With the 88th pick... The Arizona Cardinals select WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel

[DoTheDew]

Ugh, sorry but this pick ticked me off. If KW was still our QB I could understand this pick, but God help me if we go to 4 wr sets and leave Matt unprotected. I'm expecting at least one tight end in the game at all times this year to help chip block on passing downs. Levi can't handle a good DE by himself. Sure this guy is talented, but it doesn't fit a need and to waste a 3rd rounder on someone who might see the field at most 20-25% of the game on offense is nuts. You can get a return guy as a late rounder or UFA.

I don't see this as a sign we are going 4 WR sets. But this kid will take Breaston out of the return game completely which is good. He will provide depth in the likely event that Doucet gets hurt or another WR perhaps. Finally, if we can't re-sign Breaston after this year he provides a replacement. This pick is more a "long term" pick than an "instant impact."

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Still would've liked to see sapp drafted I'm third and I wonder if cards could've gonnten Roberts in the fourth. But, in Whis I trust.

 

[40yearfan]

Do you think Whis isn't salivating over this:

With NFL teams utilizing the popular "Wildcat" offense more in recent years, Roberts' ability to take direct snaps and reverses greatly added to his pedigree. In 43 direct snaps, he produced 20 first downs and set up 11 touchdown drives, as one other possession ended with a Bulldogs field goal. He had 12 carries for over 10 yards, including one for longer than 20 yards and converted six third-down carries, gaining first downs on all six rushing attempts inside the red zone.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Ugh, sorry but this pick ticked me off. If KW was still our QB I could understand this pick, but God help me if we go to 4 wr sets and leave Matt unprotected. I'm expecting at least one tight end in the game at all times this year to help chip block on passing downs. Levi can't handle a good DE by himself. Sure this guy is talented, but it doesn't fit a need and to waste a 3rd rounder on someone who might see the field at most 20-25% of the game on offense is nuts. You can get a return guy as a late rounder or UFA.

Obviously the FO saw this selection as part of a need that could not be answered later with this player.

* a 4th W/O
* a punt/kick returner

We probably won't be in a 4 W/O set often, but when we need someone, and they've decided this is the guy they want. Further: If anyone goes down no. 4 becomes no. 3 in the depth chart. And, finally we have to find someone to replace Breaston on punt returns, as we can't place him at risk.

Watch the Senior Bowl, and you'll have a better appreciation of why Gruden and Kiper raved about the pick.

 

[Syracusecards]

I don't see this as a sign we are going 4 WR sets. But this kid will take Breaston out of the return game completely which is good. He will provide depth in the likely event that Doucet gets hurt or another WR perhaps. Finally, if we can't re-sign Breaston after this year he provides a replacement. This pick is more a "long term" pick than an "instant impact."

All good points, but I still don't think you take a return guy in the 3rd round.

If this kid turns into Devin Hester then I'll gladly eat my words. But this pick just does not make sense to me.

 

[joeshmo]

Obviously the FO saw this selection as part of a need that could not be answered later with this player.

* a 4th W/O
* a punt/kick returner

We probably won't be in a 4 W/O set often, but when we need someone, and they've decided this is the guy they want. Further: If anyone goes down no. 4 becomes no. 3 in the depth chart. And, finally we have to find someone to replace Breaston on punt returns, as we can't place him at risk.

Watch the Senior Bowl, and you'll have a better appreciation of why Gruden and Kiper raved about the pick.

Agreed 4th WR has more importance in today's NFL then people realize I think. Two minute offense is primarily 4 wide sets. Combine that with other 4 wide sets mixed in to the regular O, 3 wide sets where it would be better to have a faster guy then Doucet in the game, 4-5 punt returns a game, can run the reverse, can run the wildcat they were experimenting with Rolle doing last year, maybe a special teamer as a gunner.

Our punt return game was horrible last year. It really didnt do out O any favors last year. It didnt look that way because we had Warner, but now we really need that return game to do something for our O and has become far more important.

 

[joeshmo]

Ugh, sorry but this pick ticked me off. If KW was still our QB I could understand this pick, but God help me if we go to 4 wr sets and leave Matt unprotected. I'm expecting at least one tight end in the game at all times this year to help chip block on passing downs. Levi can't handle a good DE by himself. Sure this guy is talented, but it doesn't fit a need and to waste a 3rd rounder on someone who might see the field at most 20-25% of the game on offense is nuts. You can get a return guy as a late rounder or UFA.

Well you could say the same about a 4th CB. Because that is what any CB picked in the 3rd would be on this team considering the coaches like our top 3 CB's. Combine that with the fact that our 4th CB probably plays even less then our 4th WR will this coming year because we would rather play an extra Safety instead and any CB pick in the 3rd would have even less playing time then Roberts as the 4th WR and punt return man.

