Thoughts on T Levi Brown and RB Brian Leonard

[Mitch]

I went back this morning and watched the first half of the Senior Bowl...and I have to tell you...Levi Brown's performance was impeccable. His setup in pass protection is quick...he uses his long arms to perfect advantage..and maintains superb balance in a wide base...he absolutley owned DE Tim Crowder of Texas, who was practically stopped in his tracks play after play. Whenever Crowder tried to sneak an inside move on Brown, Brown countered with aplomb by knocking Crowder back to the line of scrimmage.

The one time the TE was assigned to block Crowder, Crowder ripped past him and made a crushing sack on Chris Leak.

On running plays, Brown's blocking was explosive...he registered several pancakes on downblocks, and on other plays where his job was to get to the linebackers, not only did Brown knock the linebackers for a loop, he continued downfield to block the DB.

The irony is that at the beginning of the broadcast, the NFL Newtork crew was alluding to the fact that Joe Thomas had elected not to participate in the Senior Bowl, saying that Thomas said he was having a hard time finding a treadmill while on the banquet tour.

Having watched Thomas a few times this year and watched him every play in his bowl game, I did not see the intensity, nor the power that Levi Brown possesses. Thomas was efficient...don't get me wrong...but he didn't dominate...

If you have the Senior Bowl on tape...go and watch Levi Brown...I'll tell you this, after his performance there, you may come to the conclusion, as I have, that even at #5, Levi Brown is the best choice for Whiz's system if the team wants to draft its LT there.

The other guy to keep an eye on is FB/RB Brian Leonard of Rutgers...he is a downhill runner who explodes into the hole and is a very talented pass catcher who has an ability to make defenders miss in the open field.

Leonard is not a true FB (he's not a superior straight on isolation blocker...but I don't think Whiz would draft him as such. I think Whiz would draft him to run the ball and catch passes out of the backfield.

Do not be surprised if RB Brian Leonard is taken by the Cardinals with the #38 pick.

As for the third round...keep an eye on LB Buster Davis or CB Josh Wilson if either one of them is available. Davis has a tremendous low center of gravity and he's quick to the ball and delivers textbook tackles.

Wilson is a small cover corner who breaks on the ball as well as any DB in the Senior Bowl. The thing about Wilson that he needs to change is his instinct is almost always to swing his right arm to knock the ball away in coverage, when he could easily get both hands on the ball to make the interception.

For those of you who think RG will be making the draft decisions...don't count on it. Whiz has already alerted all the scouts as what he wants...and it will ultimately come down to a group decision that will be orchestrated by RG but expedited by KW.

 

[Shogun]

I would be concerned if one DIDN'T show explosion at the Senior Bowl, because you are costing yourself money. But, unfortunately, Levi DOES seem to fit the mold of what Whiz/Grimm would want in a lineman. I still think Thomas is better overall and a much safer choice if we're to go Brown vs. Thomas. If it came down to it I'd prefer to trade down so and get him, to minimize the blow IF he were to bust and to snag more picks. Alas, I think about Houston and the Travis Johnson incident if we were to trade down, which makes me leery of it.

 

[imaCafan]

Maybe the thinking is that at least one of Brown or Thomas will be there at #5 and that's why we don't have a LT yet. Maybe they feel that either one would be better than Big or any other option that was available in FA, thus no one was signed. Yeah, reaching a bit..........

 

[Stout]

Maybe the thinking is that at least one of Brown or Thomas will be there at #5 and that's why we don't have a LT yet. Maybe they feel that either one would be better than Big or any other option that was available in FA, thus no one was signed. Yeah, reaching a bit..........

That's highly possible, but that kind of logic kills me. Besides not knowing for sure if one of them will be there, or if they actually will be better, it means we're running in place. Instead of having a LT AND being able to draft a top player in RD1, we have to have a LT BY drafting one in RD1. Ugh.

 

[wembley88]

Mitch

i was at my first and only college game in november and watched rutgers vs syracuse.

