Speculating Steve Keim's 2016 Draft Game Plan

[Mitch]

Good post Cardiac.

I second that emotion.

 

[Cardiac]

Good post Cardiac.

Thanks to you and Mitch.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Excellent example, b8rt. And the way the college game is being played today, the pro coaches really have to coach every player from scratch. This is why BA calls his coaches "teachers." Sometimes, when converting a college player to a new position in the pros, it really helps the player to learn the fundamentals and techniques from a pro---then it is lots of reps and developing muscle memory.

I think it was you Mitch who put it brilliantly and said Keim and Arians approach the draft more like a college recruiting now than how the NFL drafted in the past. By this, looking at the talent to a large extent with an understanding that due to whatever reasons, college programs do not prepare their players as they once did to succeed in the NFL. You find talent you can mold to fit your system because as they stated, most guys now have a huge learning curve and it is no longer a simple plug in adaption to a position as a rookie... it is like they have to almost relearn the game of football on the professional level because it is so different than the simpler variables of the college sport

 

[binkar]

It just seems like the Cardinals scout on a much deeper level under Keim than we did previously. We seem to draft less "names", but our success is infinitely higher. I remember the 2005 draft when we drafted a bunch of highly successful college players with big names such as J.J. Arrington, Lance Mitchell, Darryl Blackstock, and Eric Green. They were all from big schools, I knew all the guys, and remember thinking we had an A+ draft. Reality is none of them had successful NFL careers.

Fast forward a few years and we are drafting players from Pittsburg State, Northern Iowa, Delaware State, Alabama-Birmingham, Midwestern State, SE Louisiana, and Harvard. Certainly there's nothing wrong with big schools, but it seems like we are doing less "scouting the box scores", and really trusting the eyes of the scouts.

I also love to hear Keim give kudos to his area scouts. He knows what a grind that job is and looks for opportunities to give them their deserved credit.

It certainly leads to some borderline frustrating draft days, because we naturally want the Cards to pick the guys the draftniks have been peddling for months. However, I think this groups track record has shown that have a bit of an idea what they're doing.

 

[JCSunsfan]

You can't. Cause you're not a GM.

Keim can.

And always does. Really though, they don't seem him as a project as a special teams player. They think he can step right in. And that is where the immediate need is so that Bethel can play corner. They also believe he is a very good 1 on 1 cover, but has made mistakes in zone. So, they will ask him to do what they know he can do.

 

[JCSunsfan]

As far as the QB question goes, is it possible that Keim and Arians will be looking to get a QB through trade or free agency rather than the draft? Many teams have gotten their franchise QB's that way including the Cardinals, Saints, Broncos, etc.

Its more of a crap shoot to try to draft a franchise QB rather than just spend the money or assets and buy one.

 

[juza76]

As far as the QB question goes, is it possible that Keim and Arians will be looking to get a QB through trade or free agency rather than the draft? Many teams have gotten their franchise QB's that way including the Cardinals, Saints, Broncos, etc.

Its more of a crap shoot to try to draft a franchise QB rather than just spend the money or assets and buy one.

So u mean this group of coaches and scout doesnt have any clue evaluating a prospect qb

 

[ProdigalSun]

It just seems like the Cardinals scout on a much deeper level under Keim than we did previously. We seem to draft less "names", but our success is infinitely higher. I remember the 2005 draft when we drafted a bunch of highly successful college players with big names such as J.J. Arrington, Lance Mitchell, Darryl Blackstock, and Eric Green. They were all from big schools, I knew all the guys, and remember thinking we had an A+ draft. Reality is none of them had successful NFL careers.

Fast forward a few years and we are drafting players from Pittsburg State, Northern Iowa, Delaware State, Alabama-Birmingham, Midwestern State, SE Louisiana, and Harvard. Certainly there's nothing wrong with big schools, but it seems like we are doing less "scouting the box scores", and really trusting the eyes of the scouts.

I also love to hear Keim give kudos to his area scouts. He knows what a grind that job is and looks for opportunities to give them their deserved credit.

It certainly leads to some borderline frustrating draft days, because we naturally want the Cards to pick the guys the draftniks have been peddling for months. However, I think this groups track record has shown that have a bit of an idea what they're doing.

Great post.Totally agree with this.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So u mean this group of coaches and scout doesnt have any clue evaluating a prospect qb

No. Its just alot easier to miss on a QB pick than hit--way easier.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

As far as the QB question goes, is it possible that Keim and Arians will be looking to get a QB through trade or free agency rather than the draft? Many teams have gotten their franchise QB's that way including the Cardinals, Saints, Broncos, etc.

Its more of a crap shoot to try to draft a franchise QB rather than just spend the money or assets and buy one.

Very possible with this FO

Better to trade for a known QB than take a late pick QB? Good question and it depends on who becomes available and what the cost is.

 

[Cardiac]

So u mean this group of coaches and scout doesnt have any clue evaluating a prospect qb

How many franchise QB's are available via the draft each year? I would say on average 1, maybe less. How many QB's get drafted every year on average? I would guess 10 and then there are the UDFA's. My guess is that every team struggles finding quality QB's and the main reason is that they simply aren't out there so teams waste picks hoping and praying they hit the lottery.

What this group of coaches and scouts and GM did do was find a vet QB that has played at a very high level for us. So I do think they know how to evaluate QB talent and that's why they didn't throw away a draft pick this year on one later in the draft.