While the image, within itself, is not something that I would prefer to see - you have to wonder if the Arizona Cardinals coach is trying to stick some trickeration into the minds of people guessing which player the team will draft this April.
Most pundits are predicting an offensive lineman will be taken with the seventh pick in the first round and with good reason. Arizona gave up 58 sacks and was last in the league in offense. A smaller portion (see Tyler Nickel) are calling, or at least writing about a quarterback -understandable when you realize that the Cardinals were the 20th team since the merger to start 4 different QBs in one season. But some recent Arians quotes seem to have the effect of putting a wet blanket over those fires. For example:
On the OL: "It's not near as the dire straits everyone wants to make it out to be. We need to be healthy." (Levi Brown and Lyle Sendlein will be back with the team after last season-ending injuries.)
On the DL: "We've got to continue to build that defensive line and just make it as dominant as possible. I think the defense with just a piece or two could be dynamic."
On read-option QBs: "I'm not a believer in putting your quarterback in harms way." (That definitely leaves out EJ Manuel, Matt Scott and to a small extent Geno Smith.)
On trench depth: "This year's draft is loaded on BOTH sides of the line."
So, reading between the lines are the Cardinals leaning towards the DL with the first pick? Are Damonte Moore, Bjoern Werner, Barkevious Mingo, Ezekial Ansah options at DE? Would Star Lotulelei, Sheldon Richardson, Shariff Floyd fit as DTs? Do any of them fit in the 3-4? Or is this all a smokescreen to throw other teams off?
Like I said, is this Bruce Arians trying an onside?
Guess, we'll have to wait until the draft gets closer and see if the team lines all their players to one side of the kicker.


There are 9 Comments. Add yours. Load Now.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.