The Good News: Everyone is present and accounted for. Not only did Boldin and Dockett both show up as expected but Dockett added that he's ready to focus on football instead of his desire for a new contract. Boldin didn't meet with the media but he's expected to talk tomorrow. The other good news is that Leonard Pope and Adrian Wilson shouldn't be limited in camp.

The Bad News: The injury situation is a litlte worse that orginally anticipated. Gabe Watson's knee isn't ready to go yet but we all knew he'd be limited. He currently weighs 323, the smallest amount he's weighed since his junior year in high school, and appears to be in great shape. He's kept the weight off with a small amount of running but mostly by biking, swimming and walking. His knee though is quite a way from being 100% though and Coach Whiz even said that it would be 'tight' to get him many practice reps in training camp. Linebacker, Monty Beisel had surgery on his ailing back and will miss a couple of weeks. At one point in the past couple of weeks he had problems even sitting down but overall the injury isn't considered serious and he should be fully recovered in a couple of weeks. The other injury is undrafted free agent, Keilen Dykes. He's pulled a quad earlier and will be limited for a short amount of time. For a UDFA though a couple of practices could be the difference between the practice squad and an outright release.

Remember that the conditioning test is tomorrow and I'll update as soon as I can.

To round out the defensive trench, we'll focus on the defensive ends for a bit (check out defensive tackles here). The mix of depth and youth at defensive end is amazing and the dearth surplus of players will be valuable if injuries strike again this year. The 2008 draft saw the Cardinals restock the cupboard at defensive end and the talent infusion could reap benefits for years to come.

Darnell Dockett: Dockett burst on the scene in 2007, his fourth year as a pro and fourth as a starter. He not only set career highs in tackles and sacks but was also voted his his first Pro Bowl. He got off to a monster start (8 sacks in 8 games) before fading down the stretch (1 sack in final 8 games) when injuries simply ravaged the defense and he was forced to play nearly the entire game. Dockett's move to 3-4 defensive end has the potential for him to become the premier player at a position that rarely warrants much attention. Outside linebackers normally rack up the sacks in the 3-4 defense but Dockett has a chance to become a truly special player if he can continue to get to the quarterback. He'll have extra motivation this season since he believes he deserves a new contract.

Antonio Smith: Smith also had a career year and is playing in a contract year in 2008. His 43 tackles and 5.5 sacks were both career highs in his first full season as a starter. He's not the pass rush force that Dockett is but he's still a productive player and has improved every season in the league. It'll be tough for him to rack up more sacks in the 3-4 but he's got the size (6'4 282) to hold his own and rack up some tackles. The interesting thing for Smith is what he does after this season. He'll be a free agent at a prime age (27), so he has every motivation to have another career year.

Bertrand Berry: Berry's at a cross-roads in his career being that he's about to turn 33 and might not have a position in the 3-4. He's too small (6'3 264) to be a defensive end and some question whether he's athletic or fluid enough to be an outside linebacker. We'll talk more about him with the linebackers.

Joe Tafoya: The Cardinals chose to resign Tafoya to a two year 1.7 million dollar deal after a season that saw him start 7 games (played in 13 total). Tafoya filled in for Berry when he went down last year and totaled 20 tackles and 2 sacks. Tafoya's another 'tweener' guy who is too small to play defensive end (6'4 258) but not athletic enough to play linebacker. He'll turn 30 shortly before the season starts, but he's been a good special teams player. It'll be interesting to see how the coaching staff uses him this season.

Bo Schobel: The Cardinals also resigned Schobel to a one year deal shortly after last season and he's another 'tweener' guy (6'5 265) who will have to find a position. The Cardinals signed him off the street in the middle of the 2007 season and he appeared in two games and totaled one tackle. He's younger than Berry and Tafoya but isn't near the player and he hasn't started a game since 2004. He'll have to have a heck of a training camp/preseason in order to make the roster.

Calais Campbell: The Cardinals second round pick should have a rookie season
with very little pressure on him. The starters are set with Dockett and Smith and there's enough depth around him that they aren't depending on him to get off to a great start. He'll likely start out playing in passing situations where his pass rush skills and size (6'8 282) could be a big advantage. He'll likely be the primary backup at both ends but will have to produce in order to push anyone for playing time. He's a physically elite player though who will be a starter when he's able to learn the system. This season will likely be a learning experience and if Smith isn't resigned then he should be able to step in as a starter in 2009.

Kenny Iwebema: The fourth round pick from Iowa will most likely be used in a limited role. He's buried on the depth chart right now and it'll likely take a couple injuries before he makes any significant contributions. He's better against the run than he rushing the quarterback so they probably won't utilize him in passing situations like they will Campbell. Still though, they drafted him for a reason and with the injury history of the guys ahead of him, he might be just a play or two away from considerable playing time. He'll be the primary backup next season when Campbell steps into a starting role and could be a productive backup player as he spells DD and CC.

