Why We Wont Take An OLB In This Draft

[cardsfanmd]

Going into this draft we had 4 absolute needs. WILB, CB, Return Specialist and WR (maybe two). Then we had 4 somewhat less significant but still pressing needs in NT, SILB, TE, LT and OLB. Obviously I recognize that either our new CB or WR will most likely be a returner as well.

The WR(s) are a #4 and #5 so there is no necessity to go after them early unless you are making them the returner. In that case you will need to find your player in the third round at the latest. Guys that can play a position and excel at special teams typically aren't late-rounders (yes I know who Steve Breaston is and when he was picked). The CB however is important considering we learned all too well last year in the GB game that we have no quality depth at the position. In today's NFL you need 4 CBs who can actually play. I like Money Mike's heart, intensity and ST's play as much as anyone else, but he needs to be your #5 who is really on the active list soley based upon his gunner abilities on STs.

The WILB spot is the most important, due to the talent that is currently vacant from the position on our team. In my eyes, that meant that it was a given that we would spend our first or second rounder on the position. Now that our first is gone it is all but guaranteed that our second round pick will be the best available WILB. This is pretty much the same position we were in last year in the second round. We were forced to ignore our biggest need (OLB) in the first round because a highly ranked player from one of our secondary needs (Beanie Wells, RB) had fallen to us and was too much to resist. Going into the second round, there was little doubt that we would take the best available OLB on the board when our selection came up.

Finally, we will at most carry 5 OLBs on our roster this year. Last year we only activated 4 on game days. We have 6 right now in Haggans, Porter, Brown, Davis, Baggs and Washington. What really are the odds that a 3rd rounder is going to beat out 3 of those players and actually see the field this year? I say slim to none. I have a hard time believing that we cant/wont look to improve our team with guys who will actually play and help our team this year, such as a CB, PR/KR, TE or SILB in the third and fourth rounds.

JMHO.

 

[Buckybird]

good thoughts cardsfan, but if somehow Kindle slips to #58 (possible with knee) we cant look past him. I doubt he does though & look for a ILB to be selected.

 

[slinslin]

Going into this draft we had 4 absolute needs. WILB, CB, Return Specialist and WR (maybe two). Then we had 4 somewhat less significant but still pressing needs in NT, SILB, TE and OLB.

How was NT not the biggest or second biggest need behind WILB??

I think after the WILB pick the Cards should go BPA at OL, CB, WR, QB, OLB, SILB.

 

[slinslin]

good thoughts cardsfan, but if somehow Kindle slips to #58 (possible with knee) we cant look past him. I doubt he does though & look for a ILB to be selected.

What if the micro-fracture rumors are true? You'd waste a 2nd round pick on someone who needs 6-10 months of recovery from a potential career changing injury.

 

[Pariah]

I agree, unless there's some crazy value like Kindle at #58, we don't take--or need to take--an OLB in this draft.

 

[Buckybird]

What if the micro-fracture rumors are true? You'd waste a 2nd round pick on someone who needs 6-10 months of recovery from a potential career changing injury.

possibly, this guy has great talent. I've watched him play at UT the last 2 years, he could be special. This is where your docs play their role.

 

[cardsfanmd]

good thoughts cardsfan, but if somehow Kindle slips to #58 (possible with knee) we cant look past him. I doubt he does though & look for a ILB to be selected.

I just don't think there's a chance Kindle falls that far, unless his knee really is messed up. In that case, I don't want him.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

Some good thoughts there. Good point on the OLBs.

You didn't mention OT as a secondary need, which I think it is. If an OT drops, I would not be surprised that we go that route, even in the second round - though defense is obviously our biggest need.

Also, I do not believe we will reach for any position. If there is no acceptable ILB in round 2, we simply will take a CB, OT, TE or maybe even WR/return man that is at value or better. Reaching for an ILB who projects as a third rounder will not happen. That type of player is unlikely to get on the field this year anyway in a serious role. I think that Morrison is a wild card. If the Raiders are willing to deal him for a low round pick, I can see that.

 

[PoolBoy]

i like this, but still just don't see the glaring need for WR....

 

[Mulli]

A second or third cannot beat out Washington? Why not?

 

[Buckybird]

I just don't think there's a chance Kindle falls that far, unless his knee really is messed up. In that case, I don't want him.

I hear ya.

I still think we should take Spikes @ #58. Are we sure hayes won't have back issues again? I think Spikes is going to be a beast despite his 40 times. If I'm the Cards & he"s there I jump all over him in Rd 2. If people didnt know his 40 times he would have been gone in Rd 1 & was projected there before the combine by many. Put the tape in & watch him play.

