Wanna win now, huh ? Then the 1st round pick is......

[cardpa]

BA let it slip at the PC. Talking about how there's great OL early in the draft and we need to add a couple pieces. Palmer will have more talent in front of him.

I picked up on that too. I think they take either Jockel, Fisher or Warmack whoever is left at the #7 spot. To me it's a no brainer. I truly think BA thinks Levi can be a much better tackle with some honest to goodness good coaching. Not sure Levi is elite however I have always said that Levi needs better coaching than anything Grimm ever had to offer. I also suspect that the blocking schemes will be very different and will play better to the strengths of the Oline therefore making Levi a better player.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

...wait ...huh?

Dion Jordan is the only player that's not a risk at #7. But Alex Okafor is the same risk as Jordan? Then wouldn't both of them not be a reach at #7?

Yeah, it gets complicated in my brain.

The only way I can answer this post is by saying, just pick Warmack.

 

[Catfish]

it just so happened that BPA is likely to be our biggest need. Lucky really

Brandon, there is an expression that says, 'you make your own luck'. There is some truth to that.

I believe that our staff and front office have worked very diligently to put us in position to 'get lucky' with this draft. I believe that they have filled enough needs through free agency, that we can now use the draft, (and BPA, to take either OL or Pass Rusher with the first two picks, and then to address Safety and TE with the next two picks), and be lucky enough to have it be BPA, (or so close to it), that the difference is not noticeable.

Their hard work through free agency has put them in position to do this. This is no accident. I am thrilled with their accomplishments in the short time they have been together. This is a whole new chapter of 'one heartbeat', one 'singularity of purpose'. It has been caused by what are now called Cardinal's decisions, derived from a commonly agreed to plan, with a consensus choice after full consideration and discussion.

This management team, led by Michael Bidwill, (representing ownership), Steve Keim, (representing the front office), Bruce Arians, (representing the coaching staff), and John Licht, (representing the scouting department), have quickly become one of the most efficient, effective, and talented management groups that I have ever seen put together in the NFL. All of them have bought into the concept, and all of them work well together toward that end. This has been the most amazing two months that I have ever encountered in the time that I have followed the NFL, and it has happened during the 'Off-Season'. I am VERY anxious to see how their final product performs on the field. This could REALLY be fun!!!!!

 

[Duckjake]

I believe that they have filled enough needs through free agency, that we can now use the draft, (and BPA, to take either OL or Pass Rusher with the first two picks, and then to address Safety and TE with the next two picks), and be lucky enough to have it be BPA, (or so close to it), that the difference is not noticeable.

What needs have they filled through free agency other than the ones they created? What you have listed are the same positions they needed to address in the draft that they needed to back in December plus they now need a Safety as well. So in actuality the Cards have increased the positions they need to address in the upcoming draft. Though it could be argued that ILB has been eliminated as a need which would make it an even swap.

The Cards got a break when Palmer became available. The difference in this group and the last is that the new guys were actually able to get Palmer to Arizona without giving away the farm. That one signing changed the entire off season for the Cardinals. And they deserve praise for that accomplishment.

 

[kerouac9]

What needs have they filled through free agency other than the ones they created? What you have listed are the same positions they needed to address in the draft that they needed to back in December plus they now need a Safety as well. So in actuality the Cards have increased the positions they need to address in the upcoming draft. Though it could be argued that ILB has been eliminated as a need which would make it an even swap.

The Cards got a break when Palmer became available. The difference in this group and the last is that the new guys were actually able to get Palmer to Arizona without giving away the farm. That one signing changed the entire off season for the Cardinals. And they deserve praise for that accomplishment.

While I'm in a good mood and optimistic for the Cards' season, I'd add here that the difference between this group and the previous management team is that this group (reportedly) anticipated the possibility of Palmer's availability, and jumped when the chance became available.

One of my biggest issues with Graves was the he would seem taken by surprise too frequently by the movements of the market, many of which were really quite predictable. He lost his job because of the Kevin Kolb acquisition, but he provided additional cause for giving $10M to Stewart Bradley in a market where ILBs were out there for one year, $2M contracts.

