2011 Draft/Offseason Thread

[fenikz]

Obviously a little early but I think it deserves its own place

right now this would be my ideal off-season

1. Acquire a starter quality vet QB, either FA signing or through a trade, wouldn't want to give up anymore than a 3rd though, unless it happens to be Mike Vick which realistically isn't an option the Bidwells have never like players with character concerns.

some options:

Marc Bulger, FA - PFT recently released a story saying that Whis wanted him but the Bidwells simply wouldn't pony up the cash, they know now to listen to the Whis

Donovan McNabb, Was - While it does seem like Andy Reid is what makes the QB world go round he hasn't been terrible in Washington and Arizona has far better weapons, he is mobile enough to not get wrecked in the pocket and seems like he could be a good mentor for Skelton

Kyle Orton, FA - Certainly a capable passing QB despite the performance he just had vs us, not the greatest athlete but like Warner a quick release can make up for a lack of mobility

Alex Smith, FA - 49ers will have to decide which Smith to keep after the season, if they like Troy Smith going forward Alex will in all likely-hood become a free agent & he has the athleticism to move around in the pocket which is a must behind our line

2. Draft BPA in the 1st round - Simply can never afford to reach on a position of need with the current rookie scale, while that may change I very much doubt it will, ideally we end up with one of Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara, with Robert Quinn or maybe Brandon Harris being fall back options

3. Draft BPA at position of need in the 2nd - in an Ideal world we get one of the 2 stud corners and then grab a 3-4 OLB or OT in the 2nd.

3-4 OLB options: Von Miller, Justin Houston, Jeremy Beal
CB options - Brandon Burton, Jimmy Smith, Aaron Williams, Ras-I Dowling
OT options: Gabe Carimi, Nate Solder, DeMarcus Love, Tyron Smith, with a outside chance at Anthony Costanzo or Derrek Sherrod

4. Draft the remaining position of need in the 3rd- Hopefully everything has gone to plan at this point and we have filled 2 of our positions of need.

3-4 OLB options: Jabaal Sheard, Dontay Moch, Steven Friday
CB options: Kendric Burney, Davon House, Brandon Hogan
OT options: Benjamin Ijalana, Lee Ziemba, Jason Pinkston

-

so in my perfect world the Cardinals get Marc Bulger, Prince Amukamara, Von Miller, & Benjamin Ijalana & return to glory in 2011

[Stranger]

Even if we sign a veteran I would be very suprised if we passed up one of the top QBs in the draft.

Currently the teams picking ahead of us are:

Panthers: Have Clausen but doubt that stops them drafting Luck.
Bengals: May stay with Palmer, although I wouldn't.
Denver: New coach but will probably go with Orton or Tebow.
Detroit: Stafford
Buffalo: Fitzpatrick has played well but they will probably go QB as well.

So 2/3 QB needy teams may pick before us. We will probably end up with one of Mallet/Locker/Newton. Haven't watched much college football so don't really have a preference although former eagle scout Whis might not want Newton or Mallet (if the bad attitude stuff is true). Otherwise I think we go CB/edge rusher in the early rounds and probably TE/OT/MLB?C? in the latter part of the draft.

To be honest what I really want is a new DC, not a big Davis fan. Wade Phillips anyone?

[fenikz]

Ya I don't get our defense, too high & low, have more touchdowns than any team in the league but also give up a ton of points. Some of that can be contributed to the pure ineptitude of the offense but not all of it. Biggest thing i have a gripe with is DRC & Toler playing sides not matchups, DRC should always be on the #1 WR

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by fenikz

Ya I don't get our defense, too high & low, have more touchdowns than any team in the league but also give up a ton of points. Some of that can be contributed to the pure ineptitude of the offense but not all of it. Biggest thing i have a gripe with is DRC & Toler playing sides not matchups, DRC should always be on the #1 WR

My biggest problem with the defense is that I can only think of a couple games over the last few years where the team needed them to close out a game and they have come through. The Texans game last year (looked it up) we were up 3 TDs then promptly gave up three second half TDs. Then DRC returned an INT to put us back up before we let them drive to the one before stopping them, mostly due to them having no goal line back at the time. The second one was the NFCCG although to be honest I remember McNabb missing two WIDE open receivers on second and third down before a 50/50 no PI call on 4th down. Pretty much any time an opposing offense has a shot to win/tie the game late I fully expect them to.

