Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
I doubt the Cards will get much additional help from this draft, except maybe special teams. Nonetheless this has been a successful draft.
First I’ve already indicated I liked the trade. Most observers did too. The ones who didn’t like it, IMO, failed to note the difference between the Cards’ offense and the Ravens’. It’s night and day. I think Brown will be far more productive than Kirk was, especially considering how much he accomplished in Baltimore while being double-teamed. Also, I can’t recall who posted it (sorry), but don’t fail to note the difference in Brown’s number when Jackson was on the field. Now add a better passer, like Murray, and I expect major production.
Some people view McBride as surplus. I don’t. Williams has improved greatly in this offense as a pass catcher, but he’s still much better as a blocker. McBride gives the Cards 2 excellent receivers at TE, which will create huge matchup problems for the defense. If Murray can learn to use progressions, this might be the best passing offense in the NFL. I know, the line has to hold up. If it does, this could be Air Coryell all over again.
Then there’s the new Edges. I don’t know how fast they will adapt to the NFL. I do know, if properly used, they will be disruptive. Good evaluators are split on which is best. I think Thomas is more balanced, but Sanders will be more disruptive as a pass rusher. He needs discipline and maturity, but he has unique tools that make him unusually hard to handle. On passing downs, put Watt in the middle which will enhance Thomas’ favorite inside move. Thomas is at end and Sanders behind him at OLB. Then just turn them lose. Watch people try to line up a blocking angle on Sanders. Move him up near, but not to the line. He’ll be by the blockers before they know he’s there; Ninja pass rush! BTW don’t be misled by the concerns about Sanders’ strength. He has enough upper body power that when his agility gets blockers off balance, his use of leverage is exceptional. He of can knock bigger blockers aside. Sadly much will come down to how Joseph uses these rush components. Hopefully Davis will be given the opportunity to play around with these guys. There’s more versatility of movement and speed than is often seen. It will be very disorienting for blockers if they just let them fly to the QB. They’ll need to polish their ability to seal the deal, but we’ve seen with Golden how disruptive just QB pressures can be.
For me this is an A draft; maybe Keim’s best. It’s true he didn’t fortify the trenches, especially offense-wise. He’s anticipating he’s added enough quality skill players that the offense can get the ball out quickly most of the time. Kingsbury may have to keep a back in or rollout the QB, but this receiver group will provide options. He must adapt. Stopping the run game is a concern, though this is an increasingly pass happy league. There are/will be free agents who can help. Time to do a little restructuring. Thomas will have to hold up against the run until help arrives.
I think this team is better than last year’s. Jones’ loss was the last major hurdle. Considering he was inconsistent, most of that loss has been offset. The offense is better.
First I’ve already indicated I liked the trade. Most observers did too. The ones who didn’t like it, IMO, failed to note the difference between the Cards’ offense and the Ravens’. It’s night and day. I think Brown will be far more productive than Kirk was, especially considering how much he accomplished in Baltimore while being double-teamed. Also, I can’t recall who posted it (sorry), but don’t fail to note the difference in Brown’s number when Jackson was on the field. Now add a better passer, like Murray, and I expect major production.
Some people view McBride as surplus. I don’t. Williams has improved greatly in this offense as a pass catcher, but he’s still much better as a blocker. McBride gives the Cards 2 excellent receivers at TE, which will create huge matchup problems for the defense. If Murray can learn to use progressions, this might be the best passing offense in the NFL. I know, the line has to hold up. If it does, this could be Air Coryell all over again.
Then there’s the new Edges. I don’t know how fast they will adapt to the NFL. I do know, if properly used, they will be disruptive. Good evaluators are split on which is best. I think Thomas is more balanced, but Sanders will be more disruptive as a pass rusher. He needs discipline and maturity, but he has unique tools that make him unusually hard to handle. On passing downs, put Watt in the middle which will enhance Thomas’ favorite inside move. Thomas is at end and Sanders behind him at OLB. Then just turn them lose. Watch people try to line up a blocking angle on Sanders. Move him up near, but not to the line. He’ll be by the blockers before they know he’s there; Ninja pass rush! BTW don’t be misled by the concerns about Sanders’ strength. He has enough upper body power that when his agility gets blockers off balance, his use of leverage is exceptional. He of can knock bigger blockers aside. Sadly much will come down to how Joseph uses these rush components. Hopefully Davis will be given the opportunity to play around with these guys. There’s more versatility of movement and speed than is often seen. It will be very disorienting for blockers if they just let them fly to the QB. They’ll need to polish their ability to seal the deal, but we’ve seen with Golden how disruptive just QB pressures can be.
For me this is an A draft; maybe Keim’s best. It’s true he didn’t fortify the trenches, especially offense-wise. He’s anticipating he’s added enough quality skill players that the offense can get the ball out quickly most of the time. Kingsbury may have to keep a back in or rollout the QB, but this receiver group will provide options. He must adapt. Stopping the run game is a concern, though this is an increasingly pass happy league. There are/will be free agents who can help. Time to do a little restructuring. Thomas will have to hold up against the run until help arrives.
I think this team is better than last year’s. Jones’ loss was the last major hurdle. Considering he was inconsistent, most of that loss has been offset. The offense is better.
