SB Nation User Blog: KDean75

Leinart breakdown from Football Outsiders

KDean75 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:15:10 -0000

Leinart breakdown from Football Outsiders

I'm not a Leinart apologist, and he still might be a bust, but improvement is nice to see.

Deadspin: why your team sucks

KDean75 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:30:16 -0000

Deadspin: why your team sucks

I missed this yesterday, but this is pretty funny. And yes, Deadspin has gotten worse since Leitch left.

John Sickels on the Timber Rattlers

KDean75 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:26:43 -0000

John Sickels on the Timber Rattlers

Extensive breakdown on some of the Timber Rattlers.

Lombardi on the Cards Off-Season

KDean75 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:22:59 -0000

Lombardi on the Cards Off-Season

Interesting set of checklists from Mike Lombardi on the National Football Post on how the Cards can overcome the Super Bowl curse. He makes it very specific so it's not a throwaway article as some can be.

Ronnie Brown

KDean75 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:55:13 -0000

Ronnie Brown

Would trading Boldin for Ronnie Brown and a pick (or not) intrigue anyone?
Here's a really interesting article on Brown from the National Football Post.

I still miss the Snake sometimes

KDean75 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:43:56 -0000

I still miss the Snake sometimes

Jake's now the QB coach for Sandpoint High in Idaho. Take that Broncos/Bucs.

NFP on Boldin to the Eagles

KDean75 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:19:53 -0000

NFP on Boldin to the Eagles

I can't tell you how much this annoys me. I get the Cards and success have never gone together, but how in the hell is there no mention of why the Cards would do something like this? Oh really, the Eagles and Giants would love Boldin? But why would the Cards do it? --crickets chirping--
I think the National Football Post is a great resource, but this typifies the national articles in regards to Boldin trades. TELL US HOW IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE CARDS TO TRADE TO A CONFERENCE FOE AND MAKE THEM STRONGER?
rant over

3-4 defensive players

KDean75 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:04:25 -0000

This is from the National Football post and breaks down the top defensive players for the 3-4. I think this is a great breakdown and adds some new names to the discussions. In particular, I think the Northern Iowa tackle is the type, and draft position, 5 technique tackle we should be targeting.

Being an Oregon fan, I do like the possibilities of Nick Reed, but who knows. Also I'm partial to Philip Hunt from Houston.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/04/nfp-specialty-rankings-3-4-defense/

In case the comment comes up, safeties and corners don't need to be ranked for the 3-4 or 4-3.

Cards Pick on Mocking the Draft

KDean75 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:47:35 -0000

Cards Pick on Mocking the Draft

Follow the link to CGolden's mock draft selection and write-up over at Mocking the Draft.

Football Outsiders on the Cards

KDean75 — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:36:35 -0000

I'm just cutting and pasting from the Football Outsiders site.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/four-downs/2009/four-downs-nfc-west-0

Arizona Cardinals

Biggest hole: Running back

The Cardinals are still expected to cut veteran Edgerrin James, although they have not yet done so. Rookie Tim Hightower, who replaced James in the starting lineup for part of last season, was the second-worst running back in the league (minimum 100 carries) in both of Football Outsiders' advanced statistics, DYAR and DVOA. (Only Cincinnati's Chris Perry was worse.) Third-down back J.J. Arrington has left for Denver. Suffice to say, the Cardinals have a need at this position.

The 2009 draft is not particularly stocked with running-back talent, especially compared to last year's phenomenal class -- but that may actually work in the Cardinals' favor given that they will be picking at the end of the first round. Chris "Beanie" Wells clocked around a 4.40 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day and is shooting up draft boards, so the Cardinals will have to trade up if they want him. That leaves the two other "elite" backs in this draft: Knowshon Moreno of Georgia and LeSean McCoy from Pitt. Moreno possesses Barry Sanders-like lateral quickness, and although he lacks elite speed, the Cardinals should snap him up if he falls to them. As for McCoy, he has great hands, but he is undersized and struggles with pass protection. The Cardinals already tried this experiment with Arrington, and there's no reason to try again.

Free Agency Recap

As always, the Cardinals were relatively quiet in free agency. After dithering around for a few weeks on Kurt Warner's new contract, the front office managed to add cornerback Bryant McFadden to help shore up the secondary and play across from rookie phenom Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The team also added journeyman running back Jason Wright, who should enjoy his year playing lots of special teams, where he will likely be joined by former Rams tight end Anthony Becht.

As for depatures, the Texans' signing of defensive end Antonio Smith was probably the biggest loss, though certainly not a devastating one by any stretch. The Cardinals also won't miss Arrington, linebacker Monty Beisel, or cornerback Eric Green (now of the Miami Dolphins) either.

I like this breakdown, think it's pretty accurate. Only thing I disagree with is any mention of McCoy as one of the "elite" backs in the draft.