 

[Catfish]

From what I have seen in his highlights, and from knowing that he went to the Citadel, I am sold on this pick. He satisfies a 4th receiver need, AND a punt returner need. On top of that, he is sure to be of impecable character and have a VERY strong work ethic and will most likely become a quiet ocker room leader. What's not to like about this for a 3rd rounder?

 

[slinslin]

Essentially we traded Anquan Boldin and a #7 for Andre Roberts.

#5 for Kerry Rhodes
#2+#3 for Darryl Washington

 

[Syracusecards]

Obviously the FO saw this selection as part of a need that could not be answered later with this player.

* a 4th W/O
* a punt/kick returner

We probably won't be in a 4 W/O set often, but when we need someone, and they've decided this is the guy they want. Further: If anyone goes down no. 4 becomes no. 3 in the depth chart. And, finally we have to find someone to replace Breaston on punt returns, as we can't place him at risk.

Watch the Senior Bowl, and you'll have a better appreciation of why Gruden and Kiper raved about the pick.

I watched the highlight reels and what I saw was him beating guys that had barely more athletic ability than me, which is not saying anything. Almost every punt return seemed like he had 15 yards to run before he even had to elude another player.

Look, I hope I'm wrong on this. But even if I am wrong, we still just used a 3rd round pick on a punt returner. With the way I expect the offense to be this year, run oriented, this guy will very rarely see the field.

As far as him being a replacement for Steve Breaston, if the Cards are smart they'll give Breaston an extension prior to the season before he lights it up as a #2 and prices himself out of our budget. He has proven to be a sure handed, humble, hard working receiver and I hope he remains a Cardinal. Instead of looking to groom behind him, they should be looking to extend him.

 

[jw7]

Agreed 4th WR has more importance in today's NFL then people realize I think

Question for the resident capologist.

Do you think contract situations factored into this? Fitz will be up in 1-2 years, Boldin is gone, and when does Breaston become an RFA?

I know we need corners but given contracts, this might make sense as BPA for position of need.

 

[Syracusecards]

Well you could say the same about a 4th CB. Because that is what any CB picked in the 3rd would be on this team considering the coaches like our top 3 CB's. Combine that with the fact that our 4th CB probably plays even less then our 4th WR will this coming year because we would rather play an extra Safety instead and any CB pick in the 3rd would have even less playing time then Roberts as the 4th WR and punt return man.

I get your logic on that, but with the way the rules are set to favor the receiver over the cb these days, I think having solid depth at cb is far more important than at wr.

Look at all these wr's that have been having breakout years. Is it that the receivers are that good or is it that the cb's can't touch them anymore?

I tend to think that now that the DB's are penalized for making any type of contact after 5 yards, the wr has a huge advantage. I'd rather have a DB that can cover within the rules than a wr that can take advantage of them. There are plenty of wr's that can do that, not so much with cb's.

Look what happened to us against NO? There are a ton of wr's that could've taken advantage of us when Rolle and DRC went out. If we had decent players behind them, it might have been a different story.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I get your logic on that, but with the way the rules are set to favor the receiver over the cb these days, I think having solid depth at cb is far more important than at wr.

Look at all these wr's that have been having breakout years. Is it that the receivers are that good or is it that the cb's can't touch them anymore?

I tend to think that now that the DB's are penalized for making any type of contact after 5 yards, the wr has a huge advantage. I'd rather have a DB that can cover within the rules than a wr that can take advantage of them. There are plenty of wr's that can do that, not so much with cb's.

Look what happened to us against NO? There are a ton of wr's that could've taken advantage of us when Rolle and DRC went out. If we had decent players behind them, it might have been a different story.

And if we had better STers and a better returner (like Roberts) maybe we would have been returning punts for TDs instead of them. Roberts is not permanent depth, the kid will be a very good WR IMO. In a few years you will regret every word you've posted in this thread, I'm sure of it.

 

[Cardiac]

Well you could say the same about a 4th CB. Because that is what any CB picked in the 3rd would be on this team considering the coaches like our top 3 CB's. Combine that with the fact that our 4th CB probably plays even less then our 4th WR will this coming year because we would rather play an extra Safety instead and any CB pick in the 3rd would have even less playing time then Roberts as the 4th WR and punt return man.

As always Joe good info.

From the video clips I also liked how Roberts was very effective with short out patterns and screens and then turned them into big gainers. This ability will be a huge help to ML.

Whis also commented on how Roberts doesn't hesitate going over the middle. All of our WR's are tough dudes.

 

[joeshmo]

Question for the resident capologist.

Do you think contract situations factored into this? Fitz will be up in 1-2 years, Boldin is gone, and when does Breaston become an RFA?

I know we need corners but given contracts, this might make sense as BPA for position of need.

I dont think it had anything to do with any of that contract stuff.

I think it was based on the fact that we needed a 4th WR to replace Urban, punt returner to replace Breaston, and special teams gunner to replace Morey.

