Scouting Department

[Garthshort]

I might be off base, but when Rod Graves was GM, after the draft, we'd always announce changes in the Scouting Department. And with SK, changes seem fewer, and I'm wondering if that has to do with SK's scouting background?

 

[GiantCardFan]

I'd guess it means he's happy with the scouts. This is the time of year they'd usually make changes.

 

[Catfish]

I'd guess it means he's happy with the scouts. This is the time of year they'd usually make changes.

He has already promoted one of his scouts this off season. It was announced several weeks ago.

 

[Garthshort]

IMO, that's GOOD news.

 

[Mitch]

If you look at the college players the Cardinals added this year via the draft and UDFAs, it's a testament to the depth and breadth of the Cardinals' scouting department.

The scouts were heavily scouting T D.J. Humphries of Florida back in November well before anyone knew he would declare for the draft and well before he would be considered a first round talent by this year's draft pundits.

I give the Cardinals a lot of credit for scouting and drafting Markus Golden because the same thing happened with me and a number of you when we started watching tapes of Shane Ray. BA&SK said it best---they were watching Missouri games and asking "who is #33?" And while Ray has a little more explosion in his first step...when you watch multiple games...what you learn is that Golden's motor is full-tilt every snap, while Ray's isn't. Remember the Florida tape, for example, where D.J. Humphries really has the best of Ray all day, save for two plays---and on the first one the Florida QB Driscoll was too late in stepping up into the pocket---and on the second one Ray had been out of the game for an injury and perhaps Humphries didn't think Ray was at 100% and Ray came off the snap like he had been supercharged.

David Johnson---from UNI---

Rodney Gunter---from Delaware St.

Shaq Riddick---from West Virginia (one year) via Gardner-Webb (three years).

J.J. Nelson---from UAB

Gerald Christian---from Louisville (great value at #256)

LB Alani Fua---a player whom I would give a 4-5 round grade as an UDFA from BYU

NT Xavier Williams---he too warranted a 4-5 round grade---from UNI

CB C.J. Roberts---I would give him a 5-6 round grade---from DII CSU-Pueblo

T Rob Crisp---I thought he could go as early as the 3rd round (if a team was not concerned about his concussion issues as a junior)---from NCSt.

OLB Zach Wagenmann---I was hoping the Cardinals would take him in the 5th round---from Montana.

In truth---that's like having a 12 player draft---and look at the variety of schools.

 

[Catfish]

You make the point very well Mitch-----------Keim has to be very pleased with his scouting staff-----------they have done very well for us and him.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I do have a question though. For most being a NFL scout would be a dream job but these guys have to travel often to the strangest places, all year around, and from what I understand do not get paid much at all. Could some of the scouting changes in the NFL be a direct result of the scout themselves saying they would rather do something else for a job

 

[cardncubfan]

I do have a question though. For most being a NFL scout would be a dream job but these guys have to travel often to the strangest places, all year around, and from what I understand do not get paid much at all. Could some of the scouting changes in the NFL be a direct result of the scout themselves saying they would rather do something else for a job

http://www.ehow.com/info_7746693_average-salary-nfl-scout.html

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...g-giants-nfl-scouts-life-not-for-the-pampered

 

[WisconsinCard]

I give the Cardinals a lot of credit for scouting and drafting Markus Golden because the same thing happened with me and a number of you when we started watching tapes of Shane Ray. BA&SK said it best---they were watching Missouri games and asking "who is #33?" And while Ray has a little more explosion in his first step...when you watch multiple games...what you learn is that Golden's motor is full-tilt every snap, while Ray's isn't.

I agree and that is exactly what I saw, but the more I learned about this kid the more I liked him. Many of his coaches and teammates have said he was without a doubt the leader of that team, and if mistakes were made he would hold you accountable. He practiced what he preached as well, never missed practice and worked as hard as anybody on and off the field.