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ROTB Roundtable: WR, Draft, and Superbowl picks

Although off-season news is slow for the Cardinals right, the never-ending stream of questions is still going strong. This week, the ROTB Writing Staff tackled three of those questions, ranging from Cardinals news to non-Cardinals guesses.

Hit the jump for the questions, their answers, and of course, don't forget to answer the questions yourself in the comment section.

Star-divide

1) Many people have mentioned the need for a #2 WR. Do you agree, and if so, who do you think the Cardinals should target?

Tyler Nickel: Yes, I think a #2 WR would help the Cards, but I don't see them drafting one in the higher rounds. If they do, maybe they can try and trade down to grab Michael Floyd from Notre Dame and some extra picks.

Jesse Reynolds: I really do not think we need a second WR. Inconsistent QB play and poor protection has led to poor performances from the WR's behind Larry. I believe the WR options we have are more than adequate we just need our QB to play consistently and our line to give our QB time to make a throw. 52 sacks, a 21 TO's and under 60% completion % says more to me than poor numbers from everyone behind Larry.

Jess Root: Need? They need someone to emerge or get someone to step up. Andre Roberts can be that guy if he doesn't take the first half of the season off again. If the team were going to acquire someone, my three favorite FA targets would be Pierre Garcon, Mario Manningham or Jerome Simpson.

JoeCB1991: Yeah I would like to see them target someone to help take pressure off of Fitz. Colston from the Saints would be my favorite choice but there will be plenty of good WR's out there who could be signed.

Alex Mann: I'd grab someone off of FA such as Pierre Garcon, cheap and can still produce, just long enough for someone on our current roster to emerge.

Cdeveau: I do agree that they should look for a #2 WR in free agency, after they re-sign key contributors here (Calais Campbell, Richard Marshall, The Hypehen) and shore up the O Line. Do those things first and if the money is right, find us a reliable #2. With an off season which should lead to the coming around of the TE corps, a #2 WR is a nice, but not at every cost possible. I still like Robert Meachem from NO if the opportunity is mutually beneficial. Garcon has been mentioned by other writers, and he is also a very plausible choice.

2) As draft talk starts to pick up, who, or what position, do you have in mind for the Cardinals?

Tyler Nickel: I would think that offensive line has to be the biggest concern for the Cards. Both of the tackle positions are of some concern and could use some upgrading via the draft.

Jesse Reynolds: I am a big believer in BPA. Even though I said we don't need a WR, if somehow Justin Blackmon dropped to us we would be foolish to pass up his kind of talent. Hopefully Reilly or Martin drops to us so we can plug them into RT. If not I think Luke Kuechly would be a great pick up. I just do not want a repeat of Buster Davis and Levi Brown, reaching for players almost always turns around to bite you in the behind.

Jess Root: I don't have any particular one player targeted yet. However, I want the team to pick the best impact player available at safety, linebacker or offensive line. With the variety of positional needs, it allows the team to still use the "best player available" method while filling a need.

JoeCB1991: Offensive Line or Outside Linebacker are the biggest needs, so one of those.

Alex Mann: Best Player Available. After looking at a lot of Draft Boards, Kendall Wright, Jonathan Martin, Melvin Ingram, and Courtney Upshaw should be falling to us. Michael Floyd might be there too so if he's there I see him as a Larry Fitzgerald kind of Receiver, I'd grab him.

Cdeveau: In the first round, at number 13...BPA, but I really struggle with liking Jonathan Martin as anything more than a RT in the NFL. Who I really like is the other Stanford lineman. David DeCastro, the guard. Please front office. Please. Snatch him up if he is there.

3) A non-Cardinals related question, but what are your Superbowl picks?

Tyler Nickel: I think the 49ers (unfortunately) and the Patriots make it to the big game with the Pats taking home the Lombardi trophy.

Jesse Reynolds: I have the Giants and Ravens in a defensive brawl. While I have little faith in the Ravens offensive coordinator and even less faith in Joe Flacco, I think the Ravens have what it takes to win. The 49ers could barely score on the Saints and had the help of 5 TO's, so I have a feeling the Giants take this one. The Patriots beat an overrated Denver team and have a terrible defense; I think the Ravens defense holds stout and beats up the Patriots defense with physical play.

Jess Root: I have a rematch of Giants/Pats now. And this time Tom Brady exacts his revenge.

JoeCB1991: A rematch of Superbowl 42

Alex Mann: Niners and Ravens... Ravens win it and Boldin gets his SB ring.

Cdeveau: The Ravens and the Giants. I'd be interested to see those two defenses slug it out on Flacco and Manning.

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My answers. Kinda Long.

1 – It is not so much a need for a #2 receiver per se, but the need for a quality secondary target to emerge. Larry is a tremendous receiver and he unquestionable ability, but if team can continue to roll coverages his way as much as they did in the 2011 season it is going to continue to be a tough ask to get him the football. Rob Housler is a physically gifted Tight End who has the ability to take a big leap in 2012 as he has a full offseason to work with the team and show his abilities stretching the seam and in the redzone. The value of the TE has been made perfectly clear over the past week. If Arizona can get a Tight End who can produce as a #2 receiver then Roberts as a #3 target from the #2 WR spot will be fine.

2 – In the first round my dream selection would be Riley Reiff (More on him in coming days), but I fell he is more than likely to be selected before #13. At #13 I think the best selection we could make would be David DeCastro. We need to make some changes along the offensive line and DeCastro is a player who you can plug in at Right Guard and have him fill that spot at a high level for the next decade plus. Inside Linebacker is also an option with Luke Keuchly being the best option we have at that spot. Outside Linebacker is a spot I think we pass on at this stage. We have two young players at the position who flash potential, and we are more likely to look to resign Haggans and bring in another veteran player than we are to add another young guy, but that will also depend heavily on how the staff feel about O’Brien Schofield. In later rounds Matt Conrath a DE from Virginia could be good DL depth as would Nick John Baptiste from Baylor a stout 6-2 335 Defensive tackle. Trenton Robinson a mid round safety from Michigan State is another I like. Note – Cards scouts were seen talking to a couple of small school guys at the first Shrine Game practices, keep an eye on Jeff Adams OT from Columbia and Josh Norman a CB from Coastal Carolina.

3 – I have the Patriots taking on the 49ers. The Patriots have a good enough offense to put 27-30 points on the Raven and given the Ravens offensive struggles I don’t think they get there. The NFCCG will be a much tighter affair and will be defensively orientated. If the 49ers OL can hold up and allow them to throw the ball deep middle and establish a running game they will win the game, but if that is not possible getting pressure on Manning and forcing turnovers will be key, and those are two things the 49ers have excelled at this past season.

Follow me on twitter @kenthodder

by khodder on Jan 19, 2012 12:32 PM MST reply actions  

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Head Coach

Jess_root_small Jess Root

My_boy_larry_small Tyler Nickel

Coordinators

8217_1234799911513_1274651091_711766_4686824_n_small CardsFan08

Revan_small JoeCB1991

Assistant Coaches

577d914870be748ea886865adfe932ca_small Jesse Reynolds

Arizona_phoenix_bird_small Skii

Kiwiavatar_small khodder

Small cdeveau

Izzy_reasonably_small_small GreaZzy

Rotb_small Mario Ortiz

Ukulele_small Joe Zuppa

Index_small Alex Mann