but I would like to see Monty Biesel make the squad. He is a soli LB and does great on special teams. I also would like to see Vincent hang around in lue of Baylark.

I like what I see. I too think that Monty will make the squad with Matt Stewart being the odd man out. Brandon Moore’s pick-up bumped him from the roster. Monty is one of the few Cards with some playoff experience (especially on defense) that could be an insight bonus near the season’s end. Morey is gone as Urban has replaced him and more so. Doucet will get some ST work. All those ILB will also form the bulk of the ST. Good call on Vallejo and Highsmith, as those guys wouldn’t survive the waiver wire.

Keep Castille. His blocking has improved vastly and he is more versatile. With the sets the Cards run I don’t see them using power FB situations as much anymore. More Twin TE’s and spread formations that they have been successful at running the draw and bounce “zone blocking” plays thus far in the preseason. It complements the pass great and Beisel will contribute more on Special Teams and is a solid backup.

Just kidding, but seriously this is tough. I see what you mean about cutting him loose earlier so he could get picked up elsewhere. Either way I foresee Beisel making the team this year. Stewart or one of the FB’s is going to be the odd man out.

T. Smith is $1.1 million against the cap? He may be gone on that basis as a million can get you a band-aid o-lineman if our center position caves in. Nick Leckey, where art thou?

Does sbnation police crap talk hating on these fan sites or some? This is the only blog\sports report site where there is not a barrage of Cowboys fans talking smack. Are we just a well kept secret, or are there darker forces at work here cgolden?

A well kept secret, I think.

It is a very refreshing break from azcentral and others.

I hope this doesn’t break copyright rules, but for easier comparison:

The Cardinals must cut from 75 players to 53 by Saturday afternoon. Here’s my best guess at how it goes. There are always some surprises. And just because a player makes the 53 on Saturday doesn’t mean he’ll be here Sunday. The Cardinals could pick up some players via waivers, meaning someone has to go.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (3 players) – Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre.

Rookie Anthony Morelli is cut and possibly re-signed to the practice squad.

Running backs (3) – Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, J.J. Arrington.

Cut – Steve Baylark, Chris Vincent. Both eligible for the practice squad.

Fullbacks (2) – Tim Castille, Terrelle Smith.

I thought Smith might be in some trouble, but he’s too good a blocker.

Receivers (6) – Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban, Early Doucet, Sean Morey.

Cut – Lance Long, Jamaica Rector. Long could return to the practice squad. Morey makes it because of special teams.

Tight ends (3) — Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick, Jerame Tuman.

Cut : Alex Shor, Brent Miller.

Offensive line (9) — Mike Gandy, Reggie Wells, Al Johnson, Deuce Lutui, Levi Brown, Elton Brown, Pat Ross, Brandon Keith, Lyle Sendlein.

Cut — Keith Butler, Peter Clifford, Carlton Medder, Elliot Vallejo, Jasper Harvey. Clifford and Medder are hurt. A couple of these guys will go to the practice squad.

The Cardinals need to keep Ross, a center, because Al Johnson is out for the opener and Sendlein has a sore knee.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (7) —Darnell Dockett, Bryan Robinson, Antonio Smith, Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema, Gabe Watson, Alan Branch.

Cut: Jason Banks, Keilen Dykes, Joe Tafoya. Tafoya is on the bubblle. He’s a good special teams player. Banks and Dykes are practice squad candidates.

Outside linebackers (4) — Bertrand Berry, Travis LaBoy, Chike Okeafor, Clark Haggans.

Cut – Chris Harrington, but he returns to the practice squad. He’s got potential and the Cards need some youth at the position.

Inside linebackers (4) – Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Monty Beisel, Ali Highsmith.

It’s too risky to let Highsmith go. Another team could snap him up and the Cardinals need some young linebackers. It will be hard but Stewart and Moore could go. Beisel isn’t a sure thing.

Cornerbacks (4) – Rod Hood, Eric Green, Ralph Brown, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Cut – Michael Adams, Travarous Bain, DeMario Minter are practice squad candidates.

Safeties (5) – Antrel Rolle, Adrian Wilson, Aaron Francisco, Matt Ware, Oliver Celestin.

Celestin makes it because of special teams but that’s just my opinion. Dennis Keyes could go to the practice squad.

Specialists (3) – K Neil Rackers, P Dirk Johnson, LS Nathan Hodel.

…I didn’t see a lot to alter my thinking on the “Fight for 53”. Pat Ross may very well make the team as he played well. There were a couple times when BSP and Morelli were under pressure I noticed he was standing by himself looking to block someone. Hmmm. Perhaps I’m still thinking like Dennis Green is still coaching, as he would put Al Johnson on IR and go with Sendlein and Ross, but I think all three centers will be kept. Vallejo goes to the PS and will get activated once Johnson is “healthy” and Ross will get cut.

It was nice to see Lance Long in significant playing time. Sadly though, he wasn’t as good as advertised. I think he dropped as many as he caught. One pass popped out into the hands of a Bronco in that aborted 4th quarter. Ugh. His punt returning was lackluster as well.

But not as lackluster as Dirk Johnson’s punting. Kick that frakker to the curb, Whiz. Denver has two solid punters that can coffin kick and boom it. One has to get cut…snag him!