Arizona Cardinals: A day full of news
Late in the offseason, March 29th was a busy day for the Arizona Cardinals
General Manager Steve Keim is known for making moves after the first wave of free agency, and this season is no different. The Cardinals, on March 29th, have signed Harvey Binford of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul. A little undersized at 6-foot and around pounds, Binford has been clocked running a 4.3 40-yard dash.
Binford’s size and speed match the mold of other receivers John Brown and J.J. Nelson. Speaking of John Brown, Arians recently stated that he has been able to train twice a day and his sickle cell trait seems to be under control. Arians also said that he is “fine” the current wide receiver room, which now includes former running back Andre Ellington.
With the move of Ellington and the signing of Binford, Coach Arians all but ruled out picking a receiver with the first round pick, unless it is just another example of the often-used “smokescreen.”
"“So a top-round pick isn’t necessary. Again, if the right guy falls and you say, ‘OK, where does he fit this year’ and everyone says he’s a bust because he’s fighting his (butt) off to get on the field. We don’t need a plug-and-play player right now at that position.” –Bruce Arians"
Unless a player by the name of Mike Williams or Corey Davis falls into the Cardinals’ lap, this quote by Arians makes it hard to see a high draft pick being spent on a receiver (barring he was being honest in the first place). News from the wideout position is not the only news to break today, though.
Evan Boehm, drafted out of Missouri to be a center, is in the running for the starting right guard position. He played in a few games down the stretch for the Cardinals last season, and he seems to have proven something to the coaching staff. At the annual NFL owners meetings in Arizona, Arians and Keim spoke on this year’s QB draft class.
Keim will not rule out trading up to draft a quarterback, even though he also said that it is important not to overreach. Arians went as far as saying that one QB in the 2017 class is ready to start as a rookie. Which rookie that is was kept a secret.
“If you’re (looking) for plug-and-play, again, this draft is very small. But if you have time to bring them along, then this draft is large.”- Bruce Arians