NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

With minicamp over, the Cardinals have past a major sign-post of the offseason.  Nothing should be taken too seriously at this point, especially depth charts, but here are some observations at this point, for what they're worth.

• At this point in his career, when Leinart is finally getting the chance to be a no doubt starter in the NFL, he is still working on his throwing mechanics and accuracy.  That's a frightening thought.  Leinart even acknowledged his accuracy issues by stating "my accuracy wasn't where I wanted it to be, but for the first day, it was good."  Quarterbacks coach Chris Miller explained that Leinart is working on "nemesis" throws, meaning throws that Leinart has had trouble with in the past.  Every quarterback works on the basics now and again, but it doesn't inspire much confidence to hear that Leinart is overhauling his throwing mechanics in an effort to ensure he can hit wide open targets with no pressure on him.  I really try not to be overly critical of Leinart, but I worry about a quarterback with a weak arm that struggles with accuracy.  In other quarterback news, Derek Anderson and rookie John Skelton apparently have rocket launchers attached to their shoulders.
• Beanie Wells was running with the second team offense, while Hightower was with the first team.  This doesn't really mean anything and Wells should get the majority of the carries this season.
• Michael Adams was playing corner with the first team defense, rather than second year corner Greg Toler.  As with Wells, it's expected that Toler will be starting before the season begins, unless the Cardinals go after a veteran corner.  Darren Urban, in fact, addressed this issue, noting that "Coach Ken Whisenhunt wouldn't say the Cards are going to run out and get a veteran cornerback. I know there have been reports tying the Cards to 10-year guy Will James, but again, I don't see the need to rush. Get through OTAs and maybe even get through part or all of training camp before making a move. See what you really have here — and make sure you really sign a guy that can help and isn't just another guy."
• Rookie DT Dan Williams was working with the first team nickel package, which Urban reports was one of the few instances where a rookie was running with the first team.  Bryan Robinson is the likely starter at NT for now, but Williams should get the majority of the snaps when he's ready to step in.  When he does, the Cardinals will have a formidable defensive line with Calais Campbell, Dan Williams, and Darnell Dockett.
• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie reported that he's "at 65 percent.  I am glad no one is really taking me deep out there.  It's a lot of intermediate routes so so far, I'm doing good.  I am really anxious to open up and really get the feel of it." DRC worked with the first team defense, but he obviously has more work to do before he's fully recovered, a fact which DRC admitted.  "I at least try to do everything because it lets me know how far I still have to go, how much work I still have," DRC said.
• Darren Urban noted that the Cardinals have a need at fullback since they didn't re-sign veteran Dan Kreider.  Urban stated "the Cardinals are hurting at fullback, with Reagan Maui'a nursing a bad groin, leaving Nehemiah Broughton as the lone healthy fullback.  "We're thin, and not from a physical standpoint," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "The two guys we have out there definitely aren't thin. … That's obviously an area we have to address, just to have some depth. I feel good about who we have there, but when you only have two and one gets nicked up, it makes it kind of difficult."

The Cardinals have some time off until OTAs start on May 18th.

"I'm going to let Baltimore know they got a steal in the draft."

A Real Steal

Selected in the 5th round by Baltimore, Arthur Jones could be a real steal.  The 6-3, 300 pound defensive tackle from Syracuse was rated as high as a first or second round talent by analysts and highly touted as indicated by draft reports.  So why the 5th round? Injury concerns caused his stock to slide.

This year the defensive tackle position was deep in this year's Draft pushing a player with durability concerns further down on teams boards.  Jones had a pectoral injury in his junior season and then the knee injury in his senior year.  The knee injury forced him out of his final three college games and the Senior Bowl, which many teams use as a qualifier for the beginning of the draft process. In addition, he was unable to workout at the Combine, which leaves teams unable to evaluate.  Jones did excel at his Pro Day and the pectoral injury he had his junior year seemed not an issue as he had 30 reps at 225 lbs. on bench press.

Perseverance

Teams are reluctant to take the risk of signing a player who had a series of injuries.  Yet, injuries happen all the time, its part of the game. There is a positive way to look at it, here is a player who bounced back twice with injuries and performed at high level.  It is safe to assume that the Ravens liked what they saw in Jones who received All Big East Award honors and was an impact player on defense.

