Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Because of free agency (Alan Branch) and the injury to backup Kenny Iwebema...and possible concerns about how well Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell fit as Steeler-type five tech 34DEs...this too is a situation in flux.
What I believe Ray Horton is going to do is flip-flop Dockett and Campbell and have Campbell play the left side. The Steelers have traditionally prefered to have their taller, bigger DE on the left side, as they do with Aaron Smith. They like a quicker right side 34DE...and Dockett fits the mold there.
One advantage of this switch should be that Campbell will be in a position to use his superior height and wingspan to his advantage so that he can disrupt, deflect and alter passes thrown from right handed QBs trying to get the ball out quickly on 3 to 5 step drops.
The other advantage is in moving Darnell Dockett to the right side, with his quickness, he and WILB Daryl Washington will run tex and twist type blitz stunts that will get one or both of them to the QB in a flash. Just the thought of Dockett and Washington blowing through the gaps gives me goose bumps.
If Alan Branch returns---and now that the light bulb is on, and he seems comfortable in his role---I believe Horton will flip-flop Branch and Kenny Iwebema to have Branch play the left side behind Campbell and Iwebema play the right side behind Dockett. Again, Branch is the bigger of the two, and Iwebema is the quicker.
In the event that Branch signs elsewhere, it behooves the Cardinals to add another player or two.
My two favorite UFAs are:
Cullen Jenkins (Packers)
Brandon Mebane (Seahawks)
But---these guys will be hot targets in the FA market---and so I doubt the Cardinals will have much of a chance of signing either one of them.
The player I'd love the Cardinals to sign more than any other is DE Ray Edwards (Vikings)...but he would strictly be a rush DE on passing downs...which is fine with me, because Edwards is a tenacious pass rusher. he just doesn't project as a 34OLB or a 34DE. The Cardinals have lots of money to play with---and adding Edwards would be a major coup.
As for the draft, here are the top 34DE prospects:
And the categories are:
Productivity---Pass Rush---vs. Run---Instincts/Motor---Durability
D. Bowers, CLEM.........2---1---1---2---5
J.J. Watt, WIS............2---2---1---1---2
M. Wilkerson, TEM.......2---1---2---2---1
C. Jordan, CAL............2---3---1---2---1
A. Clayborn, IOWA.......2---2---2---2---5
C. Heyward, OH ST......2---3---2---3---2
A. Bailey, MIA.............2---3---2---3---3
P. McPhee, MISS ST....3---3---2---2---1
G. Romeus, PIT...........1---3---2---3---5
K. Klug, IOWA.............2---3---4---1---3
R. Winterswyk, BOIS....2---4---3---2---4
If there ever was a 34DE in the Steelers' mold it is J.J. Watt. One has to wonder whether Ray Horton has made a pitch for Watt---because Watt is such a great fit---brings the exemplary toughness, size, tenacity and motor you want from a 34 DE.
Despite some character concerns, Muhammed Wilkerson has been shooting up the draft boards---and when i watched him on tape I sure can see why---he's an incredibly agile big man who is equally adept at rushing the passer as he is in thwarting the run. He reminds me of Eric Swann in that regard. Chances are he will be long gone at #38...but, if he isn't, man, you'd have to consider rushing his name to the podium.
Buckeye likes Heyward---and Buckeye is often on the money about Ohio State players in his criticism and his praise. Heyward was one player who jumped out at me during the latter stages of the season. I thought he played very well and made big plays at big times. If he's available at #38, Heyward would be very good value.
Of the others, I have always liked Klug---and he reminds me somewhat of Brett Keisel who is made to order for the Steelers' weak side 34DE.
Romeus is an interesting case---he was lights-out as a junior but suffered through injuries this past year. If he can return to form, he may be a steal for some team later in the draft.
Cardinal Tough
Decisions:
1-Flip-flop Dockett and Campbell
2-Re-sign Alan Branch
3-Do all you can to sign UFA DE Ray Edwards for the 4 man pass rush
4-Draft Wilkerson or Heyward at #38---if available---I don't think they will be, but be ready in case they are...otherwise
5-Draft Klug late in the draft.
