NFC West Blog - The Cardinals Need McNabb and McNabb Needs the Cardinals

By: Tony Mosesso, Michigan State University

Let's just assume for a moment that the Eagles DO, in fact, trade Donovan McNabb. Let's also assume that McNabb has a say in where he goes, which he undoubtedly would. Let's assume that the Eagles have decided to do this and hand over the reins of their offense to the Michael Vick/Kevin Kolb project. Let's assume they're willing to risk the NFC East division on an unproven project out of Houston (Kolb) and an ex-con (Vick - side note, I actually like Vick, but I had to write this statement for dramatic effect). 

With all of these assumptions true, the oh-so-great-ESPN-experts have decided that Oakland is the best fit for McNabb. While I disagree with this statement, I'd like to pose a different one. Is McNabb the best fit for Oakland? No way. He's an aging Quarterback that has never lived up to the hype he gets. Yes, he's good. Is he great? It's hard to say for sure, but I don't think so. Let's think of proven Quarterbacks I'd rather have on my NFL squad (per last year's roster).

1) Drew Brees

2) Peyton Manning

3) Tom Brady

4) Kurt Warner

5) Philip Rivers

6) Matt Schaub

7) Aaron Rodgers

8) Brett Favre

9) Matt Ryan

10) Joe Flacco

I'll stop right now. I could name a few more, but my point's been illustrated. McNabb didn't even fall in my Top 10. He's not going to turn your franchise around, unless you already have a good base. For Pete's sake, I don't think even Brees, Manning, or Brady could move into Oakland and turn them into a contender. There's too many holes. The Raiders need to focus on building a TEAM first, rather than bringing in a big name and hoping a team follows. Nnamdi Asomugha is their only consistently solid defender. They have a few solid running backs, but no holes to run through, due to their awful attempt at assembling an offensive line. Their top Wide Receiver would have to be Darrius Heyward-Bey, who, in my opinion, was a waste of a pick for them. It was unneeded, and they even passed on the easily best WR in the draft (a la Michael Crabtree). The Raiders don't know what they are doing. McNabb doesn't belong here. The only justification for this would be to teach JaMarcus Russell a thing or two. But at this point, that's just a year off of McNabb's dying career. He doesn't have a lot of years left. He needs a team that he can help, and a team that can help him. A team with a good base. A team that's been successful. A contender.

This is where the Cardinals come in. The place where Kurt Warner thrived in the later years of his career. The place where you have a superstar WR in Larry Fitzgerald and a good supporting cast. You have a playmaker in the backfield, who has a similar game style to Brian Westbrook's in Tim Hightower. You have a big beefy back who can pound it in on the goal line, who also has the ability to get outside - Beanie Wells. You have a solid, proven offensive line. You have a solid, proven defense. You have a newer Head Coach that has had success in his years in Arizona - Ken Whisenhunt. It's the perfect setup. 

If McNabb had the final say, and it came down to these two teams, who do you think he'd pick? It would HAVE to be the Cardinals. Just like I said before - The Cardinals need McNabb, and McNabb needs the Cardinals.

King's Mock Draft 2.0

With little change in the first ten picks, including a stale, immobile top four, the rest of the Draft will prove to be more interesting than expected. With rumors of trades, an updated free agency, and intriguing RFA tenure discussions, the 2010 NFL Draft has gone from Tebow-centered and single-purposed, to entertaining…and it has only been two weeks since 1.0!


By Jimmy King

As promised, King’s updated Draft declaration…

1. St. Louis Rams – QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
No change here. Bradford, who met with the owner of St. Louis on Tuesday, is almost a lock at number one unless the Rams trade down.
Previous pick: Bradford

2. Detroit Lions – DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Rumor has it that the Lions might take an offensive tackle at number two. However, I don’t see the most explosive player in the draft dropping past this point, especially with Detroit in dire need of a defensive line. With the draft class so deep at offensive line, Detroit will take a tackle in the second round.
Previous pick: Suh

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
Again, no change here. Tampa Bay needs help at almost every position. Best to start with a top-notch defensive lineman.
Previous pick: McCoy