 

[Cheesebeef]

What needs have they filled through free agency other than the ones they created? What you have listed are the same positions they needed to address in the draft that they needed to back in December plus they now need a Safety as well. So in actuality the Cards have increased the positions they need to address in the upcoming draft. Though it could be argued that ILB has been eliminated as a need which would make it an even swap.

agreed.

 

[Seandonic]

Win now=Warmack.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

I love you guys but some of you make no sense. Why would anyone take the 3rd best tackle in the draft when you can have the best guard prospect in possibly the last decade? Especially when most agree that we have less talent at guard then we do tackle? That makes absolutely no sense to me. Lane Johnson over Levi is at best a marginal upgrade and wont help the run game at all. Warmack over colledge has potential to be a huge upgrade, especially in the run game.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

I love you guys but some of you make no sense. Why would anyone take the 3rd best tackle in the draft when you can have the best guard prospect in possibly the last decade? Especially when most agree that we have less talent at guard then we do tackle? That makes absolutely no sense to me. Lane Johnson over Levi is at best a marginal upgrade and wont help the run game at all. Warmack over colledge has potential to be a huge upgrade, especially in the run game.

+1, though Warmack over Snyder is an even bigger upgrade...

 

[JeffGollin]

I love you guys but some of you make no sense. Why would anyone take the 3rd best tackle in the draft when you can have the best guard prospect in possibly the last decade? Especially when most agree that we have less talent at guard then we do tackle? That makes absolutely no sense to me. Lane Johnson over Levi is at best a marginal upgrade and wont help the run game at all. Warmack over colledge has potential to be a huge upgrade, especially in the run game.

While unlikely, it's conceivable that the top 3 OT's are all rated by the Cardinals better than the top OG (even if, as you say, he's the best in a decade. The determining factor isn't whether a 3rd rated OT is better than a 1st or 2nd rated OG but, instead, which player is better than another player one on one).

Your evaluation of Warmack and Lane Johnson - while certainly passionate - aren't necessarily as slam-dunk as you make it out to be.

That said - I have Warmack rated higher than Johnson, but that doesn't make me (or you) right. We each stack our Boards individually and it's quite possible they vary significantly.

 

[CardsFan88]

While I'm in a good mood and optimistic for the Cards' season, I'd add here that the difference between this group and the previous management team is that this group (reportedly) anticipated the possibility of Palmer's availability, and jumped when the chance became available.

One of my biggest issues with Graves was the he would seem taken by surprise too frequently by the movements of the market, many of which were really quite predictable. He lost his job because of the Kevin Kolb acquisition, but he provided additional cause for giving $10M to Stewart Bradley in a market where ILBs were out there for one year, $2M contracts.

Bingo

 

[Chopper0080]

I prefer either Warmack or Cooper, but I expect the pick to be Lane Johnson which I am ok with. An OLB makes a bunch of sense, but I think Dion Jordan goes #2 and I am not totally sold on Jarvis Jones, Mingo and Damontre Moore. Personally, I prefer Cornellius Carradine in the 2nd or Jaime Collins in the 3rd to any of these other three.

 

[kerouac9]

I prefer either Warmack or Cooper, but I expect the pick to be Lane Johnson which I am ok with. An OLB makes a bunch of sense, but I think Dion Jordan goes #2 and I am not totally sold on Jarvis Jones, Mingo and Damontre Moore. Personally, I prefer Cornellius Carradine in the 2nd or Jaime Collins in the 3rd to any of these other three.

Lane Johnson makes too much sense. That Wolfley is pimping him more or less clinches that he's the Cards' guy.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Lane Johnson makes too much sense. That Wolfley is pimping him more or less clinches that he's the Cards' guy.

Didn't Jurecki say the Cards didn't like Johnson? I'm sure Wolfley is more in tune with the Cards thinking but, are there conflicting reports out there?

 

[vinnymac]

Or is Wolf sending smokescreens to other teams so the Cardinals can have potential trade partners? I am on the Warmack bandwagon.

