Wahoo
02-13-2011, 05:37 AM
GM Wahoo enters his 9th full season at the helm of the St. Louis Cardinals football franchise. The Cards only managed two winning seasons in the 12 years prior to Wahoo taking the reins. Perhaps it was a rash of beginner's luck, but Wahoo was able to take St. Louis to the Conference Championship game in his second year, and return to the playoffs the following year on the strengths of two young receivers named Jimmy Smith and Corey Maxwell, and the surprising play of a young QB named David Klingler. But the early success was soon washed away with some poor luck in the draft and when Klingler's star fell just as quickly as it had risen. Four frustrating losing seasons followed.
The 1999 edition of the team, to the surprise of many, broke the losing streak by managing a break-even year at 8-8. After dropping their first 4 games to fall to 0-4, the Cardinals pulled off some remarkable victories over some very good teams (a 3-1 run through the tough NC North division) and closed the season with an 8 - 4 record. A strong 1999 draft yielded 5 starters, and 2nd year Ryan Leaf made strides towards becoming a legitimate starting QB in the GEFL. Can St. Louis build on the success and contend for a playoff spot in 2000?
Last year's excellent draft focused on defense and special teams. Shutdown cornerback Chris McAllister had an outstanding rookie campaign and is a star in the making. Veteran team captain Darrien Gordon will hold down the other corner, with 4th year Paul Bradford the top reserve. Third round pick Rich Coady proved a fast learner, and ended up starting every game at Free Safety, finishing the year with 57 tackles and a 77% pass defense rating.
The 2000 draft brings two exciting youngsters to challenge veteran Greg Myers at the Strong Saftety position. Mike Green (3.19) had an outstanding camp and is making noise to be in the starting lineup on opening day. He's a run-stopping beast, and is excellent in the bump and run scheme favored by head coach Winfred LeClair (12th season). GM Wahoo surprised many by selecting Nick Ferguson, another safety, in the 4th round. Ferguson has dazzled at times in camp, and while much more raw than Green, he projects to be slightly stronger in all-around pass coverage. Ferguson's skill set in coverage complements Green's strength as a run stopper, and if these two young athletes can develop together they could be one of the best Safety tandems in the GEFL in a few years.
DE David Bowens also had a strong rookie season, and with opponents focusing on him, Junior Bryant emerged as a dangerous speed rusher at the opposite end, having a career season in year eight and being selected to the Pro Bowl. In the 2000 draft, DT Darwin Walker was the first round pick, designated the heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Goose Siragusa who returns for his 11th season - probably a step slower, but still a dominant force on the D-Line and a legend to the St. Louis faithful. At Linebacker Johnny Rutledge tallied 58 tackles and 20 assists in his rookie campaign. He benefitted under the tutelage of an experienced and tightknit unit led by Tracy Simien, Barry Mintner, and Reggie Brown. Rounding out the 1999 draft, Punter Chad Stanley was solid with 33 punts inside the 20 (36%) and Kicker Brian Gowins should be a top 10 kicker in the league; he was inconsistent and sidelined by an injury early in the season, but hit 7 of his last 8 attempts and hit 4 from 50 + on the year.
As the Cardinals enter the season, Ryan Leaf is the man. But there was no other QB on the roster other than third stringer Skip Chapman (Shane Matthews was brought in last year as the backup, but he bristled at sitting behind 2nd year Leaf, and the coaches and managment did not attempt to re-sign him). Having no luck in free agency finding a suitable back-up, St. Louis selected QB Anthony Wright in the second round. Wright has excellent potential, but there are concerns about his decision making and ability to read defenses. If he can prove that he can avoid interceptions, many feel he has the talent to become a starter in the league.
So far the biggest miscue in the 2000 draft was the St. Louis 5th round pick. They took a shot on Tyrone Cockroft, a surprisingly athletic 6'7" 322 pound Guard. At that size, the coaches tried to move him Tackle in camp. Whether it was the position change or perhaps Tyrone just wasn't cut out for the GEFL, in any case he did not make the grade and was cut before the exhibition season began.
In rounds 6 and 7 St. Louis selected two very similar tight ends, Brian Jennings and Jake Moreland. In the 1999 draft, the Cardinals were able to uncover a gem in round 7 with Dan Campbell, a 38/38 player with good blocking and receiving skills who seems to still be creeping up and getting better. GM Wahoo and Coach LeClair prefer to keep three Tight Ends on the roster, so at the end of pre-season Jennings or Moreland will claim that final spot. Jennings seems to have the early edge according to reports from camp, but if Moreland can show some progress with his blocking skills, that might be the key to him getting the nod.
Two consecutive strong drafts, and some impressive victories and marked improvement over the course of last season are reasons for optimism. The Cardinals boast a nice mix of players on both sides of the ball, battle-tested veterans who have played together several years, infused with exciting and talented youngsters. Ryan Leaf is by no means an elite Quarterback, but he is helped greatly by his experienced receiving corp. Jimmy Smith and Corey Maxwell enter their 9th season starting alongside each other, and backups Kevin Lockett and Fabien Herndon (as well as Leaf) are in their 3rd consecutive year together. Tackles Corbin Lacina and Jared Harper are in their 8th year together anchoring the ends of the O-Line, and Guard Dave Szott is in year 6 starting with them. Michael Pittman is a competent halfback who can run and catch out of the backfield. He finished 8 yards shy of the 1000 yd mark last year; meanwhile Curtis Martin continues to get significant carries in the number two role (132 carries, 626 yds, 5 TD) and could easily step in as the starter if necessary. The chemistry of the team will be a huge factor in the outcome in the upcoming season. That, and the play of Leaf - can he continue to improve and lead this team, or has he already maximized his potential? If the latter is the case, expect the Cardinals to fall back into their traditional losing ways.