Jason Banks: Banks, an undrafted rookie from Grambling State, provides even more depth along the defensive line. He's got the size (6'5 300) to backup either tackle or end and he played both positions in school. He's an interesting case considering that he played under four different defensive line coaches in college and by most accounts isn't close to reaching his potential yet. He's a decent athlete and with surprising quickness (sub 5.00 forty at Pro Day) but he's got almost no chance to make the roster this season. He'll have to spend at least a season on the practice squad.

Keilen Dykes: I've talked about Dykes quite a bit so I won't continue to beat a dead horse (previous stories on him, here and here). I like his game and think he's got a chance to have a solid career, especially considering he's another undrafted free agent.

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All in all, it's hard to figure out all of the guys at defensive end. Dockett and Smith are locks to start, but after that it gets pretty muddy. I'd have to think that Campbell will be the primary backup but what the club decides to do with Berry, Tafoya and Schobel will be interesting. One of those three, if not two, won't make the team simply because they don't really have a position. The team can probably only keep five  or six ends at most so there will be some battles during camp as several players are clawing for a final roster spot. Overall though this should be a talented and deep group. Thoughts? Is this the deepest position on the team? Which guys won't make the roster? Is Dockett ready to dominate again?

After doing some research for the article on Keilen Dykes' future with the Cardinals, I was so intrigued that I decided that I had to get some more information on him. That led me to Scout.com and more specifically, West Virginia Mountaineers' scout site, BlueGoldNews.com. Publisher, Kevin Kinder was kind enough to answer my questions and his first hand experience should give us a better picture of what we have in young Keilen Dykes.

Q - Dykes seems to be the kind of guy that every team would want, a team captain, a leader by example (2007 Iron Mountaineer award), and a four year consistent starter. So why do you think that so many teams passed on him in the draft? Did it hurt his draft stock when he wasn't invited to the combine?

A - As I'm sure your readers know, great performance in college doesn't always transfer to high draft status. I think the thing that hurt Keilen the most is that he didn't jump off any of the charts in terms of workout numbers or "athletic ability". While he's certainly a top flight college player, he didn't have those measurables that often seem to determine draft status. Not being selected to the combine certainly didn't help his stock, either, although I'm not sure if that was as big of a factor.

Q - For what I remember from WVU games and what I've read since the draft, the Mountaineers ran a 4-3 defense exclusively. Did they ever switch to any other defense or a three man line, even if only in obvious passing situations? If so, did Dykes play anywhere else other than defensive tackle?

A - This is one thing that should really help him in his effort to make the team. WVU runs an odd-stack defense (3-3-5) as its base, and Keilen, being WVU's best lineman, played both the nose and tackle positions over the past two seasons. WVU also went to a four man front in some situations to mix things up and provide more pass rush pressure, and Dykes could slide to either position there as well. He is very intelligent, and doesn't have any problem switching assignments or positions on the fly, so I could see him being a swing guy who could provide help at more than one spot.

Q - With the Cardinals and their 3-4 defense, most assume that Dykes will have to move outside to defensive end. Do you think his skill set would thrive at defensive end or would he be better suited to add 15 pounds or so and try and become a nose tackle?

A - Tough call. As you note, he's kind of in between in terms of size. If pressed to make a pick, I think the inside spot might be just a little better for him. The one thing he doesn't have is an outstanding pass rush move, so if Arizona depends on its ends to beat a double team and provide sacks, that might be an issue. His strengths are in standing his ground, battling and fending off blockers. He has very good hand positioning, and is very good in the technical aspects of interior defensive line play. So, inside might be the spot, but I still think that he could be the type of player to get some snaps at either position. Granted, he'd be smallish for a nose, but if he's a backup that gets a couple of series at each, that's not as much of a factor. I don't think you'd have to worry about him getting worn down or overpowered. He's a gritty competitor that battles blockers to standstills.

Q - What part of Dykes' game needs to most improvement for him to be able to stick in the NFL? What is his biggest attribute that coaches will fall in love with?

A - Pass rush moves. Most of his sacks in college came by sheer work -- beating on blockers until he got by them. If he can develop a go to move that allows him to put more pressure on offensive linemen, he will make a pro team.

Coaches will love his willingness to work and learn, and his locker room presence. I know he's just a rookie, and thus at the bottom of the NFL food chain, but he's a great leader both on and off the field. He battles on every play, and sets a great example with his work ethic. I know that in the NFL it's all about performance, but I think these qualities have to count for something.

Q - Lastly, what is the one thing that Cardinals' fans should know about Keilen Dykes that they can't find in any scouting report?

A - He has a great sense of humor, and is very passionate in what he does. When it's time to work, he goes at it full force, but he's a prankster that keeps friends and teammates loose.

