Cardinals’ 53 Man Roster Prediction II

August 13, 2007 by Walter Mitchell

QB (3): Matt Leinart, Kurt Warner, Shane Boyd.

Comment: Boyd sticks because he makes an excellent scout team QB because of his strong arm and running ability…which will enable the Cardinals to prepare for the mobile QBs on their schedule such as Alex Smith (Weeks 1, 12), Matt Hasselbeck (Weeks 2, 14), Steve McNair (Week 3), Jason Campbell (Week 7), Jeff Garcia (Week 9), etc. Whiz may also get creative at some point during the season and put Boyd in a shotgun goal-line package.

PS(1) Toby Korrodi–may not be played this pre-season so as not to showcase him for other teams.

RB (3): Edgerrin James, Marcel Shipp, J.J. Arrington.

Comment: Each figures to play a significant role in Whiz’s plans.

FB (2): Terrelle Smith, Tim Castille.

Comment: The coaches like Castille for his versatility ans special teams ability. He is nifty in the red zone as well, but needs to improve his blocking.

PS (1): Rashon Vercher. Look for some flashes from him late in the next two games.

TE (3): Leonard Pope, Troy Bienemann, TBA.

Comment: There’s no question the Cardinals will try to claim a blocking TE off waivers. If they are unable to acquire one, look for John Bronson to make the squad because he can block and he’s the middle wedge man on special teams right now.

PS (1): Ben Patrick. Right now he’s headed there, which for now is OK.

WR (6): Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Bryant Johnson, Sean Morey, Steve Breaston, Todd Watkins.

Comment: Breaston solidified his roster spot with two fine returns and Watkins’ speed comes in handy, both on special teams and in the offense. LeRon McCoy needs to bounce back in a big way the next few weeks, after his disappointing performance this week.

PS (2): Michael Spurlock, Matt Trannon. Spurlock could move back into the 53 man this Saturday with a good game versus Houston. Trannon is a intriguing talent.

OL (9): Levi Brown, Mike Gandy, Al Johnson, Deuce Lutui, Reggie Wells, Brandon Gorin, Brian Johnson, Nick Leckey, Elton Brown.

Comment: Johnson takes Ross’ roster spot and Wells gets switched back to tackle.

PS (2): Lyle Sendlein, Jon Hameister-Reis. The coaches like both of these players and will verse them at multiple positions on the line.

NT (2): Gabe Watson, Alan Branch.

Comment: Good young tandem in the middle for Cards.

DE (4): Darnell Dockett, Antonio Smith, Chris Cooper, Rodney Bailey.

Comment: Bailey moves up because Jonathan Lewis has been hurt and Ross Kolodziej was ineffective versus second and third stringers.

ILB (5): Gerald Hayes, Karlos Dansby, Monty Beisel, Pago Tagafau, Buster Davis.

Comment: Tagafau’s special teams’ ability and his fine play at ILB this week earns him a roster spot.

OLB (4): Bertrand Berry, Calvin Pace, Darryl Blackstock, Brandon Johnson.

Comment: The Cards may be scouring the waiver wires for help here now that Okeafor looks headed to the IR. Joe Tafoya has a golden opportunity now to impress as a pass rusher. Will he take advantage of it?

CB (4): Antrel Rolle, Eric Green, Roderick Hood, Darrell Hunter.

Comment: Hunter gave up the TD to Mike Williams, so he needs to bounce back with a good game this week. Ralph Brown was beaten deep, but the pass was incomplete. Michael Adams, despite his diminutive size, is feisty…keep an eye on him. Travarous Bain had a tough night.

PS (1): Michael Adams. This kid is a playmaker and he sticks his nose in there.

S (5): Adrian Wilson, Aaron Francisco, Terrence Holt, Hanik Milligan, Oliver Celestin.

Comment: Celestin is added because Milligan doesn’t figure as a backup SS, and because he’s a good tackler on special teams…looks a little stronger on special teams than Matt Ware, so Celestin gets the nod here.

ST (3): Neil Rackers, Nathan Hodel, Scott Player.

Comment: Scott Player looks even more goofy with the blonde Hulk Hogan staches. While he’s on the bench chillin’…check out Rackers…he paces up and down the sidelines like he’s just chugged three cans of Jolt. Man…Rackers is pure adrenaline! Hodel is a real pro…always hustling.

Summary of Changes:

Added from last week (6): G Brian Johnson, TE TBA, DE Rodney Bailey, ILB Pago Tagafau, OLB Brandon Johnson, S Oliver Celestin.

Dropped from last week (6): T Oliver Ross, TE Ben Patrick, DE Jonathan Lewis, LB Chike Okeafor, S Matt Ware.

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