Off to the Off-Season (Defensive Line)

March 19, 2008 by Harry Greene

Again a simple reminder; games are won at line level. The Cards have more impact players on the defensive side of the ball. That said, the addition of a few key players to free up the existing players could make a good defensive team great.

Defensive Linemen

Overview
A successful defensive line pressures the passer and shuts down the run. It forces the quarterback into bad throws that lead to interceptions. If it can shut down the run, it enables both safeties to play deeper increasing turnovers and preventing big passing gains.

Sadly, last season the Cards had little success consistently stopping the run or pressuring the passer. There were flashes of success, but the hallmark of a good line is consistency that lets other units’ players worry about their responsibilities.

IMO

The overall effectiveness of this group started and ended with Darnell Dockett. He wore down as the season went on, primarily due to the lack of support and the constant double-teams he faced.

The corners took quite a bit of heat last year, but much of that was due to the failure of the defense to sufficiently pressure the opposing quarterback. If this team is to improve it must improve here.

Gabe Watson got a lot of press last season for playing better. He did, but he still didn’t play well enough to be an impact player. If this was his peak, his valley is a concern. He did not plug up the middle or contribute to shutting down between-the-tackles running. He seldom collapsed a pocket. He wasn’t terrible, but slightly below average.

No one else in the middle demonstrated play worth noticing. Alan Branch was hurt, but the underachiever tag he acquired in college may yet prove merited. The rest of the inside group were basically placeholders.

On the outside, some liked Antonio Smith’s performance. I’ll grant he played hard, but I don’t really think he was much of a threat or made any big sacks in key situations. He’s a decent reserve, but even a 3-4 needs playmakers on the end of the line.

The Cards need a force at defensive end if their style of defense is to work effectively. A better pass rushing OLB would help as well, but a versatile defensive end would have more impact.

Potential Help

Premium pass rushers are expensive in free agency and are often retained by their previous teams. Of course everyone wants a Jared Allen, but that’s the rub. Someone will take a chance on Smith, but I wouldn’t.

The draft has some players who could help immediately, but the Cards slotting makes the timing tricky. I’m passing in round one unless Calais Campbell falls to them. He’s their best shot for an all-around player.

If the possibility of getting another Simeon Rice doesn’t scare the Cards they could take Vernon Gholston. He will be at least a situational pass rusher, but will he be interested in stopping the run?

The other problem with him is timing. Take him in round one and that’s too early, though some will move him even higher after the combine. He won’t last until the Cards’ second pick.

Then there’s Tommy Blake. If the name Dimitrius Underwood scares you, you can move to the next paragraph. It is clear he has mental issues. It’s not clear if they can be medically controlled. If so and if the medication doesn’t impact his playing, he could be the best end in this draft.

You could take him in round 4. He’d be cheap and a team could win big. It could end up being a wasted pick, but you seldom get a shot at a player with this ability that late in the draft. You want to win now; you take a shot at Brown and move him in with Berry (who should be staying).

Overall

Watson and Branch will likely again be key figures in the middle. Both are thought to have more remaining upside, so the Cards will likely play out the string and hope for the best.

Chike Okeafor may see some time in a down position and is a fine player. His loss last season hurt the Cards more than losing Leinart. He was coming off of what I thought was his best season and would have been an impact player in the new system. If he’s well, the Cards take a nice step upward.

The Cards must look to draft a defensive end and preferably one who can immediately contribute. This means selecting one in round one or two; preferably one.

Still, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Cards only take a situation player on day two to help at defensive end, especially if they can get an impact OLB in rounds 1 or 2.

Posted in darnell dockett, nfl draft, nfl free agency, free agency, nfl, college, football, arizona cardinals