Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. When Whiz was signed to his extension we were told he was promised some changes. Well, the past two days speak well to two of those changes: (1) the Cardinals are being pro-active; (2) the Cardinals are making decisions in an impressively decisive and timely manner.
These changes are so exciting that as Cardinal fans we suddenly can't know what to expect. Now there seems to be a clear cut plan in place...for they had a Plan B already in the works in the event that Antrel Rolle did not accept their most generous offer.
2. ESPN's KC Joyner is somehwat dubious about the money the Dolphins dished out to Karlos Dansby, and makes some very intriguing points. One is that according to LB production grades Dansby graded out only slightly (5%) higher than Akin Ayodele, the starting ILB they just released. Secondly, Joyner reasoned that the Dolphins must have seen some inconsistencies in Rolando McClain's efforts because he was the logical choice for them at #12. Imagine if McClain somehow sides to #26...that would be akin to losing Rolle and the chance to make him the highest paid safety in the NFL in favor of acquiring a better player in Kerry Rhodes at half the cost. Only, if McClain is there at #26 the Cardinals would be getting him at less than one fourth of Dansby's salary.
3. Now comes the competition and depth chapter of free agency and the draft. It would strongly appear that the Cardinals are going to need to acquire a veteran and a draft pick at the following positions: QB, ILB, OLB/DE, CB.
OK...fill in your choices:
Veteran QB:
Rookie QB:
Veteran ILB:
Rookie ILB:
Veteran OLB/DE:
Rookie OLB/DE:
Veteran CB:
Rookie CB:
4. Adding depth at G, TE, WR, NT, SILB.
Your choices:
G:
TE:
WR:
NT:
SILB:
I am wondering what happens if the Cardinals re-sign NT Bryan Robinson before the draft. If they take a NT with one of their first 4 picks, it would force them to keep 3 NTs on the roster, which would take away from other spots. Perhaps it would be better to wait on signing Robinson until after the draft.
In light of the fact that the Cardinals showed interest in G Artis Hicks (who was signed by Washington), and because the coaches were not fully pleased with Reggie Wells and due to the reality that Deuce Lutui is in a contract year, I have a very strong feeling the Cardinals will draft a guard. My favorite is Mike Johnson (6-6, 306, Alabama), who would be an excellent value with one of the two 3rd round picks.
For some reason I don't think the Cardinals will draft a TE early this year. The top 2 TEs Gresham and Gronkowski have injury issues and are risky to take at #26 or #58 respectively, as much as you have to like their talent. Dorin Dickerson of Pittsburgh is a great athlete...but he doesn't fit Whiz's mold for a TE....which is why, IMO, that despite having a good pass catching TE in Dominique Byrd on the roster for much of last year, he was never activated for games. Whiz covets big blocker types who can catch the ball in the flats and up the seams.
I think the surprise pick of the draft may be at WR as the Cardinals will be looking for the #4 WR. I can see them being tempted to use one of the 3rd round picks or the 4th round pick on a WR. If Taylor Price of Ohio is on the board at #88...he could be the one.
I think the Cardinals are very high on last year's UCFA surprise SILB Reggie Walker, and because of that they may not add depth at that position until the later rounds or from the UCFA pool.
5. Draft prospects at LB who are really growing on me as I study their highlight tapes and analyses:
*sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
*Kao Misi, Utah
*Navorro Bowman, Penn. St.
*Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio St.
*Donald Butler, Washington
*Daryl Washington, TCU
What I love about all of these LBs is they have the athleticism to play pressure defense and the ability to perform well in coverage. I also am impressed with their versatility and feel like they could help inside (WILB) and outside.
These changes are so exciting that as Cardinal fans we suddenly can't know what to expect. Now there seems to be a clear cut plan in place...for they had a Plan B already in the works in the event that Antrel Rolle did not accept their most generous offer.
2. ESPN's KC Joyner is somehwat dubious about the money the Dolphins dished out to Karlos Dansby, and makes some very intriguing points. One is that according to LB production grades Dansby graded out only slightly (5%) higher than Akin Ayodele, the starting ILB they just released. Secondly, Joyner reasoned that the Dolphins must have seen some inconsistencies in Rolando McClain's efforts because he was the logical choice for them at #12. Imagine if McClain somehow sides to #26...that would be akin to losing Rolle and the chance to make him the highest paid safety in the NFL in favor of acquiring a better player in Kerry Rhodes at half the cost. Only, if McClain is there at #26 the Cardinals would be getting him at less than one fourth of Dansby's salary.
3. Now comes the competition and depth chapter of free agency and the draft. It would strongly appear that the Cardinals are going to need to acquire a veteran and a draft pick at the following positions: QB, ILB, OLB/DE, CB.
OK...fill in your choices:
Veteran QB:
Rookie QB:
Veteran ILB:
Rookie ILB:
Veteran OLB/DE:
Rookie OLB/DE:
Veteran CB:
Rookie CB:
4. Adding depth at G, TE, WR, NT, SILB.
Your choices:
G:
TE:
WR:
NT:
SILB:
I am wondering what happens if the Cardinals re-sign NT Bryan Robinson before the draft. If they take a NT with one of their first 4 picks, it would force them to keep 3 NTs on the roster, which would take away from other spots. Perhaps it would be better to wait on signing Robinson until after the draft.
In light of the fact that the Cardinals showed interest in G Artis Hicks (who was signed by Washington), and because the coaches were not fully pleased with Reggie Wells and due to the reality that Deuce Lutui is in a contract year, I have a very strong feeling the Cardinals will draft a guard. My favorite is Mike Johnson (6-6, 306, Alabama), who would be an excellent value with one of the two 3rd round picks.
For some reason I don't think the Cardinals will draft a TE early this year. The top 2 TEs Gresham and Gronkowski have injury issues and are risky to take at #26 or #58 respectively, as much as you have to like their talent. Dorin Dickerson of Pittsburgh is a great athlete...but he doesn't fit Whiz's mold for a TE....which is why, IMO, that despite having a good pass catching TE in Dominique Byrd on the roster for much of last year, he was never activated for games. Whiz covets big blocker types who can catch the ball in the flats and up the seams.
I think the surprise pick of the draft may be at WR as the Cardinals will be looking for the #4 WR. I can see them being tempted to use one of the 3rd round picks or the 4th round pick on a WR. If Taylor Price of Ohio is on the board at #88...he could be the one.
I think the Cardinals are very high on last year's UCFA surprise SILB Reggie Walker, and because of that they may not add depth at that position until the later rounds or from the UCFA pool.
5. Draft prospects at LB who are really growing on me as I study their highlight tapes and analyses:
*sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
*Kao Misi, Utah
*Navorro Bowman, Penn. St.
*Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio St.
*Donald Butler, Washington
*Daryl Washington, TCU
What I love about all of these LBs is they have the athleticism to play pressure defense and the ability to perform well in coverage. I also am impressed with their versatility and feel like they could help inside (WILB) and outside.
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