Do You Trust Wiz Drafting Now?

by cschiemann on Dec 21, 2011 9:44 AM MST

Im going to give Wiz a Pass on the 07 draft because it was his first one but Lets take a look at his drafts after that:

08 Draft [1] DRC, [2] Calais Campbell, [3] Early Doucet, [4] Kenny Iwebema [5] Tim Hightower, [6] Chris Harrington, [7] Brandon Keith

Analysis: Arguably a great draft class, CC is a beast, DRC was a good corner while with us, Tim Hightower was a good late round pickup and a 7th round pick on a tackle still with the team that is why 7th round picks are there.

09 Draft [1] Chris "Beanie" Wells, [2] Cody Brown, [3] Rashad Johnson, [4] Greg Toler, [5] Herman Johnson, [6] Will Davis [7a] LaRod Stephens-Howling, [7b] Trevor Canfield

Analysis: Not a great draft as for superstars but look what you did get, Chris Wells Starter 1000 yard rusher, Rashad Johnsen filled in nicely for 2 months and could be a starter soon, Greg Toler would of been a starter, Stephens-Howling great utility back and alternative to Wells as a different style runner. Not great lots of misses but when you come off a superbowl appearance you dont have alot of needs are are choosing lower in the draft.

10 Draft [1] Dan Williams, [2] Daryl Washington, [3] Andre Roberts, [4] O'Brien Schofield, [5] John Skelton, [6] Jorrick Calvin, [7] Jim Dray

Analysis: Washington, Schofield, Skelton, so far anchors of our team, roberts is coming on nicely and dan williams while not great was a solid nose tackle pick up for a team with an aging brian robinson. (i think that was his name) So far we are getting potential superstars all around.

11 Draft [1] Patrick Peterson, [2] Ryan Williams, [3] Rob Housler, [4] Sam Acho, [5] Anthony Sherman, [6a] Quan Sturdivant, [6b] David Carter, [7] DeMarco Sampson.

Analysis: This may be the best draft in the history of the NFL (okay so maybe not) but its Wiz's best class yet. PP is going to be a solid corner if not superstar, Ryan Williams probably would of rushed for 500 yards (minimum) as a rookie backing up Wells, Rob Housler has been hurt but looked good in limited time im glad he had another year behind king and heap learn from the best, Sam Acho is a solid OLB maybe not superstar but a great pick, Anthony Sherman is a stud no to ways to look about that. And David Carter has been a welcome surprise.I look at the draft this way We Got the Best CB in the Draft, Some say the Best TE in the draft, The Best FB in the Draft, and The Second best RB in the Draft. Thats Friggen Impressive..

Wiz has for the most part improved our team every year we draft. Bringing in aging FA to teach the younger players when possible and getting great value on the picks. Our fifth round pick of Anthony Sherman may be the best pick sence Tom Brady went in the 7th Round. My opinion, specially for someone looking to run like the Steelers. (im even ranking that above Steve Breaston which wiz also drafted in the 5th round)

So what do you think? Do you trust Wizenhunt when it comes to drafting players now after seeing the successes of his drafts over the last few years? He has shown he learned from "the Brown Incident" and now drafts best player available. Or as Wiz puts it "best player available to fill a need"

Poll

Grade Wiz's drafts over the last 4 years (not including 07 draft please). Please remember even the best coaches and GM's miss on about 35% of picks in the NFL .

A

28 votes

B

63 votes

C

10 votes

D

1 votes

F

1 votes

Whats A Draft?

4 votes

107 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

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Comments

Never quite disagreed with Whiz's Draft picks.

