Saturday Thoughts

[Mitch]

1. The signing of FB Terrelle Smith was a major coup for the Cardinals. Whiz is trying to evoke a smashmouth mentality to his offense and adding a premier blocking fullback to the mix--really the first prolific run blocking FB the Cardinals have had in decades--is a significant step forward.

2. Re-signing DT/DE Chris Cooper was another wise move. Cooper is a bigger, more athletic and versatile Ross Kolodziej--the kind of high effort player who can rotate into the front four in a variety of positions and bring energy and aggressiveness.

3. The Cardinals have done a very good job of improving the depth of the football team this off-season by signing a number of important role players.

What they haven't done to date, is address the two most glaring needs...the starting LT position and the starting OLB position.

If the Cardinals sign no one else before the draft, it will be imperative that their first two picks be a LT and a LB...the question is---which will come first?

It appears most likely that with T Joe Thomas and/or T Levi Brown on the board when the Cardinals are on the clock, one of them will be the choice.

Or---do the Cardinals shock the pundits and select the most productive and dynamic LB in this class: Patrick Willis of Ole Miss.?

4. Did anyone see ESPN News' interview with T Joe Thomas last night? I must say I came away from that interview extremely impressed. Here is a young man who seems to have a great head on his shoulders. The most salient example of this, is Thomas' decision to stay in classes at Wisconsin this spring. He said he wanted to treat this off-season like "any other off-season"...and that he's preparing himself mentally and physically to jump right into his new team's offense as starter. What he didn't want to do is sit around and just think about the draft, as most of the high draft prospects are doing. He wants to stay occupied and focussed. There is real wisdom in this...and it shows that Thomas has a strong sense of self-discipline.

5. The Cardinals may have a very avid suitor to trade up for the number five pick...the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta may try to trade up for one of the top four picks, but may be unsuccessful. Sure, they would love to be able to draft the local star WR Calvin Johnson...but I think they have their eye on another player, who in their minds would be worth moving up to the #5 spot for. That player? S LaRon Landry of LSU...who has shot up team's draft boards like a Roman Candle.

If Landry is still on the board at #5, expect Atlanta to be on the phone, willing to offer the #8 and #40 (Houston's 1st and 2nd round picks they acquired in the Schaub trade) picks in return.

The Falcons will be concerned that other teams will try to move ahead of the at #8 to snag Landry.

The question is...would this be a good trade for the Cardinals?

My immediate answer is yes...and an emphatic yes at that.

Here's my thinking...

First of all...the Cardinals would have to be concerned about Washington and Minnesota picking ahead of them if they had the #8 pick...neither Washington nor Minnesota need an offensive tackle...which means that in all likelihood, even if Joe Thomas is still on the board, that at least one of the two premier tackles (Thomas or Brown) will be on the board at #8...or...it's quite likely that LB Patrick Willis will be there as well.

Secondly...there are a couple of OLB prospects the Cardinals might want to move up to select...packaging the #38 and #40 picks would enable them to do so.

The two players that stand out to me are LB Paul Posluszny of Penn. St. and DE/LB Anthony Spencer of Purdue. Posluszny would start right away at SLB...while Spencer would be the pass rushing WLB the Cardinals have wanted. Both players would fit well in a 3-4 too...Posluszny would slide inside and Spencer would remain the pass rushing WLB.

Or---if the Cardinals elect to stay put at #38 and #40, they may be able to pick from a list that includes: LBs Brandon Siler (Florida), Jon Beason (Miami), David Harris (Michigan)../DE Charles Johnson (Georgia), LaMarr Woodley (Michigan)...OL Justin Blalock (Texas), Doug Free (Northern Illinois), Tony Ugoh (Arkansas)...or CBs Daymeion Hughes (California), Josh Wilson (Maryland) or Marcus McCauley (Fresno St.).

 

[Redrage]

Good write up, Mitch.

As it stands, I think the Cards will "reach' and take Levi Brown at 5 if Thomas is unavailable. You know, I like the two DEs and Branch, but LT is an immediate need.

Your trade scenerio works fine, though.

 

[lobo]

1.

Or---if the Cardinals elect to stay put at #38 and #40, they may be able to pick from a list that includes: LBs Brandon Siler (Florida), Jon Beason (Miami), David Harris (Michigan)../DE Charles Johnson (Georgia), LaMarr Woodley (Michigan)...OL Justin Blalock (Texas), Doug Free (Northern Illinois), Tony Ugoh (Arkansas)...or CBs Daymeion Hughes (California), Josh Wilson (Maryland) or Marcus McCauley (Fresno St.).

My question is this, how do you write so clearly and make so many good points so early in the morning?

Yeah, we need a linebacker but we need OT(s} a whole lot more. If Thomas is gone, I say they will make a calcualted risk and drop as far down as they can to still get Brown. That might result in at least having our "cookies (not cake)" and eat it with a few more strategiclly good draft choices. My eyes really opened up on Willis and he would make an immediate impact.

As I mentioned yesterday there is something "up" with the OT position. It is too quiet and with little to no buzz, I just feel they know what they will be doing and with good reason, we don't.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

.

