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Cardinals report: Strategy and personnel
July 12, 2008
The Sports Xchange
Strategy and personnel · Inside slant · Notes, quotes
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Larry Fitzgerald's new deal solved only one of the team's problems. Now they have several other veterans who want new deals. Not all of them will be addressed this offseason.
The priorities will be signing inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, the franchise player, to a long-term deal, and re-signing receiver Anquan Boldin and safety Adrian Wilson.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK
Starter -- Matt Leinart. Backups -- Kurt Warner, Brian St. Pierre.
The pressure is on Leinart to prove he was worthy of the 10th overall pick in the 2006 draft. He'll be given every chance to succeed, but Warner will push him throughout the season and perhaps into the season.
The question about which player should start will linger until Leinart proves himself. Warner played well last year after taking over for the injured Leinart in game five. Warner, however, tends to get in trouble with some bad decisions and ball security. Coaches have been on Leinart to mature and improve his work ethic, and they have been pleased with his progress this offseason.
RUNNING BACKS
Starter -- RB Edgerrin James, FB Tim Castille. Backups -- Marcel Shipp, J.J. Arrington, Tim Hightower, FB Terrelle Smith.
Coaches talked in the offseason about adding speed at this spot. James is hardly a burner with only four carries for 20 yards or more last year. James has excellent vision and agility, but he doesn't break many tackles or make people miss in the secondary. But he is productive and there is no one to push him for playing time.
Shipp and Arrington were only role players last year and probably won't be much more this year. Hightower, a rookie, has some decent all-around skills, but he runs a 4.6, hardly the speed guy the team was looking for. Castille, who spent last year on the practice squad, could replace Smith as the starters. Running backs coach Maurice Carthon likes Castille, but it will be hard to bench Smith, who is a devastating blocker.
TIGHT ENDS
Starter -- Leonard Pope. Backups -- Ben Patrick, Troy Bienemann, Jerame Tuman.
Pope is returning from a dislocated ankle and fractured leg, but he faces bigger obstacles. First, he needs to develop his understanding of the offense and he must become a better blocker. Don't be surprised if Patrick, a seventh-round pick last year, takes over. He had a great offseason and is the most athletic guy at that spot.
Bienemann is a solid player with some upside and Tuman is a tough veteran who could block. This might be one of the most improved spots on the team in 2008.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters -- Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald. Backups -- Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, Jerheme Urban, Jamaica Rector, Ahmad Merritt.
There is not a better starting duo than Boldin and Fitzgerald. What they lack in speed they make up for in size, strength and an uncanny ability to snatch the ball out of the air. Boldin is one of the toughest players in the NFL, and he turns into a running back once he catches the ball. Fitzgerald's size and strength make him tough to deal with outside and in jump-ball situations. He needs to gain more yards after the catch, but that's nit-picky stuff for someone who has made two Pro Bowls before his 25th birthday.
The No. 3 job is open. Breaston had a great offseason, adding some weight and strength and he looked more comfortable catching the ball. But he was a disappointment as a receiver in college, so it's hard to envision him improving greatly in one year. Doucet is a solid route runner, but he lacks speed, and that's one thing the Cardinals could use. Urban can run but he dropped some key balls last year. Rector and Merritt are quick but they need to make an impression in camp.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters -- LT Mike Gandy, LG Reggie Wells, C Al Johnson, RG Deuce Lutui, RT Levi Brown. Backups -- C/G Lyle Sendlein, G/T Elton Brown, T Elliott Vallejo.
The starting unit returns intact in the same spots. That's happened only twice before since the franchise moved to Arizona in 1988. The unit is set from center moving left. Johnson is smart and strong. Wells is the most consistent player on the line, and Gandy was a pleasant surprise last year. The key this year will be the development of the right side. Lutui must become more consistent, and Brown needs to prove he was worth of being the fifth overall pick in last year's draft.
There is little depth. Sendlein is a reliable center, and Brown made great strides last year. After that, it gets scary.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters -- LE Darnell Dockett, NT Gabe Watson, RE Antonio Smith. Backups -- E/T Bryan Robinson, NT Alan Branch, DE Calais Campbell, DE Kenny Iwebema.
Dockett enjoyed a Pro Bowl year, collecting nine sacks. But he and Smith were forced to play too many snaps. Dockett had just one sack in the final eight games and Smith wore down, too. Watson improved his conditioning last year and his stamina was much better. He was reliable but not a difference-maker.
