Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
It would be very interesting to have a glimpse of the 5 Cards in the Cardinals first round hand.
It would appear---from the type of interest the Cardinals have been showing in certain players thus far---that they are holding three aces in their hand as we speak:
The Ace of Spades: QB Cam Newton, 6-6, 246, Auburn. Will Whiz be shaking this young man's hand in Glendale on April 29th?
The Ace of Hearts: QB Blaine Gabbert, 6-5, 240, Missouri. Will Gabbert be dining with the Bidwills, Whiz and Steve Keim on the eve of April 29th?
The Ace of Diamonds: OLB Von Miller, 6-3, 240, Texas A&M. Will Whiz and staff be making a Texas A&M toast seconds after playing this ace?
The question then becomes: what player is the Cardinals' Ace of Clubs?
It would be very interesting to know because Newton, Gabbert and Miller are likely three of the aces in the Panthers', Bronocs', Bills', and Bengals' hands as well (perhaps Newton and Gabbert in a lesser extent for the Broncos---but with their uncertainty at QB, and John Elway on board, who knows?).
The reality is...all three aces in the Cardinals' hand might be played by the time it is the Cardinals turn.
Much, imo, will depend of what the Buffalo Bills do at #3. I am convinced that Carolina will take one of the two QBs at #1...and I have a very strong feeling that the Broncos are going to cash in on their top ace, DE Marcell Dareus at #2. So, then we have the Bills---and they seem to be in somewhat of an identical position that the Cardinals are in---torn between taking a QB or an edge rusher.
If the Bills take the 2nd QB...the chances are good that Von Miller becomes the Cardinals' choice at #5.
If the Bill take Von Miller...then the tension will mount as to whether the Bengals will tab the 2nd QB---which, in their situation, with Carson Palmer's house on the market and one foot out of the clubhouse door, the Bengals would seem to be behooved to do.
Thus---if this is the scenario:
1. CAR: Gabbert
2. DEN: Dareus
3. BUF: Miller
4. CIN: Newton
The Cardinals will need to throw down their Ace of Clubs.
But, again, who is their Ace of Clubs?
While the obvious answer would seem to be CB Patrick Peterson, 6-1, 211, LSU...a player who is arguably the best athlete in the draft.
However...the most significant question here is whether Patrick Peterson is the right fit in Ray Horton's defense. Horton is a zone schemer deluxe and Peterson is a "press" corner. Scouts question how well Peterson's game translates to zone---some question that Peterson is better suited to play safety in the NFL, which might be deja vu all over again for the Cardinals (see Antrel Rolle---the #9 pick of the 2005 draft).
One could argue that regardless of the considerations listed above that Peterson could bring immediate value as a nickel slot CB and return man. Sounds good, right? The question is, however, do you draft a player at #5 who doesn't project as a starter? And one who---because of the question about being the right fit---may not be a starter until perhaps Kerry Rhodes' contract runs out and the team converts him to FS?
One other thought---don't be surprised if CB Ike Taylor is at or near the top of the Cardinals' UFA wish list. Chances are---because Horton and defensive back assistant DeShea Townshend are so close to Taylor---the Cardinals will outbid the field for his services. Taylor is Horton's idea of the ideal zone LCB for his system.
Now you might ask---what then happens to DRC? Do not be surprised if the Cardinals put DRC on the trading block once the lockout lifts and once Taylor is signed.
Well, what about RCB? Believe it or not---Greg Toler and A.J. Jefferson possess the kind of physical attributes that Horton wants in his RCB.
Then there is the question of the Cardinals' most pressing defensive need: adding an edge pass rushing threat. When Ray Horton and Kerry Rhodes have spoken about adding "a couple of missing peices" in order to make this year's defense dynamic, the "couple of missing pieces" they are referring to are at the outside and inside linebacker positions.
The problem here is the question marks surrounding the OLB/DE prospects projected to go early in the draft:
Robert Quinn, 6-5, 260, North Carolina. The year off---character concerns---not exactly blowing scouts away at the Combine.
