Roster Notes and Predictions

[Mitch]

Thanks, Garth, for the request. Hope this whets your imagination...and, of course, please let us know what your thoughts are.

First of all, in perusing this roster, what comes to mind immediately is how deep and talented it is...the deepest and most talented ever, IMO.

What I really appreciate about Whiz and his staff...in unison with Rod Graves and the front office, is that unlike his predecessors, Whiz didn't come in and tear last year's roster apart. Instead he did the prudent thing by giving himself and the players a chance to get to know one another.

Secondly, what Whiz has done very well is suppliment the youth on the roster with a host of veterans. The balance of talent and experience on this roster is striking:

A. The Players With Super Bowl Rings: Warner, Morey, Tuman, Haggans.

B. Players with Pro Bowl Experience: Warner, James, Boldin, Fitzgerald, Berry, Dockett, Wilson and Rackers.

C. Players Who Could Become Pro Bowl Candidates Sometime in The Next Three ot Four Years (based on talent): Leinart, Al Johnson, Lutui, Levi Brown, Branch, Antonio Smith, Campbell, Okeafor, Hayes, Dansby, Hood, Green, Rodgers-Cromartie, Rolle.

53 Man Roster Predicaments and Predictions:

QB (3): 7-Leinart, 13-Warner, 2-St. Pierre. This time Whiz will keep three QBs on the roster. I believe that Whiz will see enough in 12-Anthony Morelli to sign him to the practice squad.

RB (4): 32-James, 28-Arrington, 31-Shipp, 34-Hightower. What? Keep 4? I believe that the coaches love Marcel Shipp's character and leadership skills way to much to let him go. This means keeping just one FB, however.

FB (1): 46-Castille. Castille was dynamic in the red zone at Alabama. Now that he's up to 243 pounds and is training his butt off, he will stave off Terrelle Smith for the job. Don't be surprised if Smith asks for his release so he can sign with another team, especially since he was relegated to the second team during the minicamp. Smith hasn't been training with the club, while Castille has been one of the gold star participants. Dionte Johnson will be signed to the practice squad...maybe not right away, but eventually. The coaches will like him.

WR (6): 81-Boldin, 11-Fitzgerald, 80-Doucet, 15-Breaston, 85-Urban, 87-Morey. The player who may not make it here is Morey, if Jamaica Rector or Ahmand Merritt come on strong. Of the two, Rector, with his ability to stretch defenses, could be the answer the Cards' need at speed WR. Morey was not as consistently productive on special teams last year as he should have been, IMO. He needs to stand out this year, as he has in the past, to stick. Lance Long will be signed to the practice squad.

TE (3): 84-Tuman, 82-Pope, 89-Patrick. Look for much improvement and production (both in run blocking and receiving) from this trio. If any of them gets hurt, 83-Troy Bienemann sticks. The coaches like him and were happy with his progress last year.

OL (8): 69-Gandy, 74-Wells, 50-Johnson, 76-Lutui, 75-Levi Brown, 61-Elton Brown, 63-Sendlein, 72-Keith. What? Only 8? Yes, for two reasons...one is that all three reserves Brown, Sendlein and Keith (providing he shows the motivation and the maturity to handle his responsibilities well) will be versatile...Brown and Keith will be able to play guard and tackle, and Sendlein will be able to play center and guard. Secondly, the Cards will keep two or even three o-linemen on the practice squad. The two that first come to mind are T 65-Thaddeus Coleman and G 67-Hercules Satele. If one of the trio of G 66-Carlton Meddar, T 60-Pete Clifford or T 68-Elliot Vallejo shows enough promise, he will be added to the practice squad. There's no sense keeping any of the players mentioned for the practice squad on the roster if they can be kept on the practice squad anyway, and activated to the roster if and when needed.

NT (2): 78-Branch, 98-Watson. Both will play and share the snaps, keeping each other fresh.

DE (6): 90-Dockett, 94-Smith, 71-Robinson, 93-Campbell, 79-Iwebema, 73-Dykes. If they all stay healthy, they all make it, incuding Dykes, who will be a very pleasant surprise. If one gets hurt and has to go to the IR, the Cards keep 5 and keep another OLB, like 59-Chris Harrington, who right now would appear headed to the practice squad.

OLB (4): 56-Okeafor, 92-Berry, 53-Haggans, 55-LaBoy. Like the NTs and DEs, these 4 will be rotated in and kept fresh. 59-Chris Harrington won't be a threat to be claimed off the waiver wire, and the team will groom him on the practice squad and promote him if and when needed.