He will get on average 5 punt returns a game, maybe more if the D plays well. At a minimum we will run the 4 wide sets 5 times a game. By minimum I mean a drastic Minimum which comes from the amount of times the Jets ran the wide set who by far threw the ball fewer times then any other team in the NFL, of which we will be more in the middle. So estimate wise we probably still run the 4 side set 8 to 10 times a game. Add in the fact that not every 3 wide set will have Fitz, Breaston, and Doucet in the package, each 3 wide set utilizes different packages which means different wide recievers which means Roberts if he pans out will also be playing in 3 wide sets from time to time as well depending on the 3 wide package they want to use. Same theory of the 3 man DL front, it isnt always going to be the top 3 starters in each of those packages.

 

[Stout]

After reading about this kid and watching his return skills, I dig it. Breaston can now just be a WR. The kid is a freak on returns, and he might be able to be our 4th WR, or our depth WR. I really wanted the IUP kid for a returner/CB in the 4th, but that's my PSAC bias showing. I'm with this pick after reading about it.

 

[joeshmo]

After reading about this kid and watching his return skills, I dig it. Breaston can now just be a WR. The kid is a freak on returns, and he might be able to be our 4th WR, or our depth WR. I really wanted the IUP kid for a returner/CB in the 4th, but that's my PSAC bias showing. I'm with this pick after reading about it.

I like all the picks so far. All of them have the things that just cant be coached and any of their negatives are very coachable.

 

[TJ]

Sig update

 

[Syracusecards]

And if we had better STers and a better returner (like Roberts) maybe we would have been returning punts for TDs instead of them. Roberts is not permanent depth, the kid will be a very good WR IMO. In a few years you will regret every word you've posted in this thread, I'm sure of it.

That's a huge maybe. Aside from Devin Hester, returners are typically dominant for a year or two. Hell, even the Human Joystick washed out after a couple seasons.

That leads me to thinking why a WR? We have 3 solid wr's in an offense that (hopefully) will feature 2 most of the time.

With KW retiring, I think we can all agree we're going to be running the ball a lot more.

So, that leaves the 5 OL, Beanie (6), Kreider (7, if signed), ML(8), Ben Patrick (9), Fitz (10), Breaston (11).

You can take out Kreider, insert Early, or another TE to run or pass block.

Point being, unless you want only 1 RB helping the OL protect Leinart (which means ML has to read the coverage and know where he's going with the ball immediately at the snap... not going to be his strong suit until he gets PT), this kid is rarely going to see the field unless on ST or if a WR gets hurt.

Darnell Dockett was a 3rd round pick. That's what I'm looking for. Somebody who has a CHANCE to compete and make a difference. With the way I expect our O to run, no fault to Roberts, I just don't see him making any contributions other than ST.

 

[jw7]

I dont think it had anything to do with any of that contract stuff.

I think it was based on the fact that we needed a 4th WR to replace Urban, punt returner to replace Breaston, and special teams gunner to replace Morey.

Understand. Thanks for the reply

 

[joeshmo]

Understand. Thanks for the reply

Plus the whole no CBA and no cap thing. I have been really aloof in the contract department this offseason.

 

[Dback Jon]

Great pic.

From the guy (me) that follows the FCS level probably more than anyone on the board, he is a stud, and a great value in the 3rd.

Southern Conference is good quality football - you might remember App State beating Michigan a few years back.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Point being, unless you want only 1 RB helping the OL protect Leinart (which means ML has to read the coverage and know where he's going with the ball immediately at the snap... not going to be his strong suit until he gets PT), this kid is rarely going to see the field unless on ST or if a WR gets hurt.

Don't you mean when?

Darnell Dockett was a 3rd round pick. That's what I'm looking for. Somebody who has a CHANCE to compete and make a difference. With the way I expect our O to run, no fault to Roberts, I just don't see him making any contributions other than ST.

If you're expecting Dockett every year from a 3rd rounder then you're delusional, but this kid will contribute. If ours hadn't sucked for so long you would know what a weapon STs can be. Also, we will likely lose either Fitz or Breatson in the next two years and WRs take a couple years to develop. I don't understand how you aren't seeing it, but this was a GREAT pick. i am done.

 

[az jam]

Andre Roberts really had a great Senior Bowl week. That is when I first noticed him. Here is what Scott Wright (NFL Draft Countdown) said abaout him during the practices at the Senior Bowl:

Nobody impressed me more today than Citadel WR Andre Roberts. To the best of my knowledge Roberts hasn’t dropped a ball all week and today he made a spectacular one-handed grab on a high throw. Roberts is without question one of the premier small school prospects in this draft and shouldn't come off the board any later than Round 3 or 4 in April.
His Senior Bowl game comments:
Citadel WR Andre Roberts had a nice game, finishing with 2 catches for 45 yards. On one play Roberts adjusted and reached back to make a terrific catch on a ball that was thrown well behind him.

 

[40yearfan]

Sig update

Holy Crap!!!! We've replaced half of our team.