Archive for April 16th, 2009

31. Arizona Cardinals

-Larry English (DE/Northern Illinois)

Larry English (NFL.com)

Good organizations tend to learn more from a loss than a win. Well, the Cards lost the big one in February to a team with one of the best defenses in recent memory. What was so great about that defense? Primarily, the pass rush generated by the dynamic duo of James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley.

In the closing moments of the first half, and in the last seconds of the game, those two athletes made plays that sealed the fate of the “new kids on the block.” Harrison intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it for a touchdown, and Woodley forced a premature pass by Kurt Warner on the final play of the game.

But what does this have to do with the Cardinals?

Everything… look for Ken Whisenhunt to grab some pass rushers to upgrade his defense.

The one player available to the Cards in the first round that most closely resembles a Steeler linebacker is Larry English. So long as he is dedicated to learning to read coverages and is willing to play in space, he has all the tools to become an ferocious 3-4 OLB. His strength and explosion off the line of scrimmage are similar to Woodley, and his college production is eerily close, to boot (both had double digit sack counts in their senior seasons).

If Arizona wants to improve their defense, Larry English could be their man.

-Chris Wells (HB/Ohio St)

Chris Wells (NFL.com)

Their Arizona offense was rather one-dimensional especially during the Superbowl. Coincidentally, the lack of confidence in the Cardinals’ run game more or less cost them the championship. Just prior to the end of the first half, Kurt Warner tried to pass the ball in from inside the 5 yard line.  If the team had any semblance of a goal-line run game, they could have punched the ball in before the half.

They owe it to themselves to balance out that awesome passing game with a competent runner.

I’ve seen Chris Wells projected to selected anywhere from 4th overall to early second round. If he is available, the Cardinals must give him strong consideration. He will be able to carry the workload much better than the aging Edgerrin James, and can allow Tim Hightower to resume his role as spell back.

In order to be successful in the Arizona offense, Wells will have to work on his receiving ability, since that is considered his weakness.

For that reason, the team might desire Donald Brown, or they might take advantage of the depth of the class in later rounds.

Next on the clock: Pittsburgh Steelers

See entire Hybrid Mock Draft here

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