Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Picks: Running Backs
To continue the trend in a more efficient way, here is crop of potential draft pick running backs that we haven't covered yet and some that we may see this weekend. If the Cardinals do pass on a 1st round back, these guys could be wearing Cardinal red after this weekend. For the source of these breakdowns and to get more in-depth reviews on draft prospects, chech out cbssports.
5'11 & 227 lbs
Similar NFL Player: Ladell Betts
Greene has good initial quickness, but lacks explosiveness or a second gear to negotiate long-distance runs. He does make quick decisions with
the ball in his hands to hit the holes in a hurry. The thing that you notice immediately about Greene is his change-of-direction agility and body control. When the rush lane is clogged, he has the feel to redirect and bounce outside, but does not have the speed to take the ball to the house down the sidelines. Greene is a physical inside runner whose playing strength is better than his weight-room figures. Greene is not a "make you miss" type, but when he gets a short burst off the snap, he shows quick cutting agility. Greene is not going to go down easy, even from gang tackles. He lacks weight-room strength, but has the lower-body power to push the pile when he keeps his pads down.
Andre Brown - North Carolina State
6'0 & 224 lbs
Similar NFL Player: Fred Taylor
Brown has a stout body, with good vision and the ability to break tackles thanks to his leg drive and speed. He is more of a straight-line, north-south runner, as he lacks the loose hips to bounce wide or redirect in an instant. If you are looking for a very explosive north-south runner, Brown is the perfect fit. He moves on the ball's snap with no hesitation and it is rare to see him false step. He's limited as a cut-back runner, but gets into trouble when he tries to bounce and feel for the cut back. He has the explosion to beat defenders taking the ball between tackles, thanks to his short burst, but struggles when having to cut back or bounce to the outside. Brown is just starting to develop as a receiver, showing good hands to secure the ball outside his frame.
Rashad Jennings - Liberty
Similar NFL Player: Jamal Lewis
Rashard Jennings is an explosive running back who can run, catch and block. Jennings has good initial quickness, but is inconsistent changing direction due to hip stiffness and failure to keep his running stride down to squeeze through tight spaces. Jennings has a deceptive burst that allows him to surprise a lethargic defender with his straight-line charge, but he is more of a power back, one-cut runner than an elusive one. He has the thick legs to drive through the initial tackle and a strong stiff arm to fend off the smaller defenders. It is very rare to see him get turned back taking the ball up the middle, but he is really just a power-oriented one-cut runner that lacks nifty moves, but plays with good body lean. He catches the ball cleanly and does a good job extending for the off-target throws.
Gartrell Johnson - Colorado State
5'10 & 219 lbs
Similar NFL Player: Greg Jones
Powerful build. Runs with a low pad level, giving defenders little room to hit him. Has a low-center of gravity and a good first step to accelerate. Hits the hole with authority. Some lateral quickness to elude in tight quarters and can make defenders miss in the open field. Good vision for the cutback. Finishes his runs by falling forward. Secure ball-handler with only one fumble in 310 touches in 2008. Lacks the speed to beat linebackers to the edge or the top-end speed to pull away when gets to the second level. Lacks the agility to make defenders miss if met in the hole. Relies on his initial pop and aggression, rather than true power, in taking on defenders.
5'10 & 216 lbs
Similar NFL Player: Josh Scobee
Peerman has outstanding timed speed, but it does not always translate to the field, as he has a bit of a hitch coming out of his stance, preventing him from generating good explosion into the holes. He is a small, but well-built athlete who is a shifty runner with good hands as a receiver. He has good quickness and balance, but lacks the suddenness or change of direction skills to bounce the ball wide for big runs (only four runs for more than 20 yards as a senior). However, his frame is also built for power, and he does fairly well moving the ball inside. He is not a player that will run over the larger defenders, but he is tough and feisty taking the ball up the gut to get good yardage after initial contact. He is blessed with that rare speed runners can only hope for, but fails to generate the second gear to escape when bouncing wide.
Kory Sheets - Purdue
5'11 & 208 lbs
Similar NFL Player: Julius Jones 
Sheets is a lanky, slinky runner who is quick to the hole, patient and agile through traffic; he also has an extra gear to outrun a lot of defenders. He is not an effective blocker and lacks leg strength to pound into the line for tough yards. Sheets is not what you would consider a power runner, but he uses his leg drive effectively, flashing lateral quickness and consistency seeing the cutback. When he stays low in his pads, he will get the tough yardage with his balance. However, when the rush lane is clogged, he gets too erect in his stance and seems to expose the ball too much when trying to redirect off-tackle, especially when going to the right hash and this resulted in a high amount of costly fumbles...Sheets is the type that can stick his foot in the ground and explode through the hole, but is not capable of pushing the pile. Sheets is a capable receiver out of the backfield, but won't run any deep patterns or do anything fancy with the ball in his hands.
