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Arizona Cardinals Projected Defensive Depth Chart

After taking a look at how the offensive depth hart might look, here's a glance at the depth on the defensive side of the ball:

Left DE - Antonio Smith, Kenny Iwebema, Calais Campbell

Iwebema has been playing the left side but an extended absence by Smith could see Campbell move over.

NT - Bryan Robinson, Alan Branch, Gabe Watson (injured)

Robinson will most likely be the starter against the Niners but he might be the last guy that they want to start as well. Branch might be the best on any given play but you just never know whether you're going to get 100% or 50%. Watson will be the starter as soon he's healthy.

Right DE/UT - Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema

Dockett is the stud and and Campbell is the young man in waiting.

Left OLB - Chike Okeafor, Clark Haggans

As long as Okeafor stays healthy he's the man. Haggans has performed well in preseason and he's an experienced veteran, but he's at his best with limited snaps.

Right OLB - Travis LaBoy, Bertrand Berry

LaBoy had a good preseason and won the starting job. He's younger and more explosive but Berry will still see his fair share of snaps when he's healthy.

MILB - Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Monty Beisel, Ali Highsmith

Beisel's probably the first guy to step in whether Dansby or Hayes goes down and Highsmith's role will likely be special teams unless a couple of injuries strike.

Left CB - Roderick Hood, DRC, Ralph Brown, Matt Ware

The top two spots are pretty set in stone but if somehow they both get injured, it would be a big mess. They would probably decide to move Rolle back down to corner depending on the depth left at safety. Brown is a good special teamer but he's not a starting corner. Ware can play both safety and corner but he's not a starting corner either. 

Right CB - Eric Green, DRC, Ralph Brown, Matt Ware

Pretty much the same as above.

SS - Adrian Wilson, Aaron Francisco, Oliver Celestin

Wilson is the obvious starter and there's a big drop off to #2. Francisco's got some experience but he lacks the playmaking ability of A-dub.

FS - Antrell Rolle, Aaron Francisco, Matt Ware, Oliver Celestin

Most depth charts list Ware as the primary backup to Rolle but I still think Francisco would be the first name called if Rolle went down. Ware's younger but still a good, developing player. Celestin is best on special teams but he's a big hitter who will look decent in limited snaps.

Thoughts? Agree/Disagree?

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Spot on...

…and it is so wonderful to look at all the positions and not cringe because of the depth.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 1, 2008 12:20 PM MDT reply actions  

my thoughts exactly

Which player do you think would have the biggest dropoff if the #1 went down? I keep going back and forth between Dansby and Wilson.

by cgolden on Sep 1, 2008 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions  

Celestin vs. Francisco

If Adrian were to come out for an extended “blow”, I suspect that Oliver Celestin would replace him as he did last year. Francisco would still come in during nickel/dime packages. Clearly Wilson to anyone else would be the biggest drop-off talent-wise considering Wilson’s overall ability league wide. John Lynch would need to be signed to alleviate some of the hitting potential if an extended “blow” turned into the dreaded “i” word. That’s if the Patriots don’t sign him after Week 1.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Sep 3, 2008 6:16 AM MDT up reply actions  

fransisco

He looked so bad in coverage during the first game. Did he imrpove at all over the next three?

by hevchv on Sep 1, 2008 9:12 PM MDT reply actions  

yea he did

He had a really bad game but he’s a better player than that and he showed it over the next three games.

by cgolden on Sep 2, 2008 7:19 AM MDT up reply actions  

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