2011 NFL Draft Results: Arizona Cardinals Not Drafting Pass Rusher Sending A Message

by Jess Root on Apr 30, 2011 5:00 AM MDT in NFL Draft/Combine

I think we all know what a surprise it has been that after three rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft the Arizona Cardinals have not drafted anyone to address perhaps their two most glaring needs -- quarterback and pass rushing. The passing on a QB is not a surprise. Many of us felt that Ken Whisenhunt was not going to take a QB in the draft. Plus, he believes that John Skelton will develop into a very good signal caller. However, the fact that they passed on a pass rusher in both the second and third rounds is shocking to most.

But maybe it should not be so shocking.

The Cards are pretty set on the defensive line, at least when dealing with the starters. It is the outside linebacker position that we all thought would be a target for the draft. It likely was and is a target, but perhaps it was not the highest priority because of the personnel they already have.

The media talks a lot about the age at the position the Cardinals have, featuring Joey Porter and Clark Haggans. It is important to note that they also have young, promising players. Both Will Davis and O'Brien Schofield were drafted by Ken Whisenhunt and have shown promise.

My guess is that when the team passed over both Akeem Ayers and Brooks Reed for running back Ryan Williams, they felt that neither of those players were a significant upgrade now or potentially in the future than Davis or Schofield.

Yes, the pass rush from the outside needs improvement, but perhaps that was naturally going to happen. Davis and Schofield were going to take over in 2011 and let Haggans and Porter play part-time.

I can't say for sure, but maybe that was the plan the whole time. They would have taken an OLB if that were the best player on their board.

Let's see what happens in the last few rounds. Maybe there will be more surprises for us.

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Comments

Don't forget...

The first thing Horton did when he got here was look at film. Let’s try not to read too much into context. Yes Whiz and everyone else says our pass rush needs to improve. That doesn’t necessarily mean we need all new players. Maybe just a shift of our starters. Horton knows what he wants and it obviously started with having three strong CBs (DRC, Toler and now Peterson). Dline is a strength as well. Are there any rookies out there better O’Scho and Davis? Maybe not.

If you don't have anything good to say about the Cards this season, you'd be correct.

by hevchv on Apr 30, 2011 5:53 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

I like the idea of drafting an ILB

Someone like Herzlich or Greg Jones from Michigan state. Jones would be my preference.
The more I think about it we have OScho and Will Davis who should be our starters at OLB. While we still need some depth I think a young run stuffing ILB like one of the 2 guys I mentioned could give us a really strong, young LB core.
Definitely surprised by the last 2 picks but I don’t get paid to analyze college football players and our FO does. Maybe they know something we don’t.

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

"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen

by robloosli on Apr 30, 2011 5:53 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

You may be right...

I hope you’re right.
I kind of compare it to QB. With the stock of QB’s available in this draft, is any one of those guys (ie: Gabbert who we could’ve drafted) better than Skelton, who actually has 1 full year and a handful on NFL starts….Probably not – if anything the same. So why pick another player at that spot? At QB, I’m more comfortable with Skelton as the young QB who needs development than drafting one of those guys……If that’s the philosophy, I’m all for it!

by Cardzfan on Apr 30, 2011 7:52 AM MDT reply actions

I do have a feeling that Haggans and Porter will stay around now.

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

by JoeCB1991 on Apr 30, 2011 9:01 AM MDT reply actions

I don't mind them staying for another year or two

As long as they aren’t starting. They are both suitable backups and can mentor our young guys.

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

"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen

by robloosli on Apr 30, 2011 10:10 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

They can rotate in and stay fresh too.

It looked like that is part of what wore down Porter. He had a sack 3 or 4 games in a row, then it looked like he just wound up getting worn out from all the snaps he had to play.

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

by JoeCB1991 on Apr 30, 2011 10:41 AM MDT up reply actions