Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. I thought you'd all like to see Pro Football Focus.com's player rankings for 2009. I am not quite sure how they arrive at their rankings...it seems like a set of computer coefficients based on a series of categories for each position based on the number of snaps and the production...but, it's an interesting set of results.
QB: Warner-11
RB: Wells-22; Hightower-56
WR: Fitzgerald-6; Boldin-18; Breaston-34
TE: Patrick-13; Becht-24
T: Gandy-68; L. Brown-72
G: Hadnot-17; Lutui-46; Wells-81
C: Sendlein-22
NT: Robinson-33; Watson-36
DE: Campbell-5; Branch-10; Dockett-27
ILB: Dansby-19; Hayes-48
ILB: (Andra Davis-5; Foote-26; Morrison-27; Vilma-28; Ayodele-51).
OLB: Haggans-14; (Porter-22); Okeafor-26; Berry-27
CB: Rodgers-Cromartie-4; Adams-40; R. Brown-58; McFadden-89
S: Rhodes-2; Wilson-11; Ware-62; Rolle-67
K: Rackers-18
P: Graham-2
KR: Stephens-Howling-24; Breaston-205
Not sure how or why Branch is 10th and Dockett is 27th. That one is a little mystifying...but some of the other results seemed reasonable.
But...these rankings do give some credence to the consistency we saw from the likes of Campbell and Haggans...and to see that despite his frustration with the Jets Kerry Rhodes still graded out as the #2 safety, while Antrel Rolle was a distant 67. Hmmm...
I think it would be a coup for the Cardinals if they could acquire recently released SILB Andra Davis and pair him with WILB Larry Foote on the inside. Wow.
The Cardinals need thicker DEs for the 4 man rush...which is why signing DE/OLB Joey Porter is so important. He would take Bertrand Berry's spot at RDE, and at LDE Clark Haggans was solid, but I think it would be wise for the Cardinals to use the #26 pick on a thick DE/OLB type to play opposite Porter in the 4 man rush. The players that I like best in that role: Brandon Graham (6-2, 270, Michigan), Carlos Dunlap (6-6, 280, Florida), Everson Griffen (6-3, 265, USC), Kao Misi (6-3, 263, Utah) and Jerry Hughes (6-3, 257, TCU)...in that order.
I am not as high on taking a NT at #26 as others are. In today's game because of the emphasis on the passing game, the NTs play less and less...and when they do play, teams often counter by throwing the ball. It's important to have a couple of big players there, don't get me wrong. But, the Cardinals already have two solid options at NT in Alan Branch and Gabe Watson. Branch has to be a starter on this defense. He was drafted to be the NT and at his size and stength he should be a force there. He can kick down to DE at times when Watson is in at NT. It would be great if the Cardinals do acquire UFA DE/NT Nick Eason (Steeers) as he could provide depth at both spots.
But as of right now the two DEs in the 4 man rush are Clark Haggans and Cody Brown. Haggans, at his age, needs to be rotated in and out of the 4 man rush and we really don't know if the hybrid OLB/DEs Cody Brown, Will Davis, Mark Washington or Stevie Baggs can be consistently effective rushing the passer in a 4 man line. This uncertainty further confirms the need to sign Porter and draft a thicker DE/OLB type.
At the #58 spot the player I am wishing for is Kao Misi (6-3, 263, Utah), because I think he can contribute right away and is such a good, versatile athlete that he could play both on the inside and the outside the way Mike Vrable did for years with the Patriots. I worry that he will be taken prior to #58, but I think it's possible that he will be there.
If Misi is gone, I know the board is still iffy about ILB Daryl Washington (6-3, 228, TCU), because of his weight, but I think that John Lott could do wonders with him and he could be groomed to take over for Larry Foote in a year or two. Washington plays hard and tough, and is the kind of ahtlete you want on the weak side because he can chase, fill, spoil screens and cover. But, because his weight is a concern, maybe he will still be on the board at #88/#89.
If both Misi and Washington are off the board at #58, I could see the Cardinals selecting one of the three following WRs: Brandon LaFell (6-3, 206, LSU), DeMarius Thomas (6-3, 229, Georgia Tech) or Taylor Price (6-0, 198, Ohio). LaFell is a Boldin clone. Thomas is a Vincent Jackson type, and Price is a speedy (4.36) burner like DeSean Jackson, only a little bigger.
