Todd McShay: Cardinals will NOT draft Roethlisberger...

[BACH]

Just listened to Todd McShay on Sporting News Radio. He's the senior analyst for The War Room.

He thinks that unless something unexpected happens at the personal work-outs, Mike Williams is the top player in the draft. He didn't buy Green's comments about NOT drafting Roethlisberger, but do believe Mike Williams jumps ahead of Roetlisberger on Green's draft board, hence making the Cardinals' top three: Manning, Mike Williams and Fitzgerald.

He doesn't think Williams entering the draft really hurt Fitzgerald, but is going to cost Roethlisberger millions, because the he considers Fitz a lock for the Cards and Gallery a lock for the Giants. None of the teams picking #5 - #10 need QB, so Roethlisberger falls to the Steelers at #11 or somebody trades up to #10 and takes Roethlisberger. Either way, Williams entering the draft cost Roethlisberger 7 or 8 spots in the draft.

 

[Duckjake]

This was in our local paper today- Sun the 22nd.

"Speculation swirled in Indianapolis on Saturday that Sophomore, So Cal WR Mike Williams, might take advantage of the NFL's new deadline to enter this year's draft. Williams has not yet made an announcement and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would have no comment until after the March 1 deadline."

 

[Harry]

McShay is a sharp guy and he is right in that there is no doubt Williams' entry greatly alters this draft.
1. Williams will move ahead of Roethlisberger because he has a lower bust factor and an equal impact factor, which is how you judge the top 3-5 players.
2 This eliminates any talk of the Cards trading down. Previously there was a good chance that Manning and Fitzgerald would be gone when the Cards' pick came and with Roethlisberger's bust factor (not great, but significant), I think there was a good chance the Cards would trade down. Now there is no way anyone would pass on getting one of the Mannning-Fitzgerald-Williams combo.
3. This really impacts free agency. The Cards now have to be successful with their search for a pass rusher. They could well get a decent defensive tackle in the second round, but forget getting a top pass rusher. There will be a couple of longshots available because their choice is the top on of the round, but any one of them would be a big gamble.
4. If Green sticks with his best athlete in round 2, he does benefit from the depth of cornerbacks in this draft. He could take one in round 2 and make a good argument he was choosing the best player.
5. I look for a lineman in round 3 if the first two rounds go as I have predicted (though they could well get a good CB in free agency). It's hard to argue they are the best athletes, but you have to have them to win and the Cards need depth. It may take another year, but both lines will be gutted. More of the O-line guys will be dumped than the D-line. There's more undeveloped talent to work on the D-line and Green's system requires time to throw if it is to succeed. Figure Kendal as the surest O-line guy to stay, then Davis and probably Shelton if he hustles. Beyond those the talent is limited.

 

[slanidrac16]

Originally posted by Harry

3. This really impacts free agency. The Cards now have to be successful with their search for a pass rusher. They could well get a decent defensive tackle in the second round, but forget getting a top pass rusher. There will be a couple of longshots available because their choice is the top on of the round, but any one of them would be a big gamble.

Harry, you mentioned DE Bert Berry as a solid free agent. Would he be good enough to plug in and say we now have a decent pass rusher. The way I see it , if we don't do something in free agency to help our pass rush , we will be looking at another sub 25 sack season.

5. I look for a lineman in round 3 if the first two rounds go as I have predicted (though they could well get a good CB in free agency). [/B]

I think we are totally crazy if we don't go out and get a CB in free agency. I would love Antonio Winfield. Then if we want to "reach" for a CB in the draft I can live with that.

Would Berry, Winfield and draft help be enough to make this defense"adequate"?

 

[Renz]

If Roethlisberger is going to fall past #6 then there is no reason for Cleveland to trade up. This is good news because my top three is also Manning, Fitzgerald and Mike Williams.

Best case scenario IMO is to stay at #3 and take one of those three guys.

 

[CardShark]

Now there is talk that the Redskins are shopping Ramsey. Even if they get Brunnell they still might take Roethlisberger at #5.

 

[BACH]

Originally posted by Renz
If Roethlisberger is going to fall past #6 then there is no reason for Cleveland to trade up.

I don't get this idea of Cleveland drafting Roethlisberger - the cap economics simply prevent it. The Browns have cap problems and have already $8M+ tied up in Couch and Holcomb.

