Do you like his drafts enough to name an award after him?
non sequitur BIM
They’re trying to build a culture around whatever history they have. Graves is from a multi-generational scouting tradition and respected around the league.
He just moved a little slow in his actions as GM, but that might have been because ole man Bidwill was holding him back. He was also one of the first men of color which held such a high position in a NFL front office, which carries a certain principle that one who supports the Cardinals should be proud of
Or rather Denny Green
Let's be honest, the bar is set pretty low around here. Keim is the best GM we've ever had, followed by Graves at #2.
Well I’ll try to be brief. Graves made the worst trade in Az Cards history during the draft. With Terrell Suggs there to be picked, he traded the pick for Calvin Pace & Bryant Johnson. That‘s a many time Pro Bowler for 2 mediocre performers. Despite the Cards sadly having terrific draft position almost every year, he drafted many weak choices & seemed to have a penchant for future medical cases. He oversaw 12 drafts. The other bad first rounders included Dan Williams, Matt Leinart, Wendell Bryant, Leonard Davis & probably Thomas Jones. Second round picks included Kyle Vanden, Michael Stone, LeVar Fisher, Cody Brown, Alan Branch & Ryan Williams. A few of these guys did better elsewhere, but Graves was picking the coaches too. In fairness he did have some big hits, but considering where the Cards were typically drafting, missing about half the time is not a result that typically gets an award named after you. BTW you need to look up the definition of non-sequitur. It’s virtually impossible to ask for further information and be guilty of a non-sequitur remark.
I’m not disputing Graves was a decent guy. I’d be okay with naming an award after him like one for representing the best in executive conduct. My problem is naming a scouting award after him. I think it was progressive and long overdue naming him GM, but let’s not lose sight that he was discharged from that position. He deserved better than the shot Dollar Bill gave him, but you have to play the cards you’re dealt, even if you deal them to yourself.
This is just inaccurate. He timed more slowly than expected but he was otherwise considered to be passrushing demon and it was a shock the cardinals passed on him.
the rumor was that Mike B -- in his first real spot of authority - was concerned about a long and acrimonious first round hold out by the local hero -- Suggs was using Gary Wichard, who was known for stuff like that.
Ironically, if true, that’s a very billy b reason not to draft Suggs.
I saw that and thought the exact same thing.
I’d like a source that supports your definition of non-sequitur. Of course it’s Latin and simply translates as “It does not follow.” How a clarifying request via question could fit what you allege might lead one to say you seem to be trying to obfuscate the issue. Your Suggs point sort of helps my position. Suggs did have a bad combine. So Graves was left with making an independent talent evaluation; a scouting call, choose Suggs play or his workout. Consider what Rex Ryan said, “Ozzie (Newsome) occasionally would have me look at some of the top players before the draft, and he had me look at Suggs,” said Ryan, now an NFL analyst with ESPN. “I looked at him and said, ‘You have to be kidding me. There’s no way in hell he’s going to be there when we pick.’ He said, ‘You know, Rex, he ran a bad 40.’ I said, ‘Ozzie, all people have to do is watch the tape.” That’s what a good ”scout” does. As you apparently missed the fact I said some of the people I listed did perform better elsewhere. Davis played left tackle for the final 20 games of his Texas career. Davis did not distinguish himself at guard as a Card. So when Shelton’s play declined and Clement left, Davis was the logical choice to try at tackle. The fact the Cards chose not to franchise Davis fairly well says it all. So much of drafting is about fit. Jones running style wasn’t a fit. I can‘t prove Branch dogged it, but he played in 47 games and only made 68 tackles. Vanden Bosch was ordinary at best with the Cards. Again he fit other defensive schemes better. Also he was on the list as one of the injured picks. He missed the entire 2003 season, for example.
