Sure glad we passed on adrian peterson.

[Skkorpion]

In al honesty, the best showing I have seen by a rookie thus far this season has to be Joe Thomas. He absolutely abused people in the Cleveland game the other day. And whoever was doubting his run-blocking abilty was way off, he washing throwing people all up and down the field. I really wish that the Browns would have taken Peterson.

Agreed.

But as far as worrying about our drafting choices, I'm not going to, at least until Whisenhunt has a couple of years to do things his way.

 

[red desert]

I guarantee that the organization was haunted by the Garrison Hearst decision.

Dude, that ghost will have to get in line. And it's a damn long line at that.

 

[ajcardfan]

Dude, that ghost will have to get in line. And it's a damn long line at that.

The only one around still involved in that decision would be Bill Sr. And, I highly doubt he remembers the circumstances when Hearst was drafted. Even if he did, I think he had zero impact on the decision to take Brown over Peterson. All he does now is sign the checks.

 

[fball13]

Jeez, Eric Dickerson played 11 years and is in the HOF. He gained over 13,000 yards. If AP turns out like that, we'll really be kicking ourselves for not getting him.

I agree, wasn't saying I wouldn't want Dickerson (and really, really wanted AP)... Dickerson was a talent like Barry Sanders. His injuries prevented him from being probably the greatest of all time. I see similar talent in AP, but similar risk. Here are Dickerson's stats (sorry for the formatting)... 11 years, 7 great seasons. In today's age, I'm not sure injured backs will play as much as they did in Dickerson's day.


| Rushing | Receiving |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| 1983 ram | 16 | 390 1808 4.6 18 | 51 404 7.9 2 |
| 1984 ram | 16 | 379 2105 5.6 14 | 21 139 6.6 0 |
| 1985 ram | 14 | 292 1234 4.2 12 | 20 126 6.3 0 |
| 1986 ram | 16 | 404 1821 4.5 11 | 26 205 7.9 0 |
| 1987 ind | 9 | 223 1011 4.5 5 | 13 133 10.2 0 |
| 1987 ram | 3 | 60 277 4.6 1 | 5 38 7.6 0 |
| 1988 ind | 16 | 388 1659 4.3 14 | 36 377 10.5 1 |
| 1989 ind | 15 | 314 1311 4.2 7 | 30 211 7.0 1 |
| 1990 ind | 11 | 166 677 4.1 4 | 18 92 5.1 0 |
| 1991 ind | 10 | 167 536 3.2 2 | 41 269 6.6 1 |
| 1992 rai | 16 | 187 729 3.9 2 | 14 85 6.1 1 |
| 1993 atl | 4 | 26 91 3.5 0 | 6 58 9.7 0 |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| TOTAL | 146 | 2996 13259 4.4 90 | 281 2137 7.6 6 |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

 

[Gila Monster]

I humbly disagree. I'm sick of hearing that we could have covered the OL in FA, when there is no proof that we didn't try to do just that. Who's to say we didn't offer up some nice deals to FA's, only to have them sign elsewhere? It's not like this team is a premier landing spot for FA's.

Partially agree, partially disagree.

I too am sick of hearing how many options they had in free agency. I'll rebut that by asking "Who"?

Derrick Dockery? From what I know, the Cardinals aggressively pursued him in free agency, but was he worth 50 million dollars, which is exactly what Buffalo paid for him?

Max Starks would have been nice, but was he worth trading a first rounder for? That's exactly what Pittsburgh was asking for him.

Davis? Been there, done that and sorry but I doubt there's but a handful of people on this board who genuinely feels he was worth what Dallas gave him.

Eric Steinbach? More of a guard. And again, I ask... Worth 49.5 million dollars?? You be the judge.

So that said, let's take a look at the other "premier" offensive linemen who were available, shall we?
Luke Petigout? History of injuries and back problems, plus at 31 years old. Not good for long term, a history of serious injury and frankly not all that much of an upgrade from who they currently have.

