Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Here is my annual what I would do as Cardinals' CEO/GM---which typically means two things: (1) very little of this is going to actually happen; (2) you can reiterate that you are supremely glad I am not the one making the decisions.
Move 1: Clearing in Advance of $30M of Cap Space
Kevin Kolb ($8.3M)---Levi Brown ($16M)---Joey Porter ($5.75M)---Stewart Bradley ($6M)---Kerry Rhodes ($4.5M)---Todd Heap ($3.375M)---Chansi Stuckey ($1.75M)---Deuce Lutui ($1.3M)---Floyd Womack ($925K)---
Move 2: Will not spend big money on UFAs with recent injury issues, a la Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley---which means no to the likes of Peyton Manning and Demetrious Bell.
Of course, if there were stronger odds Peyton Manning returning to at least 80% of the player he once was, they would be worth the risk. But---4 neck operations and subsequent nerve damage that has caused a significant weakening of his arm will likely be too much for even the most driven athlete on the planet to rebound in swift fashion from, at least for most of this year. Plus, as tough as Manning is, no one knows, not even he, how his neck situation will affect his game and his willingness to take the pounding that NFL QBs are required to take. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he may have to sit out another year, and then could be high on the consideration list for the 2013 season.
Move 3: Committing to John Skelton as the Starting QB.
He's big, he's tough, he hangs in the pocket, has a big arm, is surprisingly slippery for a player his size and he has a penchant for coming through when the team needs him to most. Sure, he needs to start games faster and he needs to clean up some of his mechanical inconsistencies. Imagine what a full off-season will do for him---that and a vote of confidence from his coaches.
The facts that Skelton has earned an 8-4 record in the games he's taken the vast majority of snaps---has gone 4-1 versus the NFC West---and has led the team to 6 comeback wins---despite what little practice time he's had with the 1st team in off-seasons and training camps and the way he's been scrutinized as if is a 5 year veteran---I mean who can reasonably expect a young QB to light the world on fire in his first 11 starts? Yet, in certain senses Skelton has, especially when you match his 8-4 record to the 5-15 record the team has haplessly accrued the past two years without him as QB.
What I strongly believe is that when a team's QB is tough---it makes the whole football team tougher---which is one of the reasons why Skelton was able to win. I will never forget last year in the Cowboy game when he scrambled up the right sideline and instead of scampering out of bounds, he lowered his shoulder on the Cowboy DB. While, as a rule of thumb, you don't want your QB to risk injury in situations like that, in this case, Skelton made quite a powerful statement to the entire team---in contrast, what did it say to the entire team when on several occasions this past year Kevin Kolb elected to run out of bounds for 14 yard losses when all he had to do was throw the ball away? When Skelton took over, the running backwards stopped---and so did the losses. This is not a coincidence, imho.
Move 4: Take a Very Active and Aggressive Approach to Free Agency.
By committing to Skelton as the QB and letting Kolb go---and by clearing well over $30M in cap space, the Cardinals are in a highly advantageous position to strengthen the team.
Last year, if you recall, my focus was on adding players who were as I called them "Cardinal Tough." It was clear to me and to you that we had a very soft team on our hands. When I was doing my draft and free agent research, the number one criterion I considered was toughness. This is exactly why I was not in full approval of the Kolb trade---as toughness was not a term that anyone attached to Kolb. Conversely, one of the QBs in the draft I was enamored with was Andy Dalton---who received top grades for toughness by the scouts. What I explained at the time was that the main reason why Kurt Warner was so successful in the Cardinals' offense was his consummate toughness---and sheer willingness to hang in the pocket until the last possible second in order for the WR to gain clear separation. I saw this quality in John Skelton as well, which is why I have been high on him from the start. In my way of thinking, if the toughness is there, the accuracy and timing, which only come with experience and familiarity, will follow.