 

[CardShark]

The big question is, if Williams and Fitz went 1 and 2 would the Cards take Manning?

 

[slanidrac16]

Originally posted by CardShark
The big question is, if Williams and Fitz went 1 and 2 would the Cards take Manning?

BITE YOUR TONGUE!!!

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

Yes

Originally posted by CardShark
The big question is, if Williams and Fitz went 1 and 2 would the Cards take Manning?

That's an interesting question.

It all depends if we're 100% (or there abouts) sure that Josh McCown can lead us to the promised land.

I would think that the new QB coach would have some input. He may also sway the Big Ben thing. He's played against BR for 3 years and if he's not impressed then so be it. I trust his judgement. But then again....on the other hand.

Wiliams or Fitz would be nice....but what if McCown folds or never develops?

 

[TigToad]

yes!

I'm still solidly of the mind that Manning is the best possible outcome for the Cardinals. If somehow he falls to 3, they should take him, especially if the two WRs that Green seems to want are gone.

Originally posted by CardShark
The big question is, if Williams and Fitz went 1 and 2 would the Cards take Manning?

 

[slanidrac16]

Re: Yes

Originally posted by BuckeyeCardinal
That's an interesting question.

It all depends if we're 100% (or there abouts) sure that Josh McCown can lead us to the promised land.

I would think that the new QB coach would have some input. He may also sway the Big Ben thing. He's played against BR for 3 years and if he's not impressed then so be it. I trust his judgement. But then again....on the other hand.

Wiliams or Fitz would be nice....but what if McCown folds or never develops?

Then you do what Denny Green has done several times before. We go out and sign a veteran Qb. Somebody will be available this time next year. I believe Brad Johnson will be a free agent next year.

 

[CardShark]

Green has been quoted as saying that he wants to add a veteran QB to compete for the starting job. Any word if he's looking at anyone in particular? If he does sign a veteran before the draft wouldn't that all but rule out drafting any QB? And if Williams did go 1 & 2, wouldn't that eliminate just about all of the trade value for the Cards within the top 10? If it looks like both QBs are going to still there after the Cards pick, why would anyone be willing to trade up?

 

[CardShark]

Now say the Cards sign a veteran QB and Fitz and Williams go 1 & 2, who do you think the Cards should take;
Manning, Gallery, Taylor, Udeze or someone else?

 

[Northern Card]

My sense is that we'll know whether Manning is available at no. 3 before the draft because advance negotiations will probably begin with the no. 1 choice between now and then...

 

[CardShark]

Originally posted by Northern Card
My sense is that we'll know whether Manning is available at no. 3 before the draft because advance negotiations will probably begin with the no. 1 choice between now and then...

I agree completely with that. Teams with that first pick want to know they can sign a player before they draft him. San Diego has already shown they will trade out if they can't sign any of the players they want to go #1 prior to the draft.

 

[slanidrac16]

Originally posted by CardShark
Green has been quoted as saying that he wants to add a veteran QB to compete for the starting job. Any word if he's looking at anyone in particular? If he does sign a veteran before the draft wouldn't that all but rule out drafting any QB? And if Williams did go 1 & 2, wouldn't that eliminate just about all of the trade value for the Cards within the top 10? If it looks like both QBs are going to still there after the Cards pick, why would anyone be willing to trade up?

If this scenario played out I believe the Cards draft phone would be ringing of the wall. Gallery will be a very sought after OT. If somebody wants him they will have to jump over the Giants to get him.

 

[JeffGollin]

I have a lot of respect for the War Room's analysis of players. But not as much for their ability to get inside the minds of coaches or GM's.

Prediction - If Fitz and Williams were to come off the board before us, Denny will either draft Taylor, Roeth or Manning or attempt to trade out of the spot (but not too far down like last year) to a team who has to have a QB.

My odds - Taylor 50%, Trade Down 30%, Roth or Manning 20%.

 

[BACH]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
I have a lot of respect for the War Room's analysis of players. But not as much for their ability to get inside the minds of coaches or GM's.

Prediction - If Fitz and Williams were to come off the board before us, Denny will either draft Taylor, Roeth or Manning or attempt to trade out of the spot (but not too far down like last year) to a team who has to have a QB.

My odds - Taylor 50%, Trade Down 30%, Roth or Manning 20%.

Manning or trading down. No doubt. Manning is the pick and the only thing that could change that is someone offering their entire draft.