If Landry is still on the board at #5, expect Atlanta to be on the phone, willing to offer the #8 and #40 (Houston's 1st and 2nd round picks they acquired in the Schaub trade) picks in return.

The Falcons will be concerned that other teams will try to move ahead of the at #8 to snag Landry.

The question is...would this be a good trade for the Cardinals?

Definitely yes .. the thinking here would be that we would be able to get Brown at #8 .. if we trade down any further then Miami at #9 will take Brown ..

And with our 2nd and the #40 we will have many options to choose from .. keep the 2 picks or trade up for an earlier pick ... I always like the early 2nd round slots because you can get some good players and not have to put out so much in contract numbers ..

 

[joeshmo]

If Landry is still on the board at #5, expect Atlanta to be on the phone, willing to offer the #8 and #40 (Houston's 1st and 2nd round picks they acquired in the Schaub trade) picks in return.

The Falcons will be concerned that other teams will try to move ahead of the at #8 to snag Landry.

I think that is a real possibility except for the compensation the Falcons would give up. Not only is it to much according the trade draft charts but there are also some precedents for a trade such as this. In 2002 KC traded from #8 to #6 and gave up a mid 3rd and a 2003 6th rounder.

Now Atlanta would have to make the trip from #8 to #5 so they will have to give up more. So IMO a more realistic compensation package for Atlanta to give to us to move down 3 spots would be Atlantas 3rd rounder and the 1st of their 2 4th rounders, maybe even a late rounder in 2008 depending on how many 3rd round comp picks push that 4th rounder further down.

So according to the draft chart and historical data I think a much more likely scenerio would be - #5 for #8, #75, #105, which is still a good package.

 

[Buckybird]

please Cards stay put at #5, take either Thomas, AP or Gaines!!! Whomever
is there. I hope we learned from the Pace/Johnson fiasco.

 

[Shogun]

Why would ATL move up for Landry when they are prime candidate at #8? The only team that should concern them would be Minnesota. That proposal seems a bit idealistic.

 

[cardsfanmd]

One thing to disagree with here Mitch.

If Thomas is there I would be surprised at all if Washington took him.

They have been set at tackle for a long time, however both Chris Samuels and John Janson are getting up in thir years and have had a lot of injury issues. Janson was contemplating retirement last year. If their D-line wasn't so bad I would expect Snyder to make some dumb move (characteristic of him) to move up and get Thomas. This would be an ideal time for them to draft a tackle IMO. He would have a year to study under two of the better ones in the league and would possible challenge Janson for the starting spot on the right side. By next year, Thomas would take over on the left and probably lengthen Samuel's career by letting him move to the right. Janson would provide great depth.

After Dockery's departure they could also use a guard.

Looking at the teams needs though now, I am leaning towards agreeing with you. Not because I dont think they want or need a tackle, but because they should trade down to assemble more picks. I think they only have two.

 

[Urubu Rei]

If Thomas is there at #5, just pick him.

 

[Shogun]

If Thomas is there at #5, just pick him.

Exactly.

[/thread]

 

[az jam]

We are not passing on Thomas. No doubt he will be gone by the time we pick but if he was there he would be the pick for sure.
If Thomas is gone we could trade down. The trading partner would depend on who is there when we pick. Quinn or Peterson may be there when we pick and several teams could move up to get either of them. Bufalo could move up to get Peterson. It is going to be a very interesting draft day and hard to predict.

 

[BigRedArk]

One thing I am sure of is that I have a draft "jones" going on!

 

[CardinalChris]

We aren't asking ourselves the right question. Who would Atlanta need to trade to #5 to ensure they get Landry. Washington and Minny will both most likely go O-Line with only Min having an outside chance of wanting a safety over one of the DEs.

A more likely suitor is Miami, BUT dropping below Atlanta and Miami and not worrying about them drfating the tackle you want (both Thomas or Brown) stinks of the Pace/Johnson/Suggs debacle. We will reach, but not all that far and take the best possible tackle at 5. Our trade down hopes were shot when Houston picked up Shaub.

 

[CtCardinals78]

What ever happened to Mike Gandy? Did he ever sign with anyone? I have been on the Landry bandwagon since November. We are going to regret not getting him. Hopefully we will have a good draft.

 

[Buckybird]

I think Merriweather will be a better player...ala Ed Reed.

 

[seesred]

Great read , I like this kid Jon Beason (Miami) for our second pick. Just coming from a Florida school is enough for me, but he is start ready IMO.As far as Thomas or Brown, of course the first want is Thomas, but I like this kid Brown an awfull lot and the drop off may be zero! I am hoping that we do trade down and pick up some numbers while taking Brown.

GBR
40

 

[Rats]

As has been stated, this Front office has a lot of work still to do. You say we have improved depth but what has actually happened is we have replaced our starters at cb, saftey and we have added a legit FB. We are weaker at TE, LT, OLB and still have not addressed being able to protect our Franchise Qb or just as important, stopping the run. It has been a smoke and mirror offseason for the Cardinals. With a successful draft of say Thomas in the 1st and Zach Miller in the second the team would be closer to being as you say Improved. I know alot of people want to be optimistic but I will wait to praise this team when they start winning consistantly. I think that is a long way off unfortunetly.

