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Projecting The Arizona Cardinals 2010 Roster: Wide Receivers

After projecting the quarterbacks and running backs already, the next position up for projection will be the receivers. There aren't many question marks heading into camp at wide out, but there is a different feel with long-time receiver Anquan Boldin in Baltimore now. Jerheme "Butterfingers" Urban is now in Kansas City, while special teams ace Sean Morey left for Seattle. The Cardinals were relatively thin at receiver before bringing in several UFAs to participate in mini camps this year. Here's my look at the wide receivers.

Starter: Larry Fitzgerald

  • The clear cut starter heading into the season will obviously be Larry Fitzgerald. With Warner gone, he's the leader of the offense and the best weapon the Cardinals now have. Now with Boldin out of the mix, he'll likely get more passes thrown his way and more opportunities to effect the outcome of games. Fitzgerald will also get a chance to become the Cardinals franchise leader in receptions and touchdowns in 2010.

2nd Starter: Steve Breaston

  • After Anquan Boldin was traded, Steve Breaston will be given the chance to start full time with the Cardinals. As a starter, Breaston's speed should counter Fitzgerald's double teams and allow him to open up the deep field just as he's done in the past. Breaston won't be returning punts any longer, as he'll need to remain dedicated as a starter. Although Cardinal fans are very familiar with Breaston, the rest of the NFL will realize how good the former 5th-round pick really is.

Star-divide

Slot Receiver: Early Doucet

  • Entering his third season, Early Doucet will finally get a chance to contribute on offense on a consistent basis. He's spent the last two seasons buried on the depth chart, but emerged as a threat in last year's playoff win over the Packers, scoring two touchdowns. According to Larry Fitzgerald, Doucet has committed himself to the weight room and the Cardinals offseason training program. Doucet will see most of his time in the slot and will bring the physical toughness that Boldin left with.

4th String/Punt Returner: Andre Roberts

  • Rookie Andre Roberts was drafted in the third round with hopes that he'd develop into a quality slot receiver. In his first season, he should have a lock on punt returns since Breaston will be starting on offense. Although Roberts doesn't have the size, he does have the quickness and solid hands to see playing time when the Cardinals resort to four receiver sets. Rookie's are never guaranteed starting spots, nor playing time in Ken Whisenhunts offense, but with all the changes at receiver, Roberts shouldn't have any problems having a successful 2010 season.

5th String/Special Teams: Ed Gant

  • Rounding out the group will be 3rd year man Ed Gant. Although Onrea Jones has had successful preseasons as of late, Gant's special teams contributions will ensure that he has a job come September. The Cardinals will need to keep five active wide receivers, but no more. Gant brings depth at wide out as well.

Out Of The Mix: Darren Mougey, Max Komar, Onrea Jones, Deryn Bowser, Juamorris Stewart, Stephen Williams

  • The Cardinals certainly stayed active this offseason, bringing in five undrafted wide receivers. Although finding the best man is always important, none of these six receivers, other then Jones, will challenge for a roster spot. With the starters already secured and Roberts' hold of punt returns, 1-2 of these receivers will be assigned to the practice squad after being released.

The Arizona Cardinals have never had a problem with quality play or depth at wide receiver, and after Roberts was drafted, things will remain the same in 2010. Fitzgerald is considered one of the best, if not the best wide receiver in the game, and Breaston and Doucet will open many eyes outside of Arizona. What are your thoughts on the Cardinals depth at receiver?

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Breaston

was a 5th round pick. Good write up. I’m looking forward to seeing Roberts in action especially in the punt return role.

by cardsfanforlife24 on May 19, 2010 12:43 PM MDT reply actions  

Just to throw this out there

but does anyone think this particular WR core can be even more successful than years past? I know Boldin is a huge loss but our depth seems very good and just the fact that we got rid of Urban makes me sleep more soundly at night. Thoughts?

by cardsfanforlife24 on May 19, 2010 1:33 PM MDT reply actions  

we also havent gone thru coordinator changes as well.

