Cardinals should draft Justice with first pick

"With the 10th pick in the 2006 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Winston Justice, offensive tackle - USC." Cardinals' fans should hope to hear that from NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on Saturday.Assuming that Justice is still available, it would be in the Cardinals' best interests to draft him. By drafting Justice, the Cardinals would fill a huge need, adding a franchise player to their less than stellar offensive line. With an aging and somewhat fragile quarterback in Kurt Warner, improved offensive line play will be a necessity. Warner is not very agile and is no threat to run, so he needs plenty of time in the pocket. When given time, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the game and can pick apart nearly any defense. The addition of All-Pro running back