Thinking Cardinals (Monster Long...with 2 Round Mock and Roster Predictions)

[Mitch]

What should be the Cardinals' plan heading into this season?

With the offense it makes total sense to maintain the status quo as much as possible and the Cardinals have done that thus far by re-signing QB Kurt Warner (the straw that stirs this drink to the tune of 28ppg). The WR unit remains the most prolific and deepest in the NFL...which is why holding on to Anquan Boldin is smart...don't mess with success...plus, if Early Doucet puts forth a Steve Breaston type of effort as Breaston did in his sophomore year...wow! At TE the Cardinals have talent, but as of yet unrealized production. Ben Patrick is a superb player waiting to happen, Leonard Pope at his size and strength is a huge target, perticularly in the red zone. And Anthony Becht or Stephen Spach is the blocking specialist. The offensive line remains fully intact...the starters coming off an impressive season and one in which they not only provided top notch pass protection, but one in which they dicovered an ability to run block when the stakes were the highest. And with the re-signing of G/T Elton Brown and C Donovan Raiola, to combine with young talents G/T Brandon Keith and T Elliot Vallejo...this unit is pretty well set for 2009, and even beyond.

The one replaceable part? RB Edgerrin James. While James was a stalwart in the playoffs, and remains an attractive option as a durable, push the ball forward for 3-4 yards RB...James has made it crystal clear that he does not want to play in Arizona anymore and quite frankly, the Cardinals don't need the distraction, nor do their chances of maintaining their offensive production rest all too much on James' shoulders. Plus, the Cardinals need James' $5M for managing their cap.

The question is, could UFA signee Jason Wright be a solid replacement for Edge? That is...as a RB who can share time and carries with Tim Hightower? I actually think he's an upgrade, because he blocks just as well as Edge and he has more bounce in his running game. Plus, this kid is the anti-Edge when it comes to putting team first.

Do the Cardinals need to draft a RB early in this draft? While it would be great to add a speedy and slippery young back like LeSean McCoy, or an all-around productive RB like Donald Brown, the Cardinals have stronger priorities, as in addressing their glaring needs on defense.

The answer will be whether the Cardinals have targeted defensive players later in the draft that they think are nearly as good as the defensive players rated as first and second rounders. If so, then the Cardinals can go right ahead and take a RB at #31.

But I really don't belive that is going to happen. I think the best bet is taking a speed RB/KR like Kory Sheets of Purdue or Jeremiah Johnson of Oregon at the end of the 4th round (#131).

The only other offensive question mark is at FB where the Cardinals have to decide whether Tim Castille is the right guy. Castille will need to prove two things: (1) he can deliver good, clean blocks in short yardage; and (2) he can improve on his lackluster STs play. In the wings is Justin Green, who seems better suited to be the blocker and STs player the Cardinals want. For insurance, the Cardinals will either re-sign Terrelle Smith or draft a FB like David Johnson of Arkansas St. or Conredge Collins of Pittsburgh in the 6th or 7th round. The issue with Smith is his lack of STs ability...and this year the Cardinals can only afford to keep one FB.

The one other creative possibility is that Whiz turns Stephen Spach into an H-back (combo TE/FB).

Thus...here's the offensive side of the roster:

QB (3): Warner, Leinart, St. Pierre.

RB (3): Hightower, Wright, Sheets.

FB (1): Green.

TE (3): Patrick, Pope, (the winner of the TC competition between Spach and Becht---if Spach is healthy, I give him the nod, especially if Whiz does turn him into an H-back). Note: check draft update later for the potential of adding James Casey. That would mean that the TC competition would include Pope with Spach and Becht.

OL (9): Gandy, Wells, Sendlein, Lutui, L. Brown, Vallejo, E. Brown, Keith, Raiola.

WR (6): Fitzgerald, Boldin, Breaston, Doucet, Urban, Morey.

Total: (25)

The priority at this point now is to improve the defense...a defense that gave up a gawdy 26 ppg and the most passing TDs (31) in the NFL. The good news about last year's defense was their ability to create turnovers...but as a whole this unit was far too hit or miss and if the defense can manage to improve and close out games, the Cardinals could earn themselves another shot at the Super Bowl.

As for the hit or miss...the tackling on this unit was more miss than hit. This is what needs to change more than anything else. And it is imperative that new DC Bill Davis emphasize the fundamentals of tackling in everything he does in preparing this defense. But, it would also behoove the Cardinals to draft smart and fundamental tacklers.

