HOTD: Adrian Wilson Blows up Hines Ward
By Gayle Saunders
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First off, props to any receiver that goes across the middle of the field in the NFL. Now…props to Adrian Wilson for doing what an NFL safety is suppose to do. Intimidate and strike fear into opposing receivers. Its rare you see Hines Ward getting lit up, because he’s usually laying the smack down himself, but Wilson keeps it really real on the field with this one!
Calais Campbell signs 5 year $55 Million Dollar Deal
Gayle Saunders
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Cardinals have finally agreed to a new contract for franchise player Calais Campbell. His new deal is worth $55 million and he’s signed for the next 5 years.
Campbell was previously in line to make $10.6 million under the franchise tag, but now he’s guaranteed $36 million for the next three years. At the age of 25 Campbell is viewed as the Cardinals premiere playmaker along the defensive line. Last season he put up great numbers and definitely showed what he’s capable of.
The Skinny: The Cardinals have a nice foundation building with second year player in Patrick Peterson and Calais Campbell. Both young players can now try and help Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett hold down the fort in 2012.
Cardinals: Meet The 2012 Draft Class
Round 1: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
As the starter opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Floyd will have to beat out Andre Roberts, who really has more tools to play the slot anyway. Like Fitzgerald, Floyd at 6-3, 220 pounds is big and can beat press coverage on third down. The Cardinals also think they can better use back-shoulder throws to him.
Floyd has good speed for a man his size, and his ability to go get the ball should make him a deep threat. He’s a solid blocker who should help the run game, too.
Coaches weren’t unhappy with Roberts or Early Doucet, the second and third receivers, but there’s no question this team needed another playmaker to flip field position. Floyd gives them that.
Fitzgerald lobbied for Floyd to be drafted, but it’s not like Fitzgerald to just give up catches. Floyd should give Kevin Kolb, or whoever starts at quarterback, another quality target. His size also will help the team’s red zone production.
Round 3: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma
The Cardinals might have to add extra seats in the defensive backs meeting room. They now have nine cornerbacks on the roster. The Cardinals’ theory is that a team can’t have enough quality cornerbacks, and the starting job opposite Patrick Peterson is open. The NFL is a passing league with multiple receivers on the field 60 percent of the time, so a team needs to have eight or nine defensive backs. Fleming eventually could play some at safety in sub packages.
The guess is Fleming will be at least a role player right away. The Cardinals will use Fleming in nickel and dime packages and expect him to contribute greatly on special teams. With a starting corner job open, Fleming will be in the mix, along with Greg Toler, William Gay and A.J. Jefferson. It would be a surprise if Fleming won the job, but stranger things have happened. The Cardinals love his quickness and closing ability and size.
ROUND 4: BOBBY MASSIE, OT, Mississippi
It’s surprising the Cardinals waited this long to address the team’s greatest need, but they wanted value. Massie was rated by some as a second-round prospect, but he fell for some mysterious reason. Maybe that is a fortunate break for the Cardinals. Right tackle is the only opening on the offensive line, and Massie will be given every chance to win the job.
ROUND 5: SENIO KELEMETE, OT/G, Washington
He played tackle in college, but scouts seem to view him as a better prospect at guard. The Cardinals needed to add depth there after the release of Rex Hadnot and the departure of free agent Deuce Lutui to Seattle. Kelemete was a captain in college. He started 41 of 45 college games, so he has some seasoning for a rookie.
ROUND 6: JUSTIN BETHEL, CB/S, Presbyterian
The Cardinals have had success with cornerbacks from small schools, including Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Greg Toler. Bethel could get a look at safety, too.
ROUND 6: RYAN LINDLEY, QB, San Diego State
Lindley (6-4, 229) is big and has a strong arm. His accuracy isn’t great, however. He’s worked hard with private coaches this offseason and thinks he has the problem under control. He likely will compete with Rich Bartel for the third quarterback spot, if there is one.
ROUND 7: NATE POTTER, OT, Boise State
Potter started his final three seasons at Boise State and played a lot as a freshman. He was a steady performer who reportedly needs to work on his upper body strength. He seems like a long shot to make the team but could grab a spot on the practice squad.
Larry Fitzgerald Calls the Shots in Arizona
Gayle Saunders
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Looks like all world WR Larry Fitzgerald is calling the shots in Arizona these days.
Larry Fitzergald once called for a new QB and he got Kevin Kolb. Recently he told Sports Illustrated’s Peter King that he wanted the Cardinals to draft Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd with the 13th pick. While some thought the the Cards would go offensive line, they once again listened to Fitzgerald and got Michael Floyd.
