Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Monday's showcase of the DBs was pure fireworks -- a grand finale galore ---so fast, colorful,and furious.
The fact is -- these DBs player after player absolutely blew away the WRs and RBs -- it used to be the opposite, but thanks to superb and popular CBs such as Darrell Revis, Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson -- CB is the new sexy -- and the younger generation has taken notice.
What does this mean when DB are running 4.3s and 4.4s and WRs are running 4.4s and 4.5s? It means that getting open in the NFL is becoming more and more difficult. Which means that drafting WRs is becoming more and more difficult because GMs and HCs have to be able to picture whether a WR can gain consistent separation in tight coverage.
This is one of the major reasons why BA, after watching John Ross run a 4.22, wrote a note to himself and stuffed it in his pocket.
This is another reason why one of the most prolific pass catchers in this draft, Cooper Kupp, likely dropped from the early to mid second round to the third or fourth round because he ran a 4.6.
It also likely means that one of the best ballhawking CBs, **** Tabor, dropped from a possible to 15 pick to a Day 2 pick, because he ran a 4.6.
The top of the draft board is becoming more and more muddled with each passing day.
* DE Myles Garrett flashed freakish physical skills that likely wrapped up the #1 pick, and yet scouts must be scratching their heads as to why he only had 3 sacks this season versus SEC opponents. His lower leg injury was an issue, that's for sure. But he looks well healed at the right time.
* DT Jonathan Allen was diagnosed with arthritis in his shoulders. And when you watch his playing style, it is no wonder because his lower body generates a tremendous burst which thrusts his upper body forward in such a way that he lunges his way through contact into the backfield. He is what he is --- a full tilt bull rusher.
* S Malik Hooker, while possessing all-world range, speed and anticipation, is facing three surgeries for sports heinous and a bum shoulder.
* LB Reuben Foster not only disgraced himself by getting thrown out of the Combine, scouts are concerned about his history of concussions -- which may account for why he does not consistently wrap up on his tackles. In college he could get away with knocking RBs down -- in the NFL he is going to have to hit and wrap or he will get bounced.
* WRs Corey Davis and Mike Williams -- injured and/or tired from a long season. Both have to answer the doubters about their speed and ability to gain separation in the NFL.
* WR John Ross facing shoulder surgery. The 40 record is amazing, but can he hold up physically in the NFL? The Alabama CBs pressed him big-time and Ross was a non-factor in the national semi-finals.
* DE Derek Barnett coming down with the flu and not putting on the show that was expected.
* OLB Takkarist McKinley is facing shoulder surgery. Had he been healthy he might have skyrocketed up draft boards, possible into the top 15.
* RB Leonard Fournette has a chronic ankle problem which could require surgery. While he still ran a 4.5, he looked like he was laboring more than usual.
* CB Marshon Lattimore looked like he solidified a spot in the top 10 with a 4.36 40, but tweaked his hamstring (he says hip flexor -- but -- he knows that teams are aware of the hamstring issues that kept him on the sidelines off and on his first two years at OSU)
The list goes on...
For me...my hope for the Cardinals at #13 hinge on 4 players:
RB/WR/PR/KR Christian McCaffrey (whom I worry the Saints will take at #11, which is one of the reasons why they are trading Brandin Cooks -- he is a top 3 RB and top 3 WR in this draft class and a top 3 punt returner)
OLB/ILB/SS Haason Reddick (I like him better for the Cardinals than Reuben Foster because he's a better blitzer, a more fundamental tackler and more skilled cover guy -- and he can play inside or outside or even at SS)
G/T/C Forrest Lamp (the Nick Martin comparisons are legit and if the Cardinals do not sign a FA G, Lamp would make prefect sense -- plus he can play T and C)
SS/CB/FS/PR Jabrill Peppers (assuming Hooker and Adams are taken -- with Tony Jefferson likely moving on and with the way the Cardinals use the SS to blitz, force the run and cover, Peppers could be dynamic in that role, plus he is an electrifying punt returner -- instant upgrade on STs)
While I love the DBs --- this draft is so deep that at #45 or even at #77 the Cardinals could still select a top 40 talent.
Versatility and superior athleticism are just what the Cardinals need --- not only on offense and defense, but especially on STs.
When the NFL Network did their Combine recap at the start of the show last night -- the first two names highlighted and raved about were McCaffrey and Reddick. In today's NFL you need flexible players who win you key matchups on both side of the ball. You also, as the Cardinals sadly learned last year, need to win close games by playing superb special teams. These ballers can get it done in multiple ways, donning Cardinal red and milk white.