 

[Cardiac]

I read a post on a thread where someone(s) posted that drafting a LT could improve 2 positions on the Oline. Maybe Levi or Massie or Potter can be moved to OG and be an upgrade over College and or Snyder.

I don't believe Levi is an elite LT but I do think he is a good LT and a very good RT. As fans we tend to remember the worst of some players and forget the good. Levi has a history of starting the season slow and then playing good to great in the 2nd half of a season. The fact that he is coming off an injury is why I prefer drafting a LT at 7 if we do draft an Olineman. My true preference is an OLBer who can be an elite pass rusher.

 

[Duckjake]

I read a post on a thread where someone(s) posted that drafting a LT could improve 2 positions on the Oline. Maybe Levi or Massie or Potter can be moved to OG and be an upgrade over College and or Snyder.

I don't believe Levi is an elite LT but I do think he is a good LT and a very good RT. As fans we tend to remember the worst of some players and forget the good. Levi has a history of starting the season slow and then playing good to great in the 2nd half of a season. The fact that he is coming off an injury is why I prefer drafting a LT at 7 if we do draft an Olineman. My true preference is an OLBer who can be an elite pass rusher.

I watched some of the late 2011 season. Levi did not look great at all. In fact Potter looked as good or better late in 2012.

One thing I did note is that Massie is a very athletic Tackle.

 

[Cardiac]

I watched some of the late 2011 season. Levi did not look great at all. In fact Potter looked as good or better late in 2012.

One thing I did note is that Massie is a very athletic Tackle.

Hey Duck, you do a lot of tape review so I have to ask if my perception of Potter getting more help than Levi is accurate. I do recall starting in the middle of last year that we were keeping TE's in more to help out.

Do you have the knowledge on when the Oline slides protection to one side of the line or other? I hear the term and think I know what it means but don't think I could point it out or explain which Olineman is responsible for which defender.

Is it possible Potter looked better because he was getting a lot more help then Levi ever did?

I agree Massie looks great. May be the most athletic looking OT we have ever had, he just looks BIG and not sloppy at all.

So if we go Oline I want it to be a LT, slide Levi to RG and let Snyder battle it out with Sendlein and College for a starting spot. The question is does Levi able to pull as well as expected from an OG?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Lane Johnson makes too much sense. That Wolfley is pimping him more or less clinches that he's the Cards' guy.

I think you are spot on with this. Apparently has a ton of upside as he is still learning OT. John Lott would make him a beast.

Anyone have understanding of Lane or studied Video tape? OkieCardfan?

 

[Duckjake]

Hey Duck, you do a lot of tape review so I have to ask if my perception of Potter getting more help than Levi is accurate. I do recall starting in the middle of last year that we were keeping TE's in more to help out.

Do you have the knowledge on when the Oline slides protection to one side of the line or other? I hear the term and think I know what it means but don't think I could point it out or explain which Olineman is responsible for which defender.

Is it possible Potter looked better because he was getting a lot more help then Levi ever did?

I agree Massie looks great. May be the most athletic looking OT we have ever had, he just looks BIG and not sloppy at all.

So if we go Oline I want it to be a LT, slide Levi to RG and let Snyder battle it out with Sendlein and College for a starting spot. The question is does Levi able to pull as well as expected from an OG?

I didn't notice Potter getting any extra help. What I did notice was the passes Lindley was throwing were short and quick. And sailed away to who knows where.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

While I'm in a good mood and optimistic for the Cards' season, I'd add here that the difference between this group and the previous management team is that this group (reportedly) anticipated the possibility of Palmer's availability, and jumped when the chance became available.

One of my biggest issues with Graves was the he would seem taken by surprise too frequently by the movements of the market, many of which were really quite predictable. He lost his job because of the Kevin Kolb acquisition, but he provided additional cause for giving $10M to Stewart Bradley in a market where ILBs were out there for one year, $2M contracts.

 

[WildBB]

I think you are spot on with this. Apparently has a ton of upside as he is still learning OT. John Lott would make him a beast.