The other two huge improvement areas on this defense are in upgrading what was a rather sluggish pass rush last year and in finding a FS or two who can defend properly over the top in deep help. Antrel Rolle showed improvement as a run supporter and pass defender in the short and intermediate zones...but he showed very little ability or instincts as a deep pass defender. The fact is, he lacks the speed to be effective in that role. When Rolle is "rolled up" as a safety, he is at his best. The Cardinals turned to Aaron Francisco, by default, to be the deep safety in passing situations and Francisco also lacks the requisite speed and anticipation instincts. Like Rolle, Francisco is most effective when he is rolled up in coverage.

The signing of UFA CB Bryant McFadden was a major coup for the Cardinals. Now the Cardinals have 4 cover CBs...and 3 of starter caliber. What McFadden's signing enables the Cardinals to do in passing situations, if they need to, is match McFadden and Rod Hood on the WRs and slide Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie back to FS where, with his speed and range, he could be a prodigious force. Mind you...this is if the Cardinals need to...and they will need to if they don't sign a FS with speed and range.

What was the best deep pass breakup of the season? It clearly was DRC's breakup in the Super Bowl of Ben Roethlisberger's deep pass into the end zone to Nate Washington. Washington was practically all alone on the play, having raced past the FS and DRC came out of nowhere like he was shot out of a cannon to get a piece of the ball before it reached Washington's outstretched hands. The Cardinals need a FS who can do precisely this...and they need it badly after several years of downright poor deep coverage.

Ideally the Cardinals will add a FS so that DRC can stay locked up on the other team's #1 WR. One option may be to sign recently released FS Kevin Kaesviharn (6-1, 200). The Cardinals actually made a play for him a couple years ago when Kaesviharn elected instead to sign with the Saints. This time around may be the charm. It would allow the Cardinals to keep Antrel Rolle as the starter at FS and run Kaesviharn in as the nickel and dime package FS.

The other option is to draft one of the good FS propects in the first three rounds. At #31 the Cardinals might have a chance to select the best FS by far in this draft, Louis Delmas. If the Cardinals do...Delmas is so good that he would start at FS and may allow Bill Davis to play with a hybrid three safety alignment where Rolle is moved up to SS and Adrian Wilson becomes a rover deluxe.

But, for one, I don't think that Delmas will be available at #31...and for two, the Cardinals may be better served to take one of the very good 34OLB prospects at #31, and look to snag either FS Will Moore (Missouri) at #63 or at #95 Derek Pegues (Mississippi St.) or Sherrod Martin (Troy). The wild card may actually be another Domonique...as in Domonique Johnson of Jackson St, who is 6-2, 190 and runs a 4.38.

As for the 34OLB prospects at #31...the two that standout as the right fit for the Cardinals are Connor Barwin of Cincinnati and Paul Kruger of Utah. In Barwin the Cardinals would get a speedy attack the edge defender for the weak side. In Kruger the Cardinals would get a Mike Vrable type strong side OLB. What separates Barwin and Kruger from the other prospects like Larry English, Clint Sintim and Michael Johnson, are their tackling ability (they attack the football and string plays out extremely well versus the run) and ability to become everydown players, whereas the others seem more one-dimensional.

At #63...the Cardinals may likely have the opportunity to draft the compliment to the LB they take at #31 from the likes of Cody Brown (Connecticut), Marcus Freeman (Ohio St.) or Lawrence Sidbury (Richmond).

There's another player at #63 that might cause the Cardinals to go in a different direction: TE James Casey of Rice. Casey would be the Cardinals' version of H-back Chris Cooley (Redskins). But, Casey might be gone by then and thus the Cardinals can stick to improving the defense.

If the Cardinals are able to select Casey at #63, I think they would look to draft another 34LB type in the 5th round at #167...like Jonathan Casillas (Wisconsin), Jason Williams (Western Illinois), Victor Butler (Oregon St.), Mortty Ivy (West Virginia), Lee Robinson (Alcorn St.), Corey Smith (Cincinnati) or Worrell Williams (California).

