Stay A Breaston Of Saint Patrick

[Mitch]

The Cardinals addressed two key needs with their lone two second day picks.

In WR Steve Breaston of Michigan the Cards tabbed one of the best punt returners in the NCAA the last four years. When you look at Breaston on tape, he has a rather herky-jerky running style which makes him look a little awkward...but then you notice his greatest asset: his superior vision and sense of how to find daylight. What's also quite surprising is how well Breaston breaks away from seemingly speedier defenders. The epitome of this was manifested in Breaston's lights-out performance in the Rose Bowl versus Texas a few years back, where Breaston juked and bolted his way to the tune of over 200 return yards against the first-rate athletes on Texas' special teams.

Because Breaston was able to shine versus stellar athletes, the likelihood that he will be able to assimilate into the NFL game as a returner is high.

What Breaston will need to do is put on some muscle so that he can become a factor as a slot WR in the Cardinals' system. If he gets a little stronger his feel for daylight will come in very handy as Breaston makes catches in the seams and short flats.

Because Breaston is a rookie, I think it would be best to have him focus primarily on punt returns...and have J.J. Arrington and Michael Spurlock carry the kickoff returns. Once Breaston gains his confidence as a punt returner, and has a grasp of the offense---then spot him in kickoff returns.

Then there's TE Ben Patrick...a player that few thought would be available past the middle of round four, due to Patrick's impressive build, athleticism and hands...and the fact that he caught more passes (64) last year than any TE in the draft, albeit at the NCAA 1AA level. Patrick was a late add-on at the Senior Bowl and he played well there, which is why he started rising up the pundits' draft boards.

Patrick will be an immediate asset in the short to intermediate passing game. The rest of his game needs to be developed if he's ever going to push for a starting job. The coaches will have to bring Patrick along as a blocker...and it would be good for Patrick to start getting to know John Lott to help him bring some pop and attitude to the running game.

The greatest hope would be that the Cardinals got a 7th round steal in the way the Saints did last year with WR Marques Colston. Patrick---who some (like Mel and Mike Mayock) believed was a first day lock---has the ability to make a splash right away if he comes to camp focused and hungry. One would imagine that the long wait through 214 draft picks, watching his name as the number one "Best Available" on Mel's board for seemingly every pick this afternoon, would motivate Patrick to prove Mel right and 31 other teams wrong.

As of right now---all starting jobs on the Cardinals are open to competition--per Ken Whisenhunt's wise philosophy.

It's quite possible that this weekend the Cardinals just drafted three immediate starters in Brown, Branch and Davis...their starting punt returner in Breaston...and a pass catching TE to fill that role on passing situations until he's an NFL caliber run blocker.

This draft...as far as I am concerned...was very well conceived and carried out. The Cardinals were well aware this year of their priorities and they made the most of what the boards gave them.

I am saying this despite the fact that I would have gone a different route altogether.

I would have drafted S LaRon Landry at #5...stayed at #38 and taken RT Justin Blalock and then taken DT Tank Tyler at #69...with the hope of getting a good LB early on day two...as it turns out..at #105 I would have pounced on LB Brandon Siler of Florida (but-he's still on the board in the 7th round---not sure why---he looked quite strong in the games I saw, and was very good in the Championship game)...at #142 I would have gone with TE Kevin Boss of Western Oregon, who on tape...looks like an even faster Joe Klopfenstein...and at #215 the LT sleeper I was hoping for, Renardo Foster of Louisville.

But...I know why the Cardinals drafted the way they did...and I appreciate the commitment they made to Whiz's philosophy...a philosophy that I believe is just what the Cardinals need to start turning the franchise around.

 

[BigRedArk]

I like youir draft better Walter with the exception of Adrian Peterson at #5. That was a boneheaded decision IMO. It is quite possible that we just passed on the next Eric Dickerson. Anybody ever heard of him???? Also I would have taken Rufus Alexander at #5 instead of Breaston. Breaston sounds terribly inconsistent to me but I didn't follow his college career so I will have to hope for the best. I guess they got the LB they needed in Buster but don't we still need an outside guy?

I like your draft better because it is quantity and possibly quality too. It just seems to me that the Cards would have better luck with more players rather than fewer. However maybe with the new coaching staff perhaps they will be more attuned to getting the most out of what they have unlike previous staffs.