Jones will first have to run the gauntlet of the rookie rigors before he makes an impact in Baltimore. If his perseverance is any indication, Jones will have a good chance to prove that he is a real steal.

The Call

Jones was with his family when he received the call from the Ravens to tell him he would be the fifth round selection.  "When I got that phone call, nothing mattered anymore. I'm going to let Baltimore know they got a steal in the draft," as reported by www.syracuse.com.

Arthur Jones Tidbits:

-   Wrestled and played football at Endicott High, NY

-   Was a college teammate of Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain

-   Two time First-team All-Big East Conference and an All American Candidate

-   38.5 Career tackles for losses, most by an interior defensive lineman in Syracuse Univ. history

-   Brother Jon is a mixed martial arts fighter and other brother Chandler is a defensive end for Syracuse

Some of the Draft reports on Arthur Jones:

"…where Jones will be drafted has less to do with his talent and much more to do with what the doctors say.  If he checks out medically, there's no doubt he's a first round type of talent, especially to a 3-4 team, looking for a DE who can get pressure on the quarterback in the base set.  But his stock could slip out of the first round, because teams don't want to commit that first round money to a player who might not be as durable as they should be." http://draftboardinsider.com

"Projected Round: 2 There's no doubt that Jones has been constantly double-teamed this season, which has limited the amount of splash plays we've seen on his behalf so far in his senior season. But that hasn't caused the highly decorated lineman to tone down his motor one bit. Jones' all-out hustle, enthusiasm, and leadership skills make him a solid individual on a personal level." http://www.nfldraftbible.com/

"Arguably one of the top defensive players in the Big East the last two seasons, Jones has the size and strength to play tackle in either a 3-4 or a 4-3. Injuries have probably knocked him out of being one of the top 50 players selected." www.USAtoday.com

Saw this first on  Riggo's Rag — head PR Officer Karl Swanson has resigned of his "own accord":

Karl Swanson, the Redskins top PR officer, will be stepping down.  This is by his own accord.  Swanson has been with the team since Snyder purchased it in 1999.

So I cross checked this news with PFT and was able to find this nugget about the situation:

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports via Twitter that Swanson "does need the family time he now is taking," due to an 88-year-old mother-in-law who is in declining health and a 12-year-old daughter who "is being shuttled among friends."  (And that's the primary problem with the widespread habit of folks being forced out of a job claiming that they are going to "pursue other interests" or "spend more time with their families."  The use of those excuses as cover for a termination or forced resignation creates suspicion even when they are the real reasons for a given move.)

So PFT thinks the family excuse is bogus and that he was forced out.  Time will tell… it's way too early to be sure of anything.  It's never too early to speculate, however.

UPDATE: Via The Insider, Texan's PR official Tony Wyllie has been offered the job vacated by Swanson this morning:

The Redskins have offered the senior vice president position vacated Monday by Karl Swanson, a long-time associate of Daniel Snyder, to Tony Wyllie, the top public relations official with the Houston Texans, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. It's believed that Wyllie will accept the position soon and a formal announcement could be made this week.

The Vikings hosted a minicamp this weekend in which a "large contingent" of players were trying out with the hopes of landing a contract with the Vikings.

Two players succeeded.

Iowa State wide out Marquis Hamilton signed a contract that will keep him on the roster as training camp nears.  Hamilton is 6' 3" and 222 pounds.

Rick Spielman said, "Marquis is a big wide receiver with good size who showed a good ability catching the ball. His performance over the weekend warranted a further look as we continue this spring."

The other player to sign a contract was Southwest Minnesota State offensive tackle Bill Noethlich.  The South Dakota native stands at a whopping 6' 7".

"Bill had a good tryout through the weekend and stuck out as one of the better linemen in the group," Spielman siad of his newest signing.  "He gave a good accounting of himself and has some physical traits and skills that are promising. He's got the arm reach and frame to make him a good prospect."

Seldom do players getting on an NFL team in this fashion make an impact, but despite the long odds you never know when a team has successfully uncovered a secret gem.