Professor

SportingNews.com - NFL - Cardinals Team Report

Bertrand Berry worked hard on his conditioning in the offseason, losing 15 pounds. He's down to 256 now and he feels as quick and fast as he did in 2004, when he had 14.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl. Berry felt the extra weight affected his conditioning, and he wasn't the force late in games that he once was. Injuries caused him to miss 14 games the past two seasons. At 32, Berry feels good enough, he said, to play several more years. Berry will move to outside linebacker in the 3-4, but he won't drop into coverage much, if at all. Coaches want him rushing off the edge. ...

Coaches have been pleasantly surprised by the play of LT Mike Gandy. They expected a steady player when they signed Gandy as a free agent, but he's looked better than that in training camp.

NEWCOMER REPORT: NT Alan Branch has shown flashes of outstanding quickness, especially for someone 6-5 and 334 pounds. But he's learning some new techniques, too, and there have been some rough spots. Branch has occasional trouble keeping his balance, but overall coaches are encouraged by the second-round pick's performance. For now, Branch is concentrating on nose guard, but it's possible he could move to tackle or end in some passing situations as he develops. Branch certainly has the size to do that, and he's deceptively quick for someone his size.

SCOUTING REPORT: RB Edgerrin James has always worked hard in the offseason, but he concentrated this year on adding strength to his upper body. He took a pounding last year and felt he wore down in the first half of the season. James has looked quick in training camp and hasn't had trouble adjusting to running behind a fullback for the first time since college. He's getting a ton of work in camp behind a renovated offensive line and likes the new offensive system implemented by coach Ken Whisenhunt. If James gets 325-350 carries as expected, he'll produce 1,300 to 1,400 yards.

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Serrated Shadow

The cards were sooo lucky to get both Levi brown and Alan branch..They desperately needed to improve their trench warfare.

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Professor

losing okeafor hurts, He and Berry would have made a nice duo rushing the passer

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gruntbygod

Long term Zona's 3-4 could be very, very good. I would prefer Branch at DE as opposed to NT, he is kinda tall to be a 3-4 NT (usually about 6'0 - 6'2) Him Watson and Dockett could grow to be a dominant front 3. I think they should look at getting some young edge rusher next year to eventually replace Berry.

I think Okefor's injury could give Pace an oppertunity to finnally do something.

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Professor

WEll it pretty much means that Pace has to step up and this is the opportunity that he will be made or broken

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gruntbygod

He's been broken. he has done nothing since being a reach in the first round, but a different defence may turn on some light that was alway's off. I remember last year Greg Ellis looked better in a 3-4 than he ever did in a 4-3, tho he was always a solid player, the switch made him more effective. Babey bieng a 3-4 LB is what Pace needs

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bizell

Leinart is going to get absolutely murdered if they play Mike Gandy @ LT

Professor

their line held up pretty well against a pretty mean pass rush of the chargers and I was definitely impressed

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bizell

maybe gandy has improved since last year.

he played horrible last year. maybe he just needed a change of scenery. maybe the bills just suck. maybe all 4 of the above.

Professor

Well the Bills oline was atrocious last year mainly because they didn't start the same oline in one game, not 1. Arizona actually (i can't believe im saying this) has more stability than Buffalo did and that will help him.

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