The fact is -- these DBs player after player absolutely blew away the WRs and RBs -- it used to be the opposite, but thanks to superb and popular CBs such as Darrell Revis, Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson -- CB is the new sexy -- and the younger generation has taken notice.
What does this mean when DB are running 4.3s and 4.4s and WRs are running 4.4s and 4.5s? It means that getting open in the NFL is becoming more and more difficult. Which means that drafting WRs is becoming more and more difficult because GMs and HCs have to be able to picture whether a WR can gain consistent separation in tight coverage.
This is one of the major reasons why BA, after watching John Ross run a 4.22, wrote a note to himself and stuffed it in his pocket.
This is another reason why one of the most prolific pass catchers in this draft, Cooper Kupp, likely dropped from the early to mid second round to the third or fourth round because he ran a 4.6.
It also likely means that one of the best ballhawking CBs, **** Tabor, dropped from a possible to 15 pick to a Day 2 pick, because he ran a 4.6.
The top of the draft board is becoming more and more muddled with each passing day.
* DE Myles Garrett flashed freakish physical skills that likely wrapped up the #1 pick, and yet scouts must be scratching their heads as to why he only had 3 sacks this season versus SEC opponents. His lower leg injury was an issue, that's for sure. But he looks well healed at the right time.
* DT Jonathan Allen was diagnosed with arthritis in his shoulders. And when you watch his playing style, it is no wonder because his lower body generates a tremendous burst which thrusts his upper body forward in such a way that he lunges his way through contact into the backfield. He is what he is --- a full tilt bull rusher.
* S Malik Hooker, while possessing all-world range, speed and anticipation, is facing three surgeries for sports heinous and a bum shoulder.
* LB Reuben Foster not only disgraced himself by getting thrown out of the Combine, scouts are concerned about his history of concussions -- which may account for why he does not consistently wrap up on his tackles. In college he could get away with knocking RBs down -- in the NFL he is going to have to hit and wrap or he will get bounced.
* WRs Corey Davis and Mike Williams -- injured and/or tired from a long season. Both have to answer the doubters about their speed and ability to gain separation in the NFL.
* WR John Ross facing shoulder surgery. The 40 record is amazing, but can he hold up physically in the NFL? The Alabama CBs pressed him big-time and Ross was a non-factor in the national semi-finals.
* DE Derek Barnett coming down with the flu and not putting on the show that was expected.
* OLB Takkarist McKinley is facing shoulder surgery. Had he been healthy he might have skyrocketed up draft boards, possible into the top 15.
* RB Leonard Fournette has a chronic ankle problem which could require surgery. While he still ran a 4.5, he looked like he was laboring more than usual.
* CB Marshon Lattimore looked like he solidified a spot in the top 10 with a 4.36 40, but tweaked his hamstring (he says hip flexor -- but -- he knows that teams are aware of the hamstring issues that kept him on the sidelines off and on his first two years at OSU)
The list goes on...
For me...my hope for the Cardinals at #13 hinge on 4 players:
RB/WR/PR/KR Christian McCaffrey (whom I worry the Saints will take at #11, which is one of the reasons why they are trading Brandin Cooks -- he is a top 3 RB and top 3 WR in this draft class and a top 3 punt returner)
OLB/ILB/SS Haason Reddick (I like him better for the Cardinals than Reuben Foster because he's a better blitzer, a more fundamental tackler and more skilled cover guy -- and he can play inside or outside or even at SS)
G/T/C Forrest Lamp (the Nick Martin comparisons are legit and if the Cardinals do not sign a FA G, Lamp would make prefect sense -- plus he can play T and C)
SS/CB/FS/PR Jabrill Peppers (assuming Hooker and Adams are taken -- with Tony Jefferson likely moving on and with the way the Cardinals use the SS to blitz, force the run and cover, Peppers could be dynamic in that role, plus he is an electrifying punt returner -- instant upgrade on STs)
While I love the DBs --- this draft is so deep that at #45 or even at #77 the Cardinals could still select a top 40 talent.
Versatility and superior athleticism are just what the Cardinals need --- not only on offense and defense, but especially on STs.
When the NFL Network did their Combine recap at the start of the show last night -- the first two names highlighted and raved about were McCaffrey and Reddick. In today's NFL you need flexible players who win you key matchups on both side of the ball. You also, as the Cardinals sadly learned last year, need to win close games by playing superb special teams. These ballers can get it done in multiple ways, donning Cardinal red and milk white.
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