One of the major reason why I have been focusing on toughness is that I consider the San Francisco 49ers one of the toughest teams in the NFL---even when they weren't winning, they were tough on defense and in running the football with Frank Gore. Even when they weren't winning, they were beating us---because the disparity in toughness was too striking. They basically were kicking our butts---so much so that QB Alex Smith told the FOX crew that once you get on top of the Cardinals they "will fold up their tents." Hated to hear it---especially from the likes of Alex Smith---but it was true.
This year we have a unique opportunity to reclaim the balance of power in the NFC West---by---of all things---acquiring some of the toughest players in the NFC West.
The 49ers are likely to stick to the plan they had least year, which was to not make many free agent moves---and to keep building their base through the draft. They even allowed S Dashon Goldson to look elsewhere for decent money---while they signed a pair of veteran safeties to reasonable contracts.
It looks apparent that the 49ers are going to use the franchise tag on CB Carlos Rogers, another bargain free agent they signed last year to a one year deal.
That leaves the door WIDE open for the Cardinals to take away the toughest hitter in the 49ers' secondary in Dashon Goldson (6-2, 200, 6, Washington). The best thing is, Goldson is exactly the kind of safety Ray Horton loves---big hitter, versatile and has a nose for the ball (6 interceptions in 2011).
Goldson is the one free agent on my list that I would do all I could to impress contract-wise, because adding his toughness to our fastly growing tougher defense would be a great fit, AND, we wouldn't have to worry about him putting a licking on our WRs anymore. (Note: if the 49ers find a way to keep Goldson---we go very hard after the Rams' FS Craig Dahl (6-1, 209, 6, North Dakota St., whom is just as hard-hitting and instinctive as Goldson).
Next on the UFA list is LB Ahmad Brooks (6-3, 259, 7, Virginia), the 49ers' starting SOLB. Imagine our pass rush with Brooks on one side, Dockett and Campbell in the middle and Sam Acho/O'Brien Schofield on the other. Plus, adding Brooks, would enable us to address another position with the #13 pick. More on that to come.
I love the Cowboys' Anthony Spencer (6-3, 256, 6, Purdue) as well---more so than Brooks---but I don't see a clear window on him as a player Jerry Jones would allow to slip away.
As for the offensive line---I like 2 of the 49ers' UFAs: T Adam Snyder (6-6, 325, 8, Oregon) and G Chilo Rachal (6-5, 323, 5, USC). There's the right side of our line---they guys are big, are good run blockers and are solid pass protectors. I think Russ Grimm could turn Rachal into a Pro Bowler.
I am not through with my raiding of the 49ers just yet, as I would like to sign ILB Tavares Gooden (6-1, 242, 5, Miami) whom I think fits Ray Horton's ILB mode well and obviously wasn't able to crack the lineup in SF. I have a strong premonition that my favorite for the #13 pick, Luke Keuchly (6-2, 235, Boston College), will be off the board by the time the Cardinals pick. I have no doubt that Keuchly will remain a sure 10 plus tackle a game player at the next level, as he is the most instinctive and sure tackling LB in the draft.
Back to the offensive line, if we can get Levi Brown to restructure---especially now that he has settled nicely into the LT position---and we can add Snyder to play RT---we won't have to use the #13 pick to reach for a tackle. The tackle I like for us best in the draft is Andrew Datko (6-6, 321, Florida St.) who might be available at #81 (Round 3) because of his shoulder injuries.
The other NFC West UFA I would go all-out to sign is the Rams' P Donnie Jones (6-2, 225, 9, LSU). Offer him top P money---imagine how special our STs would be with Jones dictating field position.
Someone---one of the best posters here, and please remind me who you are---recommended signing the Bengals UFA K Mike Nugent---and the minute I saw that it clicked---as Nugent kicked well for us when he was here briefly and he had an excellent year for the Bengals.
We will need to add another QB---and even though I know we are tired of tapping into the market for ex-Steelers, I like the young talent of Dennis Dixon (6-3, 209, 5, Oregon).