Coaches hope Branch can develop into that kind of player. He's huge but needs technique work. Campbell and Iwebema, the second- and fourth-round picks, have some pass-rush skills and could become solid rotation players. Robinson, a 12-year veteran, is valuable because he can play two spots.
LINEBACKERS
Starters: SOLB Chike Okeafor, ILB Karlos Dansby, ILB Gerald Hayes, WOLB Travis LaBoy. Backups -- OLB Clark Haggans, OLB Bertrand Berry, ILB Monty Beisel, Matt Stewart.
This is one of the deepest spots on the team. Okeafor and LaBoy will face strong challenges from Haggans and Berry. All four are good pass rushers, which will give coordinator Clancy Pendergast options in nickel packages.
Dansby and Hayes are excellent inside. Hayes is a physical thumper who can make big hits. Dansby is fast and long, and can flip a game by forcing turnovers. The depth should pay huge dividends. These positions were devastated by injuries last year, and the front office made improving depth a priority in the offseason.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Starters -- LCB Rod Hood, RCB Eric Green, SS Adrian Wilson, FS Antrel Rolle. Backups -- CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Ralph Brown, CB Michael Adams, S Aaron Francisco, S Matt Ware, S Oliver Celestin.
Hood and Green are solid starting corners. Green made great strides last year, and Hood is underrated. Rodgers-Cromartie will push both of them but could remain as a nickel back. Rolle moves from corner and free safety should suit him. He is smart, instinctive and can run. He should be able to make some big plays. Wilson is one of the best in the game. At 230 pounds, he can run fast enough to cover receivers. He's big enough to play against the run and he is an effective blitzer. Francisco is a capable backup, as is Ware.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Neil Rackers, P Dirk Johnson, LS Nathan Hodel, KR Steve Breaston, PR Steve Breaston.
Rackers has one of the strongest legs in the NFL, but he has missed too many critical kicks the past two years. He has to become better in the clutch.
Johnson is in his first year with the club. Hodel is an excellent long snapper and Breaston proved to be a threat at both return spots last year. The coverage teams, however, need to show some great improvement.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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July 12, 2008
The Sports Xchange
Strategy and personnel · Inside slant · Notes, quotes
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Larry Fitzgerald's new deal solved only one of the team's problems. Now they have several other veterans who want new deals. Not all of them will be addressed this offseason.
The priorities will be signing inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, the franchise player, to a long-term deal, and re-signing receiver Anquan Boldin and safety Adrian Wilson.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK
Starter -- Matt Leinart. Backups -- Kurt Warner, Brian St. Pierre.
The pressure is on Leinart to prove he was worthy of the 10th overall pick in the 2006 draft. He'll be given every chance to succeed, but Warner will push him throughout the season and perhaps into the season.
The question about which player should start will linger until Leinart proves himself. Warner played well last year after taking over for the injured Leinart in game five. Warner, however, tends to get in trouble with some bad decisions and ball security. Coaches have been on Leinart to mature and improve his work ethic, and they have been pleased with his progress this offseason.
RUNNING BACKS
Starter -- RB Edgerrin James, FB Tim Castille. Backups -- Marcel Shipp, J.J. Arrington, Tim Hightower, FB Terrelle Smith.
Coaches talked in the offseason about adding speed at this spot. James is hardly a burner with only four carries for 20 yards or more last year. James has excellent vision and agility, but he doesn't break many tackles or make people miss in the secondary. But he is productive and there is no one to push him for playing time.
Shipp and Arrington were only role players last year and probably won't be much more this year. Hightower, a rookie, has some decent all-around skills, but he runs a 4.6, hardly the speed guy the team was looking for. Castille, who spent last year on the practice squad, could replace Smith as the starters. Running backs coach Maurice Carthon likes Castille, but it will be hard to bench Smith, who is a devastating blocker.
TIGHT ENDS
Starter -- Leonard Pope. Backups -- Ben Patrick, Troy Bienemann, Jerame Tuman.
Pope is returning from a dislocated ankle and fractured leg, but he faces bigger obstacles. First, he needs to develop his understanding of the offense and he must become a better blocker. Don't be surprised if Patrick, a seventh-round pick last year, takes over. He had a great offseason and is the most athletic guy at that spot.
