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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: Cornerbacks

Hawkwind — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:11:58 -0000

More photos » by Matt York - AP

Arizona Cardinals' Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29) participates in football drills during the Cardinals minicamp. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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We took a look as the Arizona Cardinals safety position earlier in the week and today we'll break down the corner back position in what should be a much improved secondary. Both of the starting corner backs from last year's season opener are gone and both new starters should be a significant upgrade. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Bryant McFadden have the size and abilities to be a special duo this season but it's the depth behind them that will be battling for playing time and roster spots. As with safeties the Cardinals will likely carry between four and six corners on the 53 man roster (only four made it last year), depending upon how many safeties are also able to play corner in a pinch. We'll break the guys down into three groups, locks, bubble and no chance. These groups refer to chances of making this year's 53 man roster, not necessarily the practice squad or any team in the future.

Locks

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Bryant McFadden, Ralph Brown

On the Bubble

Greg Toler, Michael Adams

No Chance

Wilrey Fontenot, Tony Banks

Ralph Brown being a 'lock' is probaby debatable but unless the Cardinals plan on using Rolle exclusively as a nickel corner, I can't see Toler or Adams being ready for that much responsibility. It's possible that Toler and Adams could both make the final squad, leaving the team with four corners, but if they decide to roll with just two, it'll most liekly come down to who is better on special teams and how safe the Cardinals feel about sliding Toler through to the practice squad. Here's a quick look at the 'bubble' and 'no chance' guys.

Greg Toler: This year's fourth round pick is a promising player with a ton of athletic ability but his learning curve will be amazingly steep and his overall skills are still raw. Given his draft status, it's unlikely that Toler wouldn't make the team but fourth round picks have been cut before and he'll have to prove that he's an asset on special teams units. He could also help his status if he's able to contribute in the return game.

Michael Adams: Adams, an undrafted free agent entering his third season , spent most of 2008 on the practice squad although he was called up late in the season. He appeared in five regular season games and all four playoff games, although most of his playing time was restricted to special teams. Adams' size (5'8 180) will always be a hinderance but he's the kind of fierce competitor and special teams terror that make him hard to root against. Still though, it'll probably take the Cardinals carrying five corners for Adams to get a roster spot.

Wilrey Fontenot: Fontenot was a seventh round pick of the Falcons in 2008 but he was cut during camp and Cardinals added him to the practice squad shortly thereafter. He was a four year starter at the University of Arizona and has good athleticism but his size (5'9 170) doesn't do him any favors. His dream season this year might very well be following the same path that Michael Adams did in 2008.

Tony Banks: Banks, an undrafted rookie, is an interesting kid with good athleticism and better size than most in his shoes (5'10 195). He's played both corner and safety in the past although his size indicates he's best suited to play corner. He had a reputation for making plays while at Penn State but he still probably needs at least on year on the practice squad.

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After digging all the way through, the corner position seems pretty clear cut. Toler is almost certainly going to be the fourth corner on the depth chart and Adams fate will likely deped on how many corners the team decides to carry. We all know that where Antrel Rolle lines up on passing downs will also effect this group but who's to say that they still don't keep five for special teams purposes. Any bold predictions? Any surprises in this group?

What Can the Chiefs Expect to Pay Their Rookies?

Chris Thorman — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:55:10 -0000

Tyson Jackson will undoubtedly get less money than last year's #3 pick Matt Ryan did. (via www.tampabay.com)

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Note: Primetime got these numbers together and I added the write up.

When Carl Peterson was the Kansas City Chiefs GM (and president, overlord, etc.), the topic of rookie contracts always seemed to be a sore spot for many fans. Many of us were absolutely convinced that Carl Peterson was the worst contract negotiator of all time. And he was pretty bad in some of those second contract negotiations. But I have to give credit where credit is due. Peterson didn't do a terrible job of getting the Chiefs' top rookies into training camp on time.

The truth, however, is something quite different. Over the most recent five-year period of signing first-round picks (2003-07), the Chiefs rank in the middle of the league when it comes to getting their first choice signed. They are neither the team that is the earliest of signers or the latest. They aren’t even close to being the team that suffers the most first round holdouts.

I know certain holdouts loom large in our minds as fans but Gretz has a point on that too:

The facts in this debate no longer matter to the Chiefs/Carl Peterson Haters. For every John Tait (September 9th signing) they throw out, they forget to mention Dale Carter (signed on June 1st). For every Ryan Sims (August 28th signing), there was a Victor Riley (signed on July 2). The Chiefs have not been the best or the worst team at getting contracts for their first-round picks. They are pretty average.