4. Washington Redskins – OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
Mike Shanahan has always boasted some of the best offensive lines when he coached in Denver. Okung is a step in the right direction for the lacking Redskins.
Previous pick: Okung

5. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
Bulaga’s draft stock continues to rise. He will fit in well with the Chiefs poorly talented offensive line.
Previous pick: Eric Berry

6. Seattle Seahawks – RB CJ Spiller, Clemson
Spiller has cemented himself as one of the premier players in the draft. Seattle, who does not really have an identity to speak of offensively, will turn to a rookie in an attempt to regain relevance.
Previous pick: Jimmy Clausen

7. Cleveland Browns – S Eric Berry, Tennessee
Berry dropped a few spots only because of the need for an offensive tackle early in the first round. He is definitely a top five talent.
Previous pick: Joe Haden

8. Oakland Raiders – OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers
Offensive tackle is a pressing need for Oakland. There is no change here as they will take the best tackle available.
Previous pick: Davis

9. Buffalo Bills – QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
J.P. Losman, Trent Edwards…both failures for Buffalo. Clausen will slip to the nine slot and give Buffalo some fresh talent in an AFC East division that boasts young, up and coming quarterbacks.
Previous pick: Bruce Campbell

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Jason Paul-Pierre, USF
No change here for Jacksonville as they still have no presence on the defensive line. The Jags, who finished last in the NFL in sacks a year ago, will need Paul-Pierre if they are ever going to become as relevant as they were in 2007.
Previous pick: Paul-Pierre

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
There will be no change as Brandon Marshall will most likely be moved from the Broncos before the first snap of the season. Dez Bryant is the best wide receiver in the draft and will fill the void Marshall will leave behind.
Previous pick: Bryant

12. Miami Dolphins – LB Rolando McClain, Alabama
There is no change here for the Fins. Adding Karlos Dansby was a start. The ability to add another big ticket linebacker will only benefit this young defense.
Previous pick: McClain

13. San Francisco 49ers – OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma
The Niners need Frank Gore to regain his superstar status. The last couple years have been a disappointment and all signs point to a problem with the offensive line.
Previous pick: Williams

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
Morgan’s draft stock has improved over the last few weeks. He will be another addition to the Seahawks who could make and immediate impact.
Previous pick: Taylor Mays

15. New York Giants – LB Sean Witherspoon, Missouri
Another player whose stock has risen substantially over the last few weeks is Sean Witherspoon’s, a perfect fit for the Giants as Derrick Morgan will be off the board by fifteen.
Previous pick: Derrick Morgan

16. Tennessee Titans – DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida
With the absence of Kyle Vanden Bosch at defensive end, Tennessee will be looking to get younger and quicker. Dunlap provides this youth and speed, however may take some time to develop.
Previous pick: Dunlap

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) – CB Joe Haden, Florida
Haden’s stock has fallen over the past few weeks as teams towards the top have flocked from offense to defense. Though San Francisco would love to have a great safety, their holes in the second corner position are too great to overlook.
Previous pick: Earl Thomas

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – S Earl Thomas, Texas
Though Pittsburgh re-signed Ryan Clark, they have to overcome age and speed issues. Earl Thomas is a quick fix for that, however he could go earlier if San Francisco or Seattle change their minds.
Previous pick: Mike Iupati

19. Atlanta Falcons – DE/OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas
Kindle is another player that has increased his draft stock rapidly. Though there are better linebackers and a desperate need for offensive tackles and defensive backs, Kindle has a chance to help himself even more come Texas’ Pro Day.
Previous pick: Kindle
20. Houston Texans – DT Dan Williams, Tennessee
Dan Williams is a mid-first round defensive tackle that is overlooked because of the likes of Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy, however he has a tremendous up-side.
Previous pick: Sean Witherspoon

21. Cincinnati Bengals – S Taylor Mays, USC
Cincinnati’s secondary core is injury prone. Bringing in Taylor Mays is a high risk/high reward pick that could pay dividends in the long run.
Previous pick: Brian Price