/rant.

[fenikz]

those were all Clancy Pendergast, Bill Davis took over last year, we did let the Packers back in the game before forcing the winning TD on defense

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by fenikz

those were all Clancy Pendergast, Bill Davis took over last year, we did let the Packers back in the game before forcing the winning TD on defense

Meh the Texans game was last year. The green bay game the defense let them score 5 second half TDs to let the game go to overtime, they did win it in the end though. From last year as well the 49ers won with a long TD drive in the 4th (although the offense stalled after that) and the 99 yard game winning drive for the Titans. Looking at it now the defense did pick off Manning to win the Giants game.

Not trying to sound negative, I like Davis more than Clancy but wouldn't mind it if we brought in a new DC.

What's your thoughts on Alan Branch? His play has been pretty impressive this season, more so than CC for the most part. May just be that he is potentially in a contract year though (depending on what happens the new CBA).

[Stranger]

CC proves me wrong by having a great game against the Panthers. Our DL has the potential to be great with a rotation of Dockett/Williams/Campbell/Branch, we just need some more depth at CB and an impact puss rusher. Looks like Porter might miss the game this weekend so hopefully Schoefield can flash something.

[fenikz]

Dline is looking so much better now than at the beginning of the year, of course it's been against 3 bad teams

[fenikz]

Falling down the draft order a bit and I'm predicting a win in sf, so assuming we are pick around 10 with the top 2 corners and Quinn gone who do we go after? A few guys I have been thinking about are Ryan Kerrigan, Aldon Smith, Janoris Jenkins, and Brandon Harris. All of the seem like reaches right now but I wouldnt be upset with any of them as our pick

[fenikz]

with the team kinda going back towards the 4-3 at the end of the year(due to lack of depth at LB) does Bowers enter the discussion?

4-3 DL of Campbell, Williams, Dockett, & Bowers

[fenikz]

5th pick it is, Cardinals just don't try vs SF for what ever reason

[D-Unit]

What are your wishlists for the 5th pick?

[fenikz]

Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara, AJ Green, Robert Quinn if those 4 are gone then I guess Bowers or Fairley

[Umoro]

Why not a QB like Mallett or Newton?

[fenikz]

Well Mallett is a Derek Anderson clone for one, I wouldn't even put him on my draft board, Newton would take at least 2 years to develop which is time Whis/Graves don't have, new coach would come in and want his QB so the pick would be a complete waste

and simply fact is that Skelton has all the tools necessary to be a NFL QB and just needs to learn reads and work on his footwork

[fenikz]

