Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Josh Weinfuss' of ESPN:
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals open training camp on July 22 at University of Phoenix Stadium here. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (2): Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton
Palmer is a gimme. Stanton will survive a long competition against Blaine Gabbert during training camp, because he’s more familiar with the offense -- having played in it since 2012 -- and coach Bruce Arians likes familiarity with his backups. That’s exactly what Stanton provides.
RUNNING BACKS (4): David Johnson, Andre Ellington, T.J. Logan, Chris Johnson
Arizona could easily keep five running backs (with Eli Penny joining the group), considering Ellington was once slated as a wide receiver this year. But everyone behind David Johnson needs to show they can play special teams at a high level in order to see the field, because he will rarely be coming out this season.
WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, Aaron Dobson, Chad Williams, Jeremy Ross
The first four are now staples on the roster. Dobson and Ross are veterans who add size. Williams is a third-round pick who is freaky fast and can be a playmaker at this level. Arians has said this year’s receivers room is the deepest he has ever been around, which will make cutting it down extremely difficult.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, Ifeanyi Momah, Hakeem Valles
The fourth tight end spot will likely end up being a battle between Valles and Ricky Seals-Jones, an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M. But if Valles wins the job, Seals-Jones could end up on the practice squad, waiting for his break. And that might come early, if Niklas can’t break his habit of getting injured.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): T Jared Veldheer, G Evan Boehm, C A.Q. Shipley, G Mike Iupati, T D.J. Humphries, G Dorian Johnson, G Cole Toner, T Will Holden.
For years, offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin has stressed “position flexibility.” Well, now he has it. Basically, all eight of the offensive linemen can play multiple positions, including Toner, who can play four of the five.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Rodney Gunter, Josh Mauro, Robert Nkemdiche, Corey Peters, Frostee Rucker, Ed Stinson, Olsen Pierre, Xavier Williams
The responsibility of replacing Calais Campbell up front won’t be on one player, although Nkemdiche is the likely candidate to fill Campbell’s vacated starting spot. As a unit, this year’s defensive linemen will fill in for Campbell -- now with the Jacksonville Jaguars -- by committee. There’s a familiarity and understanding among them with the scheme they run.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (3): Chandler Jones, Markus Golden, Jarvis Jones
Last season, Jones played 86.8 percent of the defense’s snaps, and Golden played in 70.5 percent. In other words, those two rarely came off the field, so the Cardinals don’t need to stockpile their roster with outside linebackers. Jones is a former first-round pick whose talent might be rekindled in a new setting, and, if needed, defensive coordinator James Bettcher can turn to rookie Haason Reddick, who is a converted defensive end.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Haason Reddick, Deone Bucannon, Karlos Dansby, Alani Fua, Scooby Wright
Bucannon is out after ankle surgery, so Reddick will start from Day 1. And depending on how Dansby looks at age 35, Bucannon might be slow to return to the lineup when he’s healthy. The other option is that Bucannon is inserted back into the rotation the day he’s cleared. Fua and Wright are standout special-teamers, which will punch their tickets to the 53-man roster.
Patrick Peterson, Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Rudy Ford
Peterson is a lock and will have a front-row seat to the most anticipated position battle of training camp: Bethel vs. Williams. Both looked impressive during OTAs and minicamp, but they could not really show how far they have progressed since last season because they weren’t allowed to make contact. Ford, meanwhile, will get a first-class education from the three above him on the depth chart.
SAFETY (5): Tyrann Mathieu, Tyvon Branch, Antoine Bethea, Budda Baker, Harlan Miller
In some ways, this is an entirely fresh secondary. Mathieu and Branch finished last season on injured reserve. Bethea was a free-agent signing. Baker was drafted. Miller is a converted cornerback. All five will likely have a role in Arizona’s multiple defensive schemes, making them all valuable to Bettcher.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Phil Dawson, P Richie Leone, LS Aaron Brewer
Dawson instantly made the Cardinals a better team because of his experience and cold-blooded demeanor. Leone is a former CFL punter who will compete with incumbent Matt Wile for the job. Brewer has the job to lose.
