2009 NFL Draft Grades from Mel Kiper Jr and Todd McShay

April 28, 2009

Mel Kiper Jr and Todd McShay provide their first impressions on the 2009 NFL Draft. First, watch McShay’s video analysis of each division (when available), followed by Mel’s grade for each team, McShay’s best and worst picks, and finally commentary from Ross Tucker of Sports Illustrated.

2009 NFL Draft Recap - NFC East Grades

Dallas Cowboys
Mel Kiper Jr: D grade
Best pick: DE Brandon Williams, Texas Tech (fourth round, No. 120 overall)
Worst pick: OLB Jason Williams, Western Illinois (third round, No. 69)
Tucker’s take: The Cowboys traded down and drafted a bunch of players who won’t even make their roster. What is the point of that? Out of their 12 picks, maybe two of them will contribute in 2009. Not good.

New York Giants
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (first round, No. 29 overall)
Worst pick: OT William Beatty, Connecticut (second round, No. 60 overall)
Tucker’s take: The G-men got a lot of value in players like Virginia’s Clint Sintim and UConn’s William Beatty, but if they lose in the playoffs again because Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden aren’t able to contribute as rookies this will be a draft that is forever known as the trade that didn’t happen. You can’t tell me Nicks and Barden will be better than Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards the next two years. By the time the rookies develop, the window on the Giants’ title hopes might be closed.

Philadelphia Eagles
Mel Kiper Jr: B- grade
Best pick: RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh (second round, No. 53 overall)
Worst pick: OT Fenuki Tupou, Oregon (fifth round, No. 159 overall)
Tucker’s take: They got arguably the best receiver in the draft, Jeremy Maclin, at No. 19 and the most elusive and pure runner, LeSean McCoy, at No. 53. The Eagles also got another receiving threat in sleeper tight end Cornelius Ingram from Florida. Oh, and did I mention they got the most talented left tackle in the league in Jason Peters via trade and a guy nicknamed “Macho” (Victor Harris)? You gotta love it.

Washington Redskins
Mel Kiper Jr: C+ grade
Best pick: DE Brian Orakpo, Texas (first round, No. 13 overall)
Worst pick: OLB Cody Glenn, Nebraska (fifth round, No. 158 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Skins swung and missed on Mark Sanchez, but that may be a blessing in disguise. Brian Orakpo looks like Tarzan but too often plays like Jane, and Washington defensive coordinator Greg Blache will be all over him in order to get maximum effort. Maryland corner Kevin Barnes should help too, but I certainly hope they don’t picture former top-five pick Mike Williams being the answer at right tackle after signing him Friday night.

2009 NFL Draft Recap - NFC North Grades

Chicago Bears
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt (fourth round, No. 119)
Worst pick: WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma (third round, No. 99 overall)
Tucker’s take: If quarterback Jay Cutler lives up to expectations, the rest of this draft is meaningless for Chicago. Still, Jerry Angelo gathered up several solid players that will help the Bears in 2009. San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert can jump out of a pool — even though I have no idea what that means in terms of football. Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman and Vanderbilt defensive back D.J. Moore are solid players from power conferences who could see the field early. The Bears still need a receiver who can help them this year.

Detroit Lions
Mel Kiper Jr: B- grade
Best pick: TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State (first round, No. 20 overall)
Worst pick: OLB DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin (third round, No. 76 overall)
Tucker’s take: This draft will always hinge on whether Matthew Stafford earns the exorbitant money he is receiving. To his credit, he has handled the process fantastically up to this point. Now he just needs to play well. Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew and Western Michigan safety Louis Delmas are the most physical players at their position and fit what Jim Schwartz is trying to do in the Motor City.

Green Bay Packers
Mel Kiper Jr: A grade
Best pick: DT B.J. Raji, Boston College (first round, No. 9 overall)
Worst pick: FB Quinn Johnson, LSU (fifth round, No. 145 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Packers got the best defensive tackle in the draft in B.J. Raji, who is stout enough to play nose guard and athletic enough to line up over the offensive tackle in Dom Capers’ new defense. Speaking of positional versatility, the Packers also got the best combo pass rusher-pass defender available at the outside backer position in Clay Matthews. Eastern Michigan’s T.J. Lang and South Carolina’s Jamon Meredith will provide further competition to an offensive line that took a step back last year.

