The "Beard" how do you feel?

[CrazyCowboy]

Ref below--this story sure makes me feel better about our pick last year!

When the Arizona Cardinals open the season against the San Diego Chargers on Monday night, 2013 No. 7 overall pick Jonathan Cooper won't be starting at left guard -- rather, veteran free-agent signee Ted Larsen will be at the position.
"I don't care about draft status," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said, per The Arizona Republic. "I want to see the results on the field, and Ted Larsen's way outplayed (Cooper)."

​

Cooper missed his entire rookie season with a broken leg. So far, that time missed has shown.

"His play before the injury wasn't stellar," Arians said. "It looked like a guy that was coming back off a year's injury. He's going to be a heck of a player. It's just a matter of time and taking the right approach with him and letting him get healthy."

Larsen played the last four seasons in Tampa Bay after being drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots in 2010. In his time, he's started 31 games at guard and center. He's been a better center than guard during his career.

The offensive line was an issue for Arizona last season and sits as the biggest question mark on an otherwise potent offense. It's a positive for both the Cards and Cooper that Arians isn't just handing the young player a job based on draft status -- good teams don't win that way.

However, before then end of the year, if Arizona is to contend they will need Cooper to play like the player he was drafted to become.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Well he went before our pick, so it's not like we could have drafted him anyway.

 

[guag]

I actually thought you were calling out Brainpaint before I opened the thread.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Well he went before our pick, so it's not like we could have drafted him anyway.

True, but I am looking at it from the angle that Fredrick came to us so late......he is such a good player and imho better then many chosen before him.

 

[DFWJC]

The Cardinals were falling over themselves praising how good Cooper was last year before he broke his leg. He's not the same player yet, obviously.

The better comparisons are player we could have taken and didn't....Cooper was not one of them anyway.
Sly Williams would be a good comparable. He was taken 28th.

I'll just be happy with Freddy and go with that.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I actually thought you were calling out Brainpaint before I opened the thread.

I was going to say that I am happy with the beard...after reading what it was really about, I am still happy about the beard and Travis.

 

[Idgit]

A beard is just awesomeness escaping through your pores. So, I'm in favor.

 

[xwalker]

Ref below--this story sure makes me feel better about our pick last year!

When the Arizona Cardinals open the season against the San Diego Chargers on Monday night, 2013 No. 7 overall pick Jonathan Cooper won't be starting at left guard -- rather, veteran free-agent signee Ted Larsen will be at the position.
"I don't care about draft status," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said, per The Arizona Republic. "I want to see the results on the field, and Ted Larsen's way outplayed (Cooper)."

​

Cooper missed his entire rookie season with a broken leg. So far, that time missed has shown.

"His play before the injury wasn't stellar," Arians said. "It looked like a guy that was coming back off a year's injury. He's going to be a heck of a player. It's just a matter of time and taking the right approach with him and letting him get healthy."

Larsen played the last four seasons in Tampa Bay after being drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots in 2010. In his time, he's started 31 games at guard and center. He's been a better center than guard during his career.

The offensive line was an issue for Arizona last season and sits as the biggest question mark on an otherwise potent offense. It's a positive for both the Cards and Cooper that Arians isn't just handing the young player a job based on draft status -- good teams don't win that way.

However, before then end of the year, if Arizona is to contend they will need Cooper to play like the player he was drafted to become.

I liked Cooper in that draft, but top 10 for a Guard is a steep price. Quality Center's are much more difficult to find in free agency than Guards.

At least with Martin at #16, he has the ability to play OT if needed.

 

[diehard2294]

It's refreshing to hear a head coach be very candid about a players play or lack there of

 

[Idgit]

It's refreshing to hear a head coach be very candid about a players play or lack there of

Really? I'm not really a fan of that sort of thing in the media. But when you bench a guy a season after you draft him that high, I suppose you really have to say something. Anybody remember what Jason said about replacing Claiborne with Scandrick in the starting lineup?

EDIT: Found it: “When you’re playing technically sound and you have ability, you tend to have more and more confidence because you’re in the right place,” Garrett said. “They went to him too much in this ballgame, and they were too effective. He’s just got to play better, and he will play better.”

And Stephen Jones' take: "
“It’s time for the injury thing to leave the scene,” Jones shot back. “He needs to step up and make plays. I think he will.”

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...poor-technique-and-a-lack-of-confidence.html/

Sometimes it's easy to forget what really goes on with our own team when we're unhappy with the overall results, but, for the most part, NFL teams handle things similarly when it comes to managing expectations.

 

[justbob]

I was going to say that I am happy with the beard...after reading what it was really about, I am still happy about the beard and Travis.

Maybe you should check out the Emmit commercials.....

 

[Zman5]

I like Frederick but he needs to do show improvement this year to feel real good about him. I'm sick of guys we pick high that end up being one year wonders.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Maybe you should check out the Emmit commercials.....

LOL I have thought about that.

 

[TheDude]

I actually thought you were calling out Brainpaint before I opened the thread.

I actually thought this thread was going to go in a whole different direction when I clicked on it right under the Michaels Sam stickied thread

 

[big dog cowboy]

Love the Fredbeard pick and still do. In general I'm glad we are finally spending premium picks on the trenches.

 

[gimmesix]

Ref below--this story sure makes me feel better about our pick last year!

When the Arizona Cardinals open the season against the San Diego Chargers on Monday night, 2013 No. 7 overall pick Jonathan Cooper won't be starting at left guard -- rather, veteran free-agent signee Ted Larsen will be at the position.
"I don't care about draft status," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said, per The Arizona Republic. "I want to see the results on the field, and Ted Larsen's way outplayed (Cooper)."

Just a reminder that health is one of the biggest factors in people's retrospective view of draft picks. Thankful that Frederick has been healthy enough that people are not bemoaning the pick.

If he had missed his rookie season, the outcry here would be deafening.

 

[NeonNinja]

Love the Fredbeard pick and still do. In general I'm glad we are finally spending premium picks on the trenches.

Now it's time for the other side to receive much needed talent.

 

[CF74]

Geez the guy broke his leg, it's gonna take time, inconclusive...

 

[morasp]

I was thinking we probably ended up getting the better deal by waiting for Martin. Before Cooper DeCastro was the hot pick and I'm not sure that Martin won't turn out to be better then both.