ILB (4): 54-Hayes, 58-Dansby, 52-Beisel, 37-Highsmith. I believe that Highsmith will beat out Matt Stewart, because he will show stronger special teams' value. I see a couple of scenarios where Stewart sticks (if there are injuries here or elsewhere). I think we will be very impressed with him. But, Highsmith is too talented to pass over. He will need to add weight and assimilate quickly into the program, but, barring injury, he will.

CB (5): 26-Hood, 25-Green, 29-Rodgers-Cromartie, 27-Adams, 36-Marcus Brown. Adams and Marcus Brown's special teams' skills land them spots here over veteran Ralph Brown. Having 22-Matt Ware as a spare CB in case of emergency, helps these decisions. The team keeps either 41-Travarous Bain or 23-DeMario Minter on the PS.

S (4): 24-Wilson, 21-Rolle, 47-Francisco, 22-Ware. Wilson and Rolle are the Cards' version of Rock 'n Roll. Francisco and Ware are versatile and nasty on special teams. The wild card here is 38-Dennis Keyes, who wil have to beat out Ware to make the roster. Otherwise, he's a keeper on the PS.

ST (3): 48-Hodel, 1-Rackers, 9-Johnson. No one has been brought in to date to challenge any of these guys. barring injury, we can write these guys names in pen on the roster right now.

Lastly, the Cards have their ins with the Gods on this roster...featuring players such as St. Pierre, Pope, Patrick (as in St. Patrick), Ali (Highsmith), James (as in King), Levi, Aaron, Matthew, Gabriel, etc.

As my personal guru, Arthurraccoon, says, "The Cardinal Smiles!"

[BTW--Arthur and I truly believe that if the Bidwills turn the Cardinal beak into a smiling one (just by turning up the corner on the end)...the Cards will win a Super Bowl...and may win many]. Now that would be an Act of God, wouldn't it???!!!

GO CARDS IN 2008!!!

 

[abomb]

Great stuff Mitch!

 

[jefftheshark]

What I find most exciting about this list is that there are none of the usual "waiver wire pick-up" or "June 1st casualty-cap" players being listed as possibilities. It is nice to have an NFL-caliber roster to start the process with, instead of wishing for some miracle to occur.

Good work, Mitch!

JTS

 

[football karma]

It seems like the coaching staff is looking at Rolle the way they look at Wells:

both a starter and the depth at another position. Wells is depth at tackle, Rolle is depth at corner.

Hopefully Keith shows something at tackle -- but realistically, he wont be ready until next year. Finding another good corner would be nice -- be it somebody like Bain who shows something or some other undrafted type we dont know about.

 

[redheat]

Only thing that concerns me is keeping one fullback but if it means keeping shipp, I'm all for it.

 

[Goldfield]

This is by far the deepest & most talented team I can remember us having.

We should be ready to win a lot of games IMO.

 

[Cards Czar]

Mitch great minds think alike. Yours is pretty much like mine. Good job.

 

[PoolBoy]

really good, the only thing i disagree with is that morey could be the receiver to go for jamaica or merrit. morey is very good on special teams, and whiz likes him. urban was terribly inconsistent, and for the most part. terrible. both of his td's (i think he only had 2) were on dropped balls
1. dropped in the endzone in the steelers game, but held onto it just long enough
2. easy catch doinked off his head, but got lucky enough to catch it.

other than that i think you're spot on. i like cutting either shipp or jj, but lean toward cutting jj because shipp is a cool guy and is good on special teams. good to hear about castille!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

how big is the praqctice squad? It seems like Mitch has about half the roster on it .

 

[john h]

Great stuff Mitch!

Some thought and good knowledge went into this assessment. Right or wrong you deserve KUDOS! I could not argue any of your points.

 

[Mitch]

how big is the praqctice squad? It seems like Mitch has about half the roster on it .

I had (the inital 8 spots):

1. QB Morelli
(FB Johnson*--not right away, but eventually, I said)
2. WR Long
3. G Satele
4. T Coleman
5. T Clifford/or G Meddar/or T Vallejo
6. LB Harrington
7. CB Bain or Minter
8. S Keyes

 

[Assface]

Don't get your hopes up about Morelli. He simply doesn't get the mental part of the game.

If Morey gets cut it's because someone beats him out on special teams, not as a WR.

 

[Totally_Red]

Interesting post. Thanks!

 

[PACardsFan]

On paper, this team surpasses the very good Cardinal teams under Coryell. We are as talented on the offensive side of the ball & SIGNIFICANTLY stronger on the defensive side. This team also has far more depth than the 70's version. Our coaching staff as a whole is probably stronger than Coryell's was. The only downside is that Bakken was a money kicker & Rackers is a choking dog. Many times over the years this franchise has broken my heart with unfulfilled expectations. In reality, those teams just did not have the depth to overcome crippling injuries. Whiz has talked about depth from day 1 & has done a nice job of building it. If we escape injuries, we are going to be VERY, VERY good. Like 12-4 good! But if we don't, we may still be able to sneak into the playoffs. In years past, injuries meant 4-12, now those same injuries might mean 9-7. In summary, I've seen the best Cardinal teams of the 60's & 70's, & I truly believe this team has the ability to surpass anything that they accomplished.