 

[Garthshort]

Buster Davis

Mitch, why do you think Davis will start? I can understand his role in the 3-4, even though the two inside backers have been identified as Hayes and Dansby. Now maybe Dansby can be moved to the outside in the 3-4, but are you expecting Hayes to move outside in the 4-3, and have Davis play MLB in the 4-3?

 

[Mitch]

I like youir draft better Walter with the exception of Adrian Peterson at #5. That was a boneheaded decision IMO. It is quite possible that we just passed on the next Eric Dickerson. Anybody ever heard of him???? Also I would have taken Rufus Alexander at #5 instead of Breaston. Breaston sounds terribly inconsistent to me but I didn't follow his college career so I will have to hope for the best. I guess they got the LB they needed in Buster but don't we still need an outside guy?

I like your draft better because it is quantity and possibly quality too. It just seems to me that the Cards would have better luck with more players rather than fewer. However maybe with the new coaching staff perhaps they will be more attuned to getting the most out of what they have unlike previous staffs.

Yeah, BigRedArk, the AP situation was tough. What's very interesting is that Cleveland passed on him and they seemed to love him, as well anyone should---except for the collarbone concerns.

Cleveland has a one year deal with RB Jamal Lewis...so adding AP now would have been a stellar move, IMO.

However, Cleveland and Arizona are both adhering to the Bill Parcells philosophy of building a champion---you build from the inside out---that until you can run the ball and stop the run, you will never have a chance to win a championship.

I agree...but...it is hard to pass on a major league gamebreaker like AP.

I have felt from the beginning that LaRon Landry was the best player in this draft...so that's why I would have taken him.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, why do you think Davis will start? I can understand his role in the 3-4, even though the two inside backers have been identified as Hayes and Dansby. Now maybe Dansby can be moved to the outside in the 3-4, but are you expecting Hayes to move outside in the 4-3, and have Davis play MLB in the 4-3?

I think Buster Davis---right now--is the best tackling linebacker on the roster, slightly ahead of Gerald Hayes. In my mind, he will prove right from the get-go that he belongs in the starting lineup, either paired with Hayes in the middle of the 3-4 or playing the WOLB in the 4-3. His addition allows the Cardinals to play Karlos Dansby on the edge where he fits best.

 

[BigRedArk]

Yeah, BigRedArk, the AP situation was tough. What's very interesting is that Cleveland passed on him and they seemed to love him, as well anyone should---except for the collarbone concerns.

Cleveland has a one year deal with RB Jamal Lewis...so adding AP now would have been a stellar move, IMO.

However, Cleveland and Arizona are both adhering to the Bill Parcells philosophy of building a champion---you build from the inside out---that until you can run the ball and stop the run, you will never have a chance to win a championship.

I agree...but...it is hard to pass on a major league gamebreaker like AP.

I have felt from the beginning that LaRon Landry was the best player in this draft...so that's why I would have taken him.

Yeah I like that philsophy as well Walter. That is something the Cards have never done as long as I have been around to follow this team I so dearly love and cuss at the same time. The Cards should have done this a long time ago. They used to be good at building an OL but never had the DL to go with it. It would be interesting to see if they can ever pull off building both lines simultaneously.

One thing that I found interesting is that Harry feels that Levi Brown is more of a right OT rather than a left. If I read Harry correctly he seems to question LB's footwork and ability to pass protect. What do you think of that?

 

[Mitch]

Yeah I like that philsophy as well Walter. That is something the Cards have never done as long as I have been around to follow this team I so dearly love and cuss at the same time. The Cards should have done this a long time ago. They used to be good at building an OL but never had the DL to go with it. It would be interesting to see if they can ever pull off building both lines simultaneously.

One thing that I found interesting is that Harry feels that Levi Brown is more of a right OT rather than a left. If I read Harry correctly he seems to question LB's footwork and ability to pass protect. What do you think of that?

I think it makes sense to try him on the right side, as that is ML's blind side, and the side that teams tend to run to more because most backs are right-handed.

This may take some pressure off him regarding pass protection, seeing as the elite speed rushers usually line up on the other side.

That said...the last I looked Oliver Ross is still penciled in as the starting LT. In the end, I think Reggie Wells surfaces there at LT.

 

[BigRedArk]

I think it makes sense to try him on the right side, as that is ML's blind side, and the side that teams tend to run to more because most backs are right-handed.

This may take some pressure off him regarding pass protection, seeing as the elite speed rushers usually line up on the other side.

That said...the last I looked Oliver Ross is still penciled in as the starting LT. In the end, I think Reggie Wells surfaces there at LT.