The 1999 edition of the team, to the surprise of many, broke the losing streak by managing a break-even year at 8-8. After dropping their first 4 games to fall to 0-4, the Cardinals pulled off some remarkable victories over some very good teams (a 3-1 run through the tough NC North division) and closed the season with an 8 - 4 record. A strong 1999 draft yielded 5 starters, and 2nd year Ryan Leaf made strides towards becoming a legitimate starting QB in the GEFL. Can St. Louis build on the success and contend for a playoff spot in 2000?
Last year's excellent draft focused on defense and special teams. Shutdown cornerback Chris McAllister had an outstanding rookie campaign and is a star in the making. Veteran team captain Darrien Gordon will hold down the other corner, with 4th year Paul Bradford the top reserve. Third round pick Rich Coady proved a fast learner, and ended up starting every game at Free Safety, finishing the year with 57 tackles and a 77% pass defense rating.
The 2000 draft brings two exciting youngsters to challenge veteran Greg Myers at the Strong Saftety position. Mike Green (3.19) had an outstanding camp and is making noise to be in the starting lineup on opening day. He's a run-stopping beast, and is excellent in the bump and run scheme favored by head coach Winfred LeClair (12th season). GM Wahoo surprised many by selecting Nick Ferguson, another safety, in the 4th round. Ferguson has dazzled at times in camp, and while much more raw than Green, he projects to be slightly stronger in all-around pass coverage. Ferguson's skill set in coverage complements Green's strength as a run stopper, and if these two young athletes can develop together they could be one of the best Safety tandems in the GEFL in a few years.
DE David Bowens also had a strong rookie season, and with opponents focusing on him, Junior Bryant emerged as a dangerous speed rusher at the opposite end, having a career season in year eight and being selected to the Pro Bowl. In the 2000 draft, DT Darwin Walker was the first round pick, designated the heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Goose Siragusa who returns for his 11th season - probably a step slower, but still a dominant force on the D-Line and a legend to the St. Louis faithful. At Linebacker Johnny Rutledge tallied 58 tackles and 20 assists in his rookie campaign. He benefitted under the tutelage of an experienced and tightknit unit led by Tracy Simien, Barry Mintner, and Reggie Brown. Rounding out the 1999 draft, Punter Chad Stanley was solid with 33 punts inside the 20 (36%) and Kicker Brian Gowins should be a top 10 kicker in the league; he was inconsistent and sidelined by an injury early in the season, but hit 7 of his last 8 attempts and hit 4 from 50 + on the year.
As the Cardinals enter the season, Ryan Leaf is the man. But there was no other QB on the roster other than third stringer Skip Chapman (Shane Matthews was brought in last year as the backup, but he bristled at sitting behind 2nd year Leaf, and the coaches and managment did not attempt to re-sign him). Having no luck in free agency finding a suitable back-up, St. Louis selected QB Anthony Wright in the second round. Wright has excellent potential, but there are concerns about his decision making and ability to read defenses. If he can prove that he can avoid interceptions, many feel he has the talent to become a starter in the league.
So far the biggest miscue in the 2000 draft was the St. Louis 5th round pick. They took a shot on Tyrone Cockroft, a surprisingly athletic 6'7" 322 pound Guard. At that size, the coaches tried to move him Tackle in camp. Whether it was the position change or perhaps Tyrone just wasn't cut out for the GEFL, in any case he did not make the grade and was cut before the exhibition season began.
In rounds 6 and 7 St. Louis selected two very similar tight ends, Brian Jennings and Jake Moreland. In the 1999 draft, the Cardinals were able to uncover a gem in round 7 with Dan Campbell, a 38/38 player with good blocking and receiving skills who seems to still be creeping up and getting better. GM Wahoo and Coach LeClair prefer to keep three Tight Ends on the roster, so at the end of pre-season Jennings or Moreland will claim that final spot. Jennings seems to have the early edge according to reports from camp, but if Moreland can show some progress with his blocking skills, that might be the key to him getting the nod.
Two consecutive strong drafts, and some impressive victories and marked improvement over the course of last season are reasons for optimism. The Cardinals boast a nice mix of players on both sides of the ball, battle-tested veterans who have played together several years, infused with exciting and talented youngsters. Ryan Leaf is by no means an elite Quarterback, but he is helped greatly by his experienced receiving corp. Jimmy Smith and Corey Maxwell enter their 9th season starting alongside each other, and backups Kevin Lockett and Fabien Herndon (as well as Leaf) are in their 3rd consecutive year together. Tackles Corbin Lacina and Jared Harper are in their 8th year together anchoring the ends of the O-Line, and Guard Dave Szott is in year 6 starting with them. Michael Pittman is a competent halfback who can run and catch out of the backfield. He finished 8 yards shy of the 1000 yd mark last year; meanwhile Curtis Martin continues to get significant carries in the number two role (132 carries, 626 yds, 5 TD) and could easily step in as the starter if necessary. The chemistry of the team will be a huge factor in the outcome in the upcoming season. That, and the play of Leaf - can he continue to improve and lead this team, or has he already maximized his potential? If the latter is the case, expect the Cardinals to fall back into their traditional losing ways.