On the list of other free agents, the only ones that really jumped out at me were Kris Dielman, who spurned a pretty lucrative offer from Seattle to stay in San Diego.. What makes anyone think he would have come here?

Tony Pashos was an option who drew some of my interest, but he's only been a full time starter for one year, and as I know it, he never had a serious interest in coming to Arizona.

The rest of the list is full of guys who either weren't worth the investment, wouldn't have done a thing to upgrade or are too old, injury prone or nothing more than backups.

I know everyone hates to hear this, but truthfully for the price versus age, versus production versus legit interest in playing in Arizona, Gandy was the best available option. Is he Walter Jones or Orlando Pace? No. But I think his career will be revitalized under Grimm and I think he might be better than some of us are giving the benefit of the doubt to.

If HB of the future is such an issue, there's also next year's draft to look at, where guys like Darren McFadden (who unless Arizona really sucks, they won't have a shot at), Steve Slaton, Ray Rice, Mike Hart, Chauncey Washington and Jonathan Stewart to look at.

As for Arizona not being a free agent hot spot, I tend to think it should be and in cases tends to be otherwise. You have a superstar presence, a guy everyone tends to think is the next big thing at QB, two potential Hall Of Fame WRs, a Canton bound HB, one of the best stadiums in all of sports and a prime area to live, with 75 degree weather 9 months out of the year. The Cardinals AREN'T a prime landing spot because of their crappy history and ownership that has a reputation for being frugal.

 

[Gila Monster]

Jeez, Eric Dickerson played 11 years and is in the HOF. He gained over 13,000 yards. If AP turns out like that, we'll really be kicking ourselves for not getting him.

When we have a guy who's played 9 seasons, put up 10,385, is the current the record holder for most total yards from scrimmage per game in a regular season career, #2 career average yards per game (100+ games) at 123, 3 behind Jim Brown for the all time mark at 126, in the top 5 for career touchdowns per game and is in the top 20 in all time total rushing yards, with a very realistic chance to crack the Top 10 as a Cardinal, I doubt I'm gonna be kicking myself all that much for passing on another HB when the team had a Grand Canyon sized hole at tackle. Some of you are acting like the Cardinals have some scrub off the street at HB, when in actuality, they have perhaps one of the best HB of the modern era, who oh by the way CHOSE to come to a market that many other lesser talents snubbed their noses at.

Again, I ask the question-- Edgerrin James at HB and a guy who SEVERAL teams had graded as the best OT in the draft or Adrian Peterson and Edge splitting carries and running behind Oliver Ross and the remains of the patchwork line they've had in years past?

 

[Gambit]

we have the skill players already--we need to build the trenches. levi was the right pick, although I do think Peterson will be a star, if he can stay healthy

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Partially agree, partially disagree.

I too am sick of hearing how many options they had in free agency. I'll rebut that by asking "Who"?

Derrick Dockery? From what I know, the Cardinals aggressively pursued him in free agency, but was he worth 50 million dollars, which is exactly what Buffalo paid for him?

Max Starks would have been nice, but was he worth trading a first rounder for? That's exactly what Pittsburgh was asking for him.

Davis? Been there, done that and sorry but I doubt there's but a handful of people on this board who genuinely feels he was worth what Dallas gave him.

Eric Steinbach? More of a guard. And again, I ask... Worth 49.5 million dollars?? You be the judge.

So that said, let's take a look at the other "premier" offensive linemen who were available, shall we?
Luke Petigout? History of injuries and back problems, plus at 31 years old. Not good for long term, a history of serious injury and frankly not all that much of an upgrade from who they currently have.

On the list of other free agents, the only ones that really jumped out at me were Kris Dielman, who spurned a pretty lucrative offer from Seattle to stay in San Diego.. What makes anyone think he would have come here?

Tony Pashos was an option who drew some of my interest, but he's only been a full time starter for one year, and as I know it, he never had a serious interest in coming to Arizona.