Da'Quan Bowers, 6-4, 280, Clemson. The knee issue---and the issue of where he plays in Horton's defense---he would have to be a 34 DE at his size. He does not project as a 34 OLB. Thus, as in the case with Peterson, can the team afford to draft a situational player at #5? The argument can be made that a three man 34 DE rotation is the equivalent of needing 3 starter-types.
I don't think anyone questions Quinn's and Bowers' talent.
The Wild Card? To me, it's Justin Houston, 6-3, 263, Georgia---a player who just jumps out at you when you watch his tapes. He can fit on either edge, strong or weak. Has has the most explosive first step in this draft and get this---he was just running 4.5 40s at 6-3, 263 at his pro day. The issue here is---Houston is projected as a middle to late first rounder---so, if he's the Cardinals' Ace of Clubs...can the Cardinals trade down and still be able to select him? Or---are the Cardinals that strong in their belief in Houston that they are fine with taking him at #5?
If the Cardinals are as high on Houston as I hope---they are keeping this ace very close to their vests.
Yet, there may be another ace the Cardinals are keeping very close to their vest and that is 34 DE Nick Fairley, 6-5, 298, Auburn. In fact, I think that here is the Cardinals' Ace of Clubs. Fairley is a unique talent and he is an instant fit in Horton's defense. Just yesterday, Darnell Dockett was agreeing to the notion that he needs to be spelled for more regularly in order to keep his legs fresh. Imagine a three man rotation of Dockett, Calais Campbell and Fairley. Imagine too that Fairley could line up at NT a couple of series a game to spell Dan Williams. The value here is enormous---especially for a defense that needs to start stopping the run and pressuring the QB with more regularity.
Interestingly, Fairley has set up visits and workouts with 8 of the top 10 teams in the draft...and the Cardinals are not one of them. However, Whiz was there at Auburn's Pro Day...and when he wasn't working out Cam Newton and shaking his hand...there is a very strong chance Whiz was taking a good, thorough look at Fairley on the other side.
Therefore...my guess is: the four aces are Newton, Gabbert, Miller and Fairley.
My guess is that one of them will be available at #5 and therefore one of the will be the newest member of the Arizona Cardinals.
It would appear---from the type of interest the Cardinals have been showing in certain players thus far---that they are holding three aces in their hand as we speak:
The Ace of Spades: QB Cam Newton, 6-6, 246, Auburn. Will Whiz be shaking this young man's hand in Glendale on April 29th?
The Ace of Hearts: QB Blaine Gabbert, 6-5, 240, Missouri. Will Gabbert be dining with the Bidwills, Whiz and Steve Keim on the eve of April 29th?
The Ace of Diamonds: OLB Von Miller, 6-3, 240, Texas A&M. Will Whiz and staff be making a Texas A&M toast seconds after playing this ace?
The question then becomes: what player is the Cardinals' Ace of Clubs?
It would be very interesting to know because Newton, Gabbert and Miller are likely three of the aces in the Panthers', Bronocs', Bills', and Bengals' hands as well (perhaps Newton and Gabbert in a lesser extent for the Broncos---but with their uncertainty at QB, and John Elway on board, who knows?).
The reality is...all three aces in the Cardinals' hand might be played by the time it is the Cardinals turn.
Much, imo, will depend of what the Buffalo Bills do at #3. I am convinced that Carolina will take one of the two QBs at #1...and I have a very strong feeling that the Broncos are going to cash in on their top ace, DE Marcell Dareus at #2. So, then we have the Bills---and they seem to be in somewhat of an identical position that the Cardinals are in---torn between taking a QB or an edge rusher.
If the Bills take the 2nd QB...the chances are good that Von Miller becomes the Cardinals' choice at #5.
If the Bill take Von Miller...then the tension will mount as to whether the Bengals will tab the 2nd QB---which, in their situation, with Carson Palmer's house on the market and one foot out of the clubhouse door, the Bengals would seem to be behooved to do.
Thus---if this is the scenario:
1. CAR: Gabbert
2. DEN: Dareus
3. BUF: Miller
4. CIN: Newton
The Cardinals will need to throw down their Ace of Clubs.
But, again, who is their Ace of Clubs?