Seth Cox's of Revenge of the Birds:
Quarterbacks
Carson Palmer
Drew Stanton
Blaine Gabbert
Running Backs
David Johnson
Chris Johnson
T.J. Logan
Elijhaa Penny
Wide Receivers
Larry Fitzgerald
John Brown
J.J. Nelson
Chad Williams
Jaron Brown
Krishawn Hogan
Tight Ends
Jermaine Gresham
Troy Niklas
Ifeanyi Momah
Offensive Line
D.J. Humphries
Mike Iupati
A.Q. Shipley
Evan Boehm
Jared Veldheer
Will Holden
Dorian Johnson
Cole Toner
John Wetzel
Offense: 25
Defensive Line
Robert Nkemdiche
Corey Peters
Rodney Gunter
Josh Mauro
Olsen Pierre
Xavier Williams
Frostee Rucker
Linebackers
Chandler Jones
Deone Bucannon
Karlos Dansby
Markus Golden
Jarvis Jones
Haason Reddick
Zaviar Gooden
Kareem Martin
Cornerbacks
Patrick Peterson
Justin Bethel
Brandon Williams
Elie Bouka
Safeties
Tyrann Mathieu
Antoine Bethea
Tyvon Branch
Budda Baker
Harlan Miller
Defense: 25
Special Teams
Phil Dawson
Richie Leone
Aaron Brewer
Specials: 3
Jess Root's of Cards Wire (USA Today):
QUARTERBACK:
Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert
Palmer is the starter. The team will not part with Stanton, as they know they can win games with him in relief, as evidenced by his 6-3 record as a starter with the Cardinals. As I have stated many times, they signed Gabbert for the future. Unless he is awful, he will be on the roster.
Running back
David Johnson, Chris Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, T.J. Logan
Here we might see five backs make the team if Elijhaa Penny develop into someone as reliable as Stepfan Taylor was. Williams had a great offseason. Logan is the game changer and return specialist. Andre Ellington has no room on this roster with a younger, faster, more versatile version of him on the roster.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, Chad Williams, Brittan Golden
Somehow, Golden makes it again. Here Krishawn Hogan could make it or Jeremy Ross because of special teams and perhaps even punt returns, but the reliable play of Golden, who had a great offseason, and his special teams contributions are what get him on the roster.
Tight end
Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, Ifeanyi Momah
The sixth receiver, third quarterback and ninth offensive lineman force me to short a position. It’s here.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
D.J. Humphries, Mike Iupati, A.Q. Shipley, Evan Boehm, Jared Veldheer, Cole Toner, John Wetzel, Dorian Johnson, Will Holden
The Cardinals go with nine because they like what they see in Holden, but don’t want to lose Wetzel and his versatility. Toner and Wetzel are the main backups. Ideally, neither of the draft picks play this year.
Defensive line
Robert Nkemdiche, Corey Peters, Josh Mauro, Frostee Rucker, Rodney Gunter, Xavier Williams, Olsen Pierre
Ed Stinson can’t find his way on the roster here.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS:
Karlos Dansby, Deone Bucannon, Haason Reddick, Alani Fua, Scooby Wright
The first three are a given. Fua and Wright are about special teams.
Outside linebacker
Chandler Jones, Markus Golden, Jarvis Jones, Kareem Martin
No surprises here. Jones and Martin should be solid on special teams.
Cornerback
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Peterson, Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Elie Bouka
This is where no surprises happen. Sojourn Shelton might make a push, but he doesn’t make the cut and could be a practice squad candidate.
Safety
Antoine Bethea, Tyvon Branch, Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker, Harlan Miller
The first four are set. Miller’s experience gives him the edge over sixth-round pick Rudy Ford.
Specialists
Phil Dawson, Matt Wile, Aaron Brewer
In a tossup for me, I pick Wile to win the punting job.