 

[AntSports Steve]

It's looking like if Thomas is there, the Cards take him. Otherwise, I'm guessing that all the trade offers they do get will be from teams "too far down". Trading down too far would be bad, so they reach and take L.Brown. LT problem solved.

That's my take.

 

[CardinalChris]

It is all about Rufus Alexander to play WLB. This guy has speed and instincts and would start at WLB from day 1. He'll slide because he's only 6 foot instead of 6'3, but he's gonna be a monster. He's the speedster of Beason, but much better instincts.

 

[lobo]

It's looking like if Thomas is there, the Cards take him. Otherwise, I'm guessing that all the trade offers they do get will be from teams "too far down". Trading down too far would be bad, so they reach and take L.Brown. LT problem solved.

That's my take.

If Thomas is gone I believe they will fish a bit and try and find someone within three picks and if they do, they go for Brown. It is such a glaring hole they cannot go for anything but an OT even though the first choice is Thomas. The ONLY possibility is if there is a consensus amongst the scouts that Staley is as good as Brown (although i doubt it) and they roll the dice and hope he is there in the early second round. Nah, that is too much of a risk. Look for 6/7/8 and hope for a third this year to go along with the switch.

 

[BigRedArk]

It is all about Rufus Alexander to play WLB. This guy has speed and instincts and would start at WLB from day 1. He'll slide because he's only 6 foot instead of 6'3, but he's gonna be a monster. He's the speedster of Beason, but much better instincts.

Rufus Alexander would look great in Cardinal red!!! The dude is a wrap up tackler personified! Plus he played the Weakside in college too.

 

[kerouac9]

It's mind-boggling that so many people would rather take a safety or linebacker with the #5 pick than the consensus best LT prospect in the draft. One of those people is a guy who three weeks ago was reminding everyone that the defensive rookie of the year last year was a second round pick and the 7th linebacker chosen overall. The best linebacker in free agency was a 3rd round pick.

There will be a good player at OLB available at the Cards' second round pick. Likely a player that could be just as good as Patrick Willis. There's not as much separation between the top LBs in the NFL and the second or third tiers of guys than there is at the LT position, as we apparently learned from the Leonard Davis experience.

Similiarly, there's a huge gap between the best pass rushers in the NFL (Dwight Freeney, Osi Umenyora, Simeon Rice) and the second tier guys, like Charles Grant. The difference is around a extra sack every other game. This team hasn't changed that much through free agency. Signing a fullback is never an "outstanding" addition. It's a solid signing, but the guy isn't Adalius Thomas or Jon Stinchcomb

If you want to maximize the investments that the team has made the past two years (in Adrian Wilson, Aaron Francisco, Terrance Holt, Antrel Rolle, Roderick Hood, and Eric Green), the team would be best advised to pick either of the premier defensive linemen on the board.

75% of the starting Pro Bowl defensive ends in 2006 were first round picks. Only half of the linebackers voted to the Pro Bowl were first-rounders.

 

[CardinalChris]

It's mind-boggling that so many people would rather take a safety or linebacker with the #5 pick than the consensus best LT prospect in the draft. One of those people is a guy who three weeks ago was reminding everyone that the defensive rookie of the year last year was a second round pick and the 7th linebacker chosen overall. The best linebacker in free agency was a 3rd round pick.

There will be a good player at OLB available at the Cards' second round pick. Likely a player that could be just as good as Patrick Willis. There's not as much separation between the top LBs in the NFL and the second or third tiers of guys than there is at the LT position, as we apparently learned from the Leonard Davis experience.

Similiarly, there's a huge gap between the best pass rushers in the NFL (Dwight Freeney, Osi Umenyora, Simeon Rice) and the second tier guys, like Charles Grant. The difference is around a extra sack every other game. This team hasn't changed that much through free agency. Signing a fullback is never an "outstanding" addition. It's a solid signing, but the guy isn't Adalius Thomas or Jon Stinchcomb

If you want to maximize the investments that the team has made the past two years (in Adrian Wilson, Aaron Francisco, Terrance Holt, Antrel Rolle, Roderick Hood, and Eric Green), the team would be best advised to pick either of the premier defensive linemen on the board.

75% of the starting Pro Bowl defensive ends in 2006 were first round picks. Only half of the linebackers voted to the Pro Bowl were first-rounders.

One of my favorite things to do this time of the year is to play "where were we 3 months ago?" Willis was a late first rounder. But the guy has a great Senior Bowl, run well and he's a top 5 pick? Drafting an OT early makes sense because there are only 2 "blue chip" tackles. It makes more sense to wait to draft a LB based on where the talent in this draft is stacked.

 

[Skkorpion]

What ever happened to Mike Gandy? Did he ever sign with anyone? I have been on the Landry bandwagon since November. We are going to regret not getting him. Hopefully we will have a good draft.

He's a OG. We are fine at OG. Gandy is just not very good at any position, in my opinion.

 

[Twist18]

I think if we go like this, I will be happy:

1. Thomas/Brown
2. Beason/Alexander
3. Ben Patrick TE Delaware.