Anyone have understanding of Lane or studied Video tape? OkieCardfan?

He wouldn't be inserted into the starting lineup until they are out of contention or Levi just blows there. He needs to bulk up for a year and get some excellent coaching. Sky is the limit here for him. Has to work on technique and a little still on footwork as he has only played the position for two years. But is HE EVER ATHLETIC!!

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1700429

They could be baiting SD or Miami to move up to try and grab him, but even if they did move up Oakland, Philly, Clevland or Detroit would be more obvious trade partners.

 

[Chopper0080]

For those who are curious about Lane Johnson, he is really good and just does not have a ton of experience at LT. That being said, I saw him shut down Damontre Moore last season, and if I recall correctly, I think he also shut down Jackson Jeffcoat.

 

[Totally_Red]

I think you are spot on with this. Apparently has a ton of upside as he is still learning OT. John Lott would make him a beast.

Anyone have understanding of Lane or studied Video tape? OkieCardfan?

No. I watched one game in person versus Iowa State and he was dominant. That is not a ringing endorsement, just a statement that in one game at least he was very good against an average Big-12 defense.

I love the guy's potential especially with the improved O-line coaching that BA's staff should produce.

That said, I'll be elated with any of Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson, Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper.

The reason I prefer Fisher and Johnson over the excellent guards is that it moves Levi back to right tackle where he belongs IMO. I just am not comfortable with Levi blocking Aldon Smith and Clemons period!

 

[kerouac9]

Or is Wolf sending smokescreens to other teams so the Cardinals can have potential trade partners? I am on the Warmack bandwagon.

I'll never understand this point of view. Do you (and others in the "sending smokescreens!" camp) really believe that there is a single team in the NFL who has the time, staff, or inclination to monitor talk radio in 31 other cities to get a gauge of what media reports are saying about a team's interest in so-and-so prospect?

They might have some interest in having an intern or someone screen what other teams' coaches or general managers have to say about a prospect, but they're more likely to just note who's having an official visit where (this is probably a bigger deal than we realize, since Denny Green was notoriously secretive about whom was being brought in for workouts) and who's scouts and principals are visiting which Pro Day.

Anyone who believes that Jerry Jones or Said Khan have a staff member tuning in to 3 hours of The Sports Zone every day are completely unhinged.

Hey Duck, you do a lot of tape review so I have to ask if my perception of Potter getting more help than Levi is accurate. I do recall starting in the middle of last year that we were keeping TE's in more to help out.

Do you have the knowledge on when the Oline slides protection to one side of the line or other? I hear the term and think I know what it means but don't think I could point it out or explain which Olineman is responsible for which defender.

Is it possible Potter looked better because he was getting a lot more help then Levi ever did?

I agree Massie looks great. May be the most athletic looking OT we have ever had, he just looks BIG and not sloppy at all.

So if we go Oline I want it to be a LT, slide Levi to RG and let Snyder battle it out with Sendlein and College for a starting spot. The question is does Levi able to pull as well as expected from an OG?

I'm going to do a review of a couple of Levi's late 2012 games and a couple of late 2013 games later this week or next. I know I did a tally of who's getting help early in the season in a coaching tape breakdown, and Potter was getting SIGNIFICANT help in whatever game I watched.

He wouldn't be inserted into the starting lineup until they are out of contention or Levi just blows there. He needs to bulk up for a year and get some excellent coaching. Sky is the limit here for him. Has to work on technique and a little still on footwork as he has only played the position for two years. But is HE EVER ATHLETIC!!

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1700429

They could be baiting SD or Miami to move up to try and grab him, but even if they did move up Oakland, Philly, Clevland or Detroit would be more obvious trade partners.

I think Lane Johnson could start immediately at either guard position and eventually get kicked out to tackle. He moves well enough that he can play in a primarily zone-blocking scheme, and physical enough that he can play in a man/pulling scheme, even at guard. This comment will piss off Rugby.

If we go safety (doubtful) or rush linebacker (possible) at #7, we could take a chance on getting Kyle Long, OL, Oregon in the second round.