SB Nation - Carlton Medder

Arizona Cardinals Fight For 53: Examining the Bubble Players by Position

Hawkwind — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:52:26 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

3 months ago: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson, right, picks up an eight-yard gain as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Ralph Brown pulls him down during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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It's simply the nature of the NFL that 22 players who currently call themselves Arizona Cardinals, will be unemployed by the end of this coming weekend. The bad news will be given to hundreds of players across the NFL within the next week and many will be left hoping for a place on some team's practice squad or maybe the newly formed UFL. Before anyone has to worry about their new football home though, the bubble players will have one last shot to impress the coaching staff this Thursday when the Cardinals travel to Denver to take on the Broncos. Here's a quick list at the battles at various positions.

Kreider vs. Castille: With four running backs expected to make the final roster, thanks to LaRod Stephens-Howling's impressive play over the past month, the Cardinals are expected to carry just one fullback. That leaves three guys, Dan Kreider, Tim Castille and Reagan Maui'a, fighting for one spot, although truth be told it's really just a battle between Krieder and Castille. No one has really established themselves and each guy brings something different to the table. Krieder is hands down the better blocker and he's a "Whiz-guy" but Castille's versatility out of the backfield and prowess on special teams gives him a shot.

Long versus the Unknown: The only real question for the Cardinals to answer at wide receiver is how many they want to carry. Assuming that Early Doucet's recent rib injury won't effect his roster status, the teams top six wide outs are virtually set in stone (Fitz, Q, Breaston, Urban, Doucet and Morey). That leaves fan favorite Lance Long fighting for a spot that simply might not be there, but the team has carried seven wide receivers before. The injury risk of a couple of those guys and Long's ability to contribute on special teams leaves the door open. At this point Orea Jones, who's been impressive during the preseason, is simply showcasing himself to other teams or hoping for a practice squad job.

Brown vs. Ross: The offensive line is sort of the in the same predicament as the wide receiver spot considering that they've got quite a few semi-capable bodies but not enough roster spots for everyone. What we know is that Gandy, Wells, Sendlein, Lutui, Levi Brown, Keith and Johnson are all locks make the final 53. If you're counting that's seven bodies and most squads carry eight or nine (although the Cards have kept ten before). That leaves two or maybe three spots up for grabs. One of the spots will undoubtedly be filled by a center and that battle seems to have boiled down to Ben Claxton versus Melvin Fowler. Fowler has a huge edge in experience and would seem to be the front runner but don't count out Claxton's familiarity with the offense. Assuming that the backup center spot is filled by one of these two (but not both), that leaves eight guys with Elton Brown, Trevor Canfield, Carlton Medder and Oliver Ross on the outside looking with one or two spots to fill. Of these remaining four, I'd have to say the top two are Brown and Ross and they'd be battling for the final spot or could be the final two in, if the team decides to keep 10 offensive lineman.

Unknown at Tight End: As we stated yesterday the only thing we really know about the tight end spot is that we really don't know anything. The best bet right now is that Ben Patrick is essentially assured of the roster spot to start the season but that's only because he won't count against the 53 until his four game suspension is over. With that in mind, we'll set him aside and just look at the remainder. The Cardinals in the past have carried as few as two tight ends and as many as four so it's possible that Stephen Spach, Leonard Pope, Anthony Becht and Dominique Byrd could all make the opening day roster, but that's probably a stretch considering how little the tight end is used in the passing game. Our best bet is that three with make the opening day 53 (not counting Patrick remember) with either Pope or Byrd getting cut.

Branch vs. Dykes: This much we know on the defensive line, Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell, Bryan Robinson, Kenny Iwebema and Gabe Watson are all locks, even though Watson looked terrible against the Packers. It's tough to look at the Caridnals historically to see how many defensive lineman they kept because the 3-4 defense requires less lineman and more linebackers, but we can be sure that Keilen Dykes, Alan Branch, Alex Field, Rodney Leisle are all at the very least on the bubble. I don't think there would be any debate to say that Dykes and Branch are the best of those four but it could come down to whether the Cardinals want to keep six or seven defensive lineman. If they chose to go with six DL, I think Branch would be the choice considering that Dykes has had serious problems stay healthy over the past two training camps. His inability to stay on the field probably means that the Cards could stash him on the practice squad for an eventful call up when someone gets hurt.