I wasnt impressed with leonard - Rice certainly caught the eye though.

Id be surprised if Leonard was a 2nd rounder

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Everything about Brown screams Leonard Davis to me. A big body who doesn't have elite athleticism and lateral movement and has serious questions about his softness and attitude.

As for Leonard, I don't any need for a day one running back. However, don't be surprised if Whiz goes for Chris Henry in the fifth. He reminds me alot of Willie Parker when he came out; subpar college performance and bad vision, but great physical tools.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch

i was at my first and only college game in november and watched rutgers vs syracuse.

I wasnt impressed with leonard - Rice certainly caught the eye though.

Id be surprised if Leonard was a 2nd rounder

Leonard took a reduced role when Rice emerged as Rutgers' go-to RB, Wembley...but Ray Rice, if he stays healthy could be a top ten pick in the 2008 draft.

Leonard is projected as a 2nd rounder by PFW, ESPN and Lindy's. His performance at the Senior Bowl was impressive...the only issue is whether Leonard is a FB or a HB...it appears that Leonard fashions himself as a HB, because he got on an intense training program and lowered his weight to 225.

There's something about Leonard...his toughness and his leadership that has scouts impressed.

I saw a lot of his games at Rutgers and was impressed with how tough, versatile and competitive he is.

While RB is not necessarily a priority in the draft, there's something about Leonard that I think fits Whiz's criteria for the type of player he wants.

All that said, I would still be a bit surprised if the Cards took Leonard in round two...but it wouldn't shock me either.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

My question to all of this is ?

WHAT IF:

Joe Thomas is taken at #2 by the Lions.

The Cardinals trade with Houston, thinking they still can get Levi Brown. Then either Washington or Minnesota takes Levi Brown.

Then Joe Staley (who I am not that high on) is taken in the middle of round 1.

Now the Cardinals are left with the #8 pick in the draft, an extra 3rd rounder, and a 6th round pick but no top prospect LT to show for it.

That is a likely scenario as any, and my biggest worry.

Not only does this leave the Cardinals in the exact same boat as last year (good team with no offensive line), it makes them look even more stupid, and cheap than they already are preceived.

I would take Thomas or Brown with the number five pick. For the reason that Joe Thomas would be a perfect pick for #5, and Levi Brown is still a reach but no by that much, and it also fills a HUGE, ENORMOUS, FESTERING, LINGERING need that has plagued the Cardinals for almost a decade.

 

[Mitch]

Everything about Brown screams Leonard Davis to me. A big body who doesn't have elite athleticism and lateral movement and has serious questions about his softness and attitude.

As for Leonard, I don't any need for a day one running back. However, don't be surprised if Whiz goes for Chris Henry in the fifth. He reminds me alot of Willie Parker when he came out; subpar college performance and bad vision, but great physical tools.

Do you have the tape of the Senior Bowl, OldDirt? Brown played with more nasty fire and power than I ever saw from Leonard Davis...and, trust me, his athleticism is impressive.

The rap on him is his inconsistent footwork...but the pro coaches worked with him all week and in the game, Brown's footwork was outstanding.

Brown is a lot more compact and balanced at LT than Leonard Davis...and his setup on pass plays is much quicker.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Do you have the tape of the Senior Bowl, OldDirt? Brown played with more nasty fire and power than I ever saw from Leonard Davis...and, trust me, his athleticism is impressive.

The rap on him is his inconsistent footwork...but the pro coaches worked with him all week and in the game, Brown's footwork was outstanding.

Brown is a lot more compact and balanced at LT than Leonard Davis...and his setup on pass plays is much quicker.

Unfortunately I didn't get to see most of the senior bowl, but I did watch a few of his games last season. I remember a few times where he'd quit on plays and where someone would blow right past him. Then on the next down he absolutely demolishes the guy. So pretty inconsistent. I don't think that he's worth the number five pick though. I wouldn't be too dissapointed if we picked him up later in the draft on a trade down with Miami or Houston, but even then I'd prefer Patrick Willis over him.