75 Man Pre-Combine BB

1. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
2. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
3. Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
4. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
5. Nick Fairley, DE, Auburn
6. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
7. Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina
8. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
9. Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
10. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
11. Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
12. Aldon Smith, OLB, Mizzou
13. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
14. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Mizzou
15. Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Purdue
16. Tyron Smith, OT USC
17. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
18. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
19. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
20. Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
21. Martez Wilson, ILB, Illinois
22. Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova
23. Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
24. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
25. Corey Liuget, DE, Illinois
26. Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
27. Derrek Sherrod, OT Miss State
28. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
29. Jake Locker, QB, Washington
30. Stefen Wisniewski C, Penn State
31. Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College
32. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
33. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
34. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
35. Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
36. Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA
37. Jabaal Sheard, OLB, Pittsburgh
38. Akem Ayers, LB, UCLA
39. Mason Foster, ILB, Washington
40. Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
41. Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
42. Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
43. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
44. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
45. Jason Pinkston, OG, Pittsburgh
46. K.J. Wright, ILB, Miss State
47. Rodney Hudson, OG, Flordia State
48. Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
49. Stephen Paea, DE, Oregon St.
50. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
51. Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
52. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
53. Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
54. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU
55. Titus Young, WR, Boise State
56. Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy State
57. D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
58. Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State
59. Davon House, CB, Utah State
60. Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada
61. Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
62. Lawrence Guy, DE, Arizona State
63. DeAndre McDaniels, SS, Clemson
64. Edmund Gates, WR, Abilene Christian
65. Deunta Williams, SS, North Carolina
66. Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State
67. Tim Barnes, C, Missouri
68. James Carpenter, OT, Alabama
69. Clint Boling, OG, Georgia
70. Colin McCarthy, ILB, Miami
71. Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina
72. Will Rackley, OG, Lehigh
73. Ahmad Black, SS, Florida
74. Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock (PA)
75. Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford

[fenikz]

PATRICK ************* PETERSON

[Stranger]

Wow. Ryan Williams. All of my PP joy has now worn off.

[fenikz]

Hate the pick all you want but don't hate the player. Ryan Williams is a beast and was every bit as good as Mark Ingram in 09. In a class like this you have to go BPA and the Cardinals are doing that.

Williams, Hyphen, and Hightower is a solid trio, we need a running game and Beanie Wells simply could not get it done.

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by fenikz

Hate the pick all you want but don't hate the player. Ryan Williams is a beast and was every bit as good as Mark Ingram in 09. In a class like this you have to go BPA and the Cardinals are doing that.

Williams, Hyphen, and Hightower is a solid trio, we need a running game and Beanie Wells simply could not get it done.

I don't have a problem with Williams I think he can be a good RB I just hate picking a RB in that spot. Hightowers contract is up, I think the pick means he is gone and the rotation will be Wells/Williams with the occasional Hyphen.

Update!

Whiz on R. Williams: "He hasn't fumbled in two years. I like that, since it's certainly been an issue for our backs the last couple of yrs."

kentsomers Kent Somers
by Cardschatter
Quick google search reveals Williams fumbled at least twice in '09, 1 cost the Hokies the NC game.

From Scott

• Fumbled too much and must take better care of ball

I hope that wasn't a big reason they drafted him.

[Jensen]

It's not the fact that the Cards took Williams, it's the fact that they took him with players like Brooks Reed still on the board. RB's are falling out favor in the NFL and the Cards lack any sort of pass rush. Reed was good value there at a position of need.

[fenikz]

Wells is just not good, he doesn't hit the hole and just stumbles around in the backfield. Hopefully we keep hightower over him, along with hyphen and williams i think we would have a legit running game. Really not sure what to think about Housler, his combine is insane but it's just a strange pick. Love Acho in the 4th entirely makes up for passing on Reed and i feel he is every bit as good(very similar infact)

[Stranger]

Welcome to the newest Cardinals!

1. CB Patrick Peterson
2. RB Ryan Williams
3. TE Robert Housler
4. DE Sam Acho
5. FB Anthony Sherman
6. ILB Quan Sturdivant
6. DT David Carter (3-4 DE)
7. WR Demarco Sampson

Whis via Sando

"It's a little unrealistic to think that you could address every need in the draft," coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters Saturday. "The thing that kind of really stood out to me was we had three, that I know of, what we considered the best players at their positions in the draft, and we got them. That’s kind of unusual."

Those players: Peterson, second-round running back Ryan Williams and fifth-round fullback Anthony Sherman.

I have mixed feelings over the draft but am excited to see how the team shapes up after free agency. To be honest I would have prefered if we were more aggresive in finding pass rush talent but in the end whoever we drafted wasn't going to make that much of an impact this year. I have a good feeling about Schoefield so hopefully he steps up big this year.

