Arizona Cardinals
Offense (West Coast/Spread)
QB: Matt Flynn (Tyler Wilson)
RB: DeAngelo Williams (Isaiah Pead)
WR: Malcom Floyd, Cecil Shorts, Keenan Allen (Andrew Hawkins), (T.J. Graham)
TE: Heath Miller (Anthony McCoy) (Ryan Otten)
H-back: Garrett Graham
LT: Jason Peters (Rodger Saffold)
LG: T.J. Lang (Tyronne Green)
C: Brian de la Puente
RG: Larry Warford (Tyronne Green)
RT: Rodger Saffold (T.J. Lang)
Defense (Multiple)
D-line: Geno Atkins, Muhammad Wilkerson, Star Lotulelei (Mike DeVito), (Israel Idonije)
LEO: Junior Galette (Frank Alexander)
OLB: Ryan Kerrigan (Victor Butler)
ILB: Daryl Washington, Larry Foote (Albert McClellan)
CB: Brandon Carr, Jabari Greer (E.J. Biggers), (Jerraud Powers), (Leon McFadden)
FS: Thomas DeCoud
SS: Reggie Nelson
Special Teams
K: Josh Brown
P: Chris Kluwe
When I found out that I had the 15th overall pick, I decided that, since most if not all of the franchise QBs would be off the board, I would experiment a little and go heavy defense. This was mainly because I thought that taking a QB would only further subscribe to the theory that the strength of the QB = strength of franchise, and in that case I wouldn’t be able to compete with the teams that picked before me. Also, in the real NFL, teams such as the 49ers, especially with Alex Smith under center, have shown us that teams are capable of winning championships without elite QBs. In the end, I put together a team I really like. I have what I think is the best defense in the league and an offense that can move the ball and won’t be a complete liability.
Defense:
My defense is built around the second and third best defensive linemen in the NFL last season, Atkins and Wilkerson. I think that an elite D-line is the best thing a franchise can have other than an elite QB. I think even the top O-lines that have been assembled in this draft will struggle with these guys coming at them all game long. I have the depth to keep all my guys fresh throughout the game (I’d like to limit all my linemen to 80% of snaps at most) and the versatility to run multiple fronts to confuse quarterbacks and abuse opposing weaknesses.
Three-man front:
My starting 3-4 alignment will be Atkins, Lotulelei, and Wilkerson on the line with Galette/Butler, Foote, Washington, and Kerrigan at LB. Idonije will rotate in at DE and DeVito will rotate in at DE and NT. McClellan can rotate in at either ILB spot. This is a well-balanced alignment that will be difficult to run or pass against. My line can tie up all five O-linemen by themselves, and might even take a sixth. Washington, Kerrigan, and whoever starts between Galette and Butler are major threats to blitz on any play, and Foote will provide a reliable tackler to stop the run.
For nickel packages, the seldom-seen 3-3-5 is an option with this personnel group. This formation has found some success in the college ranks as a counter to spread formations. Since the spread is being used more and more on the NFL level, I believe that the 3-3-5 will soon have its place. Foote will be the one to hit the bench in this formation.
Four-man front:
I have many options for lineups with a four-man front. My “base” 4-3 package would be a 4-3 under look with Galette, Atkins, Star, and Wilkerson on the line. I could also use a lineup of Galette, Atkins, Wilkerson, and Idonije for more pass rushing or a line of Idonije, Atkins, Wilkerson, and DeVito for better run stopping. In short, almost all my defensive linemen are versatile enough to line up all over the 4-3 line, which allows me to tailor it to my opponent’s weaknesses. My linebackers for these formations would be Foote/McClellan, Washington, and Kerrigan.
In nickel packages my starting WLB (Foote/McClellan) will be taken off the field.
Five-man front:
The real Cardinals have experimented with a 5-2 look. I think it has some merits, especially with the rise of the read-option. A five-man line with DeVito, Atkins, Star, Wilkerson, and Idonije would be nearly impossible to run against. Washington and Kerrigan will play linebacker in this formation.
Two-man front:
The real Cardinals have also experimented with a 2-4-5 formation. It was the formation they used to confuse Brady and the Pats this past year in Foxboro. When I go to this look, Atkins, Wilkerson, and Star will rotate as the two down linemen. Galette/Butler/Alexander and Kerrigan will line up as the OLBs close to the line as pass rushers, and Foote and Washington will provide run stability and coverage in the middle.