Minnesota Vikings
Mel Kiper Jr: C+ grade
Best pick: WR Percy Harvin, Florida (first round, No. 22 overall)
Worst pick: OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma (second round, No. 54 overall)
Tucker’s take: Percy Harvin will make a ton of plays for the Vikings as long as he can stay on the field. Phil Loadholt is the big hammer the Vikes wanted to get at right tackle. Asher Allen from Georgia is the corner they sorely needed.

2009 NFL Draft Recap - NFC South Grades

Atlanta Falcons
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: DE Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond (fourth round, No. 125 overall)
Worst pick: S William Moore, Missouri (second round, No. 55 overall)
Tucker’s take: Thomas Dimitroff knows exactly what he is doing. He traded for Tony Gonzalez and filled the only real need on offense before sinking his teeth into the other side of the ball. Peria Jerry is a rolling bucket of butcher knives and plays his tail off every play, which fits what Mike Smith and the Falcons are trying to do. William Moore injects some youth and physicality into the secondary, and look out for sleeper defensive end Lawrence Sidbury, who dominated at the FCS level for the Richmond Spiders.

Carolina Panthers
Mel Kiper Jr: C grade
Best pick: DE Everette Brown, FSU (second round, No. 43 overall)
Worst pick: DT Corvey Irvin, Georgia (third round, No. 93 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Panthers give up next year’s first rounder for the second year in a row, but it doesn’t matter because they got the pass-rusher they desperately needed opposite Julius Peppers in Everette Brown, a guy who many people thought could have gone in the top 15. Georgia defensive tackle Corvey Irvin will contribute in the rotation as a rookie. Oklahoma offensive guard Duke Robinson is a big boy who needs to play with better technique and consistency. Sounds a lot like Jeff Otah last year, and that worked out pretty well for John Fox and company.

New Orleans Saints
Mel Kiper Jr: C grade
Best pick: DB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State (first round, No. 14 overall)
Worst pick: ILB Stanley Arnoux, Wake Forest (fourth round, No. 118 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Saints got the best player at their biggest position of need over the past couple of years in Ohio State defensive back Malcolm Jenkins. They would have liked to have gotten an outside linebacker or a power running back, but they would rather have Jeremy Shockey and Jonathan Vilma, the players they traded for the picks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: DT Roy Miller, Texas (third round, No. 81 overall)
Worst pick: QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State (first round, No. 17 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Bucs traded up two spots for Josh Freeman, but who else wanted him? I highly doubt Denver would have taken him at 18. The Bucs probably could have traded down and still landed him. Freeman will take at least a year or two to develop, so new head coach Raheem Morris had better have some job security for a team that is in full-blown rebuilding mode. The Bucs still need a defensive tackle, though I am sure they hope Roy Miller from Texas can fill that role.

2009 NFL Draft Recap - NFC West Grades

Arizona Cardinals
Mel Kiper Jr: B+ grade
Best pick: RB Chris Wells, Ohio State (first round, No. 31 overall)
Worst pick: OLB Cody Brown, Connecticut (second round, No. 63 overall)
Tucker’s take: Ken Whisenhunt had a solid draft again, getting power running back Chris “Beanie” Wells from Ohio State in the first round. Cody Brown from Connecticut fits the mold of the Steelers outside linebackers that Whisenhunt remembers from his time in Pittsburgh. Rashad Johnson from Alabama and small-school prospect Gregory Toler will fight for playing time in the secondary as rookie.

San Francisco 49ers
Mel Kiper Jr: B+ grade
Best pick: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech (first round, No. 10 overall)
Worst pick: ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh (fifth round, No. 146 overall)
Tucker’s take: Mike Singletary had to be smiling from ear to ear when Michael Crabtree fell into his lap at No. 10, giving the Niners the elite playmaker they have been seeking for a long time. Alabama running back Glen Coffee will lessen the load for Frank Gore as they run behind the second-best blocking tight end in the draft in Fresno State’s Bear Pascoe. Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop is a throwback who makes tackles all over the field. Ball State quarterback Nate Davis gives San Francisco a physically gifted quarterback who has some obstacles to overcome to become an NFL caliber passer.

