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Projecting The Arizona Cardinals 2010 Roster: Cornerbacks

As we continue to run through the Arizona Cardinals roster and project who will start and who will make the final cuts, we inch closer and closer to the start of training camp, as well. We've looked over the offense and most of the defense and only have the secondary left on the list. The defense surrendered 90 points in the playoffs last season and much of that stood on the shoulders of the defensive backs. Antrel Rolle is out and Kerry Rhodes is in. The team also dealt former starter Bryant McFadden during the draft. In 2010, we could witness one of the top secondaries in the league if Rhodes pans out at safety and a corner steps up to play alongside DRC. That remains to be a giant question mark, however.

Starters

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - DRC has become a fan favorite and the starter at cornerback in just two seasons in the league. His speed goes hand-in-hand with his footwork, coverage skills, and hands to make him the top corner in the Cardinals secondary and a soon to be top-five cornerback in the NFL. He is recovering from a knee injury that he suffered in the playoff loss to the Saints and we don't know if he's fully healed.

Greg Toler - Well, the cat's out of the bag - I'm favoring Toler to start opposite Rodgers-Cromartie in 2010. Toler drew much interest when the Cardinals drafted him last year and he has similar potential to what we saw from DRC when he was drafted. He has the physical build, size, and speed to make a name for himself in the league, and defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson will need to build off of his talent to prepare Toler for the pressure that he'll face as a starter. If he can, the Cardinals will showcase one of the best cornerback tandems in 2010. He's still young, however, and hasn't started a game in his career. He'll be an immense unknown.

Star-divide

 

Primary Back-Ups

Michael Adams - Adam's leadership and heart play a large role in playing for the Cardinals. He's experienced and possesses a no-quit mentality. Adams can also contribute on special teams. His biggest weakness is that he struggles covering just about any receiver that is taller than him in jump-ball situations.

Trumaine McBride - The former Bears' starter has a slim margin to start for the Cardinals this year, but ultimately will fall short into a back-up role. We aren't completely familiar with McBride. He played in 32 games his first two seasons in the league, but only played in one game last season after he was released from the Bears with a knee injury. McBride is only 24 and has upside, but he faces the unfortunate task of not having seniority in the Cardinals locker room.

Jorrick Calvin - Sixth-round pick Jorrick Calvin shouldn't have a problem making the Cardinals 53-man roster considering they need the depth and he was just inked to a four-year deal last week. Nothing is certain, however, and Ken Whisenhunt is a man that expects his rookies to step up rather than hand over playing time. Calvin is a speedy corner that has the return skills to pad his chances at making the team.

On The Bubble

Justin Miller - Miller was given a chance to tryout during the Cardinals OTAs and was awarded with a contract. The former Pro Bowl corner is still young and can contribute on special teams, as well. Injuries have hindered his chances at a return to stardom the last two seasons, however.

A.J. Jefferson - I listed Jefferson as a potential draft pick before he became a member of the Cardinals and I was ecstatic when he became available as an undrafted free agent. Jefferson was listed as a possible 3rd round pick because of his natural athleticism and return skills. He does need to work on his ball skills and footwork if he wants to find a place on this team.

Out Of The Mix

Marshay Green & Rashad Barksdale - Although depth is heavily needed, the Cardinals won't have any room for either of these players when the final cuts are made. Barksdale has floated around camp for a while now, but doesn't have any particular skill set that isn't already offered from another player. Green is intriguing and may find a spot on the Cardinals practice squad. Both players will be looked at thoroughly during camp and preseason, but only stand a puncher's chance at making the team.

Cornerback is obviously a glaring weakness on the Cardinals roster and is a position that other teams will target should that weakness continue in 2010. It's amazing that the Cardinals can feature such an extreme difference between starters: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is the shutdown corner, while the man that fills McFadden's shoes will have little to no experience starting. Do you believe Toler will start? And if he falters, will the Cardinals be in trouble?

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Yes Toler starts

I was very impressed with what I saw out of him in the playoffs. He will definitely struggle though when we play different zone coverages. I think, from what I saw, that he is very much a man to man cover corner but can develop into more.

by pcock45 on Jul 12, 2010 3:04 PM MDT reply actions  

I really cant wait to see him in action

I feel like we’re taking a gamble but it can pay off big time

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 Jul 12, 2010 3:06 PM MDT up reply actions  

I agree, Toler gets the start

But it will be interesting to see if any of the other guys really impress during preseason or even in nickle situations. I’d like to see what Miller has left and what we can expect from the rookies.

by Birdman from Mesa on Jul 12, 2010 3:09 PM MDT reply actions  

Def preseason is worth watching 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 Jul 12, 2010 3:20 PM MDT up reply actions  

Sounds like the makings of a solid unit

If the 2 starters can hold up in coverage, Kerry Rhodes could be allowed to roam the secondary picking off passes, such as the Saints let Sharper do. Good luck on the year.