In drafting corners, I stressed coverage ability over run stopping ability, since I will mostly trust my front seven against the run. I don’t have a stand-out player, but I can go four deep on CB without any major coverage liabilities, especially with the aid of my dominant front seven. I also have an excellent pair of safeties. DeCoud is a ballhawk who will take advantage of the mistakes that my pass rush will cause, and Nelson is an all-around safety who I can trust to help in coverage or run support. In terms of the total package of depth and talent, I believe I have one of the strongest secondaries in this league.
Offense:
Because of my defense, I don’t need a great offense. I just need one that will can capitalize on field position advantages and keep my defense adequately rested. I think I accomplished these goals. My offense will mainly consist of quick passes, draws, screens, etc to minimize mistakes and mask my weaknesses.
Many people will look at my QB’s name and immediately dismiss my offense. However, while I definitely won’t be saying that QB is a position of strength, I don’t think my QB represents a weakness. Flynn has shown good ability in every opportunity he’s been given. Many might dismiss him for riding the bench last year, but he got beat out by one of the most impressive rookies we’ve seen in a long time, and from everything I hear, the race was extremely close, and many of the Seattle players expected Flynn to be named the starter. I’m not trying to say that Flynn will be anywhere near as good as Wilson, but that his losing is not an indication that he’s unable to be an NFL QB. His biggest weakness as a QB seems to be his ability to throw downfield, but in my offense this won’t be a huge concern. I also have a very good lottery ticket in Tyler Wilson. I believe he has the highest ceiling of all the rookies this year, and with a couple years of tutelage he could become a true franchise QB.
I was very happy to get DeAngelo Williams pretty late as my RB, since I think he can be a true three-down back. Even at 30, he should have a couple more years of production left. Pead can spell Williams and might take over as the feature back when Williams is done. I still believe Pead is the one that will take over in St. Louis this year and that he has bellcow potential. If this draft had continued past 40 rounds, I would have definitely looked to grab an insurance starter and another project. Once I had Williams, RB wasn’t a position I worried too much about because of its replaceability.
Like my secondary, my receiving group doesn’t have any standout players, but it has consistent talent across the board. Floyd will likely play the Z and his primary role will be to take up the best opposing corner. He will also provide reliable hands and veteran route running. Shorts showed true WR1 ability last year with Gabbert and Henne throwing to him. Flynn is better than both Gabbert and Henne. Even if he doesn’t become a go-to guy, he still has dynamic homerun abilities. Allen will also receive a QB upgrade. He will play out of the slot and will hopefully become a great possession/third down receiver like Boldin or Colston. Hawkins is adept at finding space quickly and is shifty in open space. He’s perfect for creating a mismatch against a linebacker for an easy few yards. T.J. Graham has great development potential and will be my primary return man for the present.
My tight end position could be a strength if Heath Miller is able to come back successfully. He is one of the best all-around tight ends in the game and his ability to get open underneath and in the red zone is perfect for my offense. Anthony McCoy can both block and receive, and he showed some flashes in his opportunities this past year. I would feel comfortable giving him a full-time opportunity if necessary. Ryan Otten could develop into a good H-back type receiver. Garrett Graham will be moved around frequently to exploit mismatches.
My offensive line is a wildcard. If all goes well, then I have an above average line. Peters was the best LT in the game before his injury, and although I don’t expect him to return to that, I believe he will come back as a very good tackle. Saffold will be a good right tackle and will provide insurance for Peters. De la Puente is a top center, Warford is a very safe guard prospect, and Lang is a starting caliber guard who can slide over to RT if Saffold has to move back over to the left. If things turn for the worst, then my O-line becomes my biggest weakness. I will try to mask this weakness through a lot of three-step drops and quick reads. If this draft had gone beyond 40 rounds, O-line depth would have been the number one priority.
Special Teams:
Chris Kluwe is one of the best at pinning opponents deep. I think that starting deep against my defense will be a nightmare for any offense.
Josh Brown is a reliable kicker. Nothing much else to say.
T.J. Graham and Andrew Hawkins are the current returners on the roster. If the draft had continued, I likely would have taken another.
Overall, I think the evaluation of my team will depend on how people view the value of a great defense. If you’re of the camp that you cannot win in the NFL without a franchise QB, then there’s no way I can compete with the Saints, 49ers, etc. However, if you believe that a team can contend for a Super Bowl on the strength of their defense, then you must consider the Cardinals a strong contender.
Quit 'cher whinin. You got 2 top 33 players and 3 top 65.
Easily the team the Saints would hate to play the most.
