Per Adam Schefter. Case in point: Tannenbaum and Ryan need to seal the deal this draft in 2009. Pittsburgh had its famed draft class of 1974. Arizona had its in 2004. Five years ago, the Cardinals picked the players who put them in Super Bowl XLIII ? Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (first round), Auburn linebacker Karlos Dansby (second), Florida State defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (third) and Oklahoma State defensive end Antonio Smith (fifth). Two of the players already have gone to the Pro Bowl, another has received the Cardinals? franchise tag, and the fourth is a superb pass rusher. Pittsburgh had what is regarded as the single greatest draft in 1974, picking four future Hall of Famers in the first five rounds -? Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. That draft class became the foundation for the Steelers? four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s. Now the Cardinals have their own illustrious draft class. It?s no accident that it has correlated into the team?s first Super Bowl appearance.
True, but without the veteran FA pick up of Kurt Warner, whom most NFL GMs wanted no part of, they don't even get within smelling distance of the playoffs.
i concur. but the fact remains is that Arizona has the pieces, and with the same front office that drafted those players in 2004, if they have a similar repeat, they will be the most dangerous team in football. the chances are slim, but in the NFL nothing is certain. No one thought Dockett would have been as explosive as he is. I knew Fitzgerald was going to be a future HOF, after seeing him in Pitt. Dansby is a FA now, but I wouldnt be surprised if Arizona throws a contract to him, and Antonio Smith is consistent. One of the weakest points in Arizona is their linebackers, offensive line and running game. Of the top four Cardinals outside linebackers, three are over 30 years old. Ideally, the Cardinals first-round draft choice would be a dominant 3/4 rush outside linebacker. They draft a solid OG/OT to add depth. Another DB to compete with Rodgers-Cromartie, or a safety to add speed behind Antrell Rolle. Not to mention another running back to complement Hightower, and a wide out to add depth beyond Steve Breaston, in case Boldin goes down with injuries again. Gentlemen, if that pans out. The Cardinals are a lock, all with the fact is Warner remains, if not. Its uncertain. Hopefully he does. I would love to see our defense match up against that offense again wit Rex Ryan as the coach.
Never noticed how good that 2004 draft class was to them... Especially now since Antonio Smith has stepped up big time in the post season. I'd love to see this team pursue the two that become UFAs in March, which are Antonio Smith and Karlos Dansby. Dansby has the speed, size and coverage ability to play inside or outside in a 3-4 and would be a tremendous pickup. We could make space by cutting David Bowens and Bryan Thomas.
I'm not trying to down play the draft, it's an important part in building your franchise. But, times are way different from the draft some 35+ years when the Steelers built their dynasty. First, there's FA and a player can leave after his first contract. Also, scouting and evaulations are light years ahead and even the playing field. Those "hidden gems" are more difficult to find. The days of drafting 4 Pro-Bowlers and Hall-famers in a draft class are loooooong gone.
The Giants had a similar draft class last year, many players who were key contributers to that championship team. (Bradshaw, Steve Smith, Kevin Boss, Aaron Ross, and others). A signature draft seems to be integral for even short term success as we have seen with the Cards/Giants.
We had our draft. Remember? John Abraham, Shaun Ellis, Anthony Becht, Chad Pennington and Laveraneus Coles.
Here's an interesting scenario... 2006 Draft, DBrick, Mangold, Leon then... IF Kellen Clemens pans out he was in that draft class, and Brad Smith was also one of our picks that year, if he is used to the max. of his potential (i.e. Antwan Randel El). If Clemens pans out then 06 could be our "signature draft class." If only we took ANY but Anthony Schlegel in round 3...
I WOULD THINK. ANY sane person would think with the skillset that Early Doucet has, yet he cant find a way to consistently produce in the passing game. It wouldnt hurt thats all I'm saying, because the Cardinals rely heavily on their passing game. It would be bizarre if their starters ever go down with injuries ala Jacksonville. If they have more depth at wideout, possibly one or two. THEY ARE SET, the Cardinals have established that their gameplan is speed. speed on offense and speed on defense. their offensive attack is very difficult to defend when they are in a rhythm. The Jets proved how to beat them in the regular season. Outshoot them, and have Darrelle Revis as your cornerback..
He's a rookie. Give him a little time, and how do you expect him to get on the field when the 3 above him are really good players? How many teams have 5 #1 and 2 WRs on their team?? Depth is depth, they all can't be starters, then they would want to be traded... Thats a Madden thing. We beat the shit out of Warner in the 1st half... thats how we won. Pace and his forced fumbles.
In case you haven't noticed, Tannenbaum totally sucks at picking impact players. The best pick he has ever made was Revis and we went 4-12 despite it.
Doucet was a rookie in 2008 with three 1,000 yard WRs ahead of him on the depth chart. Of course Doucet was not going to consistently produce in the passing game. It wouldn't hurt any team to bring in a good player at any position. Hell, the Patriots could draft a QB in the first round. Wouldn't hurt, right?
Mangold's pretty good. So's Leon. And I know he was the 4th overall pick so there's alot of expectation that comes with it but I don't get everyones hatred with D Brick. Would I have rather had Cutler that year? Check the old posts I LOVED Cutler. But D Brick has been a solid LT.