 

[Monty]

While i dont see us taking an OLB early in the draft i could easily see one of the talented OLB drop into the fourth which the Cardinals could easily take. It is a semi position of need because when you look at the current depth there are only two proven OLB'S on the squad and both are the wrong side of thirty. There is a good chance they wont be here in 2 years time and even though i do think the Cards have faith in the likes of Davis and Brown i strongly believe they will add to the depth this year. I see them taking somebody like an Eric Norwood, Cameron Sheffield or even a Thaddeus Gibson if he falls into the fourth. If a top talent like Sapp somehow makes it into third i have no doubt the Cards would be all over him.

 

[cardsfanmd]

A second or third cannot beat out Washington? Why not?

He'd have to beat out Washington AND two others just to get to see the field. Washington is most likely going to be cut or go to the PS.

 

[Mulli]

He'd have to beat out Washington AND two others just to get to see the field. Washington is most likely going to be cut or go to the PS.

Davis and Baggs.

 

[cardsfanmd]

While i dont see us taking an OLB early in the draft i could easily see one of the talented OLB drop into the fourth which the Cardinals could easily take. It is a semi position of need because when you look at the current depth there are only two proven OLB'S on the squad and both are the wrong side of thirty. There is a good chance they wont be here in 2 years time and even though i do think the Cards have faith in the likes of Davis and Brown i strongly believe they will add to the depth this year. I see them taking somebody like an Eric Norwood, Cameron Sheffield or even a Thaddeus Gibson if he falls into the fourth. If a top talent like Sapp somehow makes it into third i have no doubt the Cards would be all over him.

This what you aren't understanding: Brown and Davis ARE the depth. You cannot draft for a position that is already filled with guys who you are not going to get rid of. How many OLBs do you think the team is going to keep? Only 53 guys are active, so you cannot afford to keep three backups for one position on the active roster. I do not want a second, third or 4th round guy to be on the non-active list all season. Also, Porter and Haggans are in great shape and both are in their early 30's.

Also, Davis is proven and Brown is a 2nd rounder. The team will not consider replacing either of them.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Davis and Baggs.

Davis isn't going anywhere. He was very impressive last year considering the circumstances and is our 1st alternate this year.

 

[Mulli]

Davis isn't going anywhere. He was very impressive last year considering the circumstances and is our 1st alternate this year.

Well, he was better than Highsmith, but I think he is replacable. MAybe next year.

 

[Buckybird]

Also, Davis is proven and Brown is a 2nd rounder. The team will not consider replacing either of them.

Davis proven? I wouldnt call his rookie campaign stellar but somewhat promising. Porter & Haggans are on getting older & possibly not on the team next year. Baggs & Washington are questions marks. Didn't we ride BB & Chike too long without replacements? If we would have had an edge rusher 2 years ago, we would have hoisted the Lombardi trophy!!! I'm not saying we have to draft one but if the Cards feel one on the board can help, we have to consider an OLB.

 

[Mulli]

Davis proven? I wouldnt call his rookie campaign stellar but somewhat promising. Porter & Haggans are on getting older & possibly not on the team next year. Baggs & Washington are questions marks. Didn't we ride BB & Chike too long without replacements? If we would have had an edge rusher who could tackle Rothlisraper, 2 years ago, we would have hoisted the Lombardi trophy!!! I'm not saying we have to draft one but if the Cards feel one on the board can help, we have to consider an OLB.

fixed

 

[Monty]

This what you aren't understanding: Brown and Davis ARE the depth. You cannot draft for a position that is already filled with guys who you are not going to get rid of. How many OLBs do you think the team is going to keep? Only 53 guys are active, so you cannot afford to keep three backups for one position on the active roster. I do not want a second, third or 4th round guy to be on the non-active list all season. Also, Porter and Haggans are in great shape and both are in their early 30's.

Also, Davis is proven and Brown is a 2nd rounder. The team will not consider replacing either of them.