What I believe Ray Horton is going to do is flip-flop Dockett and Campbell and have Campbell play the left side. The Steelers have traditionally prefered to have their taller, bigger DE on the left side, as they do with Aaron Smith. They like a quicker right side 34DE...and Dockett fits the mold there.
One advantage of this switch should be that Campbell will be in a position to use his superior height and wingspan to his advantage so that he can disrupt, deflect and alter passes thrown from right handed QBs trying to get the ball out quickly on 3 to 5 step drops.
The other advantage is in moving Darnell Dockett to the right side, with his quickness, he and WILB Daryl Washington will run tex and twist type blitz stunts that will get one or both of them to the QB in a flash. Just the thought of Dockett and Washington blowing through the gaps gives me goose bumps.
If Alan Branch returns---and now that the light bulb is on, and he seems comfortable in his role---I believe Horton will flip-flop Branch and Kenny Iwebema to have Branch play the left side behind Campbell and Iwebema play the right side behind Dockett. Again, Branch is the bigger of the two, and Iwebema is the quicker.
In the event that Branch signs elsewhere, it behooves the Cardinals to add another player or two.
My two favorite UFAs are:
Cullen Jenkins (Packers)
Brandon Mebane (Seahawks)
But---these guys will be hot targets in the FA market---and so I doubt the Cardinals will have much of a chance of signing either one of them.
The player I'd love the Cardinals to sign more than any other is DE Ray Edwards (Vikings)...but he would strictly be a rush DE on passing downs...which is fine with me, because Edwards is a tenacious pass rusher. he just doesn't project as a 34OLB or a 34DE. The Cardinals have lots of money to play with---and adding Edwards would be a major coup.
As for the draft, here are the top 34DE prospects:
And the categories are:
Productivity---Pass Rush---vs. Run---Instincts/Motor---Durability
D. Bowers, CLEM.........2---1---1---2---5
J.J. Watt, WIS............2---2---1---1---2
M. Wilkerson, TEM.......2---1---2---2---1
C. Jordan, CAL............2---3---1---2---1
A. Clayborn, IOWA.......2---2---2---2---5
C. Heyward, OH ST......2---3---2---3---2
A. Bailey, MIA.............2---3---2---3---3
P. McPhee, MISS ST....3---3---2---2---1
G. Romeus, PIT...........1---3---2---3---5
K. Klug, IOWA.............2---3---4---1---3
R. Winterswyk, BOIS....2---4---3---2---4
If there ever was a 34DE in the Steelers' mold it is J.J. Watt. One has to wonder whether Ray Horton has made a pitch for Watt---because Watt is such a great fit---brings the exemplary toughness, size, tenacity and motor you want from a 34 DE.
Despite some character concerns, Muhammed Wilkerson has been shooting up the draft boards---and when i watched him on tape I sure can see why---he's an incredibly agile big man who is equally adept at rushing the passer as he is in thwarting the run. He reminds me of Eric Swann in that regard. Chances are he will be long gone at #38...but, if he isn't, man, you'd have to consider rushing his name to the podium.
Buckeye likes Heyward---and Buckeye is often on the money about Ohio State players in his criticism and his praise. Heyward was one player who jumped out at me during the latter stages of the season. I thought he played very well and made big plays at big times. If he's available at #38, Heyward would be very good value.
Of the others, I have always liked Klug---and he reminds me somewhat of Brett Keisel who is made to order for the Steelers' weak side 34DE.
Romeus is an interesting case---he was lights-out as a junior but suffered through injuries this past year. If he can return to form, he may be a steal for some team later in the draft.
Cardinal Tough
Decisions:1-Flip-flop Dockett and Campbell
2-Re-sign Alan Branch
3-Do all you can to sign UFA DE Ray Edwards for the 4 man pass rush
4-Draft Wilkerson or Heyward at #38---if available---I don't think they will be, but be ready in case they are...otherwise
5-Draft Klug late in the draft.
