Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. I was particularly disturbed to read all of the Rod Graves bashing that's going on at the AZ Republic website. Fans are still blasting Graves for the infamous trade down in the 2003 Draft that netted the Cards WR Bryant Johnson and DE Calvin Pace. The irony is that many fans don't give Graves nearly enough credit for drafting WR Anquan Boldin in the second round of that draft. Not fair, in my opinion.
Had Boldin and Johnson been flip-flopped...in other words...had Graves taken Boldin in the first round on that trade down...he would have been roasted at the time because Boldin was not projected as a mid-range first rounder...but then Graves would have looked like a genius as soon as Boldin's record-breaking receiving debut at Detroit.
The fact is: Rod Graves drafted one of the top three players in the 2003 Draft, without a top three pick.
I still like the boldness of the move. Yes, Philly traded up right in front of the Cardinals to steal DE Jerome McDougle of Miami--and Graves' plan was foiled--he needed a DE, so he reached for Pace--although there were strong indications that the Chiefs were poised to take Pace just a few slots later. (BTW--McDougle has been a bust thus far in Philly due to injuries and a gunshot wound)
I like Rod Graves. I like him a lot. He's a humble, blue collar guy who brings a team approach to personnel decisions. I think he has been unfairly criticized. He has brought class and strong communication skills to the organization. And, under his watch, the Cardinals have completely changed as an organization in terms of how flexible they are in getting contracts negotiated and signed.
I hope that Bryant Johnson and Calvin Pace turn in career seasons this year...with stronger coaching, I think that's quite possible...which would be a fitting vindication for Graves' trade down. let's hope both players come into their own this year.
2. Yes, Graves will make the final decisions this year in the draft...but, let's be real...Whiz has already informed the scouts exactly what he wants in personnel. This has allowed Graves and the scouts, with Whiz's input, to structure the Cards' board accordingly. Like I said previously, Graves' decisions will come as a result of discussions with Whiz and the scouts. In other words, the decision will be team decisions.
3. The key to any draft is how well the coaches can develop the arriving young talent. IMO, the previous Cardinal coaching staffs have not done a very good job developing the young talent. With Whiz, his strong staff and John Lott's training program in place this is likely to change.
4. If the Cards indeed have Levi Brown rated ahead of Joe Thomas, it would be great if the Cards could move down to #8, pick up an extra third and perhaps a sixth (to compensate for the lost 6th rounder)...
If such a thing were to happen...I could see the Cardinals' draft going like this:
1. Levi Brown, T, Penn. St. Cards like his run blocking prowess and his physical style of play.
2. David Harris, LB, Michigan. Strong at point of attack. Would be paired with gerald Hayes at the two ILB spots in the 3-4...and could play SLB in the 4-3, which would enable the Cards to play Karlos Dansby at WOLB.
3a. Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia. Pass rusher who has the ability to play 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB.
3b. Matt Spaeth, TE, Minnesota. The Cards can't gamble that Spaeth will be available at #105 (4th). He's just the run blocking TE the Cards need.
4. Chansi Stuckey, WR/PR, Clemson. Cards get one of the premier returners in the draft...and a slot WR for 4 WR sets.
5. Chase Johnson, G/T, Wyoming. Massive player who Russ Grimm thinks can be a steal.
6. Jonny Harline, TE, BYU. Nifty pass catcher and chain mover. Great hands. Fills out young and talented TE trio with Pope and Spaeth.
7. Jeremy Burnett, S, South Florida. Big hitter, a bit undisciplined, but would contribute immediately on special teams.
Had Boldin and Johnson been flip-flopped...in other words...had Graves taken Boldin in the first round on that trade down...he would have been roasted at the time because Boldin was not projected as a mid-range first rounder...but then Graves would have looked like a genius as soon as Boldin's record-breaking receiving debut at Detroit.
The fact is: Rod Graves drafted one of the top three players in the 2003 Draft, without a top three pick.
I still like the boldness of the move. Yes, Philly traded up right in front of the Cardinals to steal DE Jerome McDougle of Miami--and Graves' plan was foiled--he needed a DE, so he reached for Pace--although there were strong indications that the Chiefs were poised to take Pace just a few slots later. (BTW--McDougle has been a bust thus far in Philly due to injuries and a gunshot wound)
I like Rod Graves. I like him a lot. He's a humble, blue collar guy who brings a team approach to personnel decisions. I think he has been unfairly criticized. He has brought class and strong communication skills to the organization. And, under his watch, the Cardinals have completely changed as an organization in terms of how flexible they are in getting contracts negotiated and signed.
I hope that Bryant Johnson and Calvin Pace turn in career seasons this year...with stronger coaching, I think that's quite possible...which would be a fitting vindication for Graves' trade down. let's hope both players come into their own this year.
2. Yes, Graves will make the final decisions this year in the draft...but, let's be real...Whiz has already informed the scouts exactly what he wants in personnel. This has allowed Graves and the scouts, with Whiz's input, to structure the Cards' board accordingly. Like I said previously, Graves' decisions will come as a result of discussions with Whiz and the scouts. In other words, the decision will be team decisions.
3. The key to any draft is how well the coaches can develop the arriving young talent. IMO, the previous Cardinal coaching staffs have not done a very good job developing the young talent. With Whiz, his strong staff and John Lott's training program in place this is likely to change.
4. If the Cards indeed have Levi Brown rated ahead of Joe Thomas, it would be great if the Cards could move down to #8, pick up an extra third and perhaps a sixth (to compensate for the lost 6th rounder)...
If such a thing were to happen...I could see the Cardinals' draft going like this:
1. Levi Brown, T, Penn. St. Cards like his run blocking prowess and his physical style of play.
2. David Harris, LB, Michigan. Strong at point of attack. Would be paired with gerald Hayes at the two ILB spots in the 3-4...and could play SLB in the 4-3, which would enable the Cards to play Karlos Dansby at WOLB.
3a. Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia. Pass rusher who has the ability to play 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB.
3b. Matt Spaeth, TE, Minnesota. The Cards can't gamble that Spaeth will be available at #105 (4th). He's just the run blocking TE the Cards need.
4. Chansi Stuckey, WR/PR, Clemson. Cards get one of the premier returners in the draft...and a slot WR for 4 WR sets.
5. Chase Johnson, G/T, Wyoming. Massive player who Russ Grimm thinks can be a steal.
6. Jonny Harline, TE, BYU. Nifty pass catcher and chain mover. Great hands. Fills out young and talented TE trio with Pope and Spaeth.
7. Jeremy Burnett, S, South Florida. Big hitter, a bit undisciplined, but would contribute immediately on special teams.
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