Seattle Seahawks
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (first round, No. 4 overall)
Worst pick: QB Mike Teel, Rutgers (sixth round, No. 178 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Seahawks elected to pass on a quarterback and a left tackle in order to take the best defensive player and quite possibly the best overall player in the draft in Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. He will be a difference maker immediately. Versatile offensive lineman Max Unger from Oregon and former walk-on turned all-time leading receiver Deon Butler from Penn State should have roles to fill as well for new head coach Jim Mora.

St. Louis Rams
Mel Kiper Jr: C grade
Best pick: OT Jason Smith, Baylor (first round, No. 2 overall)
Worst pick: CB Bradley Fletcher, Iowa (third round, No. 66 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Rams let the draft come to them and it worked out well as they filled three needs in the first three rounds. Baylor tackle Jason Smith was number one at his position on most boards because he is a more physical finisher than Eugene Monroe. James Laurinaitis was a three-time All-American at Ohio State and noted student of the game. He’ll be a team leader in the NFL. Iowa cornerback Bradley Fletcher had the size-speed combo that Rams GM Billy Devaney was looking for at that position.

2009 NFL Draft Recap - AFC East Grades

Buffalo Bills
Mel Kiper Jr: B+ grade
Best pick: DE/OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State (first round, No. 11 overall)
Worst pick: C Eric Wood, Louisville (first round, No.28 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Bills batted .500 in this draft, which is good in baseball but bad in football. They needed a pass rusher and a left tackle in this draft but got only one by taking the player with the best first step in this year’s class, Penn State’s Aaron Maybin. Maybin will be a situational pass rusher as a rookie and give Buffalo an option opposite Aaron Schobel. Louisville’s Eric Wood and Oregon State’s Andy Levitre were two of the top rated interior offensive linemen available and can help fortify the inside, but it remains to be seen whether veterans Kirk Chambers, Langston Walker and Demetrius Bell can protect Trent Edwards on the flanks in some combination. Southern Mississippi tight end Shawn Nelson gives them the speed threat at tight end they were sorely lacking.

Miami Dolphins team
Mel Kiper Jr: C- grade
Best pick: CB Sean Smith, Utah (second round, No. 61 overall)
Worst pick: WR Patrick Turner, USC (third round, No. 87 overall)
Tucker’s take: Bill Parcells likes big people at every position and believes might makes right in the NFL. He got the biggest corner in the draft in Utah’s Sean Smith and just about the biggest wideout in USC’s Patrick Turner. Those picks came after the Dolphins got the most talented cornerback available in the draft in Illinois’ Vontae Davis, who needs to overcome maturity issues. The Dolphins also got the ideal Wildcat candidate in West Virginia’s Pat White and a solid but not spectacular receiver in Ohio State’s Brian Hartline.

New England Patriots
Mel Kiper Jr: B+ grade
Best pick: CB Darius Butler, Connecticut (second round, No. 41 overall)
Worst pick: OG Richard Ohrnberger, Penn State (fourth round, No. 123 overall)
Tucker’s take: I feel like I have seen this draft before because it seems eerily similar to what the Patriots did last year, and every other year that I can remember for that matter. They fortified the back end with Oregon’s Patrick Chung and UConn’s Darius Butler. They continued to draft for depth and competition on the offensive line by collecting a bunch of blue collar-types in Houston’s Sebastian Vollmer, Penn State’s Rich Ohrnberger and Louisville’s George Bussey. Boston College’s Ron Brace was the best pure nose guard available and North Carolina receiver Brandon Tate could end up being a steal if he can overcome injury and off-field issues.

