Mitch

It's been very interesting to read where ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) rated the Cardinals by positions. Here are the rankings:

QB: 17

RB: 30

WR: 2

TE: 24

OL: 15

DL: 16

LB: 17

DB: 21

ST: 31

Here are my thoughts:

QB: 17. Uncertainty over Leinart, makes this ranking a notch below the top half (16). It would have been very interesting what the ranking would have been if the Cardinals had projected Warner as the starter. Warner still gets a great deal of respect around the league and his 27 TDs last year and red zone efficiency still generate a buzz from the analysts. My guess is that if Warner had been tabbed, the ranking would be somewhere between 9-11.

RB: 30. Everyone was expecting the Cardinals to add a speed back, to compliment Edge's 4 yards and a cloud of dust style. Unless J.J. Arrington steps up big-time this year in a complimentary role---the door is wide open for him right now and he's been progressing---expect this ranking to stay about the same.

WR: 2. This ranking is a tad generous and is based on Pro Bowl appearances, rather than sheer talent. To be #2, the Cards will have to have someone like Jamaica Rector emerge as a deep threat. Otherwise, the Cards are still a talented group of possession-type receivers, who can be jammed and shadowed in bumps and runs...but not a unit that strikes deep fear into opposing defenses.

TE: 24. Not sure what last year's ranking was...had to be in the 30s...so to be moving up the ladder here is good. If Tuman is indeed the blocker the team has lacked, and Pope and Patrick keep making highight reels, this unit actually could be a top ten by the time the playoffs start.

OL: 15. This is a surprise, isn't it? The ranking reflects two things: (1) the confidence people around the league have in Russ Grimm and (2) the expectation that the continuity (and improvement from the younger players, Lutui and Brown) will pay handsome dividends this year. One thing to worry about though is the team's o-line depth. The coaches still regret not having been able to re-sign Keydrick Vincent.

DL: 16. Not a great deal of respect here for the trio of Dockett--Watson--Smith. If Dockett has another good year...if Alan Branch or Watson emerges as a stalwart in the middle...if Smith plays lights out in his contract year, this unit might be a top ten...and the depth is there with Bryan Robinson, Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema, and Keilen Dykes.

LB: 17. The scouts here do not exactly rave about the Hayes/Dansby tandem in the middle, but they like the pass rushing potential of the quartet of Okeafor, Haggans, Berry and LaBoy. One would think that Dansby, a franchise tagged player, would make the ranking here more stellar. Interesting, indeed.

DB: 21. This seems about right, in light of the question marks regarding Wilson's health, Rolle's switch to safety, and the effectiveness of Eric Green and Rod Hood as starting corners. Pendy's soft coverage schemes don't help here either. Hopefully, Pendy will demand tighter, more aggressive coverage this year, particularly as the pass rush gets stronger.

ST: 31. It's surprising the Cards aren't ranked 32 here. The scouts question Dirk Johnson's consistency, Racker's accuracy (particularly under pressure), and the team's overall ability to defend kickoffs and punt returns. They do single out Monty Beisel and Michael Adams, however, as "feisty" tacklers. In any event, it will be interesting to see what improvements the Cards make on special teams this year, especially now that the roster is the deepest it's been in years. The decision to not sign any other punters or placekickers heading into training camp remains a head scratcher...not only for competition purposes, but for injury insurance.

We should try to return to these ranking at the mid-season and see how accurate they are then. The average of the Cardinals' rankings is 19...which would translate into a sub .500 record. Of course, good coaching and teamwork are the intangibles that turn potential talent into winners.

Stout

If we get just average play out of our O-line, we'll be in the playoffs easily.

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Crazy Canuck

WR: 2. This ranking is a tad generous and is based on Pro Bowl appearances, rather than sheer talent. To be #2, the Cards will have to have someone like Jamaica Rector emerge as a deep threat. Otherwise, the Cards are still a talented group of possession-type receivers, who can be jammed and shadowed in bumps and runs...but not a unit that strikes deep fear into opposing defenses.

They are a tad generous, but those "possession-type receivers, who can be jammed and shadowed in bumps and runs..." as you say, were fifth in the NFL in plays over 20 yards.

General Chaos

I think our LB unit is much stronger than that ranking. Who cares though, it's just a ranking.

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justAndy

Rankings, schmankings - We'll see what's what on Sundays.

Skkorpion

Thanks, Mitch. Those rankings accurately reflect our 8-8 record and shortcomings from last year. No real surprises.

Most of us believe the people we have, barring a run of injuries, will perform better next year and produce a better record. If that happens, various rankings will reflect the improvement.

Mitch

I totally agree, Skkorp. Well said.

joeshmo

I dont get this possesion WR and deep threat talk as well.

Not only 5th in 20 + yard plays but 6th in yards per reception as well.

masterphomeg

They may not run for a lot of yards after the catch, but they sure get down field before catching the ball, don't they?

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Mitch

You guys are proving my point that a #2 ranking is a tad generous when you cited that the WR unit was 5th in the NFL in 20+ yard catches and 6th in yards per catch.

cardsfanmd

If the O-line can block long enough for Fitz to get downfied he can outjump anyone for a bomb, nd Q might not catch the ball 40yds downfield, but he gets there one way or another. I see Doucet really becoming a new Q. Breaston can fly when we need that.

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"Your job is not to talk in the media or have an opinion. It's your job to go out there and produce and do what you're asked to do. We play receiver. If it comes hard, we've got to catch it. If it comes soft, we've got to catch it. If it's high, we've got to catch it. If it's low, we've got to catch it. It's part of our job description. As long the ball's coming my way, you're never going to hear me complain."

-Larry Fitzgerald

CardinalChris

I have to call shenanigans.That is not the point they were disproving. They were refuting your claim that Boldin and Fitzgerald are possession receivers who can't get deep and those two statistics show that though they lack blazing speed you have become so infatuated you think Rector is the answer to any question other than camp fodder. They use quickness, great hands, and big bodies to make great catches. I can picture him right now, nowhere near beatings his man turn his back to the defender and go get the ball before he does for a 30 yard completion. I'll take lots of those.

But my favorite is the hitch or in to Boldin and watching him run like a madman for another 15 yards, DBs bouncing off of him.

Truth is that despite being 2nd or 3rd or even 4th, they are a top tier team when it comes to receivers. Best of all they are YOUNG and getting better IMO. You make it sound like they are the 15 best tandem in the NFL, and I am sorry but a definite case can be made for their #2 ranking and for their ability to play the position and get yards.

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Mitch

I think you are over-reacting to what I said. I never said they (Fitz and Q)weren't an elite tandem...they are, no question about it. What I said was a #2 NFL WR UNIT ranking is a tad generous.

As a tandem they are top three...

However, there have also been games where teams have played press and shadow coverage on Fitz and Q and slowed them down considerably...neither one of them is a burner. Thus, with a deep threat aong side of them, it would be riskier for teams to play press coverage. That's part of the the point.

What's also the point is that beyond Fitz and Q, the unit is very inexperienced...thus making a #2 UNIT ranking again, IMO, a tad generous.

cgolden

It's almost time strap on the pads and forget about all the offseason fluff.

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Crazy Canuck

It's this flourish in you point, that was objected to: "the Cards are still a talented group of possession-type receivers, who can be jammed and shadowed in bumps and runs..."

If the highlighted was true, they'd not have their 5th and 6th. ranking.

PS: It's a rare Sunday when any DB gets a jam on either Boldin or Fitz, and their body positioning nullifies the counter to "bump and run". Shadowing only means that the DB gets a chance to make a tackle after the catch.