Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The Cardinals dodged a major bullet last year when they waived TE Ben Patrick...so lucky that the Falcons didn't claim him right then, because they would have had him and his rights locked up for four years.
With this in mind...let me apply this to two bubble rookies and a potential third:
1. LB/DE Chris Harrington. Has been one of the best ST players in the pre-season games. Has shown very good tackling ability in the defense on the edge and at WILB, where he played some snaps last week. And, last week, he was in on two sacks.
Even Somers in his roster prediction today is waiving Harrington with the belief that he will clear waivers and be added to the PS.
IMO, if the Cardinals risk this, the Raiders will claim him.
2. LB Ali Highsmith. The Cards tried to hide him versus the Raiders. But...this LSU All-American who played big in big games, played big against none-other-than the New Orleans Saints of Louisiana (just making sure!). Highsmith and his six tackles weren't hidden in that game and he won't pass waivers because of it...because the Saints Will Come Marching In. And if not the Saints...look for the Giants.
Note: Somers believes there's a good chance Highsmith would be claimed off waivers, and thus has him in his 53.
3. S Dennis Keyes. While he certainly seems like a young player the Cards can waive and re-sign to the PS...my argument here is, he's just as good a ST player as Oliver Celestin and a far better fit in Pendy's defense.
Thus...I will be bitterly disappointed if any of these players is cut. And especially disappointed if we lose them.
So...who are the three players they would take the place of in final cuts?
1. LB Brandon Moore. I understand that Coach Davis likes him...but, he's signed to a one year deal, a la Keydrick Vincent, and could be long gone next year, while Harrington is locked up for three more somewhere else. Plus, Harrington has shown he's very good on STs which Moore was primarily signed for...thus this a no brainer. Don't forget too that Clark Haggans, Monty Beisel and Karlos Dansby are on one year contracts.
2. LB Matt Stewart. Highsmith has made several more impressive tackles than Stweart this pre-season any way. Stewart has been an arm tackler in the pre-season. He too is short term on this team. Highsmith has a chance to be a special player. Stewart is a serviceable backup.
3. S Oliver Celestin. Last year when Pendy tried to play this kid in the base defense when #24 was out, Celestin was ineffective, to say the least. Yes, he makes some ST tackles...which is great...don't get me wrong...we need all of those tackles we can get. BUT, watch Keyes tackle. He's a form tackler who packs a punch. He was the one who made a key open field tackle on a Raider punt return last week...and the week before he brought a 76 yard interception to the house at KC. There are reasons for this...this kid can play and he's even better right now that Celestin, regardless of Celestin being named ST Captain last week.
With this in mind...let me apply this to two bubble rookies and a potential third:
1. LB/DE Chris Harrington. Has been one of the best ST players in the pre-season games. Has shown very good tackling ability in the defense on the edge and at WILB, where he played some snaps last week. And, last week, he was in on two sacks.
Even Somers in his roster prediction today is waiving Harrington with the belief that he will clear waivers and be added to the PS.
IMO, if the Cardinals risk this, the Raiders will claim him.
2. LB Ali Highsmith. The Cards tried to hide him versus the Raiders. But...this LSU All-American who played big in big games, played big against none-other-than the New Orleans Saints of Louisiana (just making sure!). Highsmith and his six tackles weren't hidden in that game and he won't pass waivers because of it...because the Saints Will Come Marching In. And if not the Saints...look for the Giants.
Note: Somers believes there's a good chance Highsmith would be claimed off waivers, and thus has him in his 53.
3. S Dennis Keyes. While he certainly seems like a young player the Cards can waive and re-sign to the PS...my argument here is, he's just as good a ST player as Oliver Celestin and a far better fit in Pendy's defense.
Thus...I will be bitterly disappointed if any of these players is cut. And especially disappointed if we lose them.
So...who are the three players they would take the place of in final cuts?
1. LB Brandon Moore. I understand that Coach Davis likes him...but, he's signed to a one year deal, a la Keydrick Vincent, and could be long gone next year, while Harrington is locked up for three more somewhere else. Plus, Harrington has shown he's very good on STs which Moore was primarily signed for...thus this a no brainer. Don't forget too that Clark Haggans, Monty Beisel and Karlos Dansby are on one year contracts.
2. LB Matt Stewart. Highsmith has made several more impressive tackles than Stweart this pre-season any way. Stewart has been an arm tackler in the pre-season. He too is short term on this team. Highsmith has a chance to be a special player. Stewart is a serviceable backup.
3. S Oliver Celestin. Last year when Pendy tried to play this kid in the base defense when #24 was out, Celestin was ineffective, to say the least. Yes, he makes some ST tackles...which is great...don't get me wrong...we need all of those tackles we can get. BUT, watch Keyes tackle. He's a form tackler who packs a punch. He was the one who made a key open field tackle on a Raider punt return last week...and the week before he brought a 76 yard interception to the house at KC. There are reasons for this...this kid can play and he's even better right now that Celestin, regardless of Celestin being named ST Captain last week.
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