Today's prediction: First Round Mock

1. DET: Jason Smith, T, Baylor. Best value and immediate impact.

2. STL: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia. Second year in a row, Rams take a Virginia Cav.

3. KC: Jeremy Macklin, WR, Missouri. Haley's comet.

4. SEA: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas. Bookend opposite Kerney.

5. CLE: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. Mangini's Bruschi.

6. CIN: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. T.J. who?

7. OAK: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida. First shocker. Al loves speed.

8. JAX: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College. Back to Big Boyz D.

9. GB: Everette Brown, DE, Florida St. What can Brown do for them?

10. SF: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC. Has Singletary eyes.

11. BUF: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn. St. Poz agrees.

12. DEN: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. The Trojan they can acquire (er, not named Cassell).

13. WAS: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia. Lightning option to an aging Portis.

14. NO: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St. Patches leaky secondary.

15. HOU: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi. Houston no longer has "a problem" up front.

16. SD: Andre Smith, T, Alabama. The slide for Smith stops here.

17. NYJ: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St. J-O-S-H, Josh, Josh, Josh.

18. CHI: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland. Da Bearz Da-Hey-Bey.

19. TB: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio St. If Gruden were still here, it would be Stafford.

20. DET: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia. The buzz of the draft as the Lions get Stafford anyway...that is if he doesn't pass out waiting in the Green Room. The Brady Quinn saga part II.

21. PHI: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma. McNabb's new roomie.

22. MIN: William Beatty, T, Connecticut. Will he be Warren or Ned?

23. NE: Connor Barwin, OLB, Cincinnati. The new Vrabel.

24. ATL: Brian Cushing, LB, USC. The next Brooking.

25. MIA: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois. Makes splash as Dolphin.

26. BAL: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio St. New sitcom in BAL: Ray and James.

27. IND: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College. Amazing Brace.

28. PHI: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech. No mo? Say hello to my little friend, Jim Johnson.

29. NYG: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers. Jersey homie.

30. TEN: CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt. Feel good story.

31. NYG (trade with Arizona for the Giants' 2 2nd rounders #45 and #60): Eben Britton, T, Arizona. Note: The Giants want and need Britton this badly. They are also afraid the Steelers will nab him at #32.

32. PIT: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest. Just in case they have to defend Fitz again.

2nd Round:

33. DET: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU.

34. KC: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee.

35. STL: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia.

36. CLE: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois.

37. SEA: Michael Oher, T, Misissippi.

38. CIN: Alex Mack, C, California.

39. JAX: Louis Murphy, WR, Florida.

40. OAK: Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan.

41. GB: Clay Matthews, LB, USC.

42. BUF: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh.

43. SF: Patrick Chung, S, Oregon.

44. MIA: Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina.

45. ARI: Paul Kruger, 34OLB, Utah. The Cardinals would have been tempted to take Kruger at #31...and they still are able to select him here. This is one smart, tough and aggressive player, who is NFL ready.

46. HOU: William Moore, S, Missouri.

47. NE: Ziggy Hood, DT, Missouri.

48. DEN: Fili Moala, DT, USC.

49. CHI: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut.

50. TB: Cody Brown, LB, Connecticut.

51: DAL: Derek Pegues, S, Misissippi St.

52. NYJ: Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose St.

53. PHI: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut.

54. MIN: Sean Smith, CB, Utah.

55. ATL: Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond.

56. MIA: Darry Beckwith, LB, LSU.

57. BAL: Coye Francis, CB, San Jose St.

58. NE: Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina.

59. CAR: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn.

60. ARI: James Casey, TE, Rice. Whiz gets his super productive H-Back here. Mr. B can be seen eating ice cream on Cardinal cam with a smiling Whiz nearby.

61. IND: Austin Collie, WR, BYU.

62. TEN: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn. St.

63. ARI: Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio St. Versatile and productive LB who can play outside and inside in the 3-4. Very good tackler.

64. PIT: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma.

And after a good but restless night's sleep...

95. ARI: Sherrod Martin, FS, Troy. The range and speed and playmaking ability the Cardinals need in deep patrol.

131. ARI: Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue. Speed RB and KR.

167. ARI: Worrell Williams, ILB, California. Good tackler. Busts plays up. Needs to develop more consistent cover skills.

204. ARI: Condredge Collins, FB, Pittsburgh. Tough kid. Could win job if not this year, next year.

240. ARI: Stryker Sulak, 34OLB, Missouri. Not getting much attention after his senior year wasn't quite as good as his junior year. Could develop on PS in need area.

254. ARI: C.J. Davis G/C, Pittsburgh. Needs coaching but has ability and versatility.

Defense Roster:

NT (2): Watson, (Branch/Robinson/Dykes) TC winner.

DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Iwebema, Banks.

ILB (4): Hayes, Dansby, Highsmith, (Hobson/Williams) TC winner.