22. New England Patriots – DE/OLB Brandon Graham, Michigan
No change here. New England needs a 3-4 outside linebacker and Graham is the best fit for a Bill Belichick defensive scheme.
Previous pick: Graham

23. Green Bay Packers – OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland
Campbell and Bulaga pretty much switched places in terms of their draft stock, therefore switching positions in this mock draft.
Previous pick: Bryan Bulaga

24. Philadelphia Eagles – G Mike Iupati, Idaho
Iupati is the best guard in the draft, hands down. Philadelphia’s running woes need to be fixed. Don’t look for too much here, unless Philly decides to go with a running back which is entirely a possibility.
Previous pick: CJ Spiller

25. Baltimore Ravens – DT Jared Odrick, Penn State
Odrick is a quick defensive tackle that could be moved to end; would work well in a John Harbaugh defensive scheme. Could potentially be viewed as a steal at twenty-five.
Previous pick: Jermaine Gresham

26. Arizona Cardinals – DT Brian Price, UCLA
The Cards need help on the d-line. Brian Price simply has better value than Everson Griffen, hence the change.
Previous pick: Everson Griffen

27. Dallas Cowboys – DB Kyle Wilson, Boise State
The Cowboys need help in the secondary. Their pass defense was in the bottom half in the NFL and that does not sit well in a division with so many playoff-caliber teams.
Previous pick: Dan Williams

28. San Diego Chargers – RB Ryan Matthews, Fresno State
Ryan Matthews is a better value running back than Jonathon Dwyer, San Diego’s pick in the last mock draft. Matthews had a much better combine than Dwyer did, and established himself as a quicker, more cunning running back.
Previous pick: Jonathon Dwyer

29. New York Jets – WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame
Braylon Edwards on one side, Golden Tate on the other, Mark Sanchez behind center with Ladainien Tomlinson…excellent-sounding starting line-up.
Previous pick: Tate

30. Minnesota Vikings – QB Colt McCoy, Texas
Not too many mock drafts have Colt McCoy going in the first round, but let’s take a look at the situation in Minnesota. Brett Favre’s years are numbered, if not over. Tarvaris Jackson is a joke. Sage Rosenfels is brutal. Is there a more opportune chance to start fresh with some excellent young talent that might have to back up Brett Favre for a year?
Previous pick: McCoy

31. Indianapolis Colts – CB Patrick Robinson, Florida State
Because of Kyle Wilson’s premature departure from the draft board, Indianapolis will be forced to pick the best defensive back available. That happens to be the pride of Florida State’s senior class, Patrick Robinson. Remember when the Noles actually put valuable players in the NFL Draft?
Previous pick: Kyle Wilson

32. New Orleans Saints – DE Everson Griffen, USC
No surprise here. New Orleans needs to improve their defensive line. Jared Odrick will be off the board. The best available is Everson Griffen.
Previous pick: Jared Odrick

King's Mock Draft 1.0

http://www.yournews.com/copyroom/mynewsglobal.aspx?empid=0&zipcode=34197§ions_child_id1=0§ions_child_id=809§ions_id=14

While we are still but a month and a half until the 2010 NFL Draft, many mock drafts have already been revealed. From Mel Kiper to Todd McShay spewing their opinions out onto the market, I have begun to feel left out of the conversation. As one of the few who predicted every winner from the Conference Championships onward, I think it is time to wipe off the dust and continue the streak.


By Jimmy King


While the first pick might surprise you, what shouldn’t surprise you is Martin Mayhew’s determination to stay in the number two spot in the draft and not trade out of it. Even if I bust the first pick, Gerald McCoy could go number one in almost any other draft and is a great alternative. His talent is daunting and Detroit will take advantage of it. So, without further ado, the St. Louis Rams are now on the clock…


1. St. Louis Rams – QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma.
After feinting from the most talented player in the draft, the Rams have decided that their quarterback problem is far less sustainable than their defense. St. Louis has decided to go with the most talented quarterback instead of the best overall player.

