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Blake has great football smarts and a tremendous field of vision when looking for receivers. He's used to working with less than stellar WR's and is able to make do with whatever is given him in that department. He doesn't make stupid mistakes and should give the Cardinals at least two years with a decent QB.
The Cardinals have two speed burners (Gilmore and Kasper who can spread the defense because of their long ball threat) and two good over the middle receivers (McAddley and Poole) for the short range pick-ups plus a top-notch TE (Freddie Jones) to go to for short yardage or as a relief valve. Add to this the fact that Emmitt and Shipp are both great receivers and run excellent screen pass routes and you suddenly have a very good passing game. If Frank Sanders decides to resign, you now have one of the best go to guys in third and long situations.
As to the running game, Emmitt is a finesse runner with a smooth style and makes it look like he's exerting no effort at all when he runs. He fools you into trying to tackle him where he was instead of where he is thanks to his ability to juke. There's been many a jock-strap left laying on the field from guys trying to tackle Emmitt straight on (a goodly supply of them belonged to the Cardinals). Marcel Shipp on the other hand is a straight ahead power runner who can bull his way through the line, knock over his opponents or drag them along for an extra 5 or 10 yards while they try to tackle him. These two RB's will complement each other and will give the opposing teams fits because of their different running styles.
IMO this is one of the best offenses the Cardinals have fielded since the Neil Lomax, Roy Green, Stump Mitchell era. Especially considering the way the OL is setting up and the depth Graves has managed to add. <p>As I have said---this is my opinion and I am anxiously awaiting the coming season.
Blake has great football smarts and a tremendous field of vision when looking for receivers. He's used to working with less than stellar WR's and is able to make do with whatever is given him in that department. He doesn't make stupid mistakes and should give the Cardinals at least two years with a decent QB.
The Cardinals have two speed burners (Gilmore and Kasper who can spread the defense because of their long ball threat) and two good over the middle receivers (McAddley and Poole) for the short range pick-ups plus a top-notch TE (Freddie Jones) to go to for short yardage or as a relief valve. Add to this the fact that Emmitt and Shipp are both great receivers and run excellent screen pass routes and you suddenly have a very good passing game. If Frank Sanders decides to resign, you now have one of the best go to guys in third and long situations.
As to the running game, Emmitt is a finesse runner with a smooth style and makes it look like he's exerting no effort at all when he runs. He fools you into trying to tackle him where he was instead of where he is thanks to his ability to juke. There's been many a jock-strap left laying on the field from guys trying to tackle Emmitt straight on (a goodly supply of them belonged to the Cardinals). Marcel Shipp on the other hand is a straight ahead power runner who can bull his way through the line, knock over his opponents or drag them along for an extra 5 or 10 yards while they try to tackle him. These two RB's will complement each other and will give the opposing teams fits because of their different running styles.
IMO this is one of the best offenses the Cardinals have fielded since the Neil Lomax, Roy Green, Stump Mitchell era. Especially considering the way the OL is setting up and the depth Graves has managed to add. <p>As I have said---this is my opinion and I am anxiously awaiting the coming season.
