Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
A. Missing pieces. The Cardinals may want to consider adding some players at the following positions:
1. Offensive Tackle. The depth is thin...and the jury is still out on Jeremy Bridges, especially as a run blocker.
2. Blocking Fullback. Who blocks if Bronson gets hurt?
3. Blocking Tight End. Can any of the incumbents block well enough?
4. Defensive End. If Pace stays at OLB...
5. Cornerback. The youth there is intriguing...but...
6. #3 Quarterback. Is there a stronger option than Navarre or Davey?
B. The Cardinals have a number of players that, IMO, would have trade value if the team needed to strengthen areas of weakness:
They are:
1. DT Darnell Dockett. He's plenty disruptive at times, but for whatever reason doesn't finish off plays or get to the ball with great regularity. Still has plenty of upside entering his third year...and teams looking for an upgrade at DT might be willing to give up a quality player to get him.
Why trade Dockett? With the tandem of Langston Moore and Gabe Watson lookin stout at NT, it's quite possible that Kendrick Clancy could wind up being the starter at UT. Rookie Jonathan Lewis has looked good rotating in...and the team can use Antonio Smith there when need be. The depth at UT would enable the club to listen to offers for Dockett.
2. DT Kendrick Clancy. With the depth at NT and UT...sure the Cards could listen to offers. Obviously, the Giants miss him and he is generally well regarded around the league.
Why trade Clancy? Same reasons above.
3. C Alex Stepanovich. It wouldn't be surprising if Cleveland would be very inetersting in acquiring this Ohio St. grad, especially in light of their void at center.
Why trade Stepanovich? If Reggie Wells gets switched over to center...the team would have Wells as the starter and Nick Leckey as a solid backup.
4. WR Bryant Johnson. One look at Saturday's game tape would have several WR thin teams drooling at the prospect of adding Johnson...who fits the bill as a #2 WR.
Why trade Johnson? If the return on him is dynamic...the team has depth at WR with LeRon McCoy, Carlyle Holiday, Todd Watkins and Michael Spurlock.
5. CB David Macklin. He's a seasoned veteran now and has fair value because he's a solid, albeit unspectacular, starter.
Why trade Macklin? If Eric Green is ready to start...and the team likes Lamont Reid and Darrell Hunter or a good CB added in another trade...Macklin could be had for the right deal.
6. P Scott Player. Regarded as one of the best and most consistent punters in the game.
Why trade Player? If the team likes Fred Capshaw enough...and can get good return on Player from a team with a desperate need for a top flight punter...why not?
Should the Cards trade any of these players?
Probably not.
I'd like to see them keep the current WR and DT depth...so unless there is an incredible offer for any of these guys...it's best to keep them.
The one scenario that might be intriguing is if Cleveland offered T Nate Dorsey for Stepanovich. That's a deal that could very much help both teams.
C. Veteran vs. Youth Training Camp Battles to Watch this Week:
1. PR Troy Walters and PR Michael Spurlock. Spurlock has been getting some good raves about his receiving skills...and we saw him make two smooth catches from the slot Saturday. If his punt returns are good this week...this really could be a battle. And it's still possible that both players might make the roster.
2. FS Robert Griffith and FS Aaron Francisco. Griffith has the veteran presence and stronger knowledge of the defense, but Francisco is more athletic and instinctive...and seemingly a better fit at FS.
3. MLB James Darling and MLB Gerald Hayes. Darling has been steady and reliable. Hayes opened some eyes last week with a very strong return to the field. Physically, Hayes is the more proto-typical MLB...more of a power player than finesse.
4. P Scott Player and P Fred Capshaw. Probably a moot point, but hey, if picture perfect 51 yard punts with serious hangtime don't get your attention, what will?
Happy days in Cardinal Country today!
1. Offensive Tackle. The depth is thin...and the jury is still out on Jeremy Bridges, especially as a run blocker.
2. Blocking Fullback. Who blocks if Bronson gets hurt?
3. Blocking Tight End. Can any of the incumbents block well enough?
4. Defensive End. If Pace stays at OLB...
5. Cornerback. The youth there is intriguing...but...
6. #3 Quarterback. Is there a stronger option than Navarre or Davey?
B. The Cardinals have a number of players that, IMO, would have trade value if the team needed to strengthen areas of weakness:
They are:
1. DT Darnell Dockett. He's plenty disruptive at times, but for whatever reason doesn't finish off plays or get to the ball with great regularity. Still has plenty of upside entering his third year...and teams looking for an upgrade at DT might be willing to give up a quality player to get him.
Why trade Dockett? With the tandem of Langston Moore and Gabe Watson lookin stout at NT, it's quite possible that Kendrick Clancy could wind up being the starter at UT. Rookie Jonathan Lewis has looked good rotating in...and the team can use Antonio Smith there when need be. The depth at UT would enable the club to listen to offers for Dockett.
2. DT Kendrick Clancy. With the depth at NT and UT...sure the Cards could listen to offers. Obviously, the Giants miss him and he is generally well regarded around the league.
Why trade Clancy? Same reasons above.
3. C Alex Stepanovich. It wouldn't be surprising if Cleveland would be very inetersting in acquiring this Ohio St. grad, especially in light of their void at center.
Why trade Stepanovich? If Reggie Wells gets switched over to center...the team would have Wells as the starter and Nick Leckey as a solid backup.
4. WR Bryant Johnson. One look at Saturday's game tape would have several WR thin teams drooling at the prospect of adding Johnson...who fits the bill as a #2 WR.
Why trade Johnson? If the return on him is dynamic...the team has depth at WR with LeRon McCoy, Carlyle Holiday, Todd Watkins and Michael Spurlock.
5. CB David Macklin. He's a seasoned veteran now and has fair value because he's a solid, albeit unspectacular, starter.
Why trade Macklin? If Eric Green is ready to start...and the team likes Lamont Reid and Darrell Hunter or a good CB added in another trade...Macklin could be had for the right deal.
6. P Scott Player. Regarded as one of the best and most consistent punters in the game.
Why trade Player? If the team likes Fred Capshaw enough...and can get good return on Player from a team with a desperate need for a top flight punter...why not?
Should the Cards trade any of these players?
Probably not.
I'd like to see them keep the current WR and DT depth...so unless there is an incredible offer for any of these guys...it's best to keep them.
The one scenario that might be intriguing is if Cleveland offered T Nate Dorsey for Stepanovich. That's a deal that could very much help both teams.
C. Veteran vs. Youth Training Camp Battles to Watch this Week:
1. PR Troy Walters and PR Michael Spurlock. Spurlock has been getting some good raves about his receiving skills...and we saw him make two smooth catches from the slot Saturday. If his punt returns are good this week...this really could be a battle. And it's still possible that both players might make the roster.
2. FS Robert Griffith and FS Aaron Francisco. Griffith has the veteran presence and stronger knowledge of the defense, but Francisco is more athletic and instinctive...and seemingly a better fit at FS.
3. MLB James Darling and MLB Gerald Hayes. Darling has been steady and reliable. Hayes opened some eyes last week with a very strong return to the field. Physically, Hayes is the more proto-typical MLB...more of a power player than finesse.
4. P Scott Player and P Fred Capshaw. Probably a moot point, but hey, if picture perfect 51 yard punts with serious hangtime don't get your attention, what will?
Happy days in Cardinal Country today!