New York Jets
Mel Kiper Jr: A- grade
Best pick: QB Mark Sanchez, USC (first round, No. 5 overall)
Worst pick: OG Matthew Slauson, Nebraska (sixth round, No. 193 overall)
Tucker’s take: Everyone else loves what the Jets did. Not me. It is hard for me to imagine USC quarterback Mark Sanchez being better as a rookie than fourth-year vet Kellen Clemens. The move had as much to do with sparking excitement among the fanbase and making a big splash as it did with football. The pressure on Sanchez will be huge for a team whose roster is ready to win now. Drafting only three players means the team is looking to get into the postseason. Having one of them be a quarterback makes that unlikely, despite what Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan did last year. Moving up to get Iowa running back Shonn Greene gives the Jets some insurance in case Thomas Jones continues to hold out, but where is the receiver that they so desperately need opposite Jerricho Cotchery?

2009 NFL Draft Recap - AFC North Grades

Baltimore Ravens
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: DE/OLB Paul Kruger (second round, No. 57 overall)
Worst pick: TE Davon Drew, East Carolina (fifth round, No. 149 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Wizard of Oz, GM Ozzie Newsome, does it again by entering the draft with no glaring needs and getting tremendous value at every selection. Mississippi tackle Michael Oher has all the physical tools to be a good starter in the NFL and they got him relatively late in the first round while Utah’s Paul Kruger (an all-day sucker, which is football terminology for playing hard every snap) will quickly fit in on the Ravens’ intimidating defense. The rest of Newsome’s haul will provide depth and help on special teams.

Cincinnati Bengals
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: ILB Rey Maualuga, USC (second round, No. 38 overall)
Worst pick: RB Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian (sixth round, No. 209 overall)
Tucker’s take: Marvin Lewis is tired of trying to play finesse football in the black and blue division. Instead of running from the bullies in the schoolyard in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the Bengals are going to hit them in the mouth with Alabama tackle Andre Smith and USC linebacker Rey Maualuga. Smith is the best run-blocking offensive lineman by far and Maualuga is a vicious tackler, so they will both fit in well in the AFC North. Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson and Missouri tight end Chase Coffman could be steals. Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs may start as a rookie.

Cleveland Browns
Mel Kiper Jr: B- grade
Best pick: WR Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia (second round, No. 50 overall)
Worst pick: WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State (second round, No. 36 overall)
Tucker’s take: Eric Mangini and George Kokinis did a ton of business in stockpiling players that fit what they are looking to do in Cleveland, starting by trading down and getting a trio of former Jets. Georgia’s Mohammed Massaquoi and Ohio State’s Brian Robiskie are the anti-divas at wide receiver who could both become solid pros. Cal center Alex Mack was the best interior lineman in the draft, and his passion for the game will wear off on his fellow linemates.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Mel Kiper Jr: B grade
Best pick: G Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin (third round, No. 79 overall)
Worst pick: DT Evander Hood, Missouri (first round, No. 32 overall)
Tucker’s take: The fans in the Steel City like ‘em strong and tough and that is exactly what they got with their first two picks in Missouri defensive tackle Ziggy Hood and Wisconsin guard Kraig Urbik. They needed some depth up front and they got that in Hood and Urbik. The Steelers also landed the fastest wide receiver in the draft, Mississippi’s Mike Wallace. Cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett will compete for the nickel spot and fill the void left by Bryant McFadden’s departure to Arizona.

2009 NFL Draft Recap - AFC South Grades

Houston Texans
Mel Kiper Jr: B+ grade
Best pick: TE James Casey, Rice (fifth round, No. 152 overall)
Worst pick: S Glover Quin, New Mexico (fourth round, No. 112 overall)
Tucker’s take: The Texans needed to get better and more versatile on the defensive side of the ball and USC’s Brian Cushing and Cincinnati’s Connor Barwin certainly fill the bill as almost mirror image players that can do a lot of things flanking DeMeco Ryans. Alabama interior lineman Antoine Caldwell was a value pick and provides depth which was needed up front. Local product James Casey drives down the street from Rice to start his pro career and can play a number of positions for the dynamic Texans offense.