Wow. Wells at LT. It's deja vu all over again! So we passed on possibly the next Eric Dickerson to reach down and get a guy that we hope can man the RT spot and we still have a glaring hole at LT. Aaaaaah ok. Now I get it. We drafted for need, passed on a possible future pro-bowler, and we still have the same need that we did pre-draft. Wonderful.

 

[Redmark]

I think it makes sense to try him on the right side, as that is ML's blind side, and the side that teams tend to run to more because most backs are right-handed.

That's a twist! I thought the speed rushers came from the blind side (Matt's right) which says to me Wells stays at RT where he played well last year and Levi Brown moves in as Davis's replacement where he can solidify run game which supposedly is his strength. Makes perfect sense and then you go and start rambling on about right-handed tacklers.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Mitch, why do you think Davis will start? I can understand his role in the 3-4, even though the two inside backers have been identified as Hayes and Dansby. Now maybe Dansby can be moved to the outside in the 3-4, but are you expecting Hayes to move outside in the 4-3, and have Davis play MLB in the 4-3?

Even though he's an ILB he has the speed for OLB just not the build. Why not put him there he is already an upgrade over Huff.

 

[vinnymac]

Mitch, why do you think Davis will start? I can understand his role in the 3-4, even though the two inside backers have been identified as Hayes and Dansby. Now maybe Dansby can be moved to the outside in the 3-4, but are you expecting Hayes to move outside in the 4-3, and have Davis play MLB in the 4-3?

Buster Davis reminds me of the late Sam Mills. When Mills played for the Saints in the late 80's and early 90's, he played ILB in a 3-4 scheme for Jim Mora. He should fit right in as a ILB and Dansby can play OLB.

 

[perivolaki]

That's a twist! I thought the speed rushers came from the blind side (Matt's right) which says to me Wells stays at RT where he played well last year and Levi Brown moves in as Davis's replacement where he can solidify run game which supposedly is his strength. Makes perfect sense and then you go and start rambling on about right-handed tacklers.

Most teams have their best pass rusher at right defensive end. They could switch it up and put him at left defensive end but some guys aren't comfortable with the switch. Even though teams have their best pass rusher at RDE Matt can see them coming because he is left handed.

Most teams are right handed running teams. Thats why last year was all screwed up. We had Davis, our best run blocking tackle, on the left side and Wells, our best pass blocking tackle, on the right side.

It would make sense to have Brown on Matt's blind side and next to Lutui. I think Brown and Lutui would make a great combo on the right side to bring us back to a right handed running team.

FWIW most backs prefer to run to their right because they carry the ball with their strong hand, which is usually the right, away from the defense. They feel more comfortable protecting the ball from the defense. Think less fumbles.

 

[az1965]

It is quite possible that we just passed on the next Eric Dickerson.

What is it that you guys don't get??? You can get Dickerson himself and he won't be able to do much behing the line we had. The line had to be fixed. That is the highest priority.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

I think Buster Davis---right now--is the best tackling linebacker on the roster, slightly ahead of Gerald Hayes. In my mind, he will prove right from the get-go that he belongs in the starting lineup, either paired with Hayes in the middle of the 3-4 or playing the WOLB in the 4-3. His addition allows the Cardinals to play Karlos Dansby on the edge where he fits best.

That's where I would put him Mitch....for both defenses.

He may turn out to be the steal of round 3.

 

[Redmark]

Most teams have their best pass rusher at right defensive end. They could switch it up and put him at left defensive end but some guys aren't comfortable with the switch. Even though teams have their best pass rusher at RDE Matt can see them coming because he is left handed.

Most teams are right handed running teams. Thats why last year was all screwed up. We had Davis, our best run blocking tackle, on the left side and Wells, our best pass blocking tackle, on the right side.

It would make sense to have Brown on Matt's blind side and next to Lutui. I think Brown and Lutui would make a great combo on the right side to bring us back to a right handed running team.

FWIW most backs prefer to run to their right because they carry the ball with their strong hand, which is usually the right, away from the defense. They feel more comfortable protecting the ball from the defense. Think less fumbles.

Well stated that way, it makes a lot of sense. However aN NFL calibre running has to find the hole, break tackles and not fumble no matter which hand he's carrying the ball in or he'll soon find himself on the bench.