I hope the FO was smart enough to give out as many of the playbooks as possible to the few players who were there in the one day they could. With no CBA/no negotiations their contracts I guess there is nothing stopping the draft picks getting together with some of the Cardinals.
Anyway hopefully the lockout ends soon although I highly doubt it.

[fenikz]

I personally love our picks, the only real negative I think is we didn't address O-Line.

1. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU - The 1 player in this draft that I considered an elite talent and he fell to us at 5, I think Denver and Buffalo will really regret passing on him, a shutdown corner is as valuable as any position if not more so, besides QB. Having him opens up the entire playbook for Horton, he can dial up crazy blitzes and run a lot of diverse schemes with Peterson & DRC on the outside.

Grade: A+

2. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech - Obviously this is the most controversial pick, passing on guys like Brooks Reed, Justin Houston & Martez Wilson for a RB. The fact of the matter is Stumble & Fumble just aren't getting it done. Hightower is a FA and will most likely be let go while Wells will be on a short leash. I expect that Williams will start to get about 20 touches a game towards midseason with Hyphen getting around 15 as we phase Beanie Wells out. I truly believe that Williams is every bit the RB that Mark Ingram is.

Grade: B-

3. Robert Housler, TE, FAU - Besides DeMarco Sampson this is the pick I know the least about. He is a freak athlete simply put, 6'5 - 248 lbs, 34 1/2" arms, 4.46 40, 37" vert, 22 reps of 225 & 9'9" broad jump. He instantly becomes the fastest receiver on the team and scouts are in love with him. Was often used in practices to imitate spread/option QB so a possible wildcat QB option.

Grade: B

4. Sam Acho, OLB, Texas - Simply love this pick, I really don't see much of a drop off from Reed to Acho, both are high motor guys and he is every bit the athlete that Reed is. Acho is one of the smartest football players in the nation and played OLB for 2 years before moving to DE so he has experience standing and moving in space.

Grade: A+

5. Anthony Sherman, FB, UConn - While FB isn't premiere position it was one of our biggest needs and is a necessity if we truly want to become a power running team. Sherman is great at both run and pass blocking and should really help open some holes for who ever is in the backfield. Sherman is also a special teams ace and team captain, he should be a starter for years to come.

Grade: B+

6a. Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina - Simply a steal imo, he missed 5 games in 2011 because of a ham string injury but it's nothing that should affect his future play. Not the usual high character guy that Whis/Grave normally select but he was far too talented to pass on. He & Washington are the future inside of our 3-4 and imo it's a very bright one. While I don't expect him to start anytime this year he should be pushing Lennon very hard for playing time by next season and should lead to Gerald Hayes being cut which will save us some money to either pursue a QB or O-Line help.

Grade: A

6b. David Carter, DE, UCLA - A standout from the Shrine Game,C Carter has been rising up draft boards all offseason. Brother of Fresno State DE Chris Carter(drafted by the Steelers in the 5th) he was only a 1 year starter and did not get a combine invite. With Iwebema, Branch, & Watson become FA as well as Robinson getting up there in age, DL depth was certainly need and Carter seems like he can become a solid rotational player

Grade: B-

7. DeMarco Sampson, WR, San Diego State - A lot older than you would like your prospects to be(25) missed his 1st 2 seasons after tearing every ligament in his left foot. He was the Aztecs go to guy on 3rd down and put up some very good numbers in workouts(4.41 40, 35 1/2" vert, 10' broad jump) he has potential but needs to work very hard to make up for the time he lost due to injury.

Grade: C+

-

Overall: B+

could of very easily been an A had we addressed O-line


PS: Rumors are that Patrick Peterson will wear #21 and Quan Sturdivant #52, only 2 numbers if heard so far.

[BamaFalcon59]

Congrats on Williams. He's a monster if healthy. Whis said he was the fifteenth best player on your board.

Also, he will definitely try to get number 34. Lil' Sweetness.