__________________________________________________________________________
Summary:
Consensus:
QB (2): Palmer, Stanton
RB (3): Johnson, D., Johnson, C., Logan
WR (5): Fitzgerald, Brown (John), Nelson, Brown (Jaron), Williams
TE (3): Gresham, Niklas, Momah
OL (8): Humphries, Iupati, Shipley, Boehm, Veldheer, Holden, Johnson, Toner
DL (7): Rucker, Peters, Mauro, Nkemdiche, Gunter, X. Williams, Pierre
ILB (3): Bucannon, Dansby, Reddick
OLB (3): Jones (Chandler), Golden, Jones (Jarvis)
CB: (3); Peterson, Bethel, Williams
S: (5): Bethea, Mathieu, Baker, Branch, Miller
ST (2): Dawson, Brewer
44
Bubble:
QB: Gabbert
RB: Ellington, Williams (Kerwynn), Penny
WR: Golden, Dobson, Ross, Hogan
TE: Valles
OL: Wetzel
DL: Stinson
ILB: Wright, Fua, Martin (Gabe), Gooden
OLB: Martin (Kareem)
CB: Ford, Bouka
ST: Wile, Leone
My Thoughts:
* I think Jess Root's (USA Today) is the most accurate.
* Gabbert is going to make the roster
* Kerwynn Williams is going to make the roster
* The #6 WR spot is wide open
* G/T John Wetzel is gong to make the roster and be active on game days
* ILB Scooby Wright is going to make the roster and possibly be a ST's captain
* If Rudy Ford has a good camp, he makes it and Tyvon Branch gets waived
* Elie Bouka is going to make the roster (team won't risk putting him on waivers)
* The punting competition may come down to who is the better holder on field goals.
Possible Roster Surprises (imo):
RB Elijaah Penny
WR Krishawn Hogan
DT Pasoni Tasini
ILB Tre'Von Johnson
OLB Alex Bazzie
CB Sojourn Shelton
SS Ironhead Gallon
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals open training camp on July 22 at University of Phoenix Stadium here. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (2): Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton
Palmer is a gimme. Stanton will survive a long competition against Blaine Gabbert during training camp, because he’s more familiar with the offense -- having played in it since 2012 -- and coach Bruce Arians likes familiarity with his backups. That’s exactly what Stanton provides.
RUNNING BACKS (4): David Johnson, Andre Ellington, T.J. Logan, Chris Johnson
Arizona could easily keep five running backs (with Eli Penny joining the group), considering Ellington was once slated as a wide receiver this year. But everyone behind David Johnson needs to show they can play special teams at a high level in order to see the field, because he will rarely be coming out this season.
WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, Aaron Dobson, Chad Williams, Jeremy Ross
The first four are now staples on the roster. Dobson and Ross are veterans who add size. Williams is a third-round pick who is freaky fast and can be a playmaker at this level. Arians has said this year’s receivers room is the deepest he has ever been around, which will make cutting it down extremely difficult.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, Ifeanyi Momah, Hakeem Valles
The fourth tight end spot will likely end up being a battle between Valles and Ricky Seals-Jones, an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M. But if Valles wins the job, Seals-Jones could end up on the practice squad, waiting for his break. And that might come early, if Niklas can’t break his habit of getting injured.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): T Jared Veldheer, G Evan Boehm, C A.Q. Shipley, G Mike Iupati, T D.J. Humphries, G Dorian Johnson, G Cole Toner, T Will Holden.