Question: how hard is it for a LT to switch to RT? Poor Reggie gets moved again. Right now they have shown him listed as a RG. It's probably going to take a few games to solidify everyone in their new positions and new system. I'm still waiting for a hot 5-0 start to launch a great season, but now am pretty doubtful we'll get that this year.

 

[Scot1]

I think Buster Davis---right now--is the best tackling linebacker on the roster, slightly ahead of Gerald Hayes. In my mind, he will prove right from the get-go that he belongs in the starting lineup, either paired with Hayes in the middle of the 3-4 or playing the WOLB in the 4-3. His addition allows the Cardinals to play Karlos Dansby on the edge where he fits best.

Gil Brandt on NFL.com says that he seems to have trouble wrapping, maybe because of short arms. Another thought--I would think he'd be best in the middle to avoid needing to cover big tight ends--?

 

[Doc Cardinal]

I just realized something.....Mitch is Walter Mitchell....where have I been?

 

[Skkorpion]

Wow. Well at LT. It's deja vu all over again! So we passed on possibly the next Eric Dickerson to reach down and get a guy that we hope can man the RT spot and we still have a glaring hole at LT. Aaaaaah ok. Now I get it. We drafted for need, passed on a possible future pro-bowler, and we still have the same need that we did pre-draft. Wonderful.

You are a very unhappy man.

 

[vinnymac]

Wow. Well at LT. It's deja vu all over again! So we passed on possibly the next Eric Dickerson to reach down and get a guy that we hope can man the RT spot and we still have a glaring hole at LT. Aaaaaah ok. Now I get it. We drafted for need, passed on a possible future pro-bowler, and we still have the same need that we did pre-draft. Wonderful.

Who to say that Brown can't be a pro-bowl player as well. Brown will help James become a pro-bowl player again. Hopefully the cardinals can get Darius Walker as a free agent. All Walker did for Notre Dame was produce and make plays for them. I am very surprise that nobody drafted him.

 

[lobo]

However, Cleveland and Arizona are both adhering to the Bill Parcells philosophy of building a champion---you build from the inside out---that until you can run the ball and stop the run, you will never have a chance to win a championship.

I agree...but...it is hard to pass on a major league gamebreaker like AP.


Mitch, never forget what you said. Just add to it...get the qb. That is the formula for winning football on a conisistant basis.

Hope you enjoyed the samiches! Did you spring for Grey Goose or stuck with the Absolute. Always keep your vodka in the freezer.

 

[Rats]

However, Cleveland and Arizona are both adhering to the Bill Parcells philosophy of building a champion---you build from the inside out---that until you can run the ball and stop the run, you will never have a chance to win a championship.

I agree...but...it is hard to pass on a major league gamebreaker like AP.


Mitch, never forget what you said. Just add to it...get the qb. That is the formula for winning football on a conisistant basis.

I still fail to see the logic in this statement. There is no evidence of a philosophy change by the the new regime. They are not building from the inside out. They already have a franchise Qb, pro bowl WR and a top flight RB. They already have depth on the team because of the good drafting by yes Mitch.....Dennis Green....all they have to do is fill holes and get depth. The previous years we drafted OL DL CB LB RB, Wr and Qb. This year RG is in charge and he banked on Thomas falling and he didn't forcing them to pass on AP to take Levi Brown. They created that problem. I would rather have had Big and Landry, or Big and AP with Branch in the 2nd. There is no building from the inside out here. They were forced to draft OT number one because of poor Front office management. Levi should be a good player but lets not paint the new coach and RG as being any thing but what they are....A 1st year head coach with much to prove and a Front office yes man to the Bidwills. This was a good draft that could have been great had Rod and the new regime not predetermined what we would have to do. Of course this was dictated by the Bidwills and there need to manipulate the contracts so they spend the least amount on fielding a team....but this is all speculation like everything on this board.

 

[BigRedArk]

You are a very unhappy man.

So this isn't a legitimate (sp) criticism Jim? Haven't we already tried Reggie Wells at LT? I vaguely recall him playing there some but maybe my memory is foggy. Walter has said for a long time if I recall correctly that Wells is a natural RT. Maybe I am incorrect but it seems like he has said that many times in his threads. If so we still don't have a LT. We have it seems to me now two RT's...Wells and Levi Brown.

If I am correct we still might have the same hole at LT that we had pre-draft. Why not take AP and get a guy who is more of a natural LT that could be groomed for the job in the 2nd or 3rd round????

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Cool video of steve Breaston....streakin stevie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2APCn57UYio&mode=related&search=