Linebackers Help: Outside of the starters at linebacker, Dansby, Hayes, Haggans and Okeafor, I'm not sure that anyone is assured of a roster spot. Bertrand Berry would seem like a lock but he's done a complete disappearing act so far during the preseason. Victor Hobson, Will Davis and perhaps even Reggie Walker would seem like the next closest thing to locks. Hobson has experience in a 3-4 and can play inside and out while Davis and Walker have been impressive over the past couple of games. There's also Ali Highsmith who's failed to produce the same kind of buzz that he did last year. Chase Bullock and David Holloway round out the rest of the roster but neither of them have done much to warrant a roster spot. If the Cards had to decide today, I'm thinking that they'd keep the starters plus Berry, Hobson, Davis and Walker although this could be one position that gets an upgrade once other teams make their cuts.

Ware vs. Adams: There will be some tough decisions made in the secondary where it would seem that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Bryant McFadden, Adrian Wilson, Antrel Rolle, Rashad Johnson and Ralph Brown are all locks to make the squad. Brown has struggled in the preseason but so has the depth behind him so it's highly doubtful that his spot is in jeopardy. With six locks that leaves Aaron Francisco, Greg Toler, Matt Ware, Michael Adams, Jameel Dowling and Wilrey Fontenot fighting for what will probably end up being eight or nine spots. Francisco and Toler are certainly the front-runners of the bubble group so the real battle comes down to Ware versus Adams. It's possible that the team could keep all ten members of the secondary, they've done it before, but nine is a more manageable number. Ware has much more experience with the regular defense and is probably the more talented player but Adams' standout performances on special teams give him a shot.

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Thoughts? Who wins these battles and who makes your final 53?

Arizona Cardinals versus the Pittsburgh Steelers: Examining the Initial Depth Chart

Hawkwind — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:41:06 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Arizona Cardinals' Bill Davis, left, talks with Darnell Dockett during morning practice at Cardinals training camp Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, in Flagstaff, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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The first preseason game of the year doesn't mean very much to the football world outside of a select few of crazed fans who have been salivating over the thought of real football for going on six months. One of the things that the first preseason game of the year does provide though is the first look at an 'official' depth chart and the Arizona Cardinals put out their first chart yesterday. Now word to the wise, Whisenhunt doesn't like to tweak the chart prior to the first game so he basically inserts each rookie's name at the bottom and leaves most of the rest unchanged. Thanks to a change in defensive philosophy though (or at least a continued shift towards a 3-4), there are some changes on the defensive side of the ball. With a quick look at how this current roster plays out on paper, here's a quick analysis of the depth chart.

Offense

QB -- Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre, Tyler Palko

RB -- Tim Hightower, Chris Wells, Jason Wright, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Chris Vincent

FB -- Dan Kreider, Tim Castille, Reagan Maui'a

WR -- Larry Fitzgerald, Jerheme Urban, Sean Morey, Onrea Jones, Ed Gant

WR -- Anquan Boldin. Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, Lance Long, Michael Ray Garvin

TE -- Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick, Stephen Spach, Anthony Becht, Dominique Byrd

LT -- Mike Gandy, Elliot Vallejo, Brandon Pearce

LG -- Reggie Wells, Elton Brown, Carlton Medder

C -- Lyle Sendlein, Ben Claxton, Melvin Fowler

RG -- Deuce Lutui, Brandon Keith, Trevor Canfield

RT -- Levi Brown, Oliver Ross, Herman Johnson

Overall there aren't really any surprises on the offensive side of the ball, unless you didn't think Pope would be listed atop the tight end spot. There has been some shake-up on the offensive line with the injury to Vallejo though with Oliver Ross swinging over to left tackle and Brandon Keith taking snaps at right tackle.