Thomas should easily be at the top of our draft board. He's the second best prospect in the draft and has no holes in his game. I think that we should seriously consider trading up for him.

 

[imaCafan]

My question to all of this is ?

WHAT IF:

Joe Thomas is taken at #2 by the Lions.

The Cardinals trade with Houston, thinking they still can get Levi Brown. Then either Washington or Minnesota takes Levi Brown.

Then Joe Staley (who I am not that high on) is taken in the middle of round 1.

Now the Cardinals are left with the #8 pick in the draft, an extra 3rd rounder, and a 6th round pick but no top prospect LT to show for it.

That is a likely scenario as any, and my biggest worry.

Not only does this leave the Cardinals in the exact same boat as last year (good team with no offensive line), it makes them look even more stupid, and cheap than they already are preceived.

I would take Thomas or Brown with the number five pick. For the reason that Joe Thomas would be a perfect pick for #5, and Levi Brown is still a reach but no by that much, and it also fills a HUGE, ENORMOUS, FESTERING, LINGERING need that has plagued the Cardinals for almost a decade.

Ditto, what he said, Word, exactamundo, from your lips to God's ears (I'm trying to say I agree)........

 

[CardinalChris]

My question to all of this is ?

WHAT IF:

Joe Thomas is taken at #2 by the Lions.

The Cardinals trade with Houston, thinking they still can get Levi Brown. Then either Washington or Minnesota takes Levi Brown.

Then Joe Staley (who I am not that high on) is taken in the middle of round 1.

Now the Cardinals are left with the #8 pick in the draft, an extra 3rd rounder, and a 6th round pick but no top prospect LT to show for it.

That is a likely scenario as any, and my biggest worry.

Not only does this leave the Cardinals in the exact same boat as last year (good team with no offensive line), it makes them look even more stupid, and cheap than they already are preceived.

I would take Thomas or Brown with the number five pick. For the reason that Joe Thomas would be a perfect pick for #5, and Levi Brown is still a reach but no by that much, and it also fills a HUGE, ENORMOUS, FESTERING, LINGERING need that has plagued the Cardinals for almost a decade.

I suppose, but both Minny and Wash have very very good LTs and pressing needs at positions rated very high in this draft (DL) Yes, we would look like a tool, but the likelihood of this happening isn't that high IMO.

 

[overseascardfan]

My question to all of this is ?

WHAT IF:

Joe Thomas is taken at #2 by the Lions.

The Cardinals trade with Houston, thinking they still can get Levi Brown. Then either Washington or Minnesota takes Levi Brown.

Then Joe Staley (who I am not that high on) is taken in the middle of round 1.

Now the Cardinals are left with the #8 pick in the draft, an extra 3rd rounder, and a 6th round pick but no top prospect LT to show for it.

That is a likely scenario as any, and my biggest worry.

Not only does this leave the Cardinals in the exact same boat as last year (good team with no offensive line), it makes them look even more stupid, and cheap than they already are preceived.

I would take Thomas or Brown with the number five pick. For the reason that Joe Thomas would be a perfect pick for #5, and Levi Brown is still a reach but no by that much, and it also fills a HUGE, ENORMOUS, FESTERING, LINGERING need that has plagued the Cardinals for almost a decade.

I would not trade down past HOU because they will take Brown. I say we should take Levi Brown at 5 as well because he would be our starting LT from Day 1. If we could either get Hughes or Staley in Round 2 and Crowder in Round 3 that would be an amazing draft.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I would not trade down past HOU because they will take Brown. I say we should take Levi Brown at 5 as well because he would be our starting LT from Day 1. If we could either get Hughes or Staley in Round 2 and Crowder in Round 3 that would be an amazing draft.

Not sure why people are so keen on taking two tackles. Reggie Wells played great last season, and all he has shown was improvement.

 

[Redsz]

I agree about Reggie Wells. If we can keep him at tackle he is going to be a good player for us this year.

I like Levi Brown and would be fine with him at #5.