"We've got 27 ways to add up to 11 (players on the field). I came up with another one last night." -- Greg Williams

by DrWhoDat on Jul 12, 2010 3:34 PM MDT reply actions  

If Rhodes turns out similar to Sharper's last season in any way

I’ll be absolutely ecstatic. A ball hawk like that plus Wilson is a formidable safety duo and if he can perform like Sharper did last year they would no doubt be the best tandem in the league. But that’s a big IF…

by cardsfanforlife24 on Jul 13, 2010 8:37 AM MDT up reply actions  

If Rolle couldn't be that man with his ball skills, I don't see Rhodes as that man either

But I can easily see the safeties being one of the top duos in the league.

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 Jul 13, 2010 12:24 PM MDT up reply actions  

agree with andrew

I don’t expect rhodes to be anything close to sharper or Rolle. He is a differnt type of player and we should expect different things. Things that we may need more than what rolle brought to the table. I think he can be a more consistant center fielder than rolle and I will be looking to see how he contains the deep ball, especially in zone situations when our young corners take a wrong turn. A personal theory is that, if toler pans out we have plenty of turn over potential and I’m happy with rhodes being the rock that holds it together.

by badmatty53 on Jul 14, 2010 12:49 PM MDT up reply actions  

Rhodes will probably get a few picks though

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 Jul 14, 2010 3:05 PM MDT up reply actions  

He probably will

But he won’t be the ballhawk that Rolle was tried to be.

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 Jul 14, 2010 6:32 PM MDT up reply actions  

Tons of talent.

It really seems like alot of the people we have can make a really big impact. I think with a little polishing this unit will be one of the best. Its going to be a good hard fight to see who gets that starting position but i agree with you that toler gets the start.

by BIGRED CARDINAL on Jul 12, 2010 4:08 PM MDT reply actions  

Toler looks like another guy [along with DRC] that can just be left on an Island covering a receiver 1 on 1

And if he can do that like DRC has, then Billy Davis can bring even more pressure on the Quarterback. I know he wants to be aggressive, and this should help him out with that if he doesn’t have to worry about things like McFaddens inability to see where the ball is until the receiver catches it.

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 Jul 12, 2010 6:31 PM MDT reply actions  

What excites me the most about this group of CBs

is that Toler and DRC can combine to form a force for a long time if they both play up to their potential. Add in McBride, who has starting experience, Adams and Calvin/AJ/Miller, and we could have one of the best secondaries in the NFL for the next few years.

We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!

by robloosli on Jul 13, 2010 10:43 AM MDT reply actions  

Could be

Im not getting any hopes up just yet…just dreams. But if that does happen I’ll go nuts.

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 Jul 13, 2010 2:05 PM MDT up reply actions  

Toler

Toler showed glimpses of what he did in the playoffs every time he was on the field last year. His problem is the same problem DRC has, playing in a zone defense. They both look great in man to man coverage, but in the zone they can both get lost real quick. The good news is that this is something that will improve with experience. The bad news…they don’t have that experience yet and I thing they will be giving up some big plays in the zone next year.

by badmatty53 on Jul 13, 2010 10:46 AM MDT reply actions  

Good point matty and good to hear from

Agree that it does come with experience. unfortunately, they dont have the personel to even think about experience in the zone defense.

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 Jul 13, 2010 12:32 PM MDT up reply actions  

Glad to have you back.

Now what about your partner Boogat. When should we expect to hear his comments?

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Jul 13, 2010 5:26 PM MDT up reply actions  

took a little rest during the off season

Back to bust some balls and balance the universe.

@ andrew, yep you have to start the talent, then cross fingers and close eyes and hope no one gets hurt. depth at the position scares me.

by badmatty53 on Jul 14, 2010 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions  

@ hevchv

I think I will try to convince him to start a new moniker and try to play nice and make friends…

by badmatty53 on Jul 14, 2010 12:42 PM MDT up reply actions  

True

One injury and we’re screwed. Which makes the roster cuts seem more interesting. How many DBs will stay signed to the roster for that reason? I’d say 5 at the least.

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 Jul 14, 2010 6:34 PM MDT up reply actions  

T

hey both look great in man to man coverage, but in the zone they can both get lost real quick.

Simple….play man to man and blitz every play :)

"We've got 27 ways to add up to 11 (players on the field). I came up with another one last night." -- Greg Williams

by DrWhoDat on Jul 14, 2010 2:13 PM MDT up reply actions  

It works fine for the Jets.

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 Jul 14, 2010 3:05 PM MDT up reply actions  


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