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In the end, we all still know that the deck is still stacked against Dykes this season. It would take a minor miracle for him to make the roster coming out of camp simply because of the amount of depth ahead of him all across the defensive line. For now though, I'm optimistic that they got a guy who has the skills and character to help this team win in the future. Thoughts?

Many thanks to Kevin for taking the time and providing us with some quality insights.

In a continued effort to look at each undrafted rookie, today brings up the unlikely story of Mississippi State wide receiver, Lance Long. We looked at Anthony Morelli, Ali Highsmith and Keilen Dykes in the past but Long is a name that many fans had never heard of entering the draft. Long's numbers at Mississippi State aren't anything that will turn heads considering he totaled 46 receptions for 321 yards (7 yard average) and one touchdown (yea that's a total of three seasons not just one). Long was so far down on most draft lists that Pro Football Weekly profiled 127 receivers and long wasn't one of them. NFL draft scout ranked 300 potential wide receivers and Lance Long still wasn't one of them. So why were the Cardinals interested enough to sign him?

 
Long has always been as his name would suggest, a long shot (yea I know that's a very cheap play on words, but I just couldn't resist). He walked onto Mississippi State after a year at the University of Toledo and eventually was awarded a scholarship by his junior season. Long never stared at Mississippi State and never started more than 3 games in any single season but he did a little bit of everything including punt and kicks returns as well as playing on both coverage units. Long did turn some heads at Mississippi State's pro day though when he reeled off a 4.38 forty and had the fastest shuttle time of anyone in the country. That performance combined with some in-house familiarity (Arizona tight end coach was a coach of Long's in 2005) was enough for the Cardinals to take a look at the 5'11 186 pound receiver.

If Long hopes to stick around at the NFL level, he'll have to continue to be a versatile player who's willing to whatever a team asks of him. With the depth at wide receiver, it seems nearly impossible that he'll make the roster in 2008 but he is definitely a candidate for the practice squad because he's got the kind of athleticism that makes coaches drool. It should be very interesting to see how he's used in the preseason as well. Who's seen this kid play and what do you think of his chances to become an NFL player? Does he have a chance to stick around in the desert?

We looked at Ali Highsmith's future a couple of weeks ago and I figured we'd take a look at each undrafted free agent and their chances of making the squad this year or sometime in the future. First up today is West Virginia's Keilen Dykes, who was a four year starter for the Mountaineers and was the definition of consistency. During his four seasons he played in 50 games and averaged 32 1/2 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 3 sacks per season. He was not only a team captain and first team All-Big East team but also received the 2007 Iron Mountaineer Award as the top performer in their winter workout program and a NSCA Strength All-American first team. Dykes was a defensive tackle at West Virginia but his size (6'3 306) is better suited to play on the end in a  3-4. Dykes wasn't invited to the Combine but he had an impressive Pro Day (which can be seen below) running 5.08 forty and performing 33 bench reps. So, does Keilen Dykes make the Arizona Cardinals roster?

Why He has a Chance in 2008: He's got several things working in his favor including his versatility, a solid work ethic and a non-stop motor. He should come into camp with a huge chip on his shoulder and his 'blue collar'  work ethic will earn him some praise during camp and the preseason. His versatility will allow him to slide inside to defensive tackle when the Cardinals shift to a four-man line in pass rush situations (something to keep an eye on in the preseason). His best chance to make the roster this year is to prove to the coaching staff he's a younger, cheaper version of Bryan Robinson. Robinson was signed to back up both defensive end and tackle but he's never been an particulary dynamic player and they're virtually the exact same size. Dykes could also see more playing time at tackle during camp since Watson will be limited in practice until the start of the season.

Why He Doesn't have a Chance in 2008: First of all, it's worth stating that's is very hard for an undrafted free agent to make the squad as a rookie, especially for a defensive linemen because they normally can't contribute on special teams coverage. That's where most late round picks and undrafted free agents make their mark for the first couple of seasons. The depth chart at defensive end is also stacked right now with Dockett, Smith, Campbell, Iwebema and the veteran Bryan Robinson ahead of him at the moment. Dykes would have to be amazing in camp to unseat any of these guys and it would likely take an injury to give him a legitimate chance. At nose tackle the top two spots are nearly set in stone with Gabe Watson and Alan Branch, but the injury to Watson is worth keeping an eye on.

In the end, Dykes will face an uphill battle to make the 53 man roster in 2008 and will likely have to spend at least a season on the practice squad.  He's a player though and if he's patient and continues to work and improve his game, he'll be a decent defender in the near future. His future could be on the 2009 squad as Antonio Smith will be an unrestricted free agent and Bryan Robinson will be a 35 year old, in the final year of his deal. Either way, it'll be worth keeping an eye on him during the preseason. So what do you think, does he have a shot and how do you see his career playing out? Any West Virginia fans out there that have seen his abilities first hand?