At WR---a new favorite has emerged: the Bengals' Jerome Simpson (6-2, 195, 5, Coastal Carolina). He did everything to attract our attention when he did his high flip and perfect 10 landing in the end zone over our DB. This kid is sneaky fast and is smooth. I like the Saints' Robert Meacham (6-2, 210, 6, Tennessee)---but I have feeling he will be too expensive, while the price might be right on Simpson.
For the slot---the two guys I like a lot are the Broncos' Eddie Royal (5-10, 180, 5, Virginia Tech) and the Falcons' Harry Douglass (6-0, 183, Louisville)--but the player that enamors me the most is Kendall Wright (5-10, 190, Baylor) whom I think will be an instant impact player---the question is, can we take care of the more pressing positions well enough to take Wright at #13?
Another player that intrigues me (if other positions are addressed in FA) at #13 is QB Ryan Tannehill (6-4, 220, Texas A&M)---who, next to Andrew Luck is the most poised pocket passer in this draft.
Move 5: Unsung Players Who Could Make a Big Contribution:
These are players that we may have to lean on if free agency and the draft doesn't work in our favor at certain positions:
T D'Anthony Batiste. I was hoping we would have a chance to see him play a little LT in a real game this year because I thought he was excellent in the pre-season games. he has a clean kick and set-up, nice bend, very strong and balanced base and a good hard hand punch. He did play briefly at guard in one game and he played solidly.
C Ryan Bartholomew. The bench press sensation of the combine last year---now a year into training with John Lott and being coached by Russ Grimm---it would be great if he was ready to make the unit stronger as a backup to Lyle Sendlein and possible backup at guard. It would also prevent us from having to use one of our draft picks on a center.
RB Alfonso Smith. He really gave the team a lift when he was called on last year. This early in his career he is just trying to hit the hole as fast as he can---but once he gains some experience he will learn how to time his burst and stay in control of his legs. He is a real red zone threat. I think we will have to add another RB or two so that hopefully we are not having to play Beanie Wells, Ryan Williams or LSH in the second halfs of meaningless pre-season games. But it would be nice to see Smith start to establish himself as a strong #4 RB option.
TE Jim Dray. if we do release Todd Heap, with Rob Housler ready to take on a more dynamic and consistent role in the passing offense, it would be great if Dray raised the level of his game this year as the #3 TE. He could wind up being a lot like Jeff King---who, imo, was one of the top three FA bright spots for the Cardinals with Colledge and Marshall.
WR Andre Roberts. All the changes in QBs the past two years may have hurt him a little because once he gets the right chemistry with the starting QB, this kid could be fantastic.
DE Vonnie Holliday. I hope he wants to return. By the end of the year he was playing at a very high level.
DE David Carter. I think that if he keep improving the way he did all season, he will go right past Dan Williams as the starter at NT. the best thing for the Cardinals would be if Williams staves off Carter and they form a dynamic tandem.
LB O'Brien Schofield. After such a slow start assimilating into Ray Horton's defense, it would be great for him and the defense if he emerges as a bona fide 10 sack player. This is one guy who could profit immensely from a full off-season.
CB A.J. Jefferson. He struggled at times, for sure, as one would expect---but, he is the type of big backside CB who could become excellent in the system. It will be interesting to see his progress.
S Rashad Johnson. If there is any player who is on the verge of a break-out---it's Johnson. The system is perfect for him---and now that he's been adding strength, he should start to lay some licks out there.
CB/S Crezdon Butler. Can't wait to see this kid. Has size and strength---and could be a lot like Richard Marshall, particularly in the diverse way Marshall was used down the stretch as a sideline CB and nickel S.
Move 6: Re-Sign the Following In-House Players:
QB Rich Bartel---#2 or #3 QB.
T D'Anthony Batiste---possible surprise.
DE Calais Campbell---no brainer.
DE Vonnie Holliday---nice fit, if he wants to stay.
T Brandon Keith---to near the veteran minimum, with better health, may suddenly improve.
LS Mike Leach---does a great job.