He’s always made solid picks in the latter rounds and they’ve worked well for us. If we don’t keep him as HC we should keep him as a GM because of his drafting abilities.

by Alex Mann on Dec 21, 2011 11:01 AM MST reply actions

Overall his draft picks are good... BUT

I wish once in a while he would draft on need, just a little. He usually takes the best player available and it has left us with a few holes.

by jcnmesa on Dec 21, 2011 2:29 PM MST reply actions

I trust him

As far as Dan Williams, I think people are being overly critical. He is a 2nd year NT and some people are acting like he is a bust. NT takes at least 3-4 years to develop into a good starter. I look at it like this, BJ Raji is a guy who gets a lot of hype as a young NT, and Dan is as good as Raji in most aspects. So either Raji is far overrated, or Dan is far underrated. I’m gonna give him 2 more years to prove himself as that is a fair amount of time to develop and mature as the anchor of the DL. He definately has all pro potential.

by cgcardzfan on Dec 21, 2011 3:04 PM MST via mobile reply actions

You Are spot on....

Dan was drafted to plug the middle and I think he was doing a good job of it early in the season. I like that carter is pushing him so maybe it will light the fire under his ass. If not Carter will take his spot and we will get rid of him.

by cschiemann on Dec 21, 2011 3:39 PM MST up reply actions

Another thing to add,

about dumpster Dan is, our defense runs on our backers, and we were a nursing home for them last season, with the exception of Washington who progressed just as he should, next season is when Dan gets a grade from me.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 21, 2011 5:30 PM MST up reply actions

NT

Last season Williams was the back up. He got some heavier rotation near the end of the season. Most of the time he was used sparingly. Robinson was not a great option. He was brought back only to bridge the season and train Williams up. I think Williams should get some more time before being judged too harshly. The entire defense was struggling to learn Horton’s scheme this year. Eason has filled in well in part because he has played it for the last four years. Carter is an entirely different type of lineman from Williams. I think that they compliment each other nicely. No one expected to see much of Carter when he was drafted in the 6th. At the time he was overshadowed by the Sturdivant pick.

by hadrarius on Dec 22, 2011 8:48 PM MST up reply actions

Wiz has some successful picks, however...

I just don’t agree with the overall direction the team has taken. I don’t think his picks add up to a title contending team. They add up to a team that is middle of the pack. I find this seasons draft to be especially confusing. Peterson, Williams and Housler just don’t add up to me. They may all be outstanding players in their own right, but this team needed a pass rusher. I look at what Wiz passed up, and I’m just confused. Aldon Smith, Robert Quinn, or Ryan Kerrigan all would’ve been more important additions to this team. In the 2nd round, an interior O-lineman would’ve been great. In the 3rd is where I would’ve taken a CB. I do agree with taking Acho and Sturdivant.

FYI: Peterson is not the best CB in this draft so far. Obviously time is on his side to change that, but he is not playing anywhere close to what his draft grade suggested.

by jdough on Dec 21, 2011 5:00 PM MST reply actions

The last few games

I would disagree on Peterson. He has been playing well.
If not for him we would have lost at least 3 more games. Carolina and Rams come to mind right away

by Jesse Reynolds on Dec 21, 2011 5:12 PM MST up reply actions

I agree PP has stepped it up on coverage these past few weeks. I think by at the latest mid season next year you'll see why he was taken #5 overall. The total package is where he's headed without question IMO.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Dec 21, 2011 6:20 PM MST up reply actions

If you go BPA,

everything falls into place in time, and if it’s the same positions year after year. That’s how you win in the long term. PP does need to step it up at CB though, he may be getting drunk on his ST’s hype and that is worrisome.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 21, 2011 5:32 PM MST up reply actions

PP does seem a lil' drunk as you say over his success at PRing as I think can be seen by how hard he's trying on ST's. Forcing it a bit to break the big one.

However I think as stated above he’s progressed at corner these last few weeks.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Dec 21, 2011 6:23 PM MST up reply actions

Actually for YOUR info

Peterson IS the best Cornerback so far. Please name another corner from the draft that has started almost every snap, against the opposing teams #1 WR, learning a new defense without the help of veterans of that system, and has been holding his own while improving every week? Or if its easier just name one besides Peterson who has held his own against Dez Bryant, Boldin, Wallace, or Lloyd?

by cgcardzfan on Dec 22, 2011 2:41 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Your comment is ridiculous.