At #88...this is where I think the Cardinals could go in a number of different directions depending on what players are on the board. I had been targeting Alabama G Mike Johnson (6-6, 308) with this pick, but now that the Cardinals have signed G/C Rex Hadnot, it might be wiser to address another position at this spot. Two players that make sense to me are T Jared Veldheer (6-8, 315, Hillside)...imagine him side by side with Herman Johnson (6-7, 382), or as opposite bookends...and CB Dominique Franks (6-0, 192, Oklahoma)...yup another Dominique, and while the Cardinals may be very tempted to take Kyle Wilson (5-10, 190, Boise st.) at #26, Franks is a similar athlete who, like Wilson, adds strong value as a punt returner.
At #89...do the Cardinals make a move for QB Charlie Whitehurst (6-4, 240, 5, Chargers) here? Perhaps they can swing a deal by offering their 4th rounder in 2011, which could become a 3rd rounder if Whitehurst starts more than half the games this year.
If the Cardinals do not make a move on Whitehurst and sign Derek Anderson (6-6, 230, 6) instead, selecting a QB at this spot or in Round 4 might be in their plans. Apparently with Cardinals' QB coach Mike Miller in attendance this week, Mike Kafka (6-3, 216, Northwestern) was very impressive at his Pro Day, missing only one throw all afternoon and showing good athleticism. If the Cardinals are genuinely interested they will have to consider taking Kafka here in fear that he might not be available when they pick late in Round 4. While most will say the #89 pick is way too high for Kafka based on the current rankings, if he's the QB you want, and because the QB position is so important, you consider taking him early rather than miss out on him later...unless, that is, there's another QB you are equally high on that you believe will be on the board in Round 4.
I think it's entirely possible that the Cardinals will give up the #89 pick for Whitehurst and draft Mike Kafka in the 4th round if he is available there. That would solidify their depth at the position.
However, if the Cardinals feel comfortable in waiting on a QB in the draft, at #89 they can take a CB like Franks or the latest hyphen phenom CB Akwansi Owusu-Ansah (6-0, 205, Indiana-PA) or address the WR position by going with cat-quick, sure handed WR Andre Roberts (5-11, 192, The Citadel) or tall and sneaky fast WR Eric Decker (6-3, 215, Minnesota).
In the 4th round, the Cardinals may reach for a player they like, seeing as they do not have a 5th round pick and won't pick again until late in the 6th round. I have been thinking QB Mike Kafka in this spot. If the Cardinals don't take a QB here I think they will be targeting another ILB here and the two best bets are LB Donald Butler (6-1, 244, Washington) and LB Pat Angerer (6-0, 235, Iowa) both of whom are sideline to sideline chasers, good tacklers and solid cover LBers.
Thus, here's what I am hoping for:
Signing:
SILB Andra Davis
OLB/DE Joey Porter
WILB Larry Foote
DE/NT Nick Eason
QB Charlie Whitehurst (conditional 4th/3rd rounder in 2011)
Drafting:
1. LB Kao Misi (6-3, 263, Utah). The three OLB/DEs I was hoping for above him, Graham, Dunlap and Griffen will be off the board and Misi's versatility to play inside and outside is too attractive to pass up.
2. WR Taylor Price (6-0, 190, Ohio). Becomes the home run deep threat and speed compliment to Fitz, Breasty and Early. Can occupy the FS and keep the middle open for Fitz and Early.
3a. LB Daryl Washington (6-2, 226, TCU). At this spot is total value. Within two years is the starter at WILB.
3b. CB Dominique Franks (6-0, 190, Okalhoma). Good cover man with decent size and very good aggressiveness. Good punt returner.
4. QB Mike Kafka (6-3, 226, Northwestern). A gritty competitor who brings toughness and athleticism to the position. Could be used as a Wildcat QB initially.
6. TE Jim Dray (6-5, 247, Stanford). Whiz's kind of TE. Smart, tough, sure-handed.
7. SS Cody Grimm (5-11, 210, Virginia Tech). The new Sean Morey on STs and a backup at SS. This pick is legit, not just for the sake of nepotism!