G Deuce Lutui---i never thought the weight hurt Lutui's play as he was rugged and feisty on the line and downfield. I still think he can be excellent.
CB Richard Marshall---made strong strides in the system as long as he is reasonable in his contract demands.
Move 7: Draft---Players at #13 To Consider:
1. Luke Keuchly, ILB, Boston College. Ray Horton was able to make remarkable strides in getting the defense to tackle better---but the tackling is still not consistent or fundamental enough. Good tackling is contagious. Keuchly is the best tackler in the draft and will make double digits in tackles routinely on a weekly basis.
2. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama. When adding toughness is a top criterion, this kid brings it in a big way.
3. David DeCastro, G, Stanford. Best offensive lineman in the draft, by far.
4. Riley Reiff, T, Iowa. I think he is the best tackle in this draft, and I am also thinking that the tackles may drop a little in this draft---I was reading the other day one scouts take on Matt Kalil that was surprisingly critical---so I went and watched some tape and I could see what the scout was saying. Jonathan Martin is the most athletic, but seems to have trouble sustaining blocks more often than you would hope for a potential #13 pick. Mike Adams is huge, which is one of his problems in that he tends to play top heavy and is more of a grabber than a puncher. Reiff is smooth and polished in everything he does---not a lot of wasted motion---very fundamental.
5. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor. Electric WR who has a flair for getting over or through the defense. He's the speed, home run hitter the Cardinals have lacked.
6. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. Reminds me of a faster version of Dwayne Bowe.
7. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M. Good size, pocket presence and poise. I think he could be this year's Andy Dalton.
8. Mark Barron, S, Alabama. Tough, smart, consistent winner.
9. Mohammed Sanu, WR, Rutgers. One of the best kept secrets in this draft. He could be this year's Julio Jones. Has size, speed and suddenness. Wonder if Mike McNulty will put his 2 cents in on this kid. Plus, he's a very good Wildcat option in the red zone.
10. Nick Perry, LB, USC. May not be getting the attention he deserves---but, he would be a perfect fit for us at SOLB, maybe even more so than Upshaw, because Perry is faster and more athletic.
Move 1: Clearing in Advance of $30M of Cap Space
Kevin Kolb ($8.3M)---Levi Brown ($16M)---Joey Porter ($5.75M)---Stewart Bradley ($6M)---Kerry Rhodes ($4.5M)---Todd Heap ($3.375M)---Chansi Stuckey ($1.75M)---Deuce Lutui ($1.3M)---Floyd Womack ($925K)---
Move 2: Will not spend big money on UFAs with recent injury issues, a la Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley---which means no to the likes of Peyton Manning and Demetrious Bell.
Of course, if there were stronger odds Peyton Manning returning to at least 80% of the player he once was, they would be worth the risk. But---4 neck operations and subsequent nerve damage that has caused a significant weakening of his arm will likely be too much for even the most driven athlete on the planet to rebound in swift fashion from, at least for most of this year. Plus, as tough as Manning is, no one knows, not even he, how his neck situation will affect his game and his willingness to take the pounding that NFL QBs are required to take. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he may have to sit out another year, and then could be high on the consideration list for the 2013 season.
Move 3: Committing to John Skelton as the Starting QB.
He's big, he's tough, he hangs in the pocket, has a big arm, is surprisingly slippery for a player his size and he has a penchant for coming through when the team needs him to most. Sure, he needs to start games faster and he needs to clean up some of his mechanical inconsistencies. Imagine what a full off-season will do for him---that and a vote of confidence from his coaches.
The facts that Skelton has earned an 8-4 record in the games he's taken the vast majority of snaps---has gone 4-1 versus the NFC West---and has led the team to 6 comeback wins---despite what little practice time he's had with the 1st team in off-seasons and training camps and the way he's been scrutinized as if is a 5 year veteran---I mean who can reasonably expect a young QB to light the world on fire in his first 11 starts? Yet, in certain senses Skelton has, especially when you match his 8-4 record to the 5-15 record the team has haplessly accrued the past two years without him as QB.