OLB (6): Okeafor, Haggans, Berry, LaBoy, Kruger, Freeman.

S (4): Wilson, Rolle, (Francisco/Lewis) TC winner, Martin.

CB (5): Rodgers-Cromartie, Hood, McFadden, R. Brown, Adams.

Total: (25).

Special Teams:

ST (3): Rackers, Graham, Leach.

 

[Perfectionist]

Wow, what can I say Mitch? Very thought provocative, and very reasonable senerio.

One very basic quote from you:"As for the hit or miss...the tackling on this unit was more miss than hit. This is what needs to change more than anything else. And it is imperative that new DC Bill Davis emphasize the fundamentals of tackling in everything he does in preparing this defense. But, it would also behoove the Cardinals to draft smart and fundamental tacklers."

How fundamental is this, but could very well be the deciding factor to the over all success of the team next year.

I agree keep the offense pretty much staus quo, and upgrade defense and quatlity of its players, and hold them accountable for tackling or should I say lack of.

Once again, good stuff Mitch. I wish I had half your knowlege and fortitude for the details.

 

[1DS]

Thanks again, Walter. Good read!

 

[Catfish]

Great post!!! Well done---done with logic---much thought put into it. I agree whole-heartedly that the key to the defense will be whether or not Davis is able to get these guys to forget (hit-hit-hit), and concentrate on wrapping up. (This will also keep us from getting penalized and punished by the league for nasty hits). The next step will be to instill the discipline not to chase after every move wildly and over-run the play, but to stay in their assigned lanes and shut off the corners and the back-side. I really like the idea of drafting Sheets for a KR-PR. Breaston is far too valuable as a WR, to chance injury by a wild hit. He is also too much of a long strider to be able to make quick cuts and re-directs that were un-planned. I would hope that the trade with the Giants works out, but would not be hanging my hat on it. Would love to add a Barwin or Kruger to the LB slots. Your are right about these two IMHO. great play flow and even better tackling. I too would also love to see Dominique Johnson in Cardinal Red. You may not be exactly spot-on, but I would bet that you are close enough that you will definitely be in the ball park when the draft-action starts. Thanks, and if we come out anywhere near where you have us headed, this will greatly improve our defense and make it much more steady and reliable. This would bode well for helping to convert late-losses into WINS.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Mitch - Man do you love Paul Kruger. If we actually end up drafting him I think your head may explode

Good stuff although as great as our offense was last year I truly belive wiz doesn't see that being conducive to sustained success. Thats why I truly belive we will go game breaker back in the fist 2 rounds. If only to be able to cut Edge anyway but also provide a young option going forward after Kurt retires and we become a more traditional offense.

And I can't imagine we would draft a TE in the first two rounds either.

My guess is we draft Donald Brown as he seems to have Cardinal written all over him....but I actually did my own mock and it broke another way for us...I'm going to start a new thread

 

[Crazy Canuck]

The one other creative possibility is that Whiz turns Stephen Spach into an H-back (combo TE/FB).

It’s more likely that PATRICK would line up as the H-back, as he in fact lined up in that position several times during the playoffs. This precudes any need to draft a TE in the first three rounds unless it is the BPA.

As for the 34OLB prospects at #31...the two that standout as the right fit for the Cardinals are Connor Barwin of Cincinnati and Paul Kruger of Utah. What separates Barwin and Kruger from the other prospects like Larry English, Clint Sintim and Michael Johnson, are their tackling ability.

The draft gurus on the NFL Network view Barwin as a second or third round project, and Kruger is not even in the conversation. This is certainly the first time I see the suggestion that either of these two are superior to English.

At #63...the Cardinals may likely have the opportunity to draft the compliment to the LB they take at #31 from the likes of Cody Brown (Connecticut), Marcus Freeman (Ohio St.) or Lawrence Sidbury (Richmond).

Sidbury is another player moving up the charts, ala Barwin, since his pro day workout.

*** good read

 

[Goldfield]

Two words Mitch...