by fansincejakenrob on May 19, 2010 1:54 PM MDT up reply actions  

There's a good possibility

Boldin had a way of taking over games but the Cardinals offense seemed to move the ball better when he wasn’t in the line up. Breaston can post match up problems with his quickness and with Doucet underneath, he’ll get a lot of open looks.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on May 19, 2010 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions  

The possibility is there

but without Warner we won’t see the pass heavy offense that would put up huge numbers. We’ve seen what Breaston can do. We’ve seen a spark from Doucet. His performance at the end of last season is very encouraging. Roberts looks promising. It’s all very positive going forward at WR. They may turn out to be the best group in the league. I don’t know that their stats will ever reflect that though. I don’t expect gaudy numbers out of Leinart.

by hadrarius on May 19, 2010 7:21 PM MDT up reply actions  

No

If Warner was the QB I’d say possibly. Too many moving parts (QB, OT, and OG) to give serious thought to the possibility of their NOT being some drop off. Team chemistry changes from year to year and not always for the better. It will take some time to integrate the new talent into the offense. Is all this accomplished by week one of the 2010 season?

by Cardsfan81 on May 20, 2010 9:06 AM MDT up reply actions  

Should have re-worded the question

I don’t necessarily mean more successful as far as numbers go. The fact is, we won’t pass the ball as much, therefore there are not as many balls to catch and go around. I guess what I meant was a more reliable WR core than in years past. One that can maximize on the catches they get and hold on to the ball when its thrown their way.
Bryant Johnson was deemed the ‘butterfingers’ receiver while he was here. Urban soon followed. I guess my definition of successful in this offense would be holding on to the ball and not committing any unnecessary game changing turnovers, i.e. Urban’s fumble against the Saints.

by cardsfanforlife24 on May 20, 2010 3:31 PM MDT up reply actions  

Fitz time

I don´t know if we will be better, but at least we will be very good… what I am looking forward the most is for Fitz to get more looks, specially in the red zone, now without Boldin he will be the main focus of the offense and I expect more games like the ones he had during the Super Bowl run, Breaston and Doucet are ready to step in, and I have heard great things from Andre Roberts (Charles Davis NFL Network)…
With Leinart´s skill set and an improved running game, I am expecting lots of big plays from the passing game specially of play action… GO CARDINALS

paco cabrera

by pacocab on May 19, 2010 1:45 PM MDT reply actions  

Won't it depend on the running game?

If no one respects our ability to run i don’t see Fitz having a huge year, but with four eyes on him every play should open thing up for Tits and Doucet. It seems like a lot of Breaston’s catches last year he was wide open. I think that will be the case this year with Doucet. Specially with Breaston’s qickness posing a deep threat. I think Doucet will have an exceptional year underneath. He showed toughness and the ability to run with the ball during that playoff game.

by ksredbird on May 19, 2010 2:45 PM MDT reply actions  

Breaston's just good

And faster than we’re used to. I mean, he was coming off of a 1000-yard season and Boldin missed a couple games here and there so it wasn’t like teams were going to underestimate him.

by tw3kr on May 19, 2010 10:16 PM MDT up reply actions  

Roberts

I think Roberts is going to really push Doucet for his job. Just been hearing so many good things about Roberts.

They are who we thought they were!

by Jesse Reynolds on May 19, 2010 4:11 PM MDT reply actions  

Agreed, although I would also have Jones on the roster.

He looked good in some of the Preseason games last year.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.

by JoeCB1991 on May 19, 2010 5:14 PM MDT reply actions  

+1

Jones deseerves a shot. Politics may prevent it however.

by Cardsfan81 on May 20, 2010 9:11 AM MDT up reply actions  

Yeah

Teams routinely keep drafted players over free-agents all the time. As Joe said above, Onrea Jones outplayed Lance Long in the pre-season last year and given what you saw from Long and Urban over the course of the 2009 season Jones might have made a greater contribution than Urban. Long was eventually cut. Urban was a favorite and let the coaching staff down in big spots.