How is Davis proven? yeah he looked a decent prospect AT TIMES last year but no way can you say he is proven. If he was proven Whisenhunt would've trusted him to be the starting OLB out there and you know he is not. Furthermore to say that Brown is gonna stick around on the basis the he is a second rounder is extremely naive. You have to remember that the guy has had zero playing time in the NFL going into his second year. He has to prove himself like a draft pick out of this years draft would have to and the coaching staff is not going to be having any kind of preconception about treating him differently just because he is a second rounder. There have been first rounders here with the Cardinals who have been cut after training camp cause they werent good enough and if that is the case with Cody he wont make it either, second rounder or not. So what you have beyond two veterans who are a couple of years removed from retirement at best is one rookie who took a few snaps looks promising but is nowhere near proven and a rookie that has not even taken one snap in the NFL. You think the cards would be happy going into the next few season with that and a couple of PS members? Come on you should know better then that. The roster construction is important but believe securing the future of a position is far more important and if the Cards look at their roster properly they will realise that they have to increase the depth at the OLB spot becuase they are gonna be screwed if they dont do that soon enough.

In terms of the actuall roster construction it wouldnt actually change that much if they drafted an OLB. At the moment they have both Mark Washington and Stevie Baggs on the roster in addition to Cody Brown and Will Davis. If somebody like Thaddeus Gibson is drafted he would compete with these guys and if he wins out the spot as the premier back up at the OLB spots he would push either Washington or Baggs out to the PS or out of the roster all together i.e. getting cut. I dont see why this would be such a roster headache that it seems to you.

 

[Cardiac]

Great points on both sides of the debate. If the Cards draft an OLB then I will be good with it because .....In Whis I trust. I doubt we draft one for the reasons cardsfanmd as listed.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Also, I do not believe we will reach for any position. If there is no acceptable ILB in round 2, we simply will take a CB, OT, TE or maybe even WR/return man that is at value or better. Reaching for an ILB who projects as a third rounder will not happen. That type of player is unlikely to get on the field this year anyway in a serious role. I think that Morrison is a wild card. If the Raiders are willing to deal him for a low round pick, I can see that.

AJ Edds is a 3rd rounder at WILB and would beat out Paris Lenon for the starting spot in about 3 hours IMO. I don't think you fully understand that a 3rd round ILB is a starter 99.9% of the time. Guys taken in the first couple rounds at that position are future Pro Bowlers. You talk about wanting Morrison instead, what round do you think he was drafted in?

As far as the reaching thing goes, I don't see how you do think it's possible for this team? You know who Levi and Cody Brown are right

 

[Buckybird]

fixed

mulli you're terrible

 

[Buckybird]

How is Davis proven? yeah he looked a decent prospect AT TIMES last year but no way can you say he is proven. If he was proven Whisenhunt would've trusted him to be the starting OLB out there and you know he is not. Furthermore to say that Brown is gonna stick around on the basis the he is a second rounder is extremely naive. You have to remember that the guy has had zero playing time in the NFL going into his second year. He has to prove himself like a draft pick out of this years draft would have to and the coaching staff is not going to be having any kind of preconception about treating him differently just because he is a second rounder. There have been first rounders here with the Cardinals who have been cut after training camp cause they werent good enough and if that is the case with Cody he wont make it either, second rounder or not. So what you have beyond two veterans who are a couple of years removed from retirement at best is one rookie who took a few snaps looks promising but is nowhere near proven and a rookie that has not even taken one snap in the NFL. You think the cards would be happy going into the next few season with that and a couple of PS members? Come on you should know better then that. The roster construction is important but believe securing the future of a position is far more important and if the Cards look at their roster properly they will realise that they have to increase the depth at the OLB spot becuase they are gonna be screwed if they dont do that soon enough.

In terms of the actuall roster construction it wouldnt actually change that much if they drafted an OLB. At the moment they have both Mark Washington and Stevie Baggs on the roster in addition to Cody Brown and Will Davis. If somebody like Thaddeus Gibson is drafted he would compete with these guys and if he wins out the spot as the premier back up at the OLB spots he would push either Washington or Baggs out to the PS or out of the roster all together i.e. getting cut. I dont see why this would be such a roster headache that it seems to you.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Davis proven? I wouldnt call his rookie campaign stellar but somewhat promising. Porter & Haggans are on getting older & possibly not on the team next year. Baggs & Washington are questions marks. Didn't we ride BB & Chike too long without replacements? If we would have had an edge rusher 2 years ago, we would have hoisted the Lombardi trophy!!! I'm not saying we have to draft one but if the Cards feel one on the board can help, we have to consider an OLB.

I didn't say he was a proven All-Pro, just that he is a proven NFL 3-4 OLB. The guy made the switch from a college DT to playing LB in a year!!!! He'll be fine.

Funny you should bring up the fact that we would have a SB trophy if we had an edge rusher 2 years ago. I remember being the only one on this board bitching that we made no effort to re-sign CP. You laughed when I said said he was one of the most important players on the team. Funny how time changes things huh.