For years, offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin has stressed “position flexibility.” Well, now he has it. Basically, all eight of the offensive linemen can play multiple positions, including Toner, who can play four of the five.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Rodney Gunter, Josh Mauro, Robert Nkemdiche, Corey Peters, Frostee Rucker, Ed Stinson, Olsen Pierre, Xavier Williams
The responsibility of replacing Calais Campbell up front won’t be on one player, although Nkemdiche is the likely candidate to fill Campbell’s vacated starting spot. As a unit, this year’s defensive linemen will fill in for Campbell -- now with the Jacksonville Jaguars -- by committee. There’s a familiarity and understanding among them with the scheme they run.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (3): Chandler Jones, Markus Golden, Jarvis Jones
Last season, Jones played 86.8 percent of the defense’s snaps, and Golden played in 70.5 percent. In other words, those two rarely came off the field, so the Cardinals don’t need to stockpile their roster with outside linebackers. Jones is a former first-round pick whose talent might be rekindled in a new setting, and, if needed, defensive coordinator James Bettcher can turn to rookie Haason Reddick, who is a converted defensive end.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Haason Reddick, Deone Bucannon, Karlos Dansby, Alani Fua, Scooby Wright
Bucannon is out after ankle surgery, so Reddick will start from Day 1. And depending on how Dansby looks at age 35, Bucannon might be slow to return to the lineup when he’s healthy. The other option is that Bucannon is inserted back into the rotation the day he’s cleared. Fua and Wright are standout special-teamers, which will punch their tickets to the 53-man roster.
Patrick Peterson, Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Rudy Ford
Peterson is a lock and will have a front-row seat to the most anticipated position battle of training camp: Bethel vs. Williams. Both looked impressive during OTAs and minicamp, but they could not really show how far they have progressed since last season because they weren’t allowed to make contact. Ford, meanwhile, will get a first-class education from the three above him on the depth chart.
SAFETY (5): Tyrann Mathieu, Tyvon Branch, Antoine Bethea, Budda Baker, Harlan Miller
In some ways, this is an entirely fresh secondary. Mathieu and Branch finished last season on injured reserve. Bethea was a free-agent signing. Baker was drafted. Miller is a converted cornerback. All five will likely have a role in Arizona’s multiple defensive schemes, making them all valuable to Bettcher.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Phil Dawson, P Richie Leone, LS Aaron Brewer
Dawson instantly made the Cardinals a better team because of his experience and cold-blooded demeanor. Leone is a former CFL punter who will compete with incumbent Matt Wile for the job. Brewer has the job to lose.
Seth Cox's of Revenge of the Birds:
Quarterbacks
Carson Palmer
Drew Stanton
Blaine Gabbert
Running Backs
David Johnson
Chris Johnson
T.J. Logan
Elijhaa Penny
Wide Receivers
Larry Fitzgerald
John Brown
J.J. Nelson
Chad Williams
Jaron Brown
Krishawn Hogan
Tight Ends
Jermaine Gresham
Troy Niklas
Ifeanyi Momah
Offensive Line
D.J. Humphries
Mike Iupati
A.Q. Shipley
Evan Boehm
Jared Veldheer
Will Holden
Dorian Johnson
Cole Toner
John Wetzel
Offense: 25
Defensive Line
Robert Nkemdiche
Corey Peters
Rodney Gunter
Josh Mauro
Olsen Pierre
Xavier Williams
Frostee Rucker
Linebackers
Chandler Jones
Deone Bucannon
Karlos Dansby
Markus Golden
Jarvis Jones
Haason Reddick
Zaviar Gooden
Kareem Martin
Cornerbacks
Patrick Peterson
Justin Bethel
Brandon Williams
Elie Bouka
Safeties
Tyrann Mathieu
Antoine Bethea
Tyvon Branch
Budda Baker
Harlan Miller
Defense: 25
Special Teams
Phil Dawson
Richie Leone
Aaron Brewer
Specials: 3
Jess Root's of Cards Wire (USA Today):
QUARTERBACK:
Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert
Palmer is the starter. The team will not part with Stanton, as they know they can win games with him in relief, as evidenced by his 6-3 record as a starter with the Cardinals. As I have stated many times, they signed Gabbert for the future. Unless he is awful, he will be on the roster.