Maybe politics is not the best choice of word but you know what I mean. Teams have an investment in draft picks and so an undrafted guy may not get the shot they deserve.

by Cardsfan81 on May 20, 2010 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions  

I got ya.

You just left that hanging out there. I wanted to hear more.

by hadrarius on May 20, 2010 11:42 AM MDT up reply actions  

Not sure cardsfan

With Deny Green, you could see him being stubborn with high draft picks like Antrel Rolle, or Leonard Davis, but Whisenhunt is not into that, remember he cut Buster Davis (third round pick) and started and undrafted free agent Lyle Sendlein, so if Long got his shot was because he had some great offseasons and Urban already had some experience working under Todd Haley, so I don´t think politics are preventing Jones from getting his shot, I hope he gets his shot, but it’s unfair to put that label on coach Whisenhunt, who made Matt Leinart, at the time the face of the franshise, his backup QB… GO CARDINALS

paco cabrera

by pacocab on May 20, 2010 12:51 PM MDT up reply actions  

I think Urban and Long

were very good in drills and practices, but once game time came around (which is what we base all of our judgment off of, and rightfully so) they couldn’t handle the bright lights.

by cardsfanforlife24 on May 20, 2010 3:33 PM MDT up reply actions   1 recs

They couldn't cut it during regular games

Fortunately it’s the Chiefs problem now.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on May 20, 2010 4:44 PM MDT up reply actions  

Jones has impressed me enough from the Preseason games last year to make me want to see if he has what it takes to make the full roster.

I don’t really remember anything about Gant so I think Jones could make it over him.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.

by JoeCB1991 on May 20, 2010 4:46 PM MDT up reply actions  

I'm not banging on Whiz

But if you think coaches and fans (who have no say on who makes the roster) don’t root for certain guys to make a team you’re being naive. The head coach has ultimate control in AZ on the final roster and it was not Haley or Graves. I’m not sure Haley belongs in this discussion as he was in KC last season. Whiz made the decision to put Long on the final 53 roster briefly.

Pacocab, by bringing Leinart up you help my position because the best player that helps to win games should be on the field.

by Cardsfan81 on May 21, 2010 7:31 AM MDT up reply actions  

Long was undrafted

Urban was Haley’s pet, not Whisenhunt’s. The first four spots will be taken by draftees, that’s for sure. From 5 on down, everybody’s undrafted.

by tw3kr on May 20, 2010 3:33 PM MDT up reply actions  

Early Doucet + Weight Room Committment = A Downfield Blocking Nightmare for Opposing Secondaries

I’m an LSU fan and I can tell you that this aspect of his game is one that y’all didn’t get to see enough of to fully appreciate yet. That will change this year as he’s basically worked through his “Rookie Jitters” now entering his 3rd year…. He’ll settle in and start asserting himself on the field with and without the ball in his hands. He’s not as blatant as Hines Ward, but I guarantee y’all [barring injury] he’ll provide more than a fair share of “Oh lawd” cringe/whoa/hi-five moments in 2010. =)

It's an ankle bracelet, not a halo....

by yurintroubl on May 19, 2010 6:18 PM MDT reply actions  

Ha

Love the “oh lawd.”
I hope so, would be great.

They are who we thought they were!

by Jesse Reynolds on May 19, 2010 7:12 PM MDT up reply actions  

He's not shy about contact

That is true enough. His willingness to pound through defenders will make him a fan favorite.

by hadrarius on May 19, 2010 7:25 PM MDT up reply actions  

He has been working hard too according to the team website.

If he can keep the injuries from coming up like they did before he will be good.

http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-1/Q-Too/ac16e197-9ff9-4e55-af1c-08d725c777bf

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.

by JoeCB1991 on May 19, 2010 8:37 PM MDT up reply actions  

Sounds like he wasn't as committed to conditioning early on

Based on Fitz’s comment that he didn’t take care of his body like a professional should. If so, that would have played a big part in all the knicks and dings.

by tw3kr on May 19, 2010 10:18 PM MDT up reply actions  

He was a little nicked up when he was drafted...