 

[cgolden]

Please no Morey

If Morey gets cut it's because someone beats him out on special teams, not as a WR.

I really hope the Morey doesn't make this team. I'd much rather have a youngster like Highsmith or Dennis Keyes than a 32 year old WR who can't play WR.

 

[lobo]

Thanks, Garth, for the request. Hope this whets your imagination...and, of course, please let us know what your thoughts are.

Outstanding, NON EMOTIONAL piece.

Shows what a front office that has developed and an great coaching staff can do. The coaching staff is deep and their outstanding pedigree really shows. They all came from winning programs and were not pulled off the end barstool as some other staff that comes to mind.

The team is deep and one (me) has to think hard to find a major league weakness. The team is facing a tough schedule next year, but that is okay, as it will only make them better and if they play it tough they will fare well against the teams that they should beat.

 

[joeshmo]

At this point in time I cant disagree with all that much.

I can honestly see the team keeping 10 linebackers. Might sound odd but I look at it this way.

Laboy
Okeafer
Haggans
Berry
Harrington
Highsmith
Hayes
Dansby
Beisel
Stewart

I think one of Stewart, Harrington, or Highsmith can take the place of Shipp's special team ability pretty easily. Making Shipp's high salary really tempting to take off the books in order to get some extensions done this season and use up cap space this season instead of next season. We all know about Pendys vast array of schemes, looks, and alignments. Which makes the ability of these guys to play standing up or with their hands down tempting to Pendy - Okeafer, Berry, Harrington, and Laboy. Special Teams abilities of Stewart, Beisel, Highsmith, Harrington could also be something the coaches want to do.

I find two moves that we could easily make to make it happen in Mitchs scenerio. Shipp gone to help with in season extensions, and Dykes we could easily sneak onto the PS.

I guess I am on a special teams kick right now and just trying to find a way to put a quartet of LB's that I think would be a big time boost to our specials teams units - Stewart, Beisel, Highsmith, Harrington.

 

[Goldfield]

At this point in time I cant disagree with all that much.

I can honestly see the team keeping 10 linebackers. Might sound odd but I look at it this way.

Laboy
Okeafer
Haggans
Berry
Harrington
Highsmith
Hayes
Dansby
Beisel
Stewart

I think one of Stewart, Harrington, or Highsmith can take the place of Shipp's special team ability pretty easily. Making Shipp's high salary really tempting to take off the books in order to get some extensions done this season and use up cap space this season instead of next season. We all know about Pendys vast array of schemes, looks, and alignments. Which makes the ability of these guys to play standing up or with their hands down tempting to Pendy - Okeafer, Berry, Harrington, and Laboy. Special Teams abilities of Stewart, Beisel, Highsmith, Harrington could also be something the coaches want to do.

I find two moves that we could easily make to make it happen in Mitchs scenerio. Shipp gone to help with in season extensions, and Dykes we could easily sneak onto the PS.

I guess I am on a special teams kick right now and just trying to find a way to put a quartet of LB's that I think would be a big time boost to our specials teams units - Stewart, Beisel, Highsmith, Harrington.

I agree completely. Shipp has had a good run.

 

[perivolaki]

I guess I am on a special teams kick right now and just trying to find a way to put a quartet of LB's that I think would be a big time boost to our specials teams units - Stewart, Beisel, Highsmith, Harrington.

I also think the addition of guys like Campbell and Iwebema can help out our special teams. Those guys are big enough you could put them in the line on punts and they would be way more effective on coverages than say a backup offensive lineman.

I think you are on the right track, more big fast athletic guys make for better special teams units. We don't often think about these things but we've lost a lot of games because of special teams. It doesn't have to even be giving up a touchdown. How often do we see field position determining the outcome of a game?

 

[Garthshort]

Roster??

Mitch, great job as always. Thank you. I see you broke it 50-50 with offense and defense, and that's the way I see it. By position, I'll give you my opinion and start with those where we are in agreement.
1. QB-Agree.
2. FB-Agree. However, while I feel that the team wants Castille as their only FB, he'll still have to show in the presason that he can do the job. All signs indicate that he can.
3. WR-Agree. This is a position where someone might surprise (Rector or Long), but signs are that the six you predicted will be the ones.
4. TE-Agree.