Running back
David Johnson, Chris Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, T.J. Logan
Here we might see five backs make the team if Elijhaa Penny develop into someone as reliable as Stepfan Taylor was. Williams had a great offseason. Logan is the game changer and return specialist. Andre Ellington has no room on this roster with a younger, faster, more versatile version of him on the roster.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, Chad Williams, Brittan Golden
Somehow, Golden makes it again. Here Krishawn Hogan could make it or Jeremy Ross because of special teams and perhaps even punt returns, but the reliable play of Golden, who had a great offseason, and his special teams contributions are what get him on the roster.
Tight end
Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, Ifeanyi Momah
The sixth receiver, third quarterback and ninth offensive lineman force me to short a position. It’s here.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
D.J. Humphries, Mike Iupati, A.Q. Shipley, Evan Boehm, Jared Veldheer, Cole Toner, John Wetzel, Dorian Johnson, Will Holden
The Cardinals go with nine because they like what they see in Holden, but don’t want to lose Wetzel and his versatility. Toner and Wetzel are the main backups. Ideally, neither of the draft picks play this year.
Defensive line
Robert Nkemdiche, Corey Peters, Josh Mauro, Frostee Rucker, Rodney Gunter, Xavier Williams, Olsen Pierre
Ed Stinson can’t find his way on the roster here.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS:
Karlos Dansby, Deone Bucannon, Haason Reddick, Alani Fua, Scooby Wright
The first three are a given. Fua and Wright are about special teams.
Outside linebacker
Chandler Jones, Markus Golden, Jarvis Jones, Kareem Martin
No surprises here. Jones and Martin should be solid on special teams.
Cornerback
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Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Peterson, Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Elie Bouka
This is where no surprises happen. Sojourn Shelton might make a push, but he doesn’t make the cut and could be a practice squad candidate.
Safety
Antoine Bethea, Tyvon Branch, Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker, Harlan Miller
The first four are set. Miller’s experience gives him the edge over sixth-round pick Rudy Ford.
Specialists
Phil Dawson, Matt Wile, Aaron Brewer
In a tossup for me, I pick Wile to win the punting job.
__________________________________________________________________________
Summary:
Consensus:
QB (2): Palmer, Stanton
RB (3): Johnson, D., Johnson, C., Logan
WR (5): Fitzgerald, Brown (John), Nelson, Brown (Jaron), Williams
TE (3): Gresham, Niklas, Momah
OL (8): Humphries, Iupati, Shipley, Boehm, Veldheer, Holden, Johnson, Toner
DL (7): Rucker, Peters, Mauro, Nkemdiche, Gunter, X. Williams, Pierre
ILB (3): Bucannon, Dansby, Reddick
OLB (3): Jones (Chandler), Golden, Jones (Jarvis)
CB: (3); Peterson, Bethel, Williams
S: (5): Bethea, Mathieu, Baker, Branch, Miller
ST (2): Dawson, Brewer
44
Bubble:
QB: Gabbert
RB: Ellington, Williams (Kerwynn), Penny
WR: Golden, Dobson, Ross, Hogan
TE: Valles
OL: Wetzel
DL: Stinson
ILB: Wright, Fua, Martin (Gabe), Gooden
OLB: Martin (Kareem)
CB: Ford, Bouka
ST: Wile, Leone
My Thoughts:
* I think Jess Root's (USA Today) is the most accurate.
* Gabbert is going to make the roster
* Kerwynn Williams is going to make the roster
* The #6 WR spot is wide open
* G/T John Wetzel is gong to make the roster and be active on game days
* ILB Scooby Wright is going to make the roster and possibly be a ST's captain
* If Rudy Ford has a good camp, he makes it and Tyvon Branch gets waived
* Elie Bouka is going to make the roster (team won't risk putting him on waivers)
* The punting competition may come down to who is the better holder on field goals.
Possible Roster Surprises (imo):
RB Elijaah Penny
WR Krishawn Hogan
DT Pasoni Tasini
ILB Tre'Von Johnson
OLB Alex Bazzie
CB Sojourn Shelton
SS Ironhead Gallon