Carpal tunnel

 

[Mitch]

Great post!!! Well done---done with logic---much thought put into it. I agree whole-heartedly that the key to the defense will be whether or not Davis is able to get these guys to forget (hit-hit-hit), and concentrate on wrapping up. (This will also keep us from getting penalized and punished by the league for nasty hits). The next step will be to instill the discipline not to chase after every move wildly and over-run the play, but to stay in their assigned lanes and shut off the corners and the back-side. I really like the idea of drafting Sheets for a KR-PR. Breaston is far too valuable as a WR, to chance injury by a wild hit. He is also too much of a long strider to be able to make quick cuts and re-directs that were un-planned. I would hope that the trade with the Giants works out, but would not be hanging my hat on it. Would love to add a Barwin or Kruger to the LB slots. Your are right about these two IMHO. great play flow and even better tackling. I too would also love to see Dominique Johnson in Cardinal Red. You may not be exactly spot-on, but I would bet that you are close enough that you will definitely be in the ball park when the draft-action starts. Thanks, and if we come out anywhere near where you have us headed, this will greatly improve our defense and make it much more steady and reliable. This would bode well for helping to convert late-losses into WINS.

First of all, thanks for the positive feedback Perfectionist and 1DS. Your input is very valuable to me.

Catfish, I am with you on Domonique Johnson. If we add another speed guy to the mix here, this may be the best secondary the Cardinals have ever had. Plus, Johnson would be another deep threat situational WR! LOL! Although, you KNOW it would happen with Whiz!

BTW, one of my real idols growing up was Jim "Catfish" Hunter of the Oakland A's. Anyone named Catfish is AOK by me!

 

[Mitch]

Mitch - Man do you love Paul Kruger. If we actually end up drafting him I think your head may explode

Good stuff although as great as our offense was last year I truly belive wiz doesn't see that being conducive to sustained success. Thats why I truly belive we will go game breaker back in the fist 2 rounds. If only to be able to cut Edge anyway but also provide a young option going forward after Kurt retires and we become a more traditional offense.

And I can't imagine we would draft a TE in the first two rounds either.

My guess is we draft Donald Brown as he seems to have Cardinal written all over him....but I actually did my own mock and it broke another way for us...I'm going to start a new thread

I do love Kruger, AF. Sorry if I am being redundant. The thing is, look at what the Cardinals ask SOLB Chike Okeafor to do and look at Kruger's skill set. I see a perfect match there.

You may be right about Donald Brown, AF. But Whiz's recent remarks about the team's priorities would suggest the Cardinals will draft a RB ater rather than sooner. But the Cardinals have done their homework on Donald Brown...so, like I said, you might be right.

Crazy Canuck: sometimes players like Barwin and Kruger are projected as 2nd rounders because they don't come from a more high profile college program and don't make the kind of freakish plays that say a Michael Johnson does. But...I can tell you this: the Patriots have been focused in on Barwin for quite some time now, having worked him out as well...and they recently traded Mike Vrabel. Barwin just ran a 4.6 at his pro day and his game tape makes you sit up and think wow. He's a relentless edge player. The only real knock against him is he only played DE for one year...but honestly that doesn't deter coaches like Bill Belichick, because he knows he can coach kids up...but he can't necessarily coach ability. In Barwin's case, he would be getting a faster version of Mike Vrabel.

 

[DoTheDew]

I like the idea of trading down and picking up the Giants 2nds. Really the only thing I can't wrap my mind around is Stafford sliding to 20. If this happened, I think Mel Kiper's head would explode on national television.

 

[binkar]

Great post Mitch. Thanks for putting in the time and effort. A lot creative ideas and insights I hadn't thought of myself.

 

[WildBB]

Good job, well thought out Walter. I like Kruger and Casey very much as fits for this team. Both well advanced for their age. Getting the 2nd's gets the job done.

I'd take Eric Wood though @63 , but Freeman would be OK too, and may be a target depending if Dansby signs by draft day. We'll see.

 

[binkar]

Mitch,

I think all of your mocks that I have seen have had a Cardinals trade in them (unless I am missing one which I may very well be). I am not saying that's bad because it's very interesting. I am just curious as to your predictions for our first 2 picks if we stand pat and make no moves.

So who do you have us taking at 31 and 63?

 

[Reddog]

I love the idea of two more 2nd round picks vs the 31st especially because we need really solid role players not one superstar especially on the LB corp. The drop off from 31 to 45 just isn't that significant. Great job.

 

[binkar]

I love the idea of two more 2nd round picks vs the 31st especially because we need really solid role players not one superstar especially on the LB corp. The drop off from 31 to 45 just isn't that significant. Great job.