While the obvious answer would seem to be CB Patrick Peterson, 6-1, 211, LSU...a player who is arguably the best athlete in the draft.
However...the most significant question here is whether Patrick Peterson is the right fit in Ray Horton's defense. Horton is a zone schemer deluxe and Peterson is a "press" corner. Scouts question how well Peterson's game translates to zone---some question that Peterson is better suited to play safety in the NFL, which might be deja vu all over again for the Cardinals (see Antrel Rolle---the #9 pick of the 2005 draft).
One could argue that regardless of the considerations listed above that Peterson could bring immediate value as a nickel slot CB and return man. Sounds good, right? The question is, however, do you draft a player at #5 who doesn't project as a starter? And one who---because of the question about being the right fit---may not be a starter until perhaps Kerry Rhodes' contract runs out and the team converts him to FS?
One other thought---don't be surprised if CB Ike Taylor is at or near the top of the Cardinals' UFA wish list. Chances are---because Horton and defensive back assistant DeShea Townshend are so close to Taylor---the Cardinals will outbid the field for his services. Taylor is Horton's idea of the ideal zone LCB for his system.
Now you might ask---what then happens to DRC? Do not be surprised if the Cardinals put DRC on the trading block once the lockout lifts and once Taylor is signed.
Well, what about RCB? Believe it or not---Greg Toler and A.J. Jefferson possess the kind of physical attributes that Horton wants in his RCB.
Then there is the question of the Cardinals' most pressing defensive need: adding an edge pass rushing threat. When Ray Horton and Kerry Rhodes have spoken about adding "a couple of missing peices" in order to make this year's defense dynamic, the "couple of missing pieces" they are referring to are at the outside and inside linebacker positions.
The problem here is the question marks surrounding the OLB/DE prospects projected to go early in the draft:
Robert Quinn, 6-5, 260, North Carolina. The year off---character concerns---not exactly blowing scouts away at the Combine.
Da'Quan Bowers, 6-4, 280, Clemson. The knee issue---and the issue of where he plays in Horton's defense---he would have to be a 34 DE at his size. He does not project as a 34 OLB. Thus, as in the case with Peterson, can the team afford to draft a situational player at #5? The argument can be made that a three man 34 DE rotation is the equivalent of needing 3 starter-types.
I don't think anyone questions Quinn's and Bowers' talent.
The Wild Card? To me, it's Justin Houston, 6-3, 263, Georgia---a player who just jumps out at you when you watch his tapes. He can fit on either edge, strong or weak. Has has the most explosive first step in this draft and get this---he was just running 4.5 40s at 6-3, 263 at his pro day. The issue here is---Houston is projected as a middle to late first rounder---so, if he's the Cardinals' Ace of Clubs...can the Cardinals trade down and still be able to select him? Or---are the Cardinals that strong in their belief in Houston that they are fine with taking him at #5?
If the Cardinals are as high on Houston as I hope---they are keeping this ace very close to their vests.
Yet, there may be another ace the Cardinals are keeping very close to their vest and that is 34 DE Nick Fairley, 6-5, 298, Auburn. In fact, I think that here is the Cardinals' Ace of Clubs. Fairley is a unique talent and he is an instant fit in Horton's defense. Just yesterday, Darnell Dockett was agreeing to the notion that he needs to be spelled for more regularly in order to keep his legs fresh. Imagine a three man rotation of Dockett, Calais Campbell and Fairley. Imagine too that Fairley could line up at NT a couple of series a game to spell Dan Williams. The value here is enormous---especially for a defense that needs to start stopping the run and pressuring the QB with more regularity.
Interestingly, Fairley has set up visits and workouts with 8 of the top 10 teams in the draft...and the Cardinals are not one of them. However, Whiz was there at Auburn's Pro Day...and when he wasn't working out Cam Newton and shaking his hand...there is a very strong chance Whiz was taking a good, thorough look at Fairley on the other side.
Therefore...my guess is: the four aces are Newton, Gabbert, Miller and Fairley.
My guess is that one of them will be available at #5 and therefore one of the will be the newest member of the Arizona Cardinals.
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