Thank all of you who have been providing quality posts today, especially you Krang...your posting of articles and analyses has helped to put this draft into better perspective. I love this board. (Thanks again, Skkorp) As a Cardinal fan, this board is by far the best resource I have...thanks to all of you. We ARE the most loyal and resilient fans in the NFL.
The draft is always a disappointment of sorts for me. It never goes the way I hope for the Cardinals. As all of you know, I was sky high on Byron Leftwich...and would have been delirious if the Cardinals had selected him. And even though I had some nagging questions about Terrell Suggs, the way ESPN was promoting his selection...I just knew the Cardinals were going to once again face the relentless scrutiny of the NFL pundits...and the fans. It seemed clear all along that Suggs was not the Cardinals' pick. Regardless of Suggs' recent legal snags and sub-par workouts, I think Bidwill and company became very leery of tabbing another Sun Devil savior.
As I have calmed down...I have realized that all four first day players have significant talent and it will be up to the Cardinal coaches to bring out the best of that talent. We can't expect too much of these rookies immediately...which is hard to do when the needs of the team are so glaring. This is why it is imperative for Rod Graves to add at least one veteran WR and one veteran DE between the draft and training camp.
Quick Takes on the Draftees:
1A: Bryant Johnson. Big and physical possession type who has serious leaping ability...which should come in handy especially in the red zone. Check out the picture of him leaping for a catch against Iowa in the Sporting News Draft publication. Incredible! Solid pick who will have to prove he was not a reach at #17. Punt returning ability is an added and welcomed asset.
1B: Calvin Pace. Honestly I haven't seen many Wake Forest games and neither have most of you. However, for him to stand out as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year...and a First Team All-American (College Football Writers) as a Demon Deacon, no less...is certainly a testament to his ability. His highlight tapes show he has a nice combination of strength and quickess...closes quickly on the ball...and uses his hands well to gain leverage and separation. Seems to have exemplary character.
2: Anquan Boldin. I did see quite a bit of Boldin and I had him going to the Jets at #22 in my mock earlier in the week. IMO, this guy has first round intangibles, by virtue of his size, quickness and strength and the fact that he's a tenacious, relentless competitor. To get him at #54 softens the blow of losing the #37 because Boldin could easily have been one of the first 35 selections.
3: Gerald Hayes. I have seen Hayes play several times and I must say he really made me sit up and take notice. He's a muscular and extremely agile defender who makes plays all over the field. Has the size to play strong side LB or MLB. Is an under-rated blitzer. Can really get after the QB. Quite frankly I was amazed he was still on the board at #70. He'll need an adjustment period, as all rookies do, but his versatility should give Coach Marmie some attractive options.
The draft is always a disappointment of sorts for me. It never goes the way I hope for the Cardinals. As all of you know, I was sky high on Byron Leftwich...and would have been delirious if the Cardinals had selected him. And even though I had some nagging questions about Terrell Suggs, the way ESPN was promoting his selection...I just knew the Cardinals were going to once again face the relentless scrutiny of the NFL pundits...and the fans. It seemed clear all along that Suggs was not the Cardinals' pick. Regardless of Suggs' recent legal snags and sub-par workouts, I think Bidwill and company became very leery of tabbing another Sun Devil savior.
As I have calmed down...I have realized that all four first day players have significant talent and it will be up to the Cardinal coaches to bring out the best of that talent. We can't expect too much of these rookies immediately...which is hard to do when the needs of the team are so glaring. This is why it is imperative for Rod Graves to add at least one veteran WR and one veteran DE between the draft and training camp.
Quick Takes on the Draftees:
1A: Bryant Johnson. Big and physical possession type who has serious leaping ability...which should come in handy especially in the red zone. Check out the picture of him leaping for a catch against Iowa in the Sporting News Draft publication. Incredible! Solid pick who will have to prove he was not a reach at #17. Punt returning ability is an added and welcomed asset.
1B: Calvin Pace. Honestly I haven't seen many Wake Forest games and neither have most of you. However, for him to stand out as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year...and a First Team All-American (College Football Writers) as a Demon Deacon, no less...is certainly a testament to his ability. His highlight tapes show he has a nice combination of strength and quickess...closes quickly on the ball...and uses his hands well to gain leverage and separation. Seems to have exemplary character.
2: Anquan Boldin. I did see quite a bit of Boldin and I had him going to the Jets at #22 in my mock earlier in the week. IMO, this guy has first round intangibles, by virtue of his size, quickness and strength and the fact that he's a tenacious, relentless competitor. To get him at #54 softens the blow of losing the #37 because Boldin could easily have been one of the first 35 selections.
3: Gerald Hayes. I have seen Hayes play several times and I must say he really made me sit up and take notice. He's a muscular and extremely agile defender who makes plays all over the field. Has the size to play strong side LB or MLB. Is an under-rated blitzer. Can really get after the QB. Quite frankly I was amazed he was still on the board at #70. He'll need an adjustment period, as all rookies do, but his versatility should give Coach Marmie some attractive options.