You narrowed any answer down to impossible due to silly criteria being laid out. Peterson ranks very poorly in coverage. You seem to take that personally. Then you launch into a politicians way of narrowing down any response to zero. With all the criteria you just gave that another player has to have played, who other than a Cardinals player could even qualify for the potential answer?
Besides, my comment wasn’t a condemnation on Peterson’s potential improvement. My comment was more geared to a pass rusher needed to be taken instead of Peterson. CB’s don’t win championships. They never have, they never will.

Also, reread my FYI comment.

by jdough on Dec 22, 2011 3:02 PM MST up reply actions

And OLBs do?

No singular position wins a championship. You have to have good players all over the field to even come close to the playoffs. Sure, we need a pass rusher(even though Cho & Scho are looking pretty good) but we took the best player available. Drafting BPA over need is a much better draft strategy IMO

Follow me on Twitter at @AlexDavidson68

by GreaZzy on Dec 22, 2011 3:54 PM MST up reply actions

The results certainly show.

by jdough on Dec 22, 2011 4:06 PM MST up reply actions

Also, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner both rank better than Peterson in coverage.

by jdough on Dec 22, 2011 3:33 PM MST up reply actions

Brandon Browner

is not exactly a rookie. He did play 4 seasons in the CFL prior to signing with Seattle. Not quite apples to apples there.

Kerrigan would have been a great pick. He’s racked up 8 sacks so far and was a total beast when the Cardinals played the Redskins.

I’m not unhappy with taking Peterson. No one will ever intentionally punt to him again though. He could have played better this season but hey, you don’t get a crystal ball in the draft room. He was considered widely to be the best overall player in the draft. It’s hard to pass up that kind of talent.

by hadrarius on Dec 22, 2011 9:02 PM MST up reply actions

The Direction of The Team???

08 and 09 teams were masked by a hall of fame quarterback. After 09 we lost Boldon, Rolle, Dansby.. And I don’t blame the cardinals for losing those pieces we couldn’t afford to keep them they got too much money from teams and they now see they are not that good of players (maybe dansby but how is he liking playing on a losing team again for another 5 years.) I know Boldon was traded but it was a move that had to be made because you cant have 2 WR on the team making 200 million dollars. We got a good replacement (and cheaper) in Rhodes and Andre Roberts. The 2010 team was flat out bad. QB’s were bad, Team was bad. Wiz did what every coach would do in that situation Pick best players available regardless of position because we needed upgrades everywhere (cept maybe DE). Now that we have only one or two needs again this next draft will be different…. I think we may trade to get our player we need or want because we are so close.

by cschiemann on Dec 22, 2011 8:25 AM MST up reply actions

Rolle was cut, they didn't lose him.

I agree that Rhodes and Roberts were excellent additions. I have high hopes for Roberts. Also, I don’t believe taking Peterson, Williams and Housler were the correct moves. Williams and Housler just because they were taken so high. Instead of Peterson, I would’ve taken a pass rusher. I see what Wiz is trying to do by taking pass rushing OLB late in the draft the way Pittsburgh used to do it. However, they always had veteran pass rushers that were outstanding while the youngsters learned the trade.
The FA situation is baffling. Overpaying for marginally good players is not going to take this team to new heights. King, Colledge, Lenon and Marshall are not going to get this team over the top. Continuously relying on Levi Brown is bordering on insanity.

The D only needed a pass rusher to push itself into the upper echelon. Whenever that happens, if it ever does, watch out.

by jdough on Dec 22, 2011 3:29 PM MST up reply actions

Williams has done exactly nothing in the nfl.

Missing the entire season has kind of invalidated any notion of judging the value of picking him where they did.

by hadrarius on Dec 22, 2011 9:04 PM MST up reply actions

The D needed more than a pass rusher.

Most critical was the need for a new defensive coordinator. I think we can check that need off the list officially.

by hadrarius on Dec 22, 2011 9:13 PM MST up reply actions

I hope we don't avoid the BPA approach,

this draft landed us the best CB and TE available in the first three rounds, and then we have already gotten significant production out of Acho from the fourth. The running game has struggled without No. 5 Anthony Sherman, David Carter looks like he can rotate into all 3 spots on the DL, and Sampson was a 7th rounder, so anything is good from him.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 22, 2011 5:04 PM MST up reply actions

Uh, Housler was not the best TE in the draft.