2. Detroit Lions – DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Lions fans will finally be proud of their front office for drafting the most talented player in the draft, a feat that has eluded them since Barry Sanders was drafted in 1989.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
Though the Bucs have all but signed Eric Berry, not even Raheem Morris can pass on a player of this caliber. For McCoy to slip this far, considering he’d be a top pick in almost any other recent NFL Draft, is quite the accomplishment for Tampa Bay.

4. Washington Redskins – OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
Okung is the top OT in the draft and would fit well in a Mike Shanahan system that has always had a thriving ground attack. Clinton Portis should be excited to get some help up front, especially with the retirement of 10-year starter and six-time Pro Bowler Chris Samuels.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – S Eric Berry, Tennessee
Scott Pioli will be getting someone who has been compared to Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins. In a pass-happy league, the Chiefs need to improve on a passing defense that ranked among the worst in the NFL.

6. Seattle Seahawks – QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
The Seahawks have pretty much given up on Matt Hasselbeck and his clingy constituency of injuries. Pete Carroll is ready to start fresh with a position he has always considered the most important in winning football games. Through Clausen, Carroll can blend his own style of offense that worked year after year in the NCAA.

7. Cleveland Browns – CB Joe Haden, Florida
Eric Mangini has always put defense before offense. Haden is a no-lose cornerback who will turn into a consistent starter within years of the draft, maybe as early as this season.

8. Oakland Raiders – OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers
Anthony Davis is a real talent, but performed marginally at the 2010 NFL Combine. If Davis’ game tape at Rutgers is any indication of how he will play in the NFL, Oakland will get a real gem in the eight slot.

9. Buffalo Bills – OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland
Campbell was by far the stand out tackle at the NFL Draft and should do a great job protecting the Bills quarterback, whoever that may be.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Jason Paul-Pierre, USF
Jacksonville was last in the NFL a year ago in sacks. The drafting of Paul-Pierre or Derrick Morgan will be the first step in fixing that. Don’t look for anything crazy coming out of this pick.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
Dolphins fans will have their heart broken after Scott McDaniels takes Bryant at the eleven slot. Josh McDaniels thrived in New England with a system that featured wide receivers who could outrun, outwork, and outplay their opponents. Dez Bryant provides that type of spark the Broncos will need after they lose Brandon Marshall later in the off-season.

12. Miami Dolphins – LB Rolando McClain, Alabama
McClain helped himself immensely in the National Championship game by being that impact player when it counted the most. Miami was eaten alive on crossing patterns by division rivals New England and New York especially. Without a real impact player at inside linebacker, McClain would be a good place to start.

13. San Francisco 49ers – OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma
The Niners are lacking the tackle they need for Frank Gore to regain his status as an elite NFL running back. Trent Williams and his Big 12 experience makes him a a phenomenal choice, especially as the fourth offensive tackle taken in the first thirteen picks.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – S Taylor Mays, USC
Don’t think for one second Pete Carroll is about to pass on the safety he bred at USC. This is a no-brainer for anybody who knows a thing about school loyalty in the NFL. All you have to do is look back to Carroll’s days as the head coach of New England.

15. New York Giants – DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
Morgan will be the surprise of the 2010 draft. With so many early teams having so many needs on the offensive line and linebacker positions, Morgan, despite his talent, will slip to New York because of this.

16. Tennessee Titans – DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida
Don’t be surprised to see Tennessee draft defense here especially after losing Kyle Vanden Bosch to free agency. Dunlap is a good place to start in rebuilding a defense that has lost many of its pieces since their 13-3, 2008 season.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) – S Earl Thomas, Texas
Almost every mock draft has San Francisco going with an offensive lineman and a safety. I see no reason to diverge from the pack. Earl Thomas is the best available safety from a top university.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – G Mike Iupati, Idaho
Pittsburgh has needs at safety and cornerback as well, but they will take the top player for their top need. This happens to be Mike Iupati. Pittsburgh will again have a boring first round draft pick, but this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

19. Atlanta Falcons – DE/OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas
Though Atlanta had the fifth worst pass defense a year ago, the Falcons’ front office feels that the linebacker corps needs to be upgraded. Head coach Mike Smith will most likely take a player like Kindle over Brandon Graham purely based on scheme.