The rest of the list is full of guys who either weren't worth the investment, wouldn't have done a thing to upgrade or are too old, injury prone or nothing more than backups.

I know everyone hates to hear this, but truthfully for the price versus age, versus production versus legit interest in playing in Arizona, Gandy was the best available option. Is he Walter Jones or Orlando Pace? No. But I think his career will be revitalized under Grimm and I think he might be better than some of us are giving the benefit of the doubt to.

If HB of the future is such an issue, there's also next year's draft to look at, where guys like Darren McFadden (who unless Arizona really sucks, they won't have a shot at), Steve Slaton, Ray Rice, Mike Hart, Chauncey Washington and Jonathan Stewart to look at.

As for Arizona not being a free agent hot spot, I tend to think it should be and in cases tends to be otherwise. You have a superstar presence, a guy everyone tends to think is the next big thing at QB, two potential Hall Of Fame WRs, a Canton bound HB, one of the best stadiums in all of sports and a prime area to live, with 75 degree weather 9 months out of the year. The Cardinals AREN'T a prime landing spot because of their crappy history and ownership that has a reputation for being frugal.

Nice piece, but doubt it will convince Cheese "I think, I think" beef.

P.S. I watched a Pitt pre-season game last week with Starks at LT. He makes BIG look like a HOF.

 

[4Devil]

What a waste of time thread.

Jesus its getting hard to find many decent posts other than some fanatics pimping their own "genius".

 

[Mitch]

Peterson was very hard to pass up...but Whiz did the right thing by building from the inside out. T Levi Brown is tough and he's a leader...a real winner, IMO. A must pick for the Cardinals.

Another RB I was hoping the Cardinals would take, Brian Leonard of Rutgers, is having a stellar camp with the Rams. But...snagging DT Alan Branch with the first pick in the second round was a major coup.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I read a report that Pashos is stinking it up.I never really wanted him anyway. Joe Thomas would've been ideal but Brown looked alright in week 1. The old LD argument,and correctly so, is that letting him go severely limted the Cards options. If the Levi was still the choice at 5, i would much rather LD manning the LG spot than Reggie Wells, with Levi at RT and Wells being the backup/swing OL.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Nice piece, but doubt it will convince Cheese "I think, I think" beef.

uh, what does this mean? Is this some kind of personal attack or a reason I was singled out on a thread that I didn't start and has many people who agree with me?

really don't see the necessity is calling someone out here, but it seems to be your way.

 

[CardinalChris]

So am I now that Oliver Ross is done for the year.....wait, were you being sarcastic?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

uh, what does this mean? Is this some kind of personal attack or a reason I was singled out on a thread that I didn't start and has many people who agree with me?

really don't see the necessity is calling someone out here, but it seems to be your way.

It seems that every sentence or paragraph of yours starts with "I think".

Unless you are concerned that "we think" that someone other than you is offering these priceless bits of thought... it's rather redundant.

 

[Duckjake]

You have a superstar presence, a guy everyone tends to think is the next big thing at QB, two potential Hall Of Fame WRs, a Canton bound HB, one of the best stadiums in all of sports and a prime area to live, with 75 degree weather 9 months out of the year

So why do guys still sign with the Cardinals and give a half baked effort if the coaches aren't riding herd on them?

Jesus its getting hard to find many decent posts other than some fanatics pimping their own "genius".

.

Well you could start by adding something insightful instead of bashing the other posters on ASFN.

we have the skill players already--we need to build the trenches. levi was the right pick, although I do think Peterson will be a star, if he can stay healthy

I agree with you on building up the trenches. It is why I was cool with them trading up to get Branch. I like what I've seen from him so far. What I don't like is the poor tackling by our defense.

As for Levi I need to see more. Defensive players imo are easier to judge early than offensive guys. But from what I've seen so far he looks just like a smaller version of LD. Even got a false start penalty in his first game! If he can play as well but with more consistency than Davis did at T we'll have a winner.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Said this last night. AP will be the best RB in three years. He is a better pure runner than Bush and while Bush is by far the more dynamic allaround player, no one runs the ball like Peterson.