What I strongly believe is that when a team's QB is tough---it makes the whole football team tougher---which is one of the reasons why Skelton was able to win. I will never forget last year in the Cowboy game when he scrambled up the right sideline and instead of scampering out of bounds, he lowered his shoulder on the Cowboy DB. While, as a rule of thumb, you don't want your QB to risk injury in situations like that, in this case, Skelton made quite a powerful statement to the entire team---in contrast, what did it say to the entire team when on several occasions this past year Kevin Kolb elected to run out of bounds for 14 yard losses when all he had to do was throw the ball away? When Skelton took over, the running backwards stopped---and so did the losses. This is not a coincidence, imho.
Move 4: Take a Very Active and Aggressive Approach to Free Agency.
By committing to Skelton as the QB and letting Kolb go---and by clearing well over $30M in cap space, the Cardinals are in a highly advantageous position to strengthen the team.
Last year, if you recall, my focus was on adding players who were as I called them "Cardinal Tough." It was clear to me and to you that we had a very soft team on our hands. When I was doing my draft and free agent research, the number one criterion I considered was toughness. This is exactly why I was not in full approval of the Kolb trade---as toughness was not a term that anyone attached to Kolb. Conversely, one of the QBs in the draft I was enamored with was Andy Dalton---who received top grades for toughness by the scouts. What I explained at the time was that the main reason why Kurt Warner was so successful in the Cardinals' offense was his consummate toughness---and sheer willingness to hang in the pocket until the last possible second in order for the WR to gain clear separation. I saw this quality in John Skelton as well, which is why I have been high on him from the start. In my way of thinking, if the toughness is there, the accuracy and timing, which only come with experience and familiarity, will follow.
One of the major reason why I have been focusing on toughness is that I consider the San Francisco 49ers one of the toughest teams in the NFL---even when they weren't winning, they were tough on defense and in running the football with Frank Gore. Even when they weren't winning, they were beating us---because the disparity in toughness was too striking. They basically were kicking our butts---so much so that QB Alex Smith told the FOX crew that once you get on top of the Cardinals they "will fold up their tents." Hated to hear it---especially from the likes of Alex Smith---but it was true.
This year we have a unique opportunity to reclaim the balance of power in the NFC West---by---of all things---acquiring some of the toughest players in the NFC West.
The 49ers are likely to stick to the plan they had least year, which was to not make many free agent moves---and to keep building their base through the draft. They even allowed S Dashon Goldson to look elsewhere for decent money---while they signed a pair of veteran safeties to reasonable contracts.
It looks apparent that the 49ers are going to use the franchise tag on CB Carlos Rogers, another bargain free agent they signed last year to a one year deal.
That leaves the door WIDE open for the Cardinals to take away the toughest hitter in the 49ers' secondary in Dashon Goldson (6-2, 200, 6, Washington). The best thing is, Goldson is exactly the kind of safety Ray Horton loves---big hitter, versatile and has a nose for the ball (6 interceptions in 2011).
Goldson is the one free agent on my list that I would do all I could to impress contract-wise, because adding his toughness to our fastly growing tougher defense would be a great fit, AND, we wouldn't have to worry about him putting a licking on our WRs anymore. (Note: if the 49ers find a way to keep Goldson---we go very hard after the Rams' FS Craig Dahl (6-1, 209, 6, North Dakota St., whom is just as hard-hitting and instinctive as Goldson).
Next on the UFA list is LB Ahmad Brooks (6-3, 259, 7, Virginia), the 49ers' starting SOLB. Imagine our pass rush with Brooks on one side, Dockett and Campbell in the middle and Sam Acho/O'Brien Schofield on the other. Plus, adding Brooks, would enable us to address another position with the #13 pick. More on that to come.
I love the Cowboys' Anthony Spencer (6-3, 256, 6, Purdue) as well---more so than Brooks---but I don't see a clear window on him as a player Jerry Jones would allow to slip away.