20. Houston Texans – OLB Sean Witherspoon, Missouri
Witherspoon took full advantage of Missouri’s Pro Day to solidify his spot as a first round linebacker. Houston will jump the gun based on the progress he’s made in conditioning himself to be an NFL impact linebacker.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – DT Brian Price, UCLA
Cincinnati does not have too many glaring problems. A lot of mock drafts say the Bengals need help in the secondary, but most of their secondary was out due to injury. With a recuperated secondary, Cincy will take one of the better DTs left in the draft.

22. New England Patriots – DE/OLB Brandon Graham, Michigan
Graham is the dream player for Bill Belichick’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Graham, who proved explosive in the Senior Bowl against the Miami Dolphins-coached South team, will fit in well playing opposite of Adalius Thomas in New England’s linebacker corps.

23. Green Bay Packers – OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
Green Bay’s aging offensive line gives them the best chance to draft young right now, while they have the behemoth Midwestern tackle from Iowa that threw up a record-tying 45 reps at the NFL Scouting Combine available.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson
With the release of Brian Westbrook, this is the perfect opportunity for Philadelphia to pick up an impact running back that slipped into the twenties. Spiller is an explosive back that should and might go earlier, however I see too many holes defensively – and a lot of free agent running backs – that Spiller will have to be a pass.

25. Baltimore Ravens – TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
After picking up Anquon Boldin and Dante Stallworth on March 5, the Ravens will surely shore up a position where they need help in. Jermaine Gresham is the best tight end in the draft and should fit well in to Baltimore’s system.

26. Arizona Cardinals – DE Everson Griffen, USC
Everson Griffen is a solid defensive end that should help rejuvenate a Cardinals defense that will be losing a few starters to free agency this year, namely Karlos Dunlap.

27. Dallas Cowboys – DT Dan Williams, Tennessee
Plug this big guy in the middle of any defensive line and you will get there things: intensity, ferocity, and longevity. Dan Williams is a steal at number 27 for Jerry Jones’ Cowboys.

28. San Diego Chargers – RB Jonathon Dwyer, Georgia Tech
With the absence of Ladainien Tomlinson the Chargers are in desperate need for a new running back. While I expect San Diego to trade up for CJ Spiller, the Chargers might have to stand pat with Dwyer, the second best running back in a draft that lacks a ton of talent at that position.

29. New York Jets – WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame
Braylon Edwards is liable for dropped passes, Jerricho Cotchery lacks legitimate talent for a division such as the AFC East, and the Jets are without a decent slot man. Golden Tate is perfect to fill the number two spot if Rex Ryan wants to move Cotchery to the slot. This pick is a real wild card; expect the Jets to potentially trade out of the first round.

30. Minnesota Vikings – QB Colt McCoy, Texas
Not too many mock drafts have Colt McCoy going in the first round, but let’s take a look at the situation in Minnesota. Brett Favre’s years are numbered, if not over. Tarvaris Jackson is a joke. Sage Rosenfels is brutal. Is there a more opportune chance to start fresh with some excellent young talent that might have to back up Brett Favre for a year?

31. Indianapolis Colts – CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State
Though Marlin Jackson and Bob Sanders will be healthy for the start of next season, the Colts secondary is terribly inefficient as demonstrated in Super Bowl XLIV by the New Orleans Saints. Kyle Wilson is a step in the right direction for Bill Polian’s Indianapolis Colts.

32. New Orleans Saints – DT Jared Odrick, Penn State
Odrick, a first-team Big Ten tackle, will be great value at the last spot in the first round for the Saints. Odrick will help plug the holes which will be a stop-gap for the Saints seemingly only weakness last year.

Jimmy King is the host of The Guy Show on Eagle Radio, Eastern Michigan's student radio organization. You can listen online to The Guy Show on Tuesdays from 7-9 pm on EagleRadio.org. The Guy Show -- Sports, Politics, and Women: The Essentials of the Male Psychology. Shows will resume on March 9.