The significance of the drop off from 31 to 45 varies depending on the position you are looking at. If you are wanting a RB I would say it is a significant drop off because at 45 you are probably out of reach for one of the top 4 backs. However the drop off isn't as significant for DE/OLB in my opinion. If you could pick up Kruger, Barwin, or Sintim at 45 I personally don't think there is any sort of drop off at all. It all depends on your position of need/preference.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, "You da man". Two questions and one concern. The questions:
1. Who is the RB, Jacobs, on your offensive roster?
2. Who is the DT, King, on defense?
My concern is going into the season with almost NO DEPTH at DT. If DD or CC go down we are in big trouble.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

Mitch, you are the man! Insightful, intelligent post as usual.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, "You da man". Two questions and one concern. The questions:
1. Who is the RB, Jacobs, on your offensive roster?
2. Who is the DT, King, on defense?
My concern is going into the season with almost NO DEPTH at DT. If DD or CC go down we are in big trouble.

Thanks, Garth, for catching the two mistakes: (1) I meant Wright at RB, not Jacobs---maybe I was fantasizing about Brandon of the Giants); (2) I had us taking Mitch King in another mock and forgot...so I changed it to Banks (I think he's going to be a nice surprise this year).

I think Kenny Iwebema will be bigger, better and stronger this year. And Jason Banks had a good TC last year and could step up well this year. The other two possibilities are Keilen Dykes, who has size and talent...and Alan Branch could fill in at DT if needed, that is, if the light bulb is on.

But, I actually do think the Cardinals will draft another 34DE...like Everette Pedescleaux of Northern Iowa...I think I should have factored him in there.

Thanks again, Garth.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch,

I think all of your mocks that I have seen have had a Cardinals trade in them (unless I am missing one which I may very well be). I am not saying that's bad because it's very interesting. I am just curious as to your predictions for our first 2 picks if we stand pat and make no moves.

So who do you have us taking at 31 and 63?

Yeah, Binkar, I just feel like adding a mid range 2nd rounder would really even this draft out for the Cardinals in light of having to pick this year at the end of each round...plus...we have some pressing needs to fill, and the real good OLB/DE types, for example, won't last beyond the second round, IMO.

If we are staying put:

I think the Cardinals will think about a RB at #31 if Moreno, Wells or Brown are available...but that will prevent them from taking one of the premier pass rushers in this draft.

But, if the RBs are taken...I think they will want one of the OLB/DEs like Connor Barwin, Larry English, Clint Sintim, Paul Kruger...

And then at #63...I think that if OLB Lawrence Sidbury of Richmond is there, they'll take him...or perhaps OLB Marcus Freeman as I predict in this mock. But, if say a Ziggy Hood is there...they'd take him. But the guy who would make this pick tantalizing is TE James Casey, if he were to be there at #63. I think that if he is, he's a lock at that spot.

In fact, it would not surprise me...even despite the defensive needs if the draft went like this:

1. Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut.

2. James Casey, TE, Rice.

3. Domonique Johnson, FS/CB, Jackson St.

4. Phillip Hunt, 34OLB, Houston.

5. Jasper Brinkley, LB, South Carolina.

6. Everette Pedescleaux, DE, Northern Iowa.

7A. Stryker Sulak, 34OLB, Missouri.

7B. Robert Francois, LB, Boston College.

 

[Catfish]

Mitch, Jim Hunter was my hero too. I got to know him personally when the A's subplanted the Cubs in Mesa during their glory years in the early 70's. I was on the PD then and often breakfasted at the same restaurant that some of the A's liked. Hunter, Bando, and Jackson sometimes came in, and he always had a positive word for the guys on the PD. (not so Jackson) Bando was always cordial. Sadly, we lost him to Lou Gehrig's disease, at about the same time one of my cohorts on the PD passed from it.

 

[Duckjake]

I agree whole-heartedly that the key to the defense will be whether or not Davis is able to get these guys to forget (hit-hit-hit), and concentrate on wrapping up. (This will also keep us from getting penalized and punished by the league for nasty hits).

This is THE key to improving the defense. It won't matter how many great cover corner's we have or how great a pass rush if our DB's continue to miss tackles or are weak in run support.

Just look at our offense. We get the ball out quickly to receivers who are usually blanketed by DBs yet our guys still make the catch. If our defenders continue to miss the tackle on that type play turning a 5 yd pass into a 25 yard gain we'll never improve no matter who we draft.

 

[binkar]

I like Kruger a lot, but don't think he will be a great pass rusher in the NFL. If you take away the Idaho game last year in which he had 4 sacks, then he has 3 sacks in 11 games. I think he is a sure tackler and will be a very consistent and effective player in the NFL, but my guess is that he is a 5-7 sacks a year guy. JMO.