Arizona Cardinals
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NFL Team Column By: By Scot Acocks 2009 NFL Draft Grades |
The Arizona Cardinals: Final Grades for 2009
Coaching: B Ken Whisenhunt is a good coach who treats his players with respect and is in turn respected by his players. However, something was lacking when it really counted down the stretch. This team did not show the fire it possessed during last season’s playoffs, especially in the loss to New Orleans. The defense got pounded for 455.5 yards per game against the Packers and Saints, despite having a bunch of high draft picks and a couple pro-bowl caliber players on the field. The coaches, including defensive coordinator Billy Davis, should be held accountable for that since the team was giving up over 100 yards less per game in the regular season. The players, though are also to blame, cannot be the only ones at fault.
Quarterbacks: A- Kurt Warner keeps doing what everybody thinks he can’t do anymore, which is continuously win games with his arm. He will retire soon though, and Matt Leinart continues to be patient and work hard as Warner’s backup in the meantime. That will not continue too much longer. The Cardinals eventually want to get something out of the first round pick they invested in him four years ago.
Draft Outlook: Don’t expect the Cardinals to take a passer in round one with Leinart still on board behind Warner. It would not be a surprise to see one taken later on however.
Running Backs: B- Chris “Beanie” Wells played well as a rookie and gave the offense another dimension that it needed. Tim Hightower showed flashes, including a nifty touchdown run in the first play of their divisional round loss to New Orleans. They should continue to make a quality pair of running backs for at least the next few years but need to improve on their ranking of 28th in the league.
Draft Outlook: Not much is expected to be added here as not a ton of running back talent abounds this year.
Wide Receivers: A This is the best group in the league…period. Larry Fitzgerald is a beast who can take over games. Anquan Boldin may be a bit slow but he is quick enough, has great hands, and is as physical as anybody. He can power through most defenders once the ball is in his hands. Steve Breaston continues to be productive as the team’s third receiver, running good routes and using his speed to sneak through defenses. Early Doucet had a breakthrough season and played well down the stretch, especially against the Packers in the first round of the playoffs. Jerheme Urban may be the best fifth man in the league but he is a free agent.
Draft Outlook: The team may still take a receiver high if a really good one falls to them but they definitely will not go out of their way to get one. Anquan Boldin is still a little bitter about his contract situation in AZ.
Tight Ends: D Starter Anthony Becht, who is a blocker, had seven catches and backup Ben Patrick had 12.
Draft Outlook: Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham and Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski are first round talents that could still both be available when the Cardinals pick. Both would help improve production from the position and help offset the possible loss of Boldin.
Offensive Line: C These guys have been playing pretty well up front but they do not do anything great. With the 28th ranked rushing attack in the league and starting right guard Deuce Lutui becoming a fee agent some help may need to be added here.
Draft Outlook: If center prospect Maurkice Pouncey drops down to them in the first he’ll become a Cardinal quicker than you can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Defensive Line: C They ranked 17th against the rush in the regular season. Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell both had seven sacks on the season from their end spots in the 3-4 scheme, which is great. However, they can get pushed around in the running game. Starting nose tackle Bryan Robinson is not really big enough for the position and backup Gabe Watson is a free agent.
Draft Outlook: It will not come as a surprise if the team takes another D-lineman high in the draft again in order to help with the run defense. Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody would be a logical first round pick if he’s still there.
Linebackers: C- Karlos Dansby saved this group from getting a lower grade. He seemed like the only guy on the field at times throughout the playoffs. Bertrand Berry also announced his retirement. Some help is needed here on the inside and outside.
Draft Outlook: Another fast, athletic pass-rusher would be nice to have. Texas’ Sergio Kindle will be around in the first. The team may look to free agency to find somebody to compete with Gerald Hayes on the inside.
Defensive Backs: C- A lot has been invested in this unit, including a couple of first round picks in free safety Antrel Rolle and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The only real pro-bowl caliber player thus far has been strong safety Adrian Wilson. This unit got torched for over 325.5 passing yards a game in the postseason and Don’t forget that they also gave up a last second touchdown catch to Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes in last year’s Super Bowl.
Draft Outlook: Anther guy to come in and compete for a starting spot would be nice. If a safety is brought in Rolle could move back to cornerback, which was his original position.
Special Teams: C- The kick return and punting units were good but the rest of the special teams were atrocious. The team only made 18 total field goals and kicker Neil Rackers missed some crucial ones in the playoffs.
Draft Outlook: If the team adds some talent to its linebacker and defensive back units that should help with coverage units too.
