Get to Know the Cardinals: Draftek’s Cardinal Analyst
Drafttek’s Arizona Cardinals analyst, Eugene Stasak, was kind enough to answer some questions I sent to his email. Eugene also works on drafttek’s big board and I’ll be posting that very interesting interview in the near future. Tonight I’ll be posting our full 7 round Cardinals team mock draft.
1) What are the Cardinals biggest needs?
The Cardinals biggest needs are at QB, OL, and OLB. They have, by far, the worst QB situation in the league with an UDFA, a late round project, and a terrible Derek Anderson. Along the offensive line, Alan Faneca is nearing the end, Sendlein is a mediocre center, Levi Brown is overmatched at LT and is better suited for RT, and they’ve been trying to replace Deuce Lutui at RG since he became the starter. At OLB, Haggans and Porter are over the hill and managed only 10 sacks between the two of them last year. They also have a need at CB where DRC took a step back last year and Greg Toler looks like he’s nothing more than a nickel back.
2). In the draft world new coaches mean new quarterbacks, but tenured coaches, don’t generally want to play young QB for fear of having less job security…Do you think the Cardinals will draft a QB early or seek out a veteran QB?
I believe that Whisenhunt will prefer the veteran route mainly because it appears that he is on the hot seat despite only being two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance. The Cardinals appear to be smitten with Blaine Gabbert but aside from him, there doesn’t appear to be anyone in the draft from the QB position that they seem overly interested in. In my opinion, the best fit for this Cardinals offense is Kevin Kolb. He’s got plenty of experience throwing the deep ball, is super accurate, has enough athleticism to move around, and, most importantly, he’s the guy Fitz wants.
3). What’s going to happen with Larry Fitzgerald?
That’s the million dollar question. If you put a gun to my head, I’ll guess he stays in Arizona. There are a number of QBs available through the draft and free agency that would be decent stop-gaps while they find a true franchise QB. If they obtain Kolb, that solves this problem. If not, there are other guys that could potentially bridge the gap to Skelton like Bulger or Hasselbeck.
4). Is Kurt Warner a hall of famer?
Yes. He is a two-time NFL MVP, been to three Super Bowls with two teams and a victory, owns most of the passing records for the playoffs, has over 30,000 yards and has the 2nd highest career passer rating among all retired players.
5). Explain to us how the Cardinals defense works?
The Cardinals defense for the past few years has been a base 3-4 that mixes in a ton of 4-3 looks because of the personnel. With the defensive coordinator change, expect the defense to finally go to a true zone blitz scheme in the Steelers mold. The role of Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett will change a bit as they will be asked to stop the run first and get after the QB second. Dan Williams will be in charge of occupying as many blockers as he can as well. The ILBs are given the freedom to use their athleticism and instincts to really roam freely and make plays while the OLBs are either blitzing or dropping into zone coverage. The FS will drop into deep middle coverage, Adrian Wilson will be used in a Polamalu role, and the corners will be in a cover 2.
6). Whos’ a player the Fans really want see drafted at 5th overall?
The three players the fans seem most interested in are Von Miller, Patrick Peterson, and Blaine Gabbert. Von Miller seems to garner the most interest though.
7). How are the last two draft classes coming along?
The 2010 class is coming along great. Dan Williams was the starting NT by the end of last season and appears poised to have a huge season, ILB Daryl Washington played so well all season they couldn’t keep him off the field despite him not being a ‘starter.’ OLB O’Brien Schofield basically redshirted but he got some experience over the last few games that should help him moving forward, WR Andre Roberts showed enough to make them think they will be ok whether Breaston returns or not, TE Jim Dray is already one of the top blocking TEs in the league, and QB John Skelton showed enough in his short playing stint at the end of the season to make them think he may have the skills to be the franchise QB down the road. The only player not on the roster is CB Jorrick Calvin who was traded to the Eagles.
The 2009 class isn’t coming along quite so well. RB Beanie Wells has been oft-injured and when he’s been in the game he’s had a case of fumblitis. OLB Cody Brown, OG Herman Johnson and OG Trevor Canfield are wearing another uniform. FS Rashad Johnson went from core special teamer, to starter. to bust, back to starter, and back to third string. Needless to say, he’s been a bust thus far and as I stated above, CB Greg Toler was overmatched as a starter and appears to be better suited for the nickel job. OLB Will Davis and RB/KR LaRod Stephens-Howling have both become core special teamers but neither bring much on defense or offense.
8). Is there a player the Cardinals seem to target with Ken Wisenhunt at the helm?
Not really, there seems to be no major rhyme or reason as to where the players they bring in come from with the exception of collecting over-the-hill former Steelers.
9). Tell us a little bit about how the Cardinals front office works on draft day?
General Manager Rod Graves is in charge on draft day. Graves has been in charge of the draft for the Cardinals for over a decade. How the decisions actually get made seem to be rather inconsistent over his tenure. Some drafts he goes straight BPA and others he reaches massively for needs. For someone who’s been in power for so long, it’s pretty interesting how much different his draft strategy is from year to year.
10). Best and worst draft picks for the Cardinals in the last decade
The best pick has got to be WR Larry Fitzgerald. He’s by far the best player they’ve draft in the past 10 years. Aside from him, SS Adrian Wilson was a third round pick and he’s probably the best safety in the NFC. DT/DE Darnell Dockett was also a third round pick. WR Steve Breaston has been great for a 5th round pick. ILB/OLB Karlos Dansby and WR Anquan Boldin were both second round picks but both have left the team already.
The worst picks have got to be QB Matt Leinart and DT Wendell Bryant. I tend to lean Bryant because he spent a grand total of three seasons in the NFL before being suspended for a season for violating the substance abuse policy and then never returning. Honorable mentions to second round OLB Cody Brown and third round ILB Buster Davis, neither of whom made the team out of their first training camp.
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