Kyle Rudolph was. And the best way to draft is a mix of BPA and need. You want the best players you can, but you can’t ignore the weaknesses of your team.

by RedFury08 on Dec 23, 2011 1:44 AM MST up reply actions

That depends on your flavor,

Rudolph isn’t near the threat Housler is for the passing game.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 23, 2011 12:48 PM MST up reply actions

2010,

Is the best so far, all but Calvin have seen significant playing time and others have come up big time.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 21, 2011 10:05 PM MST reply actions

I am going to go agree

How many draft do you have where you draft 4 starters with first 4 picks and another part time starter with your fifth. Then you have a decent special teams guy in Dray.

Huge fan of the Steelers. (that includes "Steelers West")
"If I could start my life over again, I would be a professional football player and you better damn well believe a Pittsburgh Steeler!"- Jack Lambert

by Steel34D on Dec 21, 2011 11:14 PM MST up reply actions

Neither Schofield nor Skelton are starters.

Skelton has only started games for an injured Kevin Kolb. That still leaves him as the back up. You might get by qualifying him as a part time starter but Schofield hasn’t started a single game.

by hadrarius on Dec 22, 2011 9:06 PM MST up reply actions

Chill out,

Kolb has been out half the season, Skelton has been a part timer at starter.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 22, 2011 11:41 PM MST up reply actions

Correct

I should have clarified I wasn’t talking this year but in general. On Schofield that he should be the starter next year. Though he has split a lot of snaps with Haggans he doesn’t have the football I.Q. to quickly pick up the complex disciplines so soon. After a full off-season I see him being the starter. Skelton was the part time starter I referred to.

by Steel34D on Dec 23, 2011 2:16 AM MST up reply actions

And I know Skelton has only started for an injured Kolb this year

But what about last years How many teams draft a 5th round QB from a small school (Fordham) who has started 9 games in two years. That’s all I meant by it.

by Steel34D on Dec 23, 2011 2:19 AM MST up reply actions

Every draft needs to be graded in year two or three....

I think draft grades should be given a minimum in year two or maybe even three. I think we are now just able to grade 2010 draft so as far as him drafting i would give that draft an A without a doubt. I am seeing potential in the 2011 draft and think we are one good draft away from a super bowl contender.

by cschiemann on Dec 22, 2011 8:09 AM MST reply actions

I give it a B

I think Whisenhunt has drafted good players. But what is more telling is that he didn’t draft Offensive Linemen, even though that has been a clear need for awhile now.

And if all these draft are so great, then how can we be at only .500, a couple of years from the Super Bowl? Good drafts- Yes. Great drafts- no.

BTW, make sure Rod Graves and Steve Keim get their props too.

by RyanB17 on Dec 22, 2011 9:13 AM MST reply actions

To answer your question it is a combination of 4 things;

The lack of a true experience and capable starting QB after Warner, it appeared that the franchise was surprised by Warner retirement. As we all know this is a QB driven league.

The loss of talented Free Agents. This means when Whiz was trying to fill a diminished roster, then he lost more talent from it making the overall talent a loss.

The lack of offensive linemen. It all starts in the trenches, and sometimes it just takes some luck to fall in the right spot for a good OT.

Defensive inconsistency in philosophy. Since Whiz has been the coach, the Cards have had Pendergrast and his hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense, Bill Davis and is blitz happy man coverage defense and now Ray Horton and the zone blitz. This inconsistency effects draft picks success. Look at the team with long term coaching staffs, then look at their draft pick there is a reason why there are so few busts. This change also effects players who have to learn yet another scheme.

Just my 2 cents on why even though these have been really good draft the teams hasn’t advanced much. ( if getting to the Super Bowl isn’t much I guess)

by Steel34D on Dec 23, 2011 2:29 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

B overall

This year seems like Whiz’s best draft

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Dec 23, 2011 10:58 AM MST reply actions