Indianapolis Colts
Mel Kiper Jr: C+ grade
Best pick: RB Donald Brown, Connecticut (first round, No. 27 overall)
Worst pick: DT Fili Moala, USC (second round, No. 56 overall)
Tucker’s take: Bill Polian really can’t help himself when it comes to getting talented skill players in round one, but he got a prototypical Colt in intelligent do-it-all running back Donald Brown from UConn. Polian then addressed their most glaring need by getting big space eaters in USC defensive tackle Fili Moala and Michigan nose guard Terrance Taylor. BYU wide receiver Austin Collie has Colt written all over him and could be running routes from the slot as a rookie if he can grasp the complicated scheme that Indy runs.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Mel Kiper Jr: C+ grade
Best pick: WR Mike Thomas, Arizona (fourth round, No. 107 overall)
Worst pick: DT Terrance Knighton (third round, No. 72 overall)
Tucker’s take: Jack Del Rio was tired of drafting guys who didn’t pan out. That, and he wanted to get back to his meat and potatoes philosophy. That meant getting more physical up front. The Jags got amazing value in picking offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton much lower than most people anticipated. Terrance Knighton is the big body that was needed next to John Henderson, and Jacksonville waited until later to get receivers like Mike Thomas and Jarrett Dillard after their negative experiences with Matt Jones and Reggie Williams early in previous drafts.

Tennessee Titans
Mel Kiper Jr: C+ grade
Best pick: TE Jared Cook, South Carolina (third round, No. 89 overall)
Worst pick: CB Ryan Mouton, Hawaii (third round, No. 94 overall)
Tucker’s take: Wide receiver Kenny Britt and tight end Jared Cook give the Titans more speed and options for Kerry Collins on the outside. The Titans got another young body on the defensive line in Sen’Derrick Marks, who they will need to get to play hard on every snap. Javon Ringer, Troy Kopog and the rest of the Titans picks will be counted on to provide depth on a team disappointed by its early playoff exit.

2009 NFL Draft Recap - AFC West Grades

Denver Broncos
Mel Kiper Jr: C grade
Best pick: DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee (first round, No. 18)
Worst pick: TE Richard Quinn, North Carolina (third round, No. 64)
Tucker’s take: The Broncos defense was horrible last year, so, of course, their first pick would be a … running back? Fortunately for Josh McDaniels, they rallied with the next two picks of Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers and Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith, both of whom will play as rookies. Then the Broncos took Texas Tech defensive back Darcel McBath and North Carolina tight end Richard Quinn way earlier than most people would have anticipated, so it was back to the head-scratching for the new regime.

Kansas City Chiefs
Mel Kiper Jr: C- grade
Best pick: DT Alex Magee, Purdue (third round, No. 67 overall)
Worst pick: CB Donald Washington, Ohio State (fourth round, No. 102 overall)
Tucker’s take: New Chiefs GM Scott Pioli cares only about good football players, thank you, and doesn’t care if they lack the flash that some fans might be seeking. Tyson Jackson is a big defensive end with great hands in the Richard Seymour mold and will be a force right away and will be joined on the defensive line by Purdue’s Alex Magee. Donald Washington probably should have stayed at Ohio State but his physical ability is unquestioned and he will compete in an already youthful Chiefs defensive backfield.

Oakland Raiders
Mel Kiper Jr: D grade
Best pick: WR Louis Murphy, Florida (fourth round, No. 124 overall)
Worst pick: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland (first round, No. 7 overall)
Tucker’s take: I would pay money to get a copy of the Raiders draft board. Seriously. First-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey is fast but has trouble catching the ball at times, which is kind of a problem when you are trying to make your living as an NFL receiver. Mike Mitchell had a good pro day, which, of course, makes him a second-round pick. Then the Raiders reached (what else is new) for Wisconsin defensive end Matt Shaughnessy. Sorry, Raiders fans, but it does not look like there is any light at the end of the black tunnel.

San Diego Chargers
Mel Kiper Jr: C+ grade
Best pick: G Tyronne Green, Auburn (fourth round, No. 133 overall)
Worst pick: DT Vaughn Martin, Western Ontario (fourth round, No. 113 overall)
Tucker’s take: It is hard to question A.J. Smith when it comes to outside linebackers, so I won’t with his decision to take the super-productive Larry English from Northern Illinois. Texas Tech’s Louis Vasquez is a mauler who benched 225 pounds 39 times at the combine and will compete for the starting right guard spot vacated when Mike Goff was not re-signed. Sleeper alert is in effect with defensive tackle Vaughn Martin from Canadian powerhouse Western Ontario.