To tie this all back around to Scott Pioli, Bob Gretz's numbers show that the Patriots, from 2003 to 2007 at least, were one of the quicker teams to get their top rookies signed.

Finally, before we jump into the previous year's salary numbers, I wanted to mention the rookie salary pool. It's basically a salary cap within the salary cap which is supposed to in theory limit rookie contracts and even the playing field a bit between team and player. The pool only factors in first year money. Does it work?

Even though agents and teams get around the rookie pool with contract escalators, post first-year option bonuses and one-time incentives, the rookie pool was created to somehow slot the signings of draft choices by the position they were selected. Each selection in the draft is given a value, which is a predetermined cap number. All rookies, including undrafted rookies, have to fit within the assigned rookie pool.

Nope, it doesn't work. That's why people are still complaining about limiting rookie contracts. The rookie pool was supposed to do that but agents have found creative ways around it, like they do with every salary cap issue. The Chiefs rookie pool number is here. Some of this debate about the rookie pool turns on whether or not the 2010 season will be an uncapped season. If you want to read about the ramifications of an uncapped 2010 NFL season, check it out. I don't have the cap acumen to explain how it all works right now but if someone does, please chime in.

So what kind of money will the Chiefs and their draft picks be haggling over? These 2008 numbers will come into play during those contract negotiations.

QB Matt Ryan - #3 Falcons (Chiefs pick: DE Tyson Jackson)

5/20/2008: Signed a six-year, $66 million contract. The deal contains $34.75 million guaranteed, including a $7.45 million "log" bonus and a $2.505 million roster bonus in the first year. There was no signing bonus. Another $6 million is available through incentives. 2009: $3.5 million, 2010: $4.2 million, 2011: $4.9 million, 2012: $5.6 million, 2013: $6.3 million, 2014: Free Agent

When it comes to NFL contracts, the only money I look at is the guaranteed money. To me, that's the only number that truly matters. Teams will end up re-negotiating players' contracts later in their career to satisfy the always malleable salary cap. Salaries will change. Cap hits will change. But unless you're a screw up like Larry Johnson, you're going to get that guaranteed money no matter what.

QB Matt Stafford, the #1 overall pick this year, received $41.7 million in guaranteed money. Naturally, Tyson Jackson will not receive this much and almost assuredly will not receive what quarterback Matt Ryan did last year. Defensive end is less valuable than a quarterback and not even an extra year of rookie salary inflation will allow Jackson's contract to top Ryan's.

Here are the rest of the numbers.

CB Charles Godfrey - #67 Panthers (Chiefs pick: DL Alex Magee)

7/21/2008: Signed a four-year, $2.559 million contract. The deal included an $854,000 signing bonus. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent

DE Jeremy Thompson - #102 Packers (Chiefs pick: CB Donald Washington)

7/25/2008: Signed a four-year, $2.206 million contract. The deal included a $501,200 signing bonus. A $1.194 million escalator is available in the final year. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent

RB Ryan Torain - #139 Broncos (Chiefs pick: OT Colin Brown)

7/9/2008: Signed four-year, $1.903 million contract. The deal included a $198,000 signing bonus. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent

LB Geno Hayes - #175 Bucs (Chiefs pick: WR/KR Quinten Lawrence)

6/21/2008: Signed a four-year contract. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent

CB Wilrey Fontenot - #212 Falcons

*Salary not available. 2009 - #310,000

Player selected before - RB Chauncey Washington (Chiefs pick: RB Javarris Wiliams)

6/26/2008: Signed a four-year, $1.765 million contract. The deal included a $60,000 signing bonus. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent

WR Adrian Arrington - #237 Saints (Chiefs pick: TE Jake O'Connel)

7/18/2008: Signed a three-year, $1.170 million contract. The deal included a $20,000 signing bonus. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: Restricted Free Agent

LB David Vobora - #252 (no 256 that year) Rams (Chiefs pick: K Ryan Succop)

2009: $385,000, 2010: Exclusive Rights Free Agent

And for those wondering about how much undrafted free agents get in bonuses, it's only a few thousands bucks.

Chime in this morning on rookie contracts, the rookie salary pool and an uncapped 2010 season.