Cardinals ink two more

By Jason Kirk  |   Tuesday, July 25, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Arizona Cardinals
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The Arizona Cardinals have reached an agreement with third-round pick Leonard Pope and Gabe Watson, a fourth-round selection, on three-year contracts. Arizona now has six of their seven draft picks under contract, leaving first-rounder Matt Leinart as the only draftee unsigned.

Pope, a 6-8, 265 pound tight-end, left Georgia early, entering the NFL draft after his junior season. In 35 games for the Bulldogs, including 21 starts, Pope caught 59 passes for 994 yards and nine touchdowns. Although he needs to work on his in-line blocking, the mammoth tight-end will provide matchup problems in the red-zone where his 6-8 frame will allow him to out-jump any defender.

Watson, 6-3, 340 lbs., was a four-year letterman at Michigan playing in 45 games with 18 starts at defensive tackle. The former Wolverine tallied 92 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, and five sacks for his career; He was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten player his junior and senior seasons. Watson is a classic two-gapper, in the mold of Gilbert Brown, whose best attribute is shutting down the running lanes. His ability to take on double-teams should allow Arizona's ends to wreak havoc in the backfield.
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