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Arizona Cardinals
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
Arizona Cardinals
QB - 2nd year QB Jake Plummer should be ready for a breakout year after being up and down as a rookie. The new west coast offense instilled by new offensive Coordinator Marc Trestman should really suit his passing style. If Plummer struggles, the team may be in big trouble, as the FA departure of QB Kent Graham leaves them without a quality backup. The coaching staff is not very impressed with QB Stoney Case, and less thrilled with his attitude. They still have to add a veteran backup this offseason.
RB - One of the weakest units last season has seen little, if any, upgrade this offseason. Ex Saint Mario Bates was added, but his attitude/work ethic was a huge concern there... Bates also has not been very productive over the past 2 years. He is a straightine speed guy that will struggle to make yards if they don't upgrade an OL that struggled to open up holes in 1997. Leland McElroy and Ron Moore add depth, but are not frontline guys. The Cards could still make a trade for a player like Rashaan Salaam, or Tim Biakabatuka. Regardless, look for them to take an RB at some point in the upcoming draft.
WR - A solid unit got better with the addition of WR/RS Eric Metcalf. Metcalf was acquired through a trade with San Diego, and will be their slot WR in 3 WR sets. Rob Moore is coming off a huge season, and the team has solidified their future by signing Frank Sanders to a long term deal. Sanders really came on late last season, and will be a bargain if he continues to develop. Antonio Edwards, Fred Brock, and 1997 rookie Chad Carpenter will add dec. depth. WR will not be a big area of concern in the upcoming draft.
TE - The success of this unit may depend on whether the real Johnny McWilliams will show up... he has been a huge disappointment since coming out of USC in 1996. He has exc. AA, and can give them the TE they need to get the defense stretched. Chris Gedney was re-signed this offseason and as a pass catching TE, should be very productive in the west coast offense. This unit lacks a big blocking TE that can help improve their slumping run game... they may find him in this year's draft.
OL - A marginal unit in 1997, that has done nothing to improve this offseason. OG Lester Holmes was added, but he was a bust in Philadelphia, and showed no improvement in Oakland... the Cards threw a lot of money at him, and he will be counted on to produce at RG. LG and RT are still huge ?'s. 2nd year man Chris Dishamn could develop, and may be penciled in at LG. LT Lomas Brown is close to the end, so look for the Cards to add some OT help through the draft. If they trade down, Tra Thomas or Flozzelle Adams become options. If they don't, they will miss out on Thomas, Adams, and San Diego State's Kyle Turley.
DL - Will be a solid unit if they play up to their abilities... DT Eric Swann was re-signed for $5M a year, and needs to play better... it's time for people to stop talking about his potential, and for him to play up to it. DE Simeon Rice is coming off a sophomore slump, and should benefit from not playing basketball this offseason. He can add some bulk without losing his good quicks off the edge as a pass rusher. IF the Cards don't draft DE Andre Wadsworth, Brad Ottis will start at LDE. He is a hard working overachiever, but has never been an every down player.
LB - A lot of bodies, but where is the leadership going to come from ? SLB Jamir Miller will have to become that guy. The loss of MLB Eric Hill will hurt, but OLB Ronald McKinnon is versatile and could move inside despite what they do in the upcoming draft. Patrick Sapp was acquired in the San Diego trade, and could push for the starting WLB spot. Depth is a big ?, so look for them to add a guy or two in the upcoming draft.
DB - The corners are solid, but they have huge problems at DS. Don't expect SS Matt Darby or FS Brent Alexander to return, leaving them no quality starters. Tommy Bennett and Kwame Lassiter are marg. backups, and can't be counted on to step up. If they don't make any more moves, look for them to add a DS like Tebucky Jones or Donivin Darius with one of their picks early in the 2nd rd. If 1996 3rd pick Ty Howard shows enough improvement, they could move DC Tom Knight into one of the DS spots.
ST - The return units should be much improved with the addition of Eric Metcalf who will be an upgade to Kevin Williams who was lost to Buffalo. The kicking game continues to be the main concern. PK Joe Nedney has a rocket leg, but is very inconsistent, and FA PT Jeff Feagles was lost to Seattle. There isn't much available in terms of FA, so expect them to scour the WFL this offseason. They can't afford to waste their draft picks on the PK or PT spots.
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