I don't fault Wiz because we needed OL help and Peterson was not going to be a difference maker on this team this year. But barring injury I have no doubt he will be an all time great. I just think he is that good.

Oh and all of you in Fantasy leagues, esp keeper leagues. Do yourself a favor and draft him. I told my cousin to last week and he bought me dinner last night after he saw what Peterson did against the Jets. That spin move was just sick....

 

[Duckjake]

Oh and all of you in Fantasy leagues, esp keeper leagues. Do yourself a favor and draft him. I told my cousin to last week and he bought me dinner last night after he saw what Peterson did against the Jets. That spin move was just sick....

I'd be concerned about the way he runs. At the end of one long run I saw on highlights last night AP lowers the boom on a defender just as Adrian is going to be pushed out of bounds.

That's the kind of thing Earl Campbell used to do and everyone knows what happened to Earl. Of course Earl says he wouldn't do things any different but still....

 

[BACH]

If you would have preferred Peterson over Brown - fine!

But claiming Brown is going to be a bust based on his first game is idiotic - plain and simple.

Would Thomas have been better than Brown. Perhaps, but if we had the 3rd pick I'm guessing the pick would have been... Levi Brown!

On paper Brown is a more complete player and not the proto-typical LT, that are so sought after in the NFL.

Guess what! We have a left-handed QB, which flips the entire scheme. Our Blindside tackle (RT) will usually NOT go against our opponent's best pass-rusher, but a more physical run-stopping DE. That's why Brown, on paper, is a better fit than Thomas.

 

[Russ Smith]

Sure but this could have been avoided in Free Agency.

I'm with you Clif I'd have taken AD myself, we forced ourself to take an OL by
letting Big go and not signing a viable starter to replace him.

AD has had some injury problems but he's a legit star in the making.

 

[Redsz]

I can't even begin to say how stupid this thread and 'debate' is.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It seems that every sentence or paragraph of yours starts with "I think".

Unless you are concerned that "we think" that someone other than you is offering these priceless bits of thought... it's rather redundant.

again, what does this have to do with football? Good lord man, are you just looking to pick a fight? I say I think when I don't KNOW something to be true. Sorry if that offends you or bothers you so much that you have to say something personal about me, rather than just talk football.

 

[Cheesebeef]

who's saying he's a bust based on his first game?

 

[Cheesebeef]

uh, upon re-reading the thread, I take back what I said to Crazy Canuck - holy creeeappp, I did write "I think" a RIDICULOUS amount of times. My bad Crazy.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

uh, upon re-reading the thread, I take back what I said to Crazy Canuck - holy creeeappp, I did write "I think" a RIDICULOUS amount of times. My bad Crazy.

I didn't mean to offend... and no offense taken...

 

[Russ Smith]

I can't even begin to say how stupid this thread and 'debate' is.

It's inevitable we passed on the best pure talent in the draft to reach for an OT because we had to get an OT.

Not like it came out of thin air we had threads for weeks leading up to the draft about how tough it would be to pass on peterson but we probably had to because of our OT situation. Nobody is suggesting we could have had Ogden or Walter Jones in their prime in the offseason and chose not to pursue them, but one of the reasons our OL was thin was we let guys go like Big and then later Milford Brown, and the replacements were marginal guys like Gandy, or a talented but raw rookie in Levi, who we then didn't get signed on time.

He'll be a pretty good player but personally I think peterson has a good shot to be OROY. And he'll be doing the same thing in Minnesota he'd do here, share carries, although obviously they don't have Edge there they do have a solid #1RB.

If complaining about this decision now is stupid then what's the point of this board? We complain about our OL, how bad the defense looks etc, none of us have any more control over that than we did the draft pick.

Guys like Rod Graves get paid to do a job, and they get judged on how they do that job related to things like how they handle the draft, and how they handle FA. We got some good players in both, but I personally believe we missed the best player in the draft.