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Boy, that sounds exactly like what I've been saying about Thomas Jones for the last couple of years.

Go Cards!!!

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CardinalChris

This is PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL. We are not therapists. Teams need to produce. Period. I cut Stone slack on the switch to safety, but he was switched because he couldn't beat out players he should be running circles around. That switch probably kept him from being cut last year IMO. It's not about what he can do. Everyone's point here is that he hasn't done it and with very little competition. I'd love for him to come out and play like the player many people thought we were getting in the draft. But, until he does, how can you disagree with us? His chance is every day in practice, and we don't exactly have a slew of great CBs.

In a position that requires unwordly confidence, if Mike's missing that, he will be in trouble, and we can't give it to him. He either needs to believe and prove it, or not be shocked if we bag on him. If this website is enough to crush his ego, he shouldn't be a DB in the NFL.

Prove us wrong. And I garauntee we'll be the first to praise him and eat crow. But he has TO DO SOMETHING FIRST>

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Tangodnzr

I have indeed been a Michael Stone fan (except for those gawd awful dreadlocks).

I think the thing that a lot of people overlook when it comes to Stone is that he didn't start playing football until a "late" age.
The game has been fairly new to him. I think that at least explains some of his lack of "instincts".
I think most any good player, regardless of the position, will tell you that to play at a decent level in the NFL, you can't be "thinking" too much. You have to rely on the subconscious skills you have developed through time, practice, and experience.
Stone has been behind the 8-ball, so to speak, in that respect.
How many "instinctual" players has anyone seen that really didn't start playing when they were very young boys?

Again, the "norm" in the NFL is for most players to start really being productive about their 3rd year. Even the ones who have played the game their whole life. Stone's just arriving there now.
I will continue to maintain that it has still been too early to write someone with his natural physical talents off, and has been pointed out, he's not exactly a retard, from the mental standpoint.

I have always viewed him very much like McCown. Loads of raw talent, but needing to learn a lot before they can compete at the NFL level. Great athleticism can get you by in College, but in the Pros you have to have more than that.

I do think the reality is that if he doesn't at least start showing some results this year, his NFL career could very well be over.

I said when he and Wilson were drafted, when everyone was ga ga over Fred Smoot, that they would both be pro bowlers long before Smoot ever would. So far it looks like I could be at least 1/2 right....and the rest IS still possible. Time will tell.

This will be his third year. The year I have been saying all along that is the normal time frame to start seeing whether he really has developed enough to be worth keeping.

There have been a couple of reports that he did look fairly good at times so far.

And Russ, I have to take issue with your comment that he can't even make special teams play. That is not correct. Last year he did play special teams and often was the first player down field, although I did see him seem to almost over-run the play a couple of times. I know Ed. B. dissses that by saying there was no one else left to play special teams, but I take that with a grain of salt.

maddogkf

Did you make the trek out here last December for the Cards-Lions game?

There was a group of people sitting in front of me (visitior side, in the sun, NE endzone) who were all wearing Stone jerseys.

I spoke to some of them & they said they flew in from Detroit to watch the game. Nice people!

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SECTION 11

I like the hair personally.

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Run like an antelope,
Roll like a cantaloupe.

Tangodnzr

Why does that comment not surprise me at all ?

SECTION 11

C'mon now, I gave you credit for the Stone support and everything.


I like it.

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Run like an antelope,
Roll like a cantaloupe.

Tangodnzr

BTW fooballstone,

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Eating crow seems to be a fairly steady and regular diet for many around here.

AzCards21

Yeah! I met Stones dad in the restroom. Real cool guy and pretty talkitive. That was cool. I was drunk. I'm sure he was impressed.

Tangodnzr

Thanks Sect 11.

I just happen to think that dreadlocks should be condemned as a public health hazard, no matter who wears them.

SECTION 11

I like crow. I hope Mr. Stone serves me up a five gallon bucket of it.

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Run like an antelope,
Roll like a cantaloupe.

CardinalChris

Since corners and D-Lineman are my biggest concern, I'd LOVE if Stone to prove me wrong.

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footballstone

Thank you Tangodnzr, it seems that you have done your homework. But the thing is that Mike Stone has been playing football since childhood. He started very young, but he was a wide receiver all through Junior Leagues. Then in high school, he was switched to defensive positions due to his athletisism. Have any of you guys read up on his performance in Memphis. They played Division I schools and their defense was #2 in the country. Mike Stone was called the Stone wall because nothing could ever get by on his side. My point is that I still put this recent failure on BAD COACHING.

I just spoke to Mike's father 2 minues ago, and he also puts this on BAD COACHING. HIs father concludes that anyone saying that the game skills aren't there are just wrong. He says that Mike got one of the highest scores on the Wonderlick test that all draftees take that tests their aptitude with Football game playing skills.

Let's just wait and see what happens with this new coach in place. And yes, I was one of the people in the stands wearing the #44 Jersey at most of the games. Mike has a fan club that regularly attends the games. So I have probably have met the person who mentioned this. I have to repeat though, alot of people will have to eat their words. As for the dreds, I think they're quite cute. But I am a woman. Any man who is concerned about this should reevaluate his sexual preference.

mdamien13

My biggest gripe with Stone is that he was switched to safety when we drafted him/needed him to be a cornerback. I would love to see the game start slowing down for him and hopefully with the depth we have at safety he could step back into a CB role but somehow I don't see that happening. If we excels at safety that's fine. Maybe Tango's right and this is his year. Hope so.

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EndZone

Me too.

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