Scouting Reports on some of the Cards' pending free agents:

[AzCards21]

um he's ok arthur as a ST player.

He's the first tackler down field every time. I think that's better than OK.

 

[Syracusecards]

Wasn't Stone expected to soften the blow of the Aeneas Williams trade?

Yeah, didn't exactly work out that way...

He is one of our best ST's though, so if we can keep him for dirt cheap, I'd like to have him back.

 

[azdad1978]

He's the first tackler down field every time. I think that's better than OK.

Yup thats why we gave up how many TD in special teams last year? Doesn't mean jack if he gets there first he still need to tackle the returner.

 

[Solar7]

Yup thats why we gave up how many TD in special teams last year? Doesn't mean jack if he gets there first he still need to tackle the returner.

As a gunner, I don't think you can blame Stone too much for most special teams TDs. He's just supposed to get there first and put in that good shot, breakdowns in containment are the responsibilities of the other players on the field.

I'd be happy to see Hill and Stone back, I was happy with the speed and ability of Stone on ST.

 

[JeffGollin]

I thought the Scouts, Inc. takes on all 5 of our FA's (Jones, MacDawg, Hill, KVB and Stone were excellent - particularly the observation that most of McKinnon's tackles were at the second level and that he wasn't a "step up and plug" type of MLB (like say, Jeremiah Trotter).

 

[Rats]

Courtesy of ESPN Insider and Scouts, Inc. (Overall grade in parentheses)

Freddie Jones (74): Jones has excellent size, good speed and quickness and is a solid red zone target. He has all the movement skills and even possesses some suddenness with the ball. He is extremely effective in the passing game and has a good feel for the seam and underneath option routes. He does a nice job of using his hands off the line, attacking defenders alignment and creating separation. Is a mismatch for many linebackers and is athletic enough to be competitive against nickel backs. However, Jones seems to zone out, lose focus and can be inconsistent for a veteran of his experience. He knows how to get open, but is not a polished route runner and is not very competitive in terms of playing hard all the time. In the run game, has the size to be an adequate in line position blocker, but lacks a mean streak and is an underachiever in this area. Overall, Jones is never going to be a complete tight end in terms of being physical at the point of attack in the running game, but is still a dangerous receiving threat.

Renaldo Hill (66): Hill is better suited to be a nickel as opposed to being a perimeter player on the corner. He has excellent quickness, fluid hips and good feet. He plays with good technique, is rarely out of position and does a nice job of planting and breaking on routes. However, Hill lacks ideal size, is not a physical presence with his style of play and does not have great speed. Is a poor press corner and gets out-muscled at the line of scrimmage vs. the elite bigger receivers in the game. Is also a liability in the red zone. Does not like to mix it up and always seems to come up hurt when involved in contact. Overall, Hill has the ability to be an effective nickel or dime player over the slot where his quickness can best be utilized.

Ronald McKinnon (65): McKinnon does not make a lot of mistakes, does not take false steps and takes very good angles to the ball. Can sift through the wash and does an excellent job avoiding blocks. However, he makes most of his plays once the ball gets to the second level, but nonetheless is a solid tackler. He is at his best when slipping blocks and making plays in space. The problem with McKinnon is that he is short and squatty and is not a step up and plug linebacker. He does not have a lot of range, gets engulfed vs. bigger offensive blockers, struggles to stack and shed and will get overpowered at the point of attack if he can't beat the block. He lacks sideline to sideline speed and is not overly effective in pass coverage. Overall, McKinnon is on the downside of his career.

Kyle Vanden Bosch (64): Vanden Bosch possesses good overall athleticism, is very active and is most effective when isolated on an island vs. offensive tackles. Has some pass rush moves, uses his hands very well and will win many battles due to effort alone. Has a quick first step and uses a lot of double moves. Is a constant pest and is always fighting to get to the quarterback. Has a non-stop motor and will make some plays in chase. While you like his aggressiveness and courage, his gambling and reckless style of play seems to always get him in trouble and you simply dont know if you are going to have him healthy. He lacks ideal bulk and struggles to hold up at the point of attack. He is not a good player in short area battles despite his tenacity. Gets worn down if forced into a lot of phone booth battles and begins to play high. He is most effective as a role player when he can play in space, isolate an offensive tackle and get to the quarterback. He needs to be on the move to have of chance of being productive.

Michael Stone (62): [TANGO'S FAVORITE PLAYER] Stone is explosive, he is quick, he can close on the ball, and he can cover a lot of ground. However, Stone lacks football instincts, recognition skills and is not a fluid athlete in his movements. Despite his great speed, he is a straight line player that is rigid in transition. His skills seem to fit a cover 2 scheme well where he can play the deep half of the field, but his recognition skills hinder him from making plays off the hash. He can be somewhat effective because he can simply turn and run, but if you ask him to line up in man to man situations, his hips are not fluid, he will lose his focus at times, he just seems to always be a step late in getting to the ball and making the play. You really worry about him lining up on the perimeter in man coverage and also vs. the elite slot players in this league.

Of this group I could see bringing Hill and KVB back. Hill is very good and I disagree with there assessment of him as only a nickel back. When he was healthy he made plays. He hurt his back later in the year and was not effective as he was early in run support. But he is a gamer. I want him resigned. KVB could end up having a very good year next season. Finally healthy he played well in rotation this last season. IF we brought in FA Pat Williams and had him and Davis rotate and then used Zellner,King Dockett and KVB in the rotation, we would be very strong up front against the run. Then Berry and Pace could again get to the Qb as would Dansby in certain formations. Those two Hill and KVB will be cheap comparatively to hold on to. They have to be replaced either way. They know the system and were effective in it. Bring them back. No Freddie Jones. No Micheal Stone. And Ronnie Mac as a backup only. Although we can find a backup just as good.

 

[Jetstream Green]

On Stone

Coaching makes a big difference. I wonder how well Stone would be playing if he had Green's coaching staff from day one of his rookie career. One thing I do not like about Stone was all the penalties he had on Special teams. Hill would be missed but can be replaced and I think Green will hold on to Starks at the time. Vanden Bosch is just a case of hard luck and I wish him the best but his injuries have really hurt what he could have been. McKinnon would be a great veteran backup but lacks the speed to contribute on special teams and most backup LBs seem to take on those responsibilities.

 

[earthsci]

Hill is very good and I disagree with there assessment of him as only a nickel back.

I don't know about the "very" part but he's good. I think that Renaldo is going to have a long career in NFL due to his smarts.