Defense

DE -- Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema, Alex Field

NT -- Bryan Robinson, Gabe Watson, Alan Branch

DT -- Darnell Dockett, Keilen Dykes, Rodney Leisle

ROLB -- Chike Okeafor, Bertrand Berry, Will Davis

ILB -- Karlos Dansby, Victor Hobson, Pago Togafau

ILB -- Gerald Hayes, Ali Highsmith, Reggie Walker

LOLB -- Clark Haggans, Cody Brown, Chase Bullock

RCB -- Bryant McFadden, Ralph Brown, Wilrey Fontenot, Jameel Dowling

LCB -- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Michael Adams, Greg Toler

SS -- Adrian Wilson, Aaron Francisco, Keith Lewis

FS -- Antrel Rolle, Matt Ware, Dennis Keyes, Rashad Johnson

The interesting thing about the defensive chart is how they chose to describe their defensive line (yes that's not a typo). They've chosen to list only one defensive end, a nose tackle and a defensive tackle for some unknown reason. This is nothing more than a conspiracy theory on my part but if the organization cares at all about "NINE-O" (Dockett) making the Pro Bowl, it would make sense to list him as a tackle instead of an end. There aren't any major surprises at linebacker but it's interesting to see that Hobson is listed on the inside and Bullock is listed on the outside (after he worked primarily on the inside during OTA's). In the secondary, I wouldn't get worried about Toler and Rashad Johnson being listed at the bottom of the depth chart. As we said above, this is the "Whiz way" of handling rookies and we'll see how the chart get's tweaked as the preseason plays out.

Specialists

KR -- Steve Breaston, Michael Ray Garvin, LaRod Stephens-Howling

PR -- Steve Breaston, Antrel Rolle, Michael Ray Garvin

K -- Neil Rackers

P -- Ben Graham

LS -- Mike Leach

H -- Ben Graham, Sean Morey

There aren't really any suprises in the specialist department either. Garvin is clearly a return specialist and if he ends up on the final squad it'll be because he won the kick and/or punt return job.

Arizona Cardinals Pre-Training Camp Roster Projections: Offensive Guard

Hawkwind — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:38:04 -0000

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Arizona Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui attempts to throw the ball to a teammate during practice at Cardinals mini-camp. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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After covering the Arizona Cardinals' centers earlier in the week, today we look at another position along the offensive line. We turn our attention today to the guards, two positions held down by guys who have started 31 of last 32 regular season games, but that does not necessarily mean that the starters are set in stone or that there won't be a great deal of competition for the backup spots during training camp. There is quite a bit of young talent in the mix here and we'll try to straighten all of the guard/tackle combos on this current squad.

Locks

Reggie Wells, Brandon Keith

On the Bubble

Deuce Lutui, Elton Brown, Trevor Canfield

No Chance

Carlton Medder

Before we get into this, we'll mention that Herman Johnson could be listed as a guard but he was exclusively running at tackle during OTA's so for now we'll assume that he is going to stay at tackle. As for the guys we're focusing on here, Wells is the unquestioned starter but you're probably scratching your head (or maybe stomping your feet) as to why Keith would be listed as a lock while Lutui, who's started 40 games over the past three seasons, is on our bubble. Well look below for our explanation on his status. Keith ran with the second team at right guard, instead of tackle, during OTA's so we'll assume that he's staying at guard for training camp. He is the team's most promising young lineman and the consensus thought is that his days as a starter are a matter of when, not if. As for our bubble and no chance guys, Canfield and Medder are practice squad eligible but Lutui and Brown are not.

Deuce Lutui: Lutui's started 40 of the team's last 41 regular season games but most still consider him the weak link of the offensive line. He's narrowly held onto his starting job the past two training camp by beating Elton Brown but during OTA's the coaching staff moved Brandon Keith over to right guard and it'll take a better effort from Lutui to keep Keith on the bench. Now even if Keith does win the job that doesn't necessarily mean that Lutui will be cut but he'd be older and more expensive than any other backup lineman and for a team that's right up against the cap, his salary of just over one million could be a decent savings. Lutui will have to show the consistency that the coaching staff has been looking for this training camp or his days could be numbered.

Elton Brown: You might wonder why the top offensive line backup of the past couple of seasons wouldn't have a guaranteed roster spot but it's pretty clear that the coaching staff doesn't view him as starting material and there is a handful of young talent behind him who might have that potential. Brown's versatility is his biggest asset as he's started games at guard and tackle during his career so far and that limited starting experience should be enough for him to start training camp as the top reserve lineman. He'll have to prove that he's noticeably better than guys like Keith, Johnson or Canfield though.