Category: 2009 Season, NFL Draft | Tags: Mel Kiper, NFL Draft, Todd McShay, Video

Rejoice!!! Anquan Boldin will remain with Cards in 2009

April 27, 2009

Get excited. The “Big Three” of Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner, and Larry Fitzgerald will return in 2009. With the passing of the NFL draft and no trades involving top-flight veteran players, we can finally put the trade talks about Boldin to rest, and concentrate on winning the Superbowl in 2009.

Category: 2009 Season, News | Tags: Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald

Scary rumors involving Anquan Boldin trade

April 24, 2009

Inexplicably, reports have surfaced that the Cardinals are now requesting only a 2nd round draft pick in exchange for Anquan Boldin.

Call me crazy, but Anquan Boldin is worth more than a 1st round draft choice, so I can’t understand why the Cardinals would even consider parting ways for a paltry second-round draft pick. Keep in mind this is a guy who caught 89 receptions for 1,038 yards and 11 TDs in 2008. What player could the Cardinals possibly draft in either the first or second round that would match Boldin’s anticipated production in 2009?

I’ve got a short answer for that: Adrian Peterson. But guess what? This isn’t 2007 and Adrian Peterson isn’t available in this draft class, he just doesn’t exist.

So the Cardinals are going to handicap themselves in 2009 for a few draft picks that won’t make a spectacular, instant impact? I don’t get it. Why not try for the Superbowl one more time before Kurt Warner’s arm gives out?

Is Matt Leinart really the future? That’s not something I’m willing to gamble on, so I have no idea why the Cardinals aren’t focusing more on winning now. Having a great running game in 2012 will be neat, but without a top flight quarterback under center, there are no guarantees we’ll sniff the postseason again.

This latest “second-round” pick rumor is obviously very exciting to the other 31 teams in the NFL, as I can’t imagine there’s a single team out there that wouldn’t consider acquiring Boldin for such a bargain price. The Eagles, Giants, Titans, and Jets are now considered in the running, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Bill Belichick swoops in and snatches Boldin off the Cardinals hands - the Patriots have 11 draft picks and Belichick knows a bargain when he sees one.

Category: 2009 Season, Editorial | Tags: Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart

All Quiet on the Western Front

April 23, 2009

Thankfully, trade talks involving Anquan Boldin appear to remain speculation at best. My hope is general manager Rod Graves and coach Ken Whisenhunt have set the acquisition cost prohibitively high, so any team serious about trading for Boldin would have to part with an unsavory amount of players and picks.

Here are a few quick thoughts on the rumor mill:

I don’t foresee Boldin being traded for another player or combination of players. Rumors involving Baltimore’s first-round draft pick plus Todd Heap as a “sweetener” are just ludicrous:

Why on earth would the Cardinals give up Boldin, a quick outlet receiver that can go the distance on any given play, for an aging 6′ 5″ jump ball target like Heap? The Cardinals would lose the ability to stretch the field to acquire a guy whose abilities mimick what the Cardinals already have in Larry Fitzgerald. Boldin is dangerous with inside routes and wide-receiver screens, something that can’t be easily replaced by existing wide receivers Steve Breaston or Jerheme Urban. The argument could be made that second-year pro Early Doucet will develop into that role, but with only 14 receptions in 2008, it’s hard to mortage the team’s future on his development.

Similarly, this isn’t baseball. It’s very seldom for one player to be traded for another. Coaches like to develop players through the draft, so unless both coaches have personally worked with the opposing players before (extremely unlikely!), it’s next to impossible to exchange players with the perfect personality, scheme, and contract fit.

Ideally, Boldin remains with the team, Arizona adds some complimentary offensive weapons this weekend, and the Cardinals wrap up a successful offseason having retained the core nucleus from the 2008 NFC Championship team. With playoff experience under their belts and an infusion of talented youth, the Cardinals will have legitimate Superbowl aspirations in 2009.