QB: Warner-11
RB: Wells-22; Hightower-56
WR: Fitzgerald-6; Boldin-18; Breaston-34
TE: Patrick-13; Becht-24
T: Gandy-68; L. Brown-72
G: Hadnot-17; Lutui-46; Wells-81
C: Sendlein-22
NT: Robinson-33; Watson-36
DE: Campbell-5; Branch-10; Dockett-27
ILB: Dansby-19; Hayes-48
ILB: (Andra Davis-5; Foote-26; Morrison-27; Vilma-28; Ayodele-51).
OLB: Haggans-14; (Porter-22); Okeafor-26; Berry-27
CB: Rodgers-Cromartie-4; Adams-40; R. Brown-58; McFadden-89
S: Rhodes-2; Wilson-11; Ware-62; Rolle-67
K: Rackers-18
P: Graham-2
KR: Stephens-Howling-24; Breaston-205
Not sure how or why Branch is 10th and Dockett is 27th. That one is a little mystifying...but some of the other results seemed reasonable.
But...these rankings do give some credence to the consistency we saw from the likes of Campbell and Haggans...and to see that despite his frustration with the Jets Kerry Rhodes still graded out as the #2 safety, while Antrel Rolle was a distant 67. Hmmm...
I think it would be a coup for the Cardinals if they could acquire recently released SILB Andra Davis and pair him with WILB Larry Foote on the inside. Wow.
The Cardinals need thicker DEs for the 4 man rush...which is why signing DE/OLB Joey Porter is so important. He would take Bertrand Berry's spot at RDE, and at LDE Clark Haggans was solid, but I think it would be wise for the Cardinals to use the #26 pick on a thick DE/OLB type to play opposite Porter in the 4 man rush. The players that I like best in that role: Brandon Graham (6-2, 270, Michigan), Carlos Dunlap (6-6, 280, Florida), Everson Griffen (6-3, 265, USC), Kao Misi (6-3, 263, Utah) and Jerry Hughes (6-3, 257, TCU)...in that order.
I am not as high on taking a NT at #26 as others are. In today's game because of the emphasis on the passing game, the NTs play less and less...and when they do play, teams often counter by throwing the ball. It's important to have a couple of big players there, don't get me wrong. But, the Cardinals already have two solid options at NT in Alan Branch and Gabe Watson. Branch has to be a starter on this defense. He was drafted to be the NT and at his size and stength he should be a force there. He can kick down to DE at times when Watson is in at NT. It would be great if the Cardinals do acquire UFA DE/NT Nick Eason (Steeers) as he could provide depth at both spots.
But as of right now the two DEs in the 4 man rush are Clark Haggans and Cody Brown. Haggans, at his age, needs to be rotated in and out of the 4 man rush and we really don't know if the hybrid OLB/DEs Cody Brown, Will Davis, Mark Washington or Stevie Baggs can be consistently effective rushing the passer in a 4 man line. This uncertainty further confirms the need to sign Porter and draft a thicker DE/OLB type.
At the #58 spot the player I am wishing for is Kao Misi (6-3, 263, Utah), because I think he can contribute right away and is such a good, versatile athlete that he could play both on the inside and the outside the way Mike Vrable did for years with the Patriots. I worry that he will be taken prior to #58, but I think it's possible that he will be there.
If Misi is gone, I know the board is still iffy about ILB Daryl Washington (6-3, 228, TCU), because of his weight, but I think that John Lott could do wonders with him and he could be groomed to take over for Larry Foote in a year or two. Washington plays hard and tough, and is the kind of ahtlete you want on the weak side because he can chase, fill, spoil screens and cover. But, because his weight is a concern, maybe he will still be on the board at #88/#89.
If both Misi and Washington are off the board at #58, I could see the Cardinals selecting one of the three following WRs: Brandon LaFell (6-3, 206, LSU), DeMarius Thomas (6-3, 229, Georgia Tech) or Taylor Price (6-0, 198, Ohio). LaFell is a Boldin clone. Thomas is a Vincent Jackson type, and Price is a speedy (4.36) burner like DeSean Jackson, only a little bigger.