Bienemann is a solid player with some upside and Tuman is a tough veteran who could block. This might be one of the most improved spots on the team in 2008.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters -- Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald. Backups -- Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, Jerheme Urban, Jamaica Rector, Ahmad Merritt.
There is not a better starting duo than Boldin and Fitzgerald. What they lack in speed they make up for in size, strength and an uncanny ability to snatch the ball out of the air. Boldin is one of the toughest players in the NFL, and he turns into a running back once he catches the ball. Fitzgerald's size and strength make him tough to deal with outside and in jump-ball situations. He needs to gain more yards after the catch, but that's nit-picky stuff for someone who has made two Pro Bowls before his 25th birthday.
The No. 3 job is open. Breaston had a great offseason, adding some weight and strength and he looked more comfortable catching the ball. But he was a disappointment as a receiver in college, so it's hard to envision him improving greatly in one year. Doucet is a solid route runner, but he lacks speed, and that's one thing the Cardinals could use. Urban can run but he dropped some key balls last year. Rector and Merritt are quick but they need to make an impression in camp.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters -- LT Mike Gandy, LG Reggie Wells, C Al Johnson, RG Deuce Lutui, RT Levi Brown. Backups -- C/G Lyle Sendlein, G/T Elton Brown, T Elliott Vallejo.
The starting unit returns intact in the same spots. That's happened only twice before since the franchise moved to Arizona in 1988. The unit is set from center moving left. Johnson is smart and strong. Wells is the most consistent player on the line, and Gandy was a pleasant surprise last year. The key this year will be the development of the right side. Lutui must become more consistent, and Brown needs to prove he was worth of being the fifth overall pick in last year's draft.
There is little depth. Sendlein is a reliable center, and Brown made great strides last year. After that, it gets scary.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters -- LE Darnell Dockett, NT Gabe Watson, RE Antonio Smith. Backups -- E/T Bryan Robinson, NT Alan Branch, DE Calais Campbell, DE Kenny Iwebema.
Dockett enjoyed a Pro Bowl year, collecting nine sacks. But he and Smith were forced to play too many snaps. Dockett had just one sack in the final eight games and Smith wore down, too. Watson improved his conditioning last year and his stamina was much better. He was reliable but not a difference-maker.
Coaches hope Branch can develop into that kind of player. He's huge but needs technique work. Campbell and Iwebema, the second- and fourth-round picks, have some pass-rush skills and could become solid rotation players. Robinson, a 12-year veteran, is valuable because he can play two spots.
LINEBACKERS
Starters: SOLB Chike Okeafor, ILB Karlos Dansby, ILB Gerald Hayes, WOLB Travis LaBoy. Backups -- OLB Clark Haggans, OLB Bertrand Berry, ILB Monty Beisel, Matt Stewart.
This is one of the deepest spots on the team. Okeafor and LaBoy will face strong challenges from Haggans and Berry. All four are good pass rushers, which will give coordinator Clancy Pendergast options in nickel packages.
Dansby and Hayes are excellent inside. Hayes is a physical thumper who can make big hits. Dansby is fast and long, and can flip a game by forcing turnovers. The depth should pay huge dividends. These positions were devastated by injuries last year, and the front office made improving depth a priority in the offseason.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Starters -- LCB Rod Hood, RCB Eric Green, SS Adrian Wilson, FS Antrel Rolle. Backups -- CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Ralph Brown, CB Michael Adams, S Aaron Francisco, S Matt Ware, S Oliver Celestin.
Hood and Green are solid starting corners. Green made great strides last year, and Hood is underrated. Rodgers-Cromartie will push both of them but could remain as a nickel back. Rolle moves from corner and free safety should suit him. He is smart, instinctive and can run. He should be able to make some big plays. Wilson is one of the best in the game. At 230 pounds, he can run fast enough to cover receivers. He's big enough to play against the run and he is an effective blitzer. Francisco is a capable backup, as is Ware.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Neil Rackers, P Dirk Johnson, LS Nathan Hodel, KR Steve Breaston, PR Steve Breaston.
Rackers has one of the strongest legs in the NFL, but he has missed too many critical kicks the past two years. He has to become better in the clutch.
Johnson is in his first year with the club. Hodel is an excellent long snapper and Breaston proved to be a threat at both return spots last year. The coverage teams, however, need to show some great improvement.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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