Category: 2009 Season, Editorial | Tags: Anquan Boldin, Early Doucet, Jerheme Urban, Ken Whisenhunt, Rod Graves, Steve Breaston

Anquan Boldin trade less likely after Eagles trade away picks

April 17, 2009

I’m an unabashed, huge proponent of the Arizona Cardinals keeping Anquan Boldin, so I’m overjoyed to hear the Philadelphia Eagles (one of Boldin’s supposed suitors) traded away the three draft picks they would have required to secure his services in 2009.

The Eagles obtained Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters from the Buffalo Bills for their first round pick (28th overall) and 4th round pick in this year’s draft, and a 6th round pick in 2010.

Several teams coveting the 28 year-old Boldin include the Giants, Eagles, Bears, Dolphins, and Browns. The Jason Peters trade virtually eliminates the Eagles ability to create an attractive trade package, the Bears were similarly handicapped by the Jay Cutler trade, which leaves the Giants as the NFC’s only viable suitor. However, I can’t imagine the Cardinals trading their star receiver to an already powerful NFC division foe. Why would they strengthen a team they’d likely meet in the playoffs?

So all we can do is cross our fingers and wait… hoping that the Bill Parcells led Dolphins decide to build through the draft, and that the Browns don’t try any three-team-shenanigans involving quarterbacks Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson.

The best place for Anquan Boldin, and our Superbowl aspirations, is with the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.

Category: 2009 Season, Editorial | Tags: Anquan Boldin

EA Sports “Madden” to feature Larry Fitzgerald?

April 16, 2009

It’s official. The 2009 season may go entirely up in smoke. Rumors today say that Larry Fitzgerald will be featured on the cover of EA Sports Madden NFL 10 football game, which, with its accompanying well-documented curse, all but guarantees the Arizona Cardinals will miss the playoffs entirely in 2009.

Let’s just hope Coach Ken Whisenhunt and Rod Graves heed this sobering news and put the kibosh on any thoughts of trading Anquan Boldin.

If the Madden Curse holds true, they’ll certainly need Boldin’s wide receivering services!

Category: 2009 Season, Editorial | Tags: Anquan Boldin, Ken Whisenhunt, Larry Fitzgerald, Rod Graves

2009 NFL schedule: revenge games will decide Cardinals success

April 14, 2009

Cetain themes emerge in the NFL over time. For the Arizona Cardinals in 2009, the theme is revenge. Arizona faces three playoff teams that beat the Cardinals during the 2008 regular season: Giants (L 29-37), Panthers (L 23-27), and Vikings (L 14-35).

Additionally, Arizona will face NFC West opponents hoping to avenge six losses in 2008 (the Cardinals went 6-0 against the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks last year). How the Cardinals fare in these revenge games will largely determine the fate of their season: win and the playoffs are a reality, lose and start packing your bags.

For the fourth straight season the Cardinals will play the 49ers in the season opener. The Cardinals have opened the season 2-1 versus the 49ers during that stretch, but the games have been close, with 2 out of 3 decided by a touchdown or less.

The Cardinals will then face an early test from the AFC South, with a difficult road game against Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, at home against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, followed by a meaningless early bye Week 4, and then a difficult home game against Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and the much improved Houston Texans in Week 5.

Week 1: Sunday, September 13, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers, 4:15 PM EST
Week 2: Sunday, September 20, @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 PM EST
Week 3: Sunday, September 27, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 8:20 PM EST*
Week 4: BYE WEEK
Week 5: Sunday, October 11, HOUSTON TEXANS, 4:15 PM EST

After playing 3 out of 4 games at home, the Cardinals travel for 5 of their next 7:

Week 6: Sunday, October 18, @ Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 PM EST
Week 7: Sunday, October 25, @ NY Giants, 8:20 PM EST*
Week 8: Sunday, November 1, CAROLINA PANTHERS, 4:15 PM EST*
Week 9: Sunday, November 8, @ Chicago Bears, 1:00 PM EST
Week 10: Sunday, November 15, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, 4:15 PM EST
Week 11: Sunday, November 22, @ St. Louis Rams, 4:05 PM EST
Week 12: Sunday, November 29, @ Tennessee Titans, 1:00 PM EST*

The Giants, Panthers, and Titans were playoff teams in 2008, so the above stretch of games should be the Cardinals most difficult test. Facing the Bears at home with newly acquired quarterback Jay Cutler at the helm won’t be easy, and you have to assume the Seahawks and Rams will be better than their combined 6-26 record last year.

