[ad_1]
Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach, discuss Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians possible departure next season. James Harden plays like old man but you won’t see decline.
azcentral sports
1 of 47
Kent Somers of azcentral sports sits down to talk with new Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker at the team’s Tempe training facility. Baker played college ball at the University of Washington. | Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
2 of 47
azcentral sports; Kent Somers discusses what we learned from the Cardinals minicamp.
3 of 47
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers breaks down the Cardinals second day of minicamp on June 7, 2017.
4 of 47
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers wraps up the Arizona Cardinals’ first day on minicamp on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
5 of 47
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss Blaine Gabbert’s role with the Cardinals and LeBron James’ performance in the NBA finals.
6 of 47
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discusses another week of the Cardinals’ OTAs. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
7 of 47
Bob McManaman of azcentral sports wraps up the Arizona Cardinals practice at their Tempe facility, Tuesday, May 30, 2017..
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
8 of 47
Azcentral’s Kent Somers and Bob McManaman catch up during second week of OTAs at the Cardinals Training Facility.
azcentral.com sports
9 of 47
Coaches and players talk about the importance of head coach Bruce Arians’ family fundraiser at Top Golf in Gilbert. (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
10 of 47
How has free-agent QB Blaine Gabbert adjusted so far to the Arizona Cardinals? (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
11 of 47
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the NBA MVP, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers and the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backs.
12 of 47
azcentral sports insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman react to the big news from the first day of Cardinals OTAs. Video: Rob Schumacher
13 of 47
The NFLPA has released its 2017 Rising 50 list of players poised to break out and rank among next season’s top-sellers in officially licensed merchandise and the Cardinals running back is No. 1.
14 of 47
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss the latest on Arizona Cardinals’ Carson Palmer and the NBA playoffs.
15 of 47
Shot Clock: Colin Kaepernick is better than Blaine Gabbert, right? So why did the Cardinals not sign him? Also, Zack Greinke has his Randy Johnson moment … what does it mean for Diamondbacks?
16 of 47
With camp starting tomorrow, players reported today and reporter Kent Somers lays out the future and what the team hopes for it.
17 of 47
Cardinals insider Kent Somers gives some insight into the releasing of Daryl Washington and why it was probably best for both team and player.
18 of 47
azcentral’s Kent Somers and Dan Bickley talk about the Cardinals decision to release linebacker Daryl Washington.
19 of 47
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Bob McManaman weigh in on the Cardinals’ signing of Blaine Gabbert.
20 of 47
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about mini-camp, his excitement about undrafted rookies, LB Daryl Washington and QB Blaine Gabbert at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
21 of 47
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about Arians’ annual fundraiser at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
22 of 47
The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday that former St. Louis Cardinals QB Jim Hart would be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this season.
Wochit
23 of 47
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss what to expect from the Cardinals’ 2017 NFL draft class.
24 of 47
Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley assess the Arizona Cardinals’ selection of Haason Reddick in Round 1 of the NFL draft and discuss the needs the team still has to address.
25 of 47
Check out how Cardinals fans were feeling during the team’s 2017 NFL draft party.
26 of 47
Cardinals insider Kent Somers reacts to the introductory press conference for Haason Reddick and what the Cardinals might do next.
27 of 47
With plenty of defense options on the table and all the quarterbacks gone, the Cardinals elected to go linebacker and Kent and Bob break down the reasons why.
Patrick Breen/azcentral.com
28 of 47
The Cardinals have made 18 picks in the first round of the NFL draft since 2000. Take a look at the standouts.
Wochit
29 of 47
With the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft, can the Cardinals afford to repeat their strategy with their last two first-round picks?
30 of 47
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers have the latest on the Cardinals draft and the reinstatement of Daryl Washington.
31 of 47
The Cardinals are hosting draft parties Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Great Lawn outside of University of Phoenix Stadium.
32 of 47
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Jay Dieffenbach discuss possible Cardinals strategy in the NFL draft, views on picking a quarterback and more.
33 of 47
Bob McManaman ranks the top special teams players in the upcoming draft.
34 of 47
Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians have found some of their best players in the third round.
Wochit
35 of 47
Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald and Chandler Jones discuss the importance of giving back and some bets amongst Cardinals players before the Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday at Salt River Fields. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
36 of 47
Cardinals GM Steve Keim has a tough task when it comes to finding quality talent and character to add to the team through the draft.
Wochit
37 of 47
azcentral sports Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Fostee Rucker. || Video by Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
38 of 47
Cardinals defensive tackle Frostee Rucker discusses learning from last year’s expectations and adding Karlos Dansby and other veterans. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
39 of 47
Breaking down the top three games of the Cardinals’ 2017 season.
Wochit
40 of 47
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss the Cardinals’ potential use (or overuse?) of running back David Johnson.
41 of 47
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Carmelo, a dancer, and the Cards’ quiet, classy young superstar.
42 of 47
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald discuss Fitzgerald’s charity softball tournament on Saturday.
43 of 47
The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald joined azcentral sports’ Kent Somers to discuss the team and the upcoming season.