And these are the two where we have a slight disagreement.
1. RB-I only see them keeping three, with Shipp being let go. If they want to keep him for ST, then I would think he'd be competing against Sean Morey for a roster spot. I don't see him beating out Hightower for a RB spot.
2. OL-You say eight, and I say nine. And while I think nine, I LOVE your logic in arguing for eight. And in fact if you only count the guys we now have, I'd agree with your guess. However, I'm pretty sure the team will pick up a vet off the waiver wire, since it's been written that they were really disappointed to lose Vincent in FA.

Onto defense. We agree on the following three positions:
1. NT-Only Watson's injury could change things.
2. OLB-Agree.
3. S-Ware will have to hold off Celestine.

And here we disagree.
1. DE-While I see six, I have Harrington over Dykes. And if you count Harrington as an OLB, then I'll go with five at the DE position. Harrington is supposed to be a high energy/motor guy, which should make him a good ST guy.
2. ILB-I see Stewart over Highsmith, on the production over potential argument. But I wouldn't be shocked if Highsmith wins out.
3. CB-Five seems about right, but I think that Ralph Brown's experience will make him a member of the team. As to the fifth, I have no idea, but agree Marcus Brown's athleticism is intriguing.

ST-Agree.

PS-Morelli, QB, Long, WR, Vallejo, OT, Coleman, OT, Johnson, FB, Dykes, DT, Highsmith, LB, and Brown, CB.

Mitch, again thanks for doing the heavy lifting.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, great job as always. Thank you. I see you broke it 50-50 with offense and defense, and that's the way I see it. By position, I'll give you my opinion and start with those where we are in agreement.
1. QB-Agree.
2. FB-Agree. However, while I feel that the team wants Castille as their only FB, he'll still have to show in the presason that he can do the job. All signs indicate that he can.
3. WR-Agree. This is a position where someone might surprise (Rector or Long), but signs are that the six you predicted will be the ones.
4. TE-Agree.

And these are the two where we have a slight disagreement.
1. RB-I only see them keeping three, with Shipp being let go. If they want to keep him for ST, then I would think he'd be competing against Sean Morey for a roster spot. I don't see him beating out Hightower for a RB spot.
2. OL-You say eight, and I say nine. And while I think nine, I LOVE your logic in arguing for eight. And in fact if you only count the guys we now have, I'd agree with your guess. However, I'm pretty sure the team will pick up a vet off the waiver wire, since it's been written that they were really disappointed to lose Vincent in FA.

Onto defense. We agree on the following three positions:
1. NT-Only Watson's injury could change things.
2. OLB-Agree.
3. S-Ware will have to hold off Celestine.

And here we disagree.
1. DE-While I see six, I have Harrington over Dykes. And if you count Harrington as an OLB, then I'll go with five at the DE position. Harrington is supposed to be a high energy/motor guy, which should make him a good ST guy.
2. ILB-I see Stewart over Highsmith, on the production over potential argument. But I wouldn't be shocked if Highsmith wins out.
3. CB-Five seems about right, but I think that Ralph Brown's experience will make him a member of the team. As to the fifth, I have no idea, but agree Marcus Brown's athleticism is intriguing.

ST-Agree.

PS-Morelli, QB, Long, WR, Vallejo, OT, Coleman, OT, Johnson, FB, Dykes, DT, Highsmith, LB, and Brown, CB.

Mitch, again thanks for doing the heavy lifting.

Good arguments, Garth. I'd like to see Harrington, Stewart and Dykes all make it. I think, as you do, all three would be very good for special teams and certain roles within this multi-facted defense.

As for Marcel...he's like the Energizer Bunny...he just keeps ticking and ticking. I have learned to never under-estimate him...every time one tries to count him out, he emerges. It's a testament to his character and resolve.

I would also like to see Jamiaca Rector, with his pure speed and atheltic ability, win a spot on the roster, and factor into the offense as the deep threat. It would also be very cool to see if Whiz creates an offensive role for DRC at some point. Talk about deep threats!

When all three of the o-line backups can play guard and two can play tackle and the other can play center...if the team keeps 2 or 3 more o-linemen on the practice squad, there's really no reason to keep 9 on the roster, especially if the one the team wants to keep as the ninth won't have any problems clearing waivers.

 

[PoolBoy]

so no halloway? i haven't heard his name in a while..

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Thanks Mitch.

Gotta love the depth on this team.

 

[Darth Llama]

Excelent post, really shows the depth and where we are with players, well done. I'm not sure I agree that we carry 4 running backs and 1 FB, but other then that, I agree with everything. As much as they like Shipp, I don't think he's on this team on opening day.

 

[artp]

Everyone assumes most any guy can "be a good special teams player". Its not that easy. Everyone says this or that guy can play Special Teams. They can't and don't. How many rookies have we assumed would be good at Special Teams, but weren't? Competition on ST should win out.