The Cardinals end the 2009 regular season with 3 out of 5 games at home, and 4 out of 5 within the confines of Kurt Warner-friendly domes:

Week 13: Sunday, December 6, MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 4:15 PM EST*
Week 14: Monday, December 14, @ San Francisco 49ers, 8:30 PM EST
Week 15: Sunday, December 20, @ Detroit Lions, 1:00 PM EST
Week 16: Sunday, December 27, ST. LOUIS RAMS, 4:05 PM EST
Week 17: Sunday, January 3, GREEN BAY PACKERS, 4:15 PM EST

The favorable closing schedule avoids cold weather games and may provide a much-needed late season push, but the road to the playoffs won’t be easy. The Cardinals face five 2008 playoff teams (Colts, Giants, Panthers, Titans, and Vikings), and three more 2007 playoff teams that might return to form (Jaguars, Seahawks, and Packers).

The entire Arizona Cardinals 2009 schedule can be viewed here.

Category: 2009 Season, News | Tags: Kurt Warner

Veteran celebration: Elton Brown re-signs with Cards

March 23, 2009

Elton Brown will return to the Arizona Cardinals after agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday. Brown is expected to compete with 2008 starter Deuce Lutui for the starting right guard position, and will provide vital depth to the Cardinals 2009 offensive line.

Drafted in the fourth round by Dennis Green in 2005, Brown started 9 games as a rookie before missing the entire 2006 season with a knee injury. Brown returned to form in 2007, starting 5 of 9 games, and played a key reserve lineman and special teams role during the Cardinals 2008 NFC Championship run.

Brown previously attended the University of Virginia, where he was named team captain and led the Cavaliers with 76 knockdown blocks and no sacks allowed during his senior season. Brown earned 2004 College Football All-American honors, was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, and was awarded his second consecutive Jacobs Blocking Trophy (2003-2004), which recognized him as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s top collegiate blocker.

Category: 2009 Season, News | Tags: Elton Brown

Hungry for more: Bertrand Berry re-signs with Cardinals

March 22, 2009

Bertrand Berry signed a $1 million, 1-year contract Wednesday and will return to the Arizona Cardinals in 2009. The 6′3″ 260 lb defensive end from Notre Dame is entering his 12th season in the league, and will turn 34 during training camp in August, but retirement isn’t on his mind.

“The ‘R’ word is not in my vocabulary,” Berry said the day the Cardinals cleaned out their lockers. “Let’s get that out there right now. There is no thought of that, I have no intentions of that. I am not done by a long shot.”

Berry led the Cardinals with 5.0 sacks in 2008, including one sack in each of the first 3 regular season games, and added 2.0 more sacks during the Cardinals NFC Championship playoff run. Berry had 22 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 passes defensed on the year.

Berry is considered a defensive leader on the team and will backup defensive end Travis LaBoy in 2009.

Category: 2009 Season, News | Tags: Bertrand Berry, Travis LaBoy

Leadership? Yes, please. Clark Haggans returns to Cardinals

March 21, 2009

Clark Haggans may have lost a little explosiveness over his ten-year career, but the 32-year old veteran linebacker remains a defensive leader and locker room force.

The Cardinals re-signed Haggans to an undisclosed 3-year contract Tuesday.

Haggans suffered a foot injury and missed 9 of the final 10 games of the 2008 season, including all 4 playoff games, but has been a productive sack specialist throughout his career. Haggans best season was with Pittsburgh in 2005, when Haggans recorded 59.0 tackles, 9.0 sacks and 4.0 forced fumbles in 13 regular season games, followed by 18.0 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 4 playoffs victories, including 5.0 tackles and a key sack in the Steelers 21-10 victory over the Seahawks in Superbowl XL.

Haggans ended his 2008 season on injured reserve, but after successful offseason Lisfranc foot surgery is expecting to terrorize opposing quarterbacks once again in 2009.

“Hopefully, I can get that same bounce back and be fine,” Haggans said.

Category: 2009 Season, News | Tags: Clark Haggans

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