At #88...this is where I think the Cardinals could go in a number of different directions depending on what players are on the board. I had been targeting Alabama G Mike Johnson (6-6, 308) with this pick, but now that the Cardinals have signed G/C Rex Hadnot, it might be wiser to address another position at this spot. Two players that make sense to me are T Jared Veldheer (6-8, 315, Hillside)...imagine him side by side with Herman Johnson (6-7, 382), or as opposite bookends...and CB Dominique Franks (6-0, 192, Oklahoma)...yup another Dominique, and while the Cardinals may be very tempted to take Kyle Wilson (5-10, 190, Boise st.) at #26, Franks is a similar athlete who, like Wilson, adds strong value as a punt returner.
At #89...do the Cardinals make a move for QB Charlie Whitehurst (6-4, 240, 5, Chargers) here? Perhaps they can swing a deal by offering their 4th rounder in 2011, which could become a 3rd rounder if Whitehurst starts more than half the games this year.
If the Cardinals do not make a move on Whitehurst and sign Derek Anderson (6-6, 230, 6) instead, selecting a QB at this spot or in Round 4 might be in their plans. Apparently with Cardinals' QB coach Mike Miller in attendance this week, Mike Kafka (6-3, 216, Northwestern) was very impressive at his Pro Day, missing only one throw all afternoon and showing good athleticism. If the Cardinals are genuinely interested they will have to consider taking Kafka here in fear that he might not be available when they pick late in Round 4. While most will say the #89 pick is way too high for Kafka based on the current rankings, if he's the QB you want, and because the QB position is so important, you consider taking him early rather than miss out on him later...unless, that is, there's another QB you are equally high on that you believe will be on the board in Round 4.
I think it's entirely possible that the Cardinals will give up the #89 pick for Whitehurst and draft Mike Kafka in the 4th round if he is available there. That would solidify their depth at the position.
However, if the Cardinals feel comfortable in waiting on a QB in the draft, at #89 they can take a CB like Franks or the latest hyphen phenom CB Akwansi Owusu-Ansah (6-0, 205, Indiana-PA) or address the WR position by going with cat-quick, sure handed WR Andre Roberts (5-11, 192, The Citadel) or tall and sneaky fast WR Eric Decker (6-3, 215, Minnesota).
In the 4th round, the Cardinals may reach for a player they like, seeing as they do not have a 5th round pick and won't pick again until late in the 6th round. I have been thinking QB Mike Kafka in this spot. If the Cardinals don't take a QB here I think they will be targeting another ILB here and the two best bets are LB Donald Butler (6-1, 244, Washington) and LB Pat Angerer (6-0, 235, Iowa) both of whom are sideline to sideline chasers, good tacklers and solid cover LBers.
Thus, here's what I am hoping for:
Signing:
SILB Andra Davis
OLB/DE Joey Porter
WILB Larry Foote
DE/NT Nick Eason
QB Charlie Whitehurst (conditional 4th/3rd rounder in 2011)
Drafting:
1. LB Kao Misi (6-3, 263, Utah). The three OLB/DEs I was hoping for above him, Graham, Dunlap and Griffen will be off the board and Misi's versatility to play inside and outside is too attractive to pass up.
2. WR Taylor Price (6-0, 190, Ohio). Becomes the home run deep threat and speed compliment to Fitz, Breasty and Early. Can occupy the FS and keep the middle open for Fitz and Early.
3a. LB Daryl Washington (6-2, 226, TCU). At this spot is total value. Within two years is the starter at WILB.
3b. CB Dominique Franks (6-0, 190, Okalhoma). Good cover man with decent size and very good aggressiveness. Good punt returner.
4. QB Mike Kafka (6-3, 226, Northwestern). A gritty competitor who brings toughness and athleticism to the position. Could be used as a Wildcat QB initially.
6. TE Jim Dray (6-5, 247, Stanford). Whiz's kind of TE. Smart, tough, sure-handed.
7. SS Cody Grimm (5-11, 210, Virginia Tech). The new Sean Morey on STs and a backup at SS. This pick is legit, not just for the sake of nepotism!
Last edited: