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NFC West preview: Arizona Cardinals rookie impact
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Beanie Wells / Photo by Krag Klages
From now through Friday, the NFC West Examiners will be answering some questions about their respective teams, bridging the gap between now and the much anticipated beginning of the season. Today's topic: the rookies.
Which rookies will make the biggest impact for the team in 2009?
With Cody Brown out for the season with a wrist injury and Trevor Canfield on the practice squad, six draft picks (and one undrafted free agent) are left that could have an impact this year for the Cardinals. But which ones will make an impact right away, which ones should come around eventually, and which ones might not pan out?
Immediate Impact Rookies
Chris "Beanie" Wells - Wells has already made an impact, even it has been simply to push Tim Hightower to improve his game. But that won't be his only impact this year. Expect Beanie to be getting most of the carries by week three or four after he breaks more 20+ yard runs in a few games than the Cardinals had all last season.
LaRod Stephens-Howling - Though he's listed as a running back, his potential lies in the kick return game and it's not going to take long for him to make an impact. Think Darren Sproles and Leon Washington.
Herman Johnson - Johnson probably won't play a whole lot this year, but his impact will be in providing depth for the Cardinals offensive line. With very few options beyond the starting five lineman, Johnson gives Russ Grimm another solid option if someone goes down.
Eventual Impact Rookies
Will Davis - This guy has surprised some people and if he continues to progress at this speed, he will be an impact player by the beginning of his second year. He has a high motor and a hunger for the quarterback. The Cardinals need all the pass rushers they can get and Davis could be a great asset down the road.
Reggie Walker - The only undrafted free agent from this year that should be able to make an impact for the Cardinals at some point, the coaching staff loves Walker's upside and potential. Walker and Davis should be playing shoulder to shoulder in a few years if they can both stick around that long.
Greg Toler - He really does look like DRC at times and that makes him a great prospect for the future. He's not the most cerebral of players, but his talent and speed more than makes up for it and he and DRC should be sharing the field some time soon.
Possible Dud Rookies
Rashad Johnson - I was very high on this kid when the Cardinals drafted him, but he has dissapointed so far through preseason. Often times, he has been caught out of position and he never really made the kinds of key plays you expect from an NFL safety. If the Cardinals were looking for the next Adrian Wilson, Johnson's not it. That all said, he can still turn it around with a little maturation, growth, and physical bulk.
Check out Samuel Lam's take on the San Francisco 49ers rookies
Here's Tim Klutsarits' take on the St. Louis Rams rookies
And lastly, don't miss Mike Baldwin's take on the Seattle Seahawks rookies
Take a look at the coaching situations around the league
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