Glen Coffee - Alabama
Similar NFL Player: Kevin Smith
Coffee is more quick than he is fast, but shows good explosion and burst coming out of his stance. He attacks the holes with good pad level and forward body lean. He is better as an inside runner, as he does not show that ease-of-movement agility to change direction and locate the cutback
lanes without having to throttle down. He runs with adequate strength and will need to improve his lower-body power in order to break tackles consistently at the next level. He is not really a shifty runner with the ability to juke defenders, but can accelerate past second-level defenders. Coffee's lack of lower-body strength is evident, but he does a nice job of squaring his shoulders and lowering his pads. He has an above-average stiff arm that he uses quite a bit to break tackles. He has developing hands and the ability to turn and catch off-target throws, but his route running, or lack of, has prevented him from being a part of the intermediate-to-deep passing game. Coffee is not effective as a lead blocker and must be alert to the blitz and stunts when asked to provide pass protection.
Mike Goodson - Texas A&M
Similar NFL Player: Jerious Norwood
He is quick and explosive with his long speed, but has just marginal
strength, making him a liability as an inside runner. He has good change of direction agility and shows very good quickness out of his stance, along with the sudden burst to elude defenders turning the corner. Goodson has that sudden burst to escape the crowd and does a very good job of accelerating away from the second-level opponents... Goodson runs with good balance, but lacks the leg drive and upper body strength to push the pile. He will go down vs. initial contact and is prone to coughing up the ball when tackled hard...Goodson left school early and the coaching staff seemed relieved by his decision. He has had problems with both of his head coaches and is perceived as a player that is not willing to conform, raising some red flags that will affect his overall draft stock.
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Comments
solid write up....I'm sure that took a while to put together but well done
I’m intrigued by Andre Brown and think he could be a better pro than he was a college player. I also wouldn’t mind taking a run at some later round guys like Kory Sheets or Mike Goodson to serve as JJ’s replacement and return specialist.
by Bezekira on Apr 21, 2009 3:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Excellent write up
I like Coffee and Johnson. But this is one pick that I’m glad I’m not picking because whomever the RB is that is picked has a lot of weight on his shoulders to perform.
I agree with using a later round pick on an extra back for a JJ replacement. Never know what we’re going to get, might end up being a Jacobs!
by CardsFan08 on Apr 21, 2009 5:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm still feeling a little gunshy
Whether or not its logical, I keep seeing JJ Arrington in every one of these backs. If you remember he was supposed to be the steal of the draft after rushing for 2,000 yards in his last year at Cal.
I need the Cards to draft a great back to cleanse my palate. Hightower hasn’t done it for me yet.
by bcloirao on Apr 21, 2009 5:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm beginning to think comparing Peerman to Josh Scobee was a mistake. LOL
Thanks for the appreciation though. We should have a couple more positions covered by Saturday so that everybody’s mind is knowledgeable about the draft.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Apr 21, 2009 5:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Andre Brown
If you could add a RB like Fred Taylor to this team….WOW….Why wouldnt you?
by RowdyReno on Apr 21, 2009 11:25 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Running Back
That was a good write-up, the only name I would have added to it is Javon Ringer from MSU but I think it is more likely than not that one of these names will be who ends up on the 2009 roster. I don’t think Moreno or Wells will be available at #31, and if you look at what the Steelers have done, historically, at the RB position there isn’t a lot of reason to believe the Cards will address it early. Granted, the Steelers took Mendenhall in the first last year but prior to that you’d have to go back to 1989 to find the last time they went RB in round one. In Whisenhunt’s time there (2001-2006) they only drafted 3 RB’s, and all three were late rounds picks who didn’t spend any significant time with them. The run game will be addressed, but probably won’t be the same way the “experts” are projecting it.
Having bored the hell out of everyone with all that, I could see Greene if he lasts until round 3, otherwise I’m thinking that Andre Brown would be a good fit, he had to share carries at NC State so being in a platoon system with Hightower wouldn’t be an adjustment for him at all. To me Ringer is a possibility because of his versatility (return kicks, ability to catch out of the backfield, etc.).
This weekend can’t get here soon enough.
by Long Beach on Apr 22, 2009 11:37 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Good thoughts on the Steelers history Long Beach.
If you look on the left side of the home page, you’ll see a potential draft picks list. We actually already covered the major backs including Ringer. The write up is more in depth too.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Apr 22, 2009 2:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought so
I remember reading that, but I think I was only looking at this particular post. I remember the write-up being very thorough, some concerns expressed about how MSU has used him like a rented mule, etc. I don’t think that would be too much of an issue anymore as I don’t see him as a feature back which would greatly reduce his workload but it was an astute observation nonetheless. I could see him in Cardinals red if a guy like Pettigrew somehow gets by Buffalo at #28, otherwise I’m thinking Greene in round 2 or 3 (although he may not get to the bottom of round 3).
by Long Beach on Apr 22, 2009 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs





