Simply Dominated
Going into their AFC divisional round playoff game the Arizona Cardinals were faced with the daunting task of going into New Orleans and playing a Saints team that was virtually unstoppable through most of the 2009 NFL season. It was nothing new to the rolling Cardinals who had ousted a tough Carolina Panther team in the same round last year and just got done ripping through a surging Green Bay Packer team in the first round.
This Saints were well prepared, though, and picked up right where they left off in the regular season, shredding the Cardinals 45-14.
I may have mentioned earlier this week that whichever team shows up with a defense will walk away from this one victorious. I was right. The Saints, who had been struggling as of late on the defensive side of the ball, held the Arizona offense to 359 total yards. Quarterback Kurt Warner, who may have been playing his last game for the Cardinals, did not throw a single touchdown after tossing five against the Packers just six days earlier.
Maybe it is time for the 38 year old warrior to hang up his cleats. After the hit he took from Saints defensive end Bobby McCray while pursing an interception he had just thrown, I am sure the thought crossed Warner’s mind at least a couple of times. At the moment Arizona fans will have to wait and see if their next season’s hopes will be decided by the arm of Matt Leinart. In the meantime Warner will try to remember the first half of Saturday’s game.
That may be the least of their worries however, as the defense continued to be non-existent this post-season. In fact, they gave up more points in two consecutive playoff games than any other team in NFL history (90). Anybody will tell you that it is hard to win in January, or any other time for that matter, when you allow 45 points per game.
Coming Up: I will post the Cardinals final grades for the 2009 season.
Offense Keeps the Cardinals’ Heads Afloat
The Green Bay Packers have been one of the hottest teams in the NFL over the second half of the 2009 season. After starting 4-4, including a loss to the hapless Buccaneers (3-13), the team surged to an 11-5 record behind quarterback Aaron Rogers and the #2 rated defense in the league.
For their efforts the team was awarded a Wild Card and a #5 Seed in the NFC playoffs. Their first opponent: The Arizona Cardinals, last year’s NFC Champion and Super Bowl representative.
On Sunday a mob of Cheeseheads showed up in Arizona and filled a good portion of University of Phoenix Stadium. Aaron Rogers had a great day, throwing for 422 yards and four touchdowns, showing the world that he is in fact the guy who is capable of leading his team into the next decade.
In the end the Packers racked up 48 points on 493 yards of offense and overcame a 17-0 deficit in the first half. It was an impressive performance that was worth noting. The only problem is that the Packer’s vaunted defense, in their first year running a 3-4 scheme, stayed home in Wisconsin and allowed the Cardinals to rack up 531 of their own yards on their way to a 51-45 defeat. It was the highest point total in NFL playoff history.
The loss may have put an end to the Packer’s season but it allowed the Arizona Cardinals to virtually pick up where they left off in the playoffs last year before they ran into the Steelers in the Super Bowl. If the Cards want to continue those January winning ways, however, they cannot allow the other team to put so many points up on the board.
That may be a tall order, considering next up is a trip to New Orleans to visit the Saints and their #1 rated offense.
With this matchup we may just see another record-setting or, if the NFL gets its wish, a trend-setting day. The league welcomes these kinds of games as it loves to see the scoreboard light up like a Christmas tree. It does sell tickets.
However, it will be the team whose defense shows up that will get a shot at the NFC Championship and a trip to the Super Bowl.
The Saints have had a good offense for a couple years now and they know the need for good defense. They had the number one offense in the NFC last year and were in last place of the South Division last season. Adding a couple of defensive backs, including veteran free safety Darren Sharper with his league leading 9 interceptions, and re-signing linebacker Jonathan Vilma have helped them get out of the doldrums and back into January play. It may still be their Achilles Heel though as January brings whole different kind of ball game.
Comparatively, the Cardinals defense ranked 20th in overall defense, allowing 113 yards per game rushing and 234 yards per game passing, in 2009 after ranking 19th in defense last year. The Saints went from being 23rd in total defense in ‘08 to this year, to taking two steps back and placing 25th in that category in ’09.
With a little bit of momentum now on their side again, the Cardinals will look to spoil Mardi Gras this year for the city of New Orleans. They like to play the part of spoiler. They did it a year ago in Carolina, beating the #2 seed Panthers 33-13.
The defense showed up big time in that game, intercepting quarterback Jake Delhomme five times and forcing one fumble.
Six turnovers would go a long way in securing a win this weekend in the Super Dome.