44 of 47
Bob McManaman and Kent Somers at the NFL owners meetings on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Bruce Arianas likes full-time officials, centralized replay and says there’s 1 QB in upcoming draft who’s plug-and-play. Video: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
45 of 47
Coaches of the National Football Conference take questions from the media in Phoenix on March 29, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
46 of 47
Cardinals insider Kent Somers and other reporters talk with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians at the NFC coaches breakfast on Wednesday at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. Video by Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
47 of 47
Shot Clock: Is Bruce Arians leaving the Cardinals?
Somers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker
Kent Somers: Impressions from Cardinals minicamp
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals minicamp Wednesday
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals practice
Shot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals?
Kent Somers, Bob McManaman talk another week of Arizona Cardinals OTAs
Bob McManaman after Cardinals practice Tuesday, May 30
Kent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth
Arians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf
Report card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job
What Deone Bucannon’s injury means for Cardinals
David Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list
No throws for Cards QB, cheap shot in NBA?
Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?
Kent Somers talks Cardinals rookies
Kent Somers talks Daryl Washington departure
Cardinals release linebacker Daryl Washington: Somers and Bickley discuss
Shot Clock: Gabbert a terrible fit for Cards
Somers sits down with Arians on Cardinals’ offseason
Bruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers
Jim Hart to be inducted into Cardinals Ring of Honor
Shot Clock: Cards picks make instant impact?
Shot Clock: Tap brakes on Haason Reddick pick?
Sights and sounds from Cardinals draft party
Somers talks Reddick and possible 2nd and 3rd round picks
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Cardinals draft of Haason Reddick
Cardinals’ top first round NFL draft picks since 2000
Can Cardinals afford to be patient with another first-round pick?
Cards face choices with draft, Daryl Washington
What to know about the Cardinals’ draft party
Shot Clock: Cardinals trade up for QB?
Top 5 special teams players of 2017 NFL draft
Keim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round
Larry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones talk about Celebrity Softball Game
Cardinals looking for ‘football character’ in NFL draft
Kent Somers talks with Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker
Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker on expectations, adding Karlos Dansby
Top 3 games in Cardinals schedule
Cards playing dangerous game with RB Johnson?
Shot Clock: New face of Cardinals franchise?
Larry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament
Larry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers
NFL meetings in Phoenix: On Bruce Arians, new rules, the draft
NFC coaches take questions at NFL owners meeting
Kent Somers talks with Bruce Arians at NFC coaches breakfast
Scouting in the NFL involves far more than evaluating college prospects for the draft in April and accurately assessing players available when free agency starts in March.
It also includes knowing the potential weaknesses on your roster when training camp opens in July and developing a plan to address them, if needed.
Under General Manager Steve Keim, the Cardinals have had success in doing that over the last four years.
In 2013, they added pass rusher John Abraham and tackle Eric Winston near the start of camp.
In 2014, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was signed in August to help compensate for the loss of Darnell Dockett to a knee injury.
In 2015, tight end Jermaine Gresham signed in July and running back Chris Johnson in August. And on Sept. 2 of last year, Keim traded a draft pick to the Chiefs for cornerback Marcus Cooper.
All the above played significant roles in the seasons in which they were acquired.
With the first practice of training camp scheduled for Saturday, let’s look at three areas the Cardinals could look to bolster before the start of the regular season.
TIGHT END
Coach Bruce Arians likes the talent level at this position. But durability, not ability, is the issue here.
Jermaine Gresham is the only proven commodity. Troy Niklas, a second-round pick in 2014, has had six surgical procedures in three years and played a full season just once.
Ifeanyi Momah spent all of 2015 and part of 2016 on injured reserve. Hakeem Valles played 11 games last season, but most of his action came on special teams.
Gary Barnidge, formerly of the Browns, is probably the most notable unemployed tight end. Former Cardinal Jim Dray also is available.
CORNERBACK
Arians and Keim are more comfortable with the current situation than fans apparently are.
Justin Bethel is healthy again, and Brandon Williams is a year older. They are the leading contenders to start opposite Patrick Peterson. Jumal Rolle is the only other cornerback with any experience.
The Cardinals will show some patience at this spot, hoping Bethel and/or Williams play well this summer.
If they don’t, or in the event of injury, Keim will need to bring in help.
There are some notable names among available free agents, including Alterraun Verner and Brandon Flowers. More likely, the Cardinals identify someone not nearly as well known and more reasonably priced.
And, no, don’t expect Darrelle Revis to become a Cardinal. He’s 32 and didn’t play well last year for the Jets.
RUNNING BACK
Kerwynn Williams improved as a pass blocker and special teams player a year ago. That stopped his yo-yoing between the roster and unemployment.
Arians seems comfortable with Williams as the backup to David Johnson. Andre Ellington is back at running back after spending part of the off-season at receiver. Rookie T.J. Ford and Elijhaa Penny should contend for roles.
It’s a critical summer for Ellington, and the Cardinals likely will want to get a long look at the youngsters before deciding if they need outside help.
If they go that route, re-signing Johnson makes a lot of sense.
[ad_2]
Source link