As for the offensive line---I like 2 of the 49ers' UFAs: T Adam Snyder (6-6, 325, 8, Oregon) and G Chilo Rachal (6-5, 323, 5, USC). There's the right side of our line---they guys are big, are good run blockers and are solid pass protectors. I think Russ Grimm could turn Rachal into a Pro Bowler.
I am not through with my raiding of the 49ers just yet, as I would like to sign ILB Tavares Gooden (6-1, 242, 5, Miami) whom I think fits Ray Horton's ILB mode well and obviously wasn't able to crack the lineup in SF. I have a strong premonition that my favorite for the #13 pick, Luke Keuchly (6-2, 235, Boston College), will be off the board by the time the Cardinals pick. I have no doubt that Keuchly will remain a sure 10 plus tackle a game player at the next level, as he is the most instinctive and sure tackling LB in the draft.
Back to the offensive line, if we can get Levi Brown to restructure---especially now that he has settled nicely into the LT position---and we can add Snyder to play RT---we won't have to use the #13 pick to reach for a tackle. The tackle I like for us best in the draft is Andrew Datko (6-6, 321, Florida St.) who might be available at #81 (Round 3) because of his shoulder injuries.
The other NFC West UFA I would go all-out to sign is the Rams' P Donnie Jones (6-2, 225, 9, LSU). Offer him top P money---imagine how special our STs would be with Jones dictating field position.
Someone---one of the best posters here, and please remind me who you are---recommended signing the Bengals UFA K Mike Nugent---and the minute I saw that it clicked---as Nugent kicked well for us when he was here briefly and he had an excellent year for the Bengals.
We will need to add another QB---and even though I know we are tired of tapping into the market for ex-Steelers, I like the young talent of Dennis Dixon (6-3, 209, 5, Oregon).
At WR---a new favorite has emerged: the Bengals' Jerome Simpson (6-2, 195, 5, Coastal Carolina). He did everything to attract our attention when he did his high flip and perfect 10 landing in the end zone over our DB. This kid is sneaky fast and is smooth. I like the Saints' Robert Meacham (6-2, 210, 6, Tennessee)---but I have feeling he will be too expensive, while the price might be right on Simpson.
For the slot---the two guys I like a lot are the Broncos' Eddie Royal (5-10, 180, 5, Virginia Tech) and the Falcons' Harry Douglass (6-0, 183, Louisville)--but the player that enamors me the most is Kendall Wright (5-10, 190, Baylor) whom I think will be an instant impact player---the question is, can we take care of the more pressing positions well enough to take Wright at #13?
Another player that intrigues me (if other positions are addressed in FA) at #13 is QB Ryan Tannehill (6-4, 220, Texas A&M)---who, next to Andrew Luck is the most poised pocket passer in this draft.
Move 5: Unsung Players Who Could Make a Big Contribution:
These are players that we may have to lean on if free agency and the draft doesn't work in our favor at certain positions:
T D'Anthony Batiste. I was hoping we would have a chance to see him play a little LT in a real game this year because I thought he was excellent in the pre-season games. he has a clean kick and set-up, nice bend, very strong and balanced base and a good hard hand punch. He did play briefly at guard in one game and he played solidly.
C Ryan Bartholomew. The bench press sensation of the combine last year---now a year into training with John Lott and being coached by Russ Grimm---it would be great if he was ready to make the unit stronger as a backup to Lyle Sendlein and possible backup at guard. It would also prevent us from having to use one of our draft picks on a center.
RB Alfonso Smith. He really gave the team a lift when he was called on last year. This early in his career he is just trying to hit the hole as fast as he can---but once he gains some experience he will learn how to time his burst and stay in control of his legs. He is a real red zone threat. I think we will have to add another RB or two so that hopefully we are not having to play Beanie Wells, Ryan Williams or LSH in the second halfs of meaningless pre-season games. But it would be nice to see Smith start to establish himself as a strong #4 RB option.