2009 NFL Draft Class
By John L. Clarke
Round 1 (pick 31) – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State (6’1”, 235 lbs.) With all the talk last year about how Edgerrin James had lost a step and Tim Hightower is just a short yardage back, an upgrade was needed. Beanie has Top 10 talent, but slide due to teams looking for value in the RB position in later rounds. Still, this was an excellent pick and fit. Although he has some durability issues, he will give the Cardinals another offensive option that can close out games when trying to hold onto a lead. If he can stay healthy, this is a great pick.
Round 2 (pick 63) – Cody Brown, DE/OLB, Connecticut (6’2”, 244 lbs.) With ‘tweeners being all the rage, Brown gets a chance in the NFL that he might not have gotten as a DE. With the 3-4 defensive scheme the Cards run, Brown will get to utilize his pass rushing skills as he converts to a full time OLB. The Cards pass rush was inconsistent last year, and they are hoping Brown can use his great athleticism to make a seamless transition and provide some stability.
Round 3 (pick 95) – Rashad Johnson, DB, Alabama (5’11”, 203 lbs.)
How Johnson slide to the 3rd round is a head scratcher. He has great instincts and is a ball hawk. He also played under Nick Saban, and with that kind of coaching style, Johnson should be ready to play sooner rather than later. There are some concerns which may be the reason he slide one round later than he should have. He has some character issues, albeit small, but it is still there. He also needs to get stronger to handle the punishment from WR/TE that will come down field to block him. He has only average measurable’s, but so did new teammate Anquan Boldin and he turned out just fine.
Round 4 (pick 131) – Greg Toler, CB, St. Pauls (5’11”, 191 lbs.)
As there is in Draft’s of the past, teams will take a chance on little known student-athletes that could develop into big time Pro’s. The Cards hope Toler fits that bill. After missing out on a Division I due to poor academics, Toler got a 2nd chance at Division II St. Pauls. Under former Philadelphia Eagles safety Kevin Grisby, Toler excelled at cornerback during his tenure. He also will graduate soon, which shows how far he has come. He may prove, in time, to be a great nickel back.
Round 5 (pick 167) – Herman Johnson, OL, LSU (6’7”, 364 lbs.)
The biggest baby ever born in Louisiana (15lbs., 14 ounces) is now in Arizona. Johnson has the frame of one giant offensive tackle, but probably will fare better kicking inside to guard as he did during his college career. Johnson is never going to be a superstar guard, however if he stays mentally and physically stout and devoted, he will be a welcome asset to the stability of the Cards offensive line. He has a lot of work to do to maintain his weight and focus. Strength and speed are not a part of his game, but he is massive and understands how to play o-line which is why he wins those battles in the trenches. He may be a back-up for the next few years as he adjusts to the NFL speed of defender’s he will play.
Round 6 (pick 204) – Will Davis, DE/OLB, Illinois (6’2”, 260 lbs.)
Although Davis underachieved at Illinois, it was not due to effort. He is going to have the most trouble adjusting to standing up in a 3-4 and would probably be better suited in the nickel as a rush defensive end (DE). He has good speed, balance and strength but could not be a full time DE. If he loses weight, gets faster and learns to play in space, he could be a valuable back-up. He did start his career as a WR/TE so he does have the athletic background to switch positions, but only time will tell.
Round 7 (pick 240) – LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB, Pittsburgh (5’7”, 180 lbs.)
This small running back is very quick and shifty. LSH would be very useful in the passing game since he is much faster and shifter than Hightower and Wells. Other than being a 3rd down back and/or return man, he is going to be hard pressed to make the team. Still, Darren Sproles, Garrett Wolfe and Maurice Jones-Drew are small in stature and have succeeded in the league.
Round 7 (pick 254) – Trevor Canfield, OL, Cincinnati (6’5”, 307 lbs.)
Trevor Canfield may have been selected in the 7th round, but he has the ability to be a starter in this league in the near future. His size, attitude and athletic ability have carried him this far and he is suited for the Cardinals passing approach. Although he still needs to get more lead in is butt to better absorb bull rushing defensive tackles, he plays with a mean streak and will fight to gain position. A valuable back-up that could also play some right tackle in a few years.
Overview
The Super Bowl runner-up seems to have helped their cause by getting a star running back to accompany diamond in the rough Hightower. Picking Rashad Johnson in the 3rd round is one of a few steals in the entire draft. He should find playing time behind Antrel Rolle early and will contribute in the nickel and dime defenses instantly. Wells makes a good offense even better, but there are a lot of projects in this draft class that will label them as having great foresight or being horrible draft evaluators. We’ll check back in a few years to see if these gambles paid off.