 

[Stout]

Not sure why people are so keen on taking two tackles. Reggie Wells played great last season, and all he has shown was improvement.

Because we have no real depth at T. We have a starting RT, a guy who is doubtful to make a difference (Ross), and no LT at all. We also have no real hope of helping ourselves in FA in this area, thanks to Graves and company. That's why.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Because we have no real depth at T. We have a starting RT, a guy who is doubtful to make a difference (Ross), and no LT at all. We also have no real hope of helping ourselves in FA in this area, thanks to Graves and company. That's why.

I could see drafting a later round lineman, but not two first day picks. That seems excessive.

 

[Stout]

I could see drafting a later round lineman, but not two first day picks. That seems excessive.

Then, failing a miracle signing of or trade for an OT, who do we use as a backup? A late round pick? That way lies losing. We have to have at the very least one, like it or not, and that is in addition to a starter.

 

[overseascardfan]

From what Whisenhurst said he wants depth and competition, Brown & Staley would push Wells, Gorin and Ross for starting positions instead of starting by default. Besides if Staley isn't there I mentioned we should go after Hughes but Staley would probably be the BPA at our pick in the second round.

 

[Zeno]

Then, failing a miracle signing of or trade for an OT, who do we use as a backup? A late round pick? That way lies losing. We have to have at the very least one, like it or not, and that is in addition to a starter.

We can get by with Ross and Gorin providing depth for a season. Our day one draft picks have to be guys who will contribute significant playing time.

 

[Zeno]

The Cardinals trade with Houston, thinking they still can get Levi Brown. Then either Washington or Minnesota takes Levi Brown.

Washington(Samuels & Jansen) and Minnesota(McKinnie & Cook) won't draft Brown especially with the other needs both teams have...but they could trade that pick to a team that would, I suppose.

 

[Stout]

We can get by with Ross and Gorin providing depth for a season. Our day one draft picks have to be guys who will contribute significant playing time.

I highly disagree. Neither Ross or Gorin are known entities. And drafting based on need, which is what you are proposing, is not a solid strategy. I repeat this ad nauseum: you cannot rely on draft picks to become solid starters from day one. You just can't. You can hope they do, but you can't pin a season on the fact. We seem to be pinning our season on not only that, but on getting a starting LT and OLB period.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Leonard is a good prospect but i just don't see how the scouts and draft boards have him rated so highly. Yeah, he's a hard worker,has good character,and is pretty sound fundamentally but he's just not an elite player at any position. He won't be a running threat in the NFL. He's not a bulldozing blocker either. Sure, he's the kind of guy that you like to fill your roster out with but i can't see using a second round pick on a guy who may not ever see any significant time on the field. He just doesn't have a set position and won't be dominant. If he puts on some weight i can see him being a Marc Edwards type player. Nothing special ,just a journeyman guy who stays in the league for about 7-8 years and bounces around from team to team because he's a solid type player that won't hurt your team when you have to put him in there.

 

[Duckjake]

I highly disagree. Neither Ross or Gorin are known entities.

If either of those two start at LT the Cards would probably have the worst set of offensive tackles in the NFL.

Typical offensive series would go something like this:

1st & 10 Wells holding
1st & 20 Ross false start
1st & 25 Leinart sack -7
2nd & 32 James 4 yd run
3rd & 28 Boldin 32 yard pass from Leinart

 

[Zeno]

I highly disagree. Neither Ross or Gorin are known entities. And drafting based on need, which is what you are proposing, is not a solid strategy. I repeat this ad nauseum: you cannot rely on draft picks to become solid starters from day one. You just can't. You can hope they do, but you can't pin a season on the fact. We seem to be pinning our season on not only that, but on getting a starting LT and OLB period.

Ross and Gorin are both former starters, both are average players but former starters so yeah they are very much "known entities". I said they were both guys for depth not starters.

I'm not suggesting drafting for need you are--you are the one saying we need to draft 2 OTs in the first day.

I'm saying we get the best player available that can contribute immediately.