I’d say about 75% of all rookies don’t realize what a step up in training/discipline it takes to compete at the NFL level. Even those who don’t slack off between the Combine———→Draft————→Rookie Camp are generally not where they should be. In Doucet’s case, the NFL Personal Care and Conditioning learning curve was lengthened greatly due to his issues from the get-go.
.
In this regard, I see many parallels between Doucet and the Saints’ Robert Meachem, Pretty sure that bodes well for Early this year. =)

It's an ankle bracelet, not a halo....

by yurintroubl on May 20, 2010 5:47 AM MDT up reply actions  

Looks good to me, Andrew!

What position group do you think Morey’s spot will go to? I’m guessing TE right now, being as we have 5 that all have a legitimate shot at the roster. Definitely two WR’s on the practice squad, though.

by tw3kr on May 19, 2010 10:21 PM MDT reply actions  

I'm leaning towards offensive line

Considering this is one of the deepest groups we’ve seen. Especially if Deuce ever comes back.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on May 20, 2010 2:41 PM MDT up reply actions  

Ahh, hadn't even considered

That would make sense. It’ll be interesting to see how things shake out.

by tw3kr on May 20, 2010 3:34 PM MDT up reply actions  

Stephen Williams is going to be the next great URFA

Mark my words this kid is legit. How he went undrafted is anyones guess. He’ll be an amazing player in this league for a long time. He’s the next baby TO Brandon Marshall. REMEMBER THE NAME! He’ll be the #5 WR this year and maybe a top 3 next year.

by Fireking on May 20, 2010 12:44 AM MDT reply actions  

Williams looks good and his height in the red zone would be great.

His trouble is that making this squad at WR is a tall order. He’s the guy I’m hoping does shine though. Mostly because at 6’5" he’ll be a match up nightmare. I’d be very happy if the makes it as the #5 WR. He better be good at special teams play to make it onto the team. That will probably be the deciding factor.

by hadrarius on May 20, 2010 11:21 AM MDT up reply actions  

I don't see a 6'5 receiver with speed problems making the team on special teams alone

He’d be too lanky. Although I do agree he’d pose match up problems. With what the Cardinals already have, I just can’t see him making the team this year.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on May 20, 2010 2:42 PM MDT up reply actions  

speed problems????????

doesnt he run like a 4.48 40? how much more speed do you need?

by Fireking on May 20, 2010 5:15 PM MDT up reply actions  

What speed problems?

That guy cranks. He may not have the quickest first step but he’s fast. What do the other receivers he’s competing with have that really set them apart?

I mentioned special teams because where else is a #5 WR going to play. From the coaches perspective that area will be the make or break for fringe players. I don’t know if he can make it as a ST specialist but honestly it’s not what I’m looking for out of him either.

Whoever makes the #5 spot is going to have to fight tooth and nail for it. It may be things we never get to see that decide it too.

by hadrarius on May 20, 2010 7:34 PM MDT up reply actions  

Mougey is 6'5" and runs somewhere in the 4.4 range, too

From what I remember, they’re all pretty close in terms of speed.

Special teams will be the key to making #5, I totally agree. Even a guy with better receiving skills will probably land on the PS because he won’t get many chances to contribute in that position.

by tw3kr on May 20, 2010 8:29 PM MDT up reply actions  

Stephen Williams

I think you may be onto something Fireking. I checked out Stephen Williams’ career highlights with Toledo on Youtube and he definitely has all the tools to become a big time receiver. Hopefully not being drafted will give him a chip on his shoulder. Williams looks like a guy that can go up and get any ball thrown his way. I think our receiving core looks pretty good even without Q. If our running game improves like I think it will we won’t have to rely so much on the passing game. High hopes for 2010. Go Cards!

david hummer

by seeingred78 on May 20, 2010 8:51 AM MDT reply actions  

He was very good in college

I’m surprised he wasn’t drafted.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on May 20, 2010 4:44 PM MDT up reply actions  

Stewart put up killer numbers too.

There won’t be any chumps competing for a wide out spot on this roster.

by hadrarius on May 20, 2010 7:35 PM MDT up reply actions  

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