Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
I believe that the Cardinals will want to come out of the first round with one of the elite edge rushers. They will have discussions about the QB prospects...but, when their draft board is set, I believe they will have the edge rushers rated higher than the QB prospects---save one exception and that is Cam Newton---that is, if Whiz and company are convinced that Newton could be Arizona's version of Big Ben.
It would seem that Whiz prefers a big QB with a big arm and better than average strength and mobility---all traits that one sees in Roethlisberger....and all traits that one cannot help but see in Cam Newton.
Then there will be the Super Bowl effect on the entire draft---everyone will see the value in having a big-time QB and big-time pass rushers. Therefore, as teams evaluate their current QBs and their pass rushers, they will lean towards drafting in those areas...which is why the following scenario at the top of this draft is quite possible:
1. Carolina: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. Sure, they would love DT Nick Fairley...but Ron Riviera---despite his lust for building a dominant defense---will recognize that the top priority is to get a stud QB in place as soon as possible. There are doubts about Jimmy Clausen---enough doubts that Riviera has to make a critial decision here. What makes this decision even more critical is that the Panthers do not have a second round pick---thus, they can't draft Fairley and then hope for a Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder or Jake Locker at #33. Thus, they have to take a QB at #1 and Newton would bring the biggest buzz and the most dynamic set of physical skills.
2. Denver: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. John Fox will not be looking for a QB here, as he is comfortable with the Kyle Orton/Tim Tebow combo for next season, and will instead take the most dominant defensive lineman in the draft. There a several good CBs that they can take at #36..so taking a CB at #2 is not imperative.
3. Buffalo: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. Chan Gailey needs his QBOF. Ryan Fitzpatrick gives him respectability for the time being...but if the Bills are ever going to challenge the Patriots and Jets in his division, he needs the QB to do it.
4. Cincinnati: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson. Marvin Lewis is upset and when Marvin Lewis gets upset he goes and gets himself the best pass rusher he can find...the kind who can make for long afternoons for the likes of Roethlisberger and Flacco.
5. Arizona: Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina. With Newton and Gabbert off the board, Whiz can go ahead and take the edge pass rusher they want and need. Quinn fits the Keith Butler mode best---so this is the pick.
Note: Taking the edge rusher opens up the rest of the draft so that the Cardinals will have flexibility in taking the best player on their board at each given point.
I do not believe that Whiz considers the offensive line one of the higher priorities in this draft, as his plan is to offer Deuce Lutui, Lyle Sendlein and Alan Faneca new contracts in order to maintain continuity. If Faneca retires, the team can slide Rex Hadnot into that spot. Whiz believes that Levi Brown and Brandon Keith will be much improved next season---their second seasons at their respective tackle spots.
The coaches actually like the depth they already have assembled in T/G Jeremy Bridges, C/G Ben Claxton, T D'Anthony Batiste, G/T Tom Pestock and T Louis Cliff.
As for the CB position...that too will not be considered a top priority in this draft. The coaches are high on Greg Toler and feel he will be very good next year---he has all the attributes Keith Butler wants in a backside CB---as does next year's sleeper/surprise, A.J. Jefferson.
At WR the Cardinals already like their depth. And while the Steve Breaston situation seems a little up in the air, the Cardinals will make him an attractive offer with incentives.
38. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada. The more Whiz and his staff look at this kid the more intrigued they will become. Yes, they are going to have to work him into a pro system, get him stronger and tighten his delivery, but the arm strength, accuracy and sheer athleticism is there...as is this young man's outstanding coachability. Some might consider Kaepernick at this point to be a reach---but pundits like Mel Kiper and Mike Mayock will laud the pick. It's never a reach to draft a QB you think can be special at some point. Plus, the plan is to sign a veteran for two years---which will give Kaepernick the time to assimilate into the system.
69. Jabaal Sheard, OLB/DE, Pittsburgh. Best bull rusher in this draft, who excels on the left side. The plan will be to play Robert Quinn on the right side. O'Brien Schofield will start and Sheard will be the nickel rusher most of the time. It will give the Cardinals a very good, young three man rotation.
102. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU. One of the more unheralded players in this draft. Big-time plugger and hitter. Sneaky range too. Will have a chance to start at the mike LB.
133. Charles Clay, RB/FB/HB, Tulsa. Big and versatile. Can play a variety of roles in Whiz's offense. A nifty fit.
166. Pernell McPhee, 34DE, Mississippi St. Fits the Cardinals' 34DE mold at 6-4, 285. Good penetrator...slippery...tackle for loss type player.