TE Jim Dray. if we do release Todd Heap, with Rob Housler ready to take on a more dynamic and consistent role in the passing offense, it would be great if Dray raised the level of his game this year as the #3 TE. He could wind up being a lot like Jeff King---who, imo, was one of the top three FA bright spots for the Cardinals with Colledge and Marshall.
WR Andre Roberts. All the changes in QBs the past two years may have hurt him a little because once he gets the right chemistry with the starting QB, this kid could be fantastic.
DE Vonnie Holliday. I hope he wants to return. By the end of the year he was playing at a very high level.
DE David Carter. I think that if he keep improving the way he did all season, he will go right past Dan Williams as the starter at NT. the best thing for the Cardinals would be if Williams staves off Carter and they form a dynamic tandem.
LB O'Brien Schofield. After such a slow start assimilating into Ray Horton's defense, it would be great for him and the defense if he emerges as a bona fide 10 sack player. This is one guy who could profit immensely from a full off-season.
CB A.J. Jefferson. He struggled at times, for sure, as one would expect---but, he is the type of big backside CB who could become excellent in the system. It will be interesting to see his progress.
S Rashad Johnson. If there is any player who is on the verge of a break-out---it's Johnson. The system is perfect for him---and now that he's been adding strength, he should start to lay some licks out there.
CB/S Crezdon Butler. Can't wait to see this kid. Has size and strength---and could be a lot like Richard Marshall, particularly in the diverse way Marshall was used down the stretch as a sideline CB and nickel S.
Move 6: Re-Sign the Following In-House Players:
QB Rich Bartel---#2 or #3 QB.
T D'Anthony Batiste---possible surprise.
DE Calais Campbell---no brainer.
DE Vonnie Holliday---nice fit, if he wants to stay.
T Brandon Keith---to near the veteran minimum, with better health, may suddenly improve.
LS Mike Leach---does a great job.
G Deuce Lutui---i never thought the weight hurt Lutui's play as he was rugged and feisty on the line and downfield. I still think he can be excellent.
CB Richard Marshall---made strong strides in the system as long as he is reasonable in his contract demands.
Move 7: Draft---Players at #13 To Consider:
1. Luke Keuchly, ILB, Boston College. Ray Horton was able to make remarkable strides in getting the defense to tackle better---but the tackling is still not consistent or fundamental enough. Good tackling is contagious. Keuchly is the best tackler in the draft and will make double digits in tackles routinely on a weekly basis.
2. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama. When adding toughness is a top criterion, this kid brings it in a big way.
3. David DeCastro, G, Stanford. Best offensive lineman in the draft, by far.
4. Riley Reiff, T, Iowa. I think he is the best tackle in this draft, and I am also thinking that the tackles may drop a little in this draft---I was reading the other day one scouts take on Matt Kalil that was surprisingly critical---so I went and watched some tape and I could see what the scout was saying. Jonathan Martin is the most athletic, but seems to have trouble sustaining blocks more often than you would hope for a potential #13 pick. Mike Adams is huge, which is one of his problems in that he tends to play top heavy and is more of a grabber than a puncher. Reiff is smooth and polished in everything he does---not a lot of wasted motion---very fundamental.
5. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor. Electric WR who has a flair for getting over or through the defense. He's the speed, home run hitter the Cardinals have lacked.
6. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. Reminds me of a faster version of Dwayne Bowe.
7. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M. Good size, pocket presence and poise. I think he could be this year's Andy Dalton.
8. Mark Barron, S, Alabama. Tough, smart, consistent winner.
9. Mohammed Sanu, WR, Rutgers. One of the best kept secrets in this draft. He could be this year's Julio Jones. Has size, speed and suddenness. Wonder if Mike McNulty will put his 2 cents in on this kid. Plus, he's a very good Wildcat option in the red zone.
10. Nick Perry, LB, USC. May not be getting the attention he deserves---but, he would be a perfect fit for us at SOLB, maybe even more so than Upshaw, because Perry is faster and more athletic.
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