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Arizona Cardinals By: Lester Updated 4/22/99 Previous Reports: 3/14/99 Latest News on Free Agency The Cardinals re-signed OT Matt Joyce, LB Mark Maddox, K Joe Nedney and ex-Detroit Lion LB Rob Fredrickson. Fredrickson was signed after LB Jamir Miller turned down a 2-year offer. K Nedney re-signed for 2 more years despite suffering a serious knee injury during last season. The Draft The Cardinals did an excellent job in this year's draft. They focused on drafting a possible replacement for OT Lomas Brown. The Cardinals had two first round picks this year. They had the 8th and 21st picks. They used the 21st pick to select Eastern Michigan 6'5'' 320lb OL Lonnie Jewel "LJ" Shelton. He moved up the charts with his play in the Senior Bowl. They also select OL Yusuf Scott from Arizona. Scott is 6'2'' and weighs 324lbs. He was selected in the 5th round. With their 1st pick in the draft, the Cardinals selected WR David Boston from Ohio State. He is compared to WR Carl Pickens when Pickens first came out of Tennessee. Boston is a big WR at 6'1'' and weighing 215lbs. The Cardinals select 2 RBs in this year's draft. They selected RB Joel Makovicka in the 4th round. Makovicka played for Nebraska and he is 5'10'', 245lbs. He will play FB. They also selected RB Dennis Mckinley from Mississippi State in the 6th round. With their final pick, the Cardinals selected 6'2'', 220lb QB Chris Greisen from Northwest Missouri State. Greisen may fill the Cardinals 3rd QB spot. Defensively, the Cardinals selected 1 LB, 2 DL and 2 DBs. With their 2nd round pick, they selected LB Johnny Rutledge from Florida. Rutledge is 6'1'' and weighs 244lbs. He can play any 3 LB spots. DL Tony Burke was selected in the 3rd round and DL Melvin Bradley was selected in the 6th round. Burke is a 6'2'' 264lb DL from Wisconsin. He is a dominant pass rusher and is expected to help out on special teams. Bradley is a 6'1'' 268lb DL from Arkansas. Lastly, DB Paris Johnson was selected in the 5th round from Miami (Ohio) and DB Jacob "Coby" Rhinehart was selected in the 6th round from Southern Methodist. Draft Grade I give the Arizona Cardinals an (A+). I think they did an excellent job in drafting quality players that will help this team immediately. L.J. Shelton, David Boston and Johnny Rutledge is what makes me give them an (A+).
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