Today's segment of "Five Good Questions" is with Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic....Kent is the NFL beat writer for The Arizona Republic and provided some feedback about the Arizona Cardinals...
Q1. What is the biggest need the Cardinals have to address with the 5th overall pick?
The biggest need they have in the draft is offensive line, specifically a left tackle. Leonard Davis left via free agency, and while he never lived up to his potential, the Cardinals don't have anyone ready to step in. Right now, it's a battle between Oliver Ross and Mike Gandy. I'm not sure, however, if they address this position with the fifth overall pick, unless Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas is there. As usual, this team has plenty of needs: an outside linebacker, a pass-rushing defensive end, a cornerback, etc. They could go a number of ways and still fill a need.
Q2. If Adrian Peterson should slide to the Cards at number 5, do you think they will select him even though they have Edgerrin James and other needs to fill?
I think it's possible; it depends upon who else is available to them. Peterson is certainly a dynamic talent. I watched him a lot in college and he's a special guy, but he doesn't avoid many hits and he was injured a lot. He would give the Cardinals a big-play threat at running back. James is a nice hunt-and-peck kind of runner but he's not very explosive. Peterson would add that dimension. Plus, coach Ken Whisenhunt wants to run the ball 550 or so times a season, so the club needs two backs to be able to do that.
Q3. During the early part of the draft season, most publications had the Cardinals taking Michigan's Alan Branch. However, Branch's stock has slipped of late. Are the Cards still interested in him or has another defensive player moved past him in the organization's eyes?
It's hard to say. You can't believe much of what anyone in the NFL says these days about the draft. Smokescreens, lies and more deception are the order of the day. I think it would be more likely they would take Clemson's Gaines Adams than Branch.
Q4. Have the Cardinals players been receptive to new coach Ken Whisenhunt?
So far they have, but he has yet to coach his first practice. I think they'll like him. He's smart. He has a plan. He makes sense when he talks to them. That wasn't always the case with Dennis Green. A former player, Whisenhunt I think will have a good feel for working the players hard yet knowing when to back off. He seems like he will be willing to listen to players' ideas.
Q5. Ultimately, who is the Cardinals "dream" pick at number 5?
Wow, that's hard to say. Remember, this is a team that once traded the No. 6 pick and the chance to take Terrell Suggs for the 17th and 18th picks where they took two guys who should have gone in the second round. I'd say they would love it if Joe Thomas was there at No. 5. From everything I read and see, you can just plug that guy in for the next 10 years.
I want to thank Kent Somers for taking the time to respond.....it is much appreciated!!!....tomorrow we will hear from Brian Bennett of The Louisville Courier-Journal about the Louisville Cardinals players who are getting ready for the draft...
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