179. Virgil Green, TE, Nevada. Kaepernick's teammate is a perfect fit here. Green has a little Shannon Sharpe in him. He's sure-handed and tough to bring down in the open field. If he's taken earlier, look for Kyle Adams of Purdue or Zach Pianalto of North Carolina in this spot.
It would seem that Whiz prefers a big QB with a big arm and better than average strength and mobility---all traits that one sees in Roethlisberger....and all traits that one cannot help but see in Cam Newton.
Then there will be the Super Bowl effect on the entire draft---everyone will see the value in having a big-time QB and big-time pass rushers. Therefore, as teams evaluate their current QBs and their pass rushers, they will lean towards drafting in those areas...which is why the following scenario at the top of this draft is quite possible:
1. Carolina: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. Sure, they would love DT Nick Fairley...but Ron Riviera---despite his lust for building a dominant defense---will recognize that the top priority is to get a stud QB in place as soon as possible. There are doubts about Jimmy Clausen---enough doubts that Riviera has to make a critial decision here. What makes this decision even more critical is that the Panthers do not have a second round pick---thus, they can't draft Fairley and then hope for a Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder or Jake Locker at #33. Thus, they have to take a QB at #1 and Newton would bring the biggest buzz and the most dynamic set of physical skills.
2. Denver: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. John Fox will not be looking for a QB here, as he is comfortable with the Kyle Orton/Tim Tebow combo for next season, and will instead take the most dominant defensive lineman in the draft. There a several good CBs that they can take at #36..so taking a CB at #2 is not imperative.
3. Buffalo: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. Chan Gailey needs his QBOF. Ryan Fitzpatrick gives him respectability for the time being...but if the Bills are ever going to challenge the Patriots and Jets in his division, he needs the QB to do it.
4. Cincinnati: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson. Marvin Lewis is upset and when Marvin Lewis gets upset he goes and gets himself the best pass rusher he can find...the kind who can make for long afternoons for the likes of Roethlisberger and Flacco.
5. Arizona: Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina. With Newton and Gabbert off the board, Whiz can go ahead and take the edge pass rusher they want and need. Quinn fits the Keith Butler mode best---so this is the pick.
Note: Taking the edge rusher opens up the rest of the draft so that the Cardinals will have flexibility in taking the best player on their board at each given point.
I do not believe that Whiz considers the offensive line one of the higher priorities in this draft, as his plan is to offer Deuce Lutui, Lyle Sendlein and Alan Faneca new contracts in order to maintain continuity. If Faneca retires, the team can slide Rex Hadnot into that spot. Whiz believes that Levi Brown and Brandon Keith will be much improved next season---their second seasons at their respective tackle spots.
The coaches actually like the depth they already have assembled in T/G Jeremy Bridges, C/G Ben Claxton, T D'Anthony Batiste, G/T Tom Pestock and T Louis Cliff.
As for the CB position...that too will not be considered a top priority in this draft. The coaches are high on Greg Toler and feel he will be very good next year---he has all the attributes Keith Butler wants in a backside CB---as does next year's sleeper/surprise, A.J. Jefferson.
At WR the Cardinals already like their depth. And while the Steve Breaston situation seems a little up in the air, the Cardinals will make him an attractive offer with incentives.
38. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada. The more Whiz and his staff look at this kid the more intrigued they will become. Yes, they are going to have to work him into a pro system, get him stronger and tighten his delivery, but the arm strength, accuracy and sheer athleticism is there...as is this young man's outstanding coachability. Some might consider Kaepernick at this point to be a reach---but pundits like Mel Kiper and Mike Mayock will laud the pick. It's never a reach to draft a QB you think can be special at some point. Plus, the plan is to sign a veteran for two years---which will give Kaepernick the time to assimilate into the system.
69. Jabaal Sheard, OLB/DE, Pittsburgh. Best bull rusher in this draft, who excels on the left side. The plan will be to play Robert Quinn on the right side. O'Brien Schofield will start and Sheard will be the nickel rusher most of the time. It will give the Cardinals a very good, young three man rotation.
102. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU. One of the more unheralded players in this draft. Big-time plugger and hitter. Sneaky range too. Will have a chance to start at the mike LB.
133. Charles Clay, RB/FB/HB, Tulsa. Big and versatile. Can play a variety of roles in Whiz's offense. A nifty fit.
166. Pernell McPhee, 34DE, Mississippi St. Fits the Cardinals' 34DE mold at 6-4, 285. Good penetrator...slippery...tackle for loss type player.
179. Virgil Green, TE, Nevada. Kaepernick's teammate is a perfect fit here. Green has a little Shannon Sharpe in him. He's sure-handed and tough to bring down in the open field. If he's taken earlier, look for Kyle Adams of Purdue or Zach Pianalto of North Carolina in this spot.