Fitzgerald expressed his views to The Arizona Republic on Floyd’s selection
“In this league you have to be able to beat press man coverage on third down,” He is a big guy who has suddenness and can win on third down and make plays in the red zone.”
Both Floyd and Fitzgerald are from the same state of Minnesota which makes the bond a little sweeter.
“And he’s from Minnesota,” Fitzgerald wrote. “Enough said. LOL.”
The Skinny: Fitzgerald knows that the Cardinals need a threat opposite from him in order for them to succeed offensively. The less attention his way…the better. Floyd is a big target (6’3 220) who caught a combined 179 balls for a total of 2,172 yards and 21 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Notre Dame. With his ability, their hoping they now have a reciever who compliments Larry Fitzgerald ala Aquan Boldin. The Cardinals have yet to find the right match until now.
Pre Draft Visits: Arizona Cardinals
By Gayle Saunders
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League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.
Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.
One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that he players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.
Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!
LAST UPDATED 4/17/12
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Arizona Cardinals
Brock Osweiler – QB from Arizona State
Juron Criner – WR from Arizona
Michael Floyd – WR from Notre Dame
Ronnie Cameron – DT from Old Dominion
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Matt Conrath – DE from Virginia
Ryan Davis -LB from Bethune-Cookman
Omar Bolden -CB from Arizona State
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Jayron Hosley – CB from Virginia Tech
George Iloka -S from Boise State
Tavon Wilson – S from Illinois
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Arizona Cardinals
Team Needs and Draft: The Cardinals really need to go out and draft another wideout or pick up one through free agency. More importantly the Cards could fortify that offensive front, without protection Kolb or perhaps Peyton Manning don’t have a chance. Look for them to look at tackles in the first round. With Levi Brown’s cap hit up in price finding a replacement is needed. Guard is also another position that the Cards will look to upgrade at.
One thing the Cardinals defense could use is an elite pass rusher. No one on that defense finished with more that 8 sacks on the year which needs to be addressed if they want to pressure the best of the best! Drafting a replacement for the aging Adrian Wilson is not a bad idea, he’s not getting any younger. When you look at the fact the Cards have only drafted one safety in the last ten years time could be now.
2012 Draft Results
1.13, 3.18, 4.17, 5.16, 6.15, 7.14
Free Agent Signings
S James Sanders, CB William Gay
2011 Draft Results
1st: Patrick Peterson (CB) LSU
2nd: Ryan Williams (RB) Va Tech
3rd: Robert Housler (TE) FAU
4th: Sam Acho (DE) Texas
5th: Anthony Sherman (FB) UConn
6th: Quan Sturdivant (ILB) UNC
6th: David Carter (DT) UCLA
7th: Demarco Sampson (WR) SDSU
Should the Arizona Cardinals replace Kevin Kolb?
Should the Arizona Cardinals replace Kevin Kolb at quarterback?
Cardinals GM Says Calais Campbell Will Be Back
By Gayle Saunders
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AzCardinals.Com has reported that GM Rod Graves has made it clear that free agent DE Calais Campbell will be back with the team in 2012 whether it’s by way of the franchise tag or a long-term deal.
Campbell won’t necessarily be franchised tagged with three weeks to hammer out a deal.
Graves emphasized
“rest assured he will be with us this year.”
Campbell excelled in Ray Horton’s defense in 2011, and the 25-year-old was only second to Justin Smith among 3-4 defensive ends in Pro Football Focus’ 2011 ratings.
Down to Two?
The biggest question looming in the NFL right now is what is going to happen with Peyton Manning. The Super Bowl was held in Indianapolis this past week and as we all know, Colts owner Jim Irsay has been quite vocal over the fact that he and Peyton will sit down to discuss the situation.
The way I see it there are only a few scenario’s that make sense. First, the reason we believe Peyton will no longer be in Indianapolis.
Peyton signed his contract early in the season, in July of 2011 he signed a deal for reported $90 Million. He is due $28 million on February 8th and Tom Condon said recently that the contract is the contract, which is a pretty firm stance that they aren’t willing to re-negotate. Now the wrinkle is that NFL rules state that a Player can not redo a contract in the same NFL calendar year it was signed. Therefor, Peyton would have to rip up his current deal and agree to a new contract with a new date “pushing back” the bonus date. However that can’t happen until March 13th, so Peyton would have to be cut on the 8th and have a “good faith” agreement that he and Colts will work something out in Free Agency if Indianapolis doesn’t give him the $28 Million that is due tomorrow. Most believe, including us, that Peyton will not be back with the team. Read more
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