD, was the most significant play of the off-season. The Cardinals were trailing in the game at that point and from that play forward all the momentum in the playoffs went the Cardinals' way. The key to Dockett's success is his quick and powerful burst off the ball. He tends to jump the gun a little too often and when he doesn't get off the ball quickly, he can get easily steered away from plays. However, Dockett made noticeable strides this year in run defense, as he scraped his way to the ball with fierce determination and finished off the plays with jarring tackles. His three sacks in the Super Bowl ties a Super Bowl record, and on that day he was by far the best defensive player on the field for the Cardinals. For the regular season Dockett recorded 49 tackles (37 solo) and 4 sacks.
94 Antonio Smith (6-4, 285, 5, Oklahoma St.). Same size as Dockett but not quite as quick off the ball. Nonetheless, Smith uses his impressive upper body strength to rip his way toward the quarterback. Shows up in big games, but tends to be very streaky. Was not much of factor in the Super Bowl, as he failed to shed his blocks and could not get his hands on Big Ben. Seems to have trouble sustaining premium effort. Will jump out on tape one second and disappear the next. Recorded 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks on the regular season. Will garner some interest on the free agent market. The Cardinals apparently want him to give them the right to match any offers he gets...which is a passive/aggressive approach that will likely make no difference, as Smith will likley sign the first good offer he gets.
93 Calais Campbell (6-7, 282, 2, Miami). Recorded 28 tackles and 0 sacks as a rookie. Tall, rangy and athletic tackle who plays with determination. Was particularly agile and athletic on special teams. Didn't show much of a pass rush, nor did he use his size to his advantage in the way of getting his hands up to deflect passes. Was generally good at finishing off tackles and is a good tackler, but inexplicably whiffed on what looked to be some easy tackles in the playoffs. Could start next year if he has a strong off-season. Needs to add strength, particularly in his legs and lower body.
91 Kenny Iwebema (6-4, 274, 2, Iowa). Recorded 3 tackles for the season and never really took advantage of his limited opportunities. Hailed as a good pass rusher coming out of college, Iwebema neither showed the technique nor the motor to make his presence felt this year. Seemed to be feeling his way around. Like Alan Branch, this kid needs the light bulb to go on. Could be a major and welcomed surprise next year if the light goes on this off-season.
73 Keilen Dykes (6-3, 294, 2, West Virginia). Was signed to the PS after an injury marred pre-season. Was a big-time performer in big games at WVU. With Antonio Smith likely heading elsewhere and Bryan Robinson getting on in age, Dykes' window of opportunity is wide open. Has the physical tools to make a splash and even figure into next year's rotation.
Rush Defensive Ends:
92 Bertrand Berry (6-3, 264, 12, Notre Dame). Unselfishly accepted a pay cut after two injury filled years and this year managed to play in all the games. Was the team's best pass rusher, leading the team in sacks with 5. Was not particularly effective versus the run and only had 22 tackles on the year. Is a solid and steady leader on and off the field. At this point in his career he's best suited to be a situational pass rusher. He will likely re-sign with the Cardinals to be just that for the next year or two.
55 Travis LaBoy (6-3, 250, 6, Hawaii). Entered camp with a splash, getting his fellow pass rushers all agog over his prized sack leader belt. Was flying off the ball and playing with great effort until he got injured. After that, his minutes and production dipped significantly. He has good moves and a very quick first step off the ball. He crashed down well versus the run, but bites a little too easily at times and is prone to misdirection. Pretty good tackler and finisheras a chaser. Recorded 31 tackles and 4 sacks for the season. Had he stayed healthy the Super Bowl outcome may have been different because he's one guy quick and sudden enough to get to an elusive QB like Roethlisberger. The Cardinals will need him to be super healthy and productive next year.
Strong Side Outside Linebackers:
56 Chike Okeafor (6-5, 247, 11, Purdue). Came on like gangbusters late in the season after suffering through a highly inconsistent regular season in which he recorded 60 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Still a high-level athlete who can make quick bursts to the ball. Now seems comfortable in his role at SOLB after missing the entire 2007 season. There's been talk about the team asking him to take a paycut, but after the way he finsihed the season and in light of the lack of depth at his position, the Cardinals may stand pat with him for the final year of his contract. His work ethic is exemplary, which is why he got stronger as the year went on.
53 Clark Haggans (6-4, 243, 10, Colorado St.). Key role player who stepped up in some key games prior to getting injured and place on the IR. Recorded 19 tackles (18 solo) and 1 sack. Gave the team good energy off the bench. Is a free agent who will likely be re-signed for 2009.
57 Victor Hobson (6-0, 252, 7, Michigan). Veteran signed to a two year contract late in the season. Adds potential value on STs. Needs to show pass rush ability as a blitzer. Has 11 career sacks. Is a physical player. Might have a tough time sticking if Haggans re-signs.
Draft Predictions:
Rd. 1 (#31): LB Larry English (6-2, 256, Northern Illinois). The Cardinals' top priority is to acquire a top-end young pass rusher and English is one of the draft's most intriguing OLB/DE prospects. He has the prototypical size and speed ratio traditional 3-4 defenses want in an OLB.
Rd. 3 (#95): DE Mitch King (6-3, 278, Iowa). The Cardinals snag King here even though right now he's a tad undersized to play 3-4 DE, because he has a relentless motor, is deceptively strong and has a superior attitude. King will be able to profit from working with John Lott and should be able to come to camp ten to twelve pounds stronger. And, get this, King will have the legitmate opportunity to win the starting RDE job in competition with Calais Campbell and fellow Hawkeye, Kenny Iwebema.
Points: 26.6 (28th)
Total Yards Per Game: 331.5 (19th)
Passing Yards: 3,540 (22nd)
Rushing Yards: 1,764 (16th)
Nose Tackles:
97 Bryan Robinson (6-4, 304, 13, Fresno St.). Started all 16 games at a position he is not ideally suited for. Was a steady veteran presence. Recorded a mere 20 tackles and one sack. Not particularly adept at holding his ground on double teams. Was not double teamed as much as some think, as he was not considered a threat to blow up plays in the backfield. His tipped pass in the Super Bowl that led to Karlos' Dansby's interception, was Robinson's biggest pay of the season. If he is starting at NT again next year, that will not speak well for the direction of the defense. Could be a decent rotation player at DE, but not a starter. Has one year left on his contract.
98 Gabe Watson (6-3, 332, 4, Michigan). Was fast becoming one of the budding young stalwarts on the team until he injured his knee while training in the off-season. He battled back through rehab admirably and made a contribution, although he clearly was not as stout at the point of attack as he had been last year. Recorded 20 tackles and 1 sack, which is what Robinson recorded while playing the vast majority of the snaps. Heads into a contract year, so this off-season will be big for him. Look for him to re-emerge as the starter and regain his form.
78 Alan Branch (6-5, 332, 3, Michigan). Wasted year from a player that the Cardinals traded up to get in the 2006 draft. Has bust label written all over him. The so-called "light bulb" the coaches talked about has yet to even flicker. Was inactive for the majority of the games, even though an aging veteran Bryan Robinson was playing out of position, and fellow Wolverine Gabe Watson was hampered by knee problems. Still has enormous potential at his size, but seems like the kind of player that needs a full-time coach just to make sure he gets up on time and goes to the weight room. Well, this isn't college anymore, and this guy needs to start acting like a professional. Otherwise, he can join Wendell Bryant on the long list of impressive college DTs who blew over like a dandelion in the NFL.
Defensive Ends:
90 Darnell Dockett (6-4, 285, 6, Florida St.). Quick, high-motored and disruptive DE, who turned in his best year as a Cardinal. "As Dockett and Smith go, the Cardinals go," was one of my most redundant refrains during the course of the season. When Dockett was up to the task, he was at times uncontainable, like in the Cowboys game where he put a whipping on Tony Romo. One could argue that the play where he blew up the handoff to the Falcon's Michael Turner at the beginning of the second half that caused the ball to pop into Antrel Rolle's hands for an electrifying TD, was the most significant play of the off-season. The Cardinals were trailing in the game at that point and from that play forward all the momentum in the playoffs went the Cardinals' way. The key to Dockett's success is his quick and powerful burst off the ball. He tends to jump the gun a little too often and when he doesn't get off the ball quickly, he can get easily steered away from plays. However, Dockett made noticeable strides this year in run defense, as he scraped his way to the ball with fierce determination and finished off the plays with jarring tackles. His three sacks in the Super Bowl ties a Super Bowl record, and on that day he was by far the best defensive player on the field for the Cardinals. For the regular season Dockett recorded 49 tackles (37 solo) and 4 sacks.
94 Antonio Smith (6-4, 285, 5, Oklahoma St.). Same size as Dockett but not quite as quick off the ball. Nonetheless, Smith uses his impressive upper body strength to rip his way toward the quarterback. Shows up in big games, but tends to be very streaky. Was not much of factor in the Super Bowl, as he failed to shed his blocks and could not get his hands on Big Ben. Seems to have trouble sustaining premium effort. Will jump out on tape one second and disappear the next. Recorded 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks on the regular season. Will garner some interest on the free agent market. The Cardinals apparently want him to give them the right to match any offers he gets...which is a passive/aggressive approach that will likely make no difference, as Smith will likley sign the first good offer he gets.
93 Calais Campbell (6-7, 282, 2, Miami). Recorded 28 tackles and 0 sacks as a rookie. Tall, rangy and athletic tackle who plays with determination. Was particularly agile and athletic on special teams. Didn't show much of a pass rush, nor did he use his size to his advantage in the way of getting his hands up to deflect passes. Was generally good at finishing off tackles and is a good tackler, but inexplicably whiffed on what looked to be some easy tackles in the playoffs. Could start next year if he has a strong off-season. Needs to add strength, particularly in his legs and lower body.
91 Kenny Iwebema (6-4, 274, 2, Iowa). Recorded 3 tackles for the season and never really took advantage of his limited opportunities. Hailed as a good pass rusher coming out of college, Iwebema neither showed the technique nor the motor to make his presence felt this year. Seemed to be feeling his way around. Like Alan Branch, this kid needs the light bulb to go on. Could be a major and welcomed surprise next year if the light goes on this off-season.
73 Keilen Dykes (6-3, 294, 2, West Virginia). Was signed to the PS after an injury marred pre-season. Was a big-time performer in big games at WVU. With Antonio Smith likely heading elsewhere and Bryan Robinson getting on in age, Dykes' window of opportunity is wide open. Has the physical tools to make a splash and even figure into next year's rotation.
Rush Defensive Ends:
92 Bertrand Berry (6-3, 264, 12, Notre Dame). Unselfishly accepted a pay cut after two injury filled years and this year managed to play in all the games. Was the team's best pass rusher, leading the team in sacks with 5. Was not particularly effective versus the run and only had 22 tackles on the year. Is a solid and steady leader on and off the field. At this point in his career he's best suited to be a situational pass rusher. He will likely re-sign with the Cardinals to be just that for the next year or two.
55 Travis LaBoy (6-3, 250, 6, Hawaii). Entered camp with a splash, getting his fellow pass rushers all agog over his prized sack leader belt. Was flying off the ball and playing with great effort until he got injured. After that, his minutes and production dipped significantly. He has good moves and a very quick first step off the ball. He crashed down well versus the run, but bites a little too easily at times and is prone to misdirection. Pretty good tackler and finisheras a chaser. Recorded 31 tackles and 4 sacks for the season. Had he stayed healthy the Super Bowl outcome may have been different because he's one guy quick and sudden enough to get to an elusive QB like Roethlisberger. The Cardinals will need him to be super healthy and productive next year.
Strong Side Outside Linebackers:
56 Chike Okeafor (6-5, 247, 11, Purdue). Came on like gangbusters late in the season after suffering through a highly inconsistent regular season in which he recorded 60 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Still a high-level athlete who can make quick bursts to the ball. Now seems comfortable in his role at SOLB after missing the entire 2007 season. There's been talk about the team asking him to take a paycut, but after the way he finsihed the season and in light of the lack of depth at his position, the Cardinals may stand pat with him for the final year of his contract. His work ethic is exemplary, which is why he got stronger as the year went on.
53 Clark Haggans (6-4, 243, 10, Colorado St.). Key role player who stepped up in some key games prior to getting injured and place on the IR. Recorded 19 tackles (18 solo) and 1 sack. Gave the team good energy off the bench. Is a free agent who will likely be re-signed for 2009.
57 Victor Hobson (6-0, 252, 7, Michigan). Veteran signed to a two year contract late in the season. Adds potential value on STs. Needs to show pass rush ability as a blitzer. Has 11 career sacks. Is a physical player. Might have a tough time sticking if Haggans re-signs.
Draft Predictions:
Rd. 1 (#31): LB Larry English (6-2, 256, Northern Illinois). The Cardinals' top priority is to acquire a top-end young pass rusher and English is one of the draft's most intriguing OLB/DE prospects. He has the prototypical size and speed ratio traditional 3-4 defenses want in an OLB.
Rd. 3 (#95): DE Mitch King (6-3, 278, Iowa). The Cardinals snag King here even though right now he's a tad undersized to play 3-4 DE, because he has a relentless motor, is deceptively strong and has a superior attitude. King will be able to profit from working with John Lott and should be able to come to camp ten to twelve pounds stronger. And, get this, King will have the legitmate opportunity to win the starting RDE job in competition with Calais Campbell and fellow Hawkeye, Kenny Iwebema.
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Solid, solid write up. 