Trevor Canfield: The Cardinals seventh round pick this year will try to copy the success of last year's seventh round pick by impressing during camp and earning a spot on the final 53. Canfield's playing experience is at guard but he's also expected to try his craft at the center spot and that might be his best chance at getting one of the final chairs. If he can prove that he's reliable at center his chances of securing a spot might be pretty decent but if he's strictly a guard, his most likely landing spot will be on the practice squad for a season.

Carlton Medder: Medder, an undrafted free agent from a year ago, played right tackle in college but the Cardinals quickly moved him to guard once it was obvious that he struggled mightily with speed rushers. He was running the second team last year during camp before an elbow injury ended his season before it ever got off the ground. He's got size (6-5, 316) but with so much young talent ahead of him, he needs to have a good camp just to make the practice squad.

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I'm thinking that there might be some debate on this one so I'll open it up for everyone to throw in their two cents. Should Lutui be watching his back and do you think his roster spot is really in jeopardy? Is Keith really ready to unseat him and should Elton Brown get one last shot at taking the job? Where does Canfield figure into the mix?

Arizona Cardinals Add Veteran Offensive Lineman Oliver Ross

Hawkwind — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:09:22 -0000

The Arizona Cardinals aren't letting the fact that they've already got well over 80 players on the roster slow them down from acquiring more players. Just one day after adding Carlton Medder and inviting Dominique Byrd to mini-camp, they've signed 35 year old offensive tackle/guard, Oliver Ross. Ross hasn't played in the NFL since 2006 but he's got numerous ties to the Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm after playing with the Steelers (2000 to 2004) and Cardinals (2005 & 2006). He spent the 2007 season on the injured reserve and spent part of the 2008 season with the Patriots, although he didn't appear in a game.

The signing of Ross means the Cardinals currently have 14 offensive linemen on the roster. Needless to say they've got the 'quantity' aspect covered, but we'll see how many of them end up having an 'quality' to their game.

Are Arizona Cardinals About to Add Carlton Medder and Dominique Byrd?

Hawkwind — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:05:00 -0000

So far this off season, just when we think the Arizona Cardinals roster is just about set for training camp they make some kind of roster move and they looks like on the verge of adding two more players. According to Darren Urban, the Cardinals would like to bring back Carlton Medder, an undrafted free agent last year who injured his elbow during training camp. They're also going to invite tight end Dominique Byrd, a former third round pick in 2006 of the St Louis Rams, to this weekend's mini camp. Niether of these moves have been made as of yet, but you'd have to think that they are close considering Urban mentioned them on the team's official site. The Cardinals currently have 82 guys on their roster (only 80 can go to camp) but until the drafted rookies sign their contracts, they do not count against the '80' so these guys can be added without cutting anyone. Here's a quick look at each player:

Carlton Medder: Medder never got much of a chance last year because he injured his elbow very early in training camp. At the time the 6'5", 319 pound guard was working with the second team behind Reggie Wells. Medder was a three year starter at tackle for the Florida Gators but most scouts thought he'd have to move inside at the NFL level. At most Medder would be fighting for a spot on the practice squad but with 12 offensive lineman already on the roster.

Dominique Byrd: To say that Byrd was a disapointment in St Louis would probably be a massive understatement. He never started a game and lasted just two seasons (appearing in 14 games) where he recorded just six receptions. Byrd caught the eye of the Cardinals when he worked out at USC's pro day earlier this month and GM Michael Bidwell and tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens spent some time talking to the 25 year old. Kitchens also spent some time running Byrd through some drills after the pro day was over so this might be a move that the Cardinals expected to make if they didn't land a tight end in the draft. During his time at USC, Byrd (6'2 254) was known as a very good receiving tight end who could stretch the field vertically but struggled to stay healthy (at least he sounds like a Cardinals tight end).

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These moves, if they are made, probably won't effect the roster although the possible addition of Byrd is puzzling. The Cardinals already have too many tight ends and Byrd is not eligible for the practice squad. This could just be a case of spit-balling to try and find something that works or it could be yet another sign that the coaching staff has very little faith in the five-some of Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick, Stephen Spach, Anthony Becht and Alex Shor. Will either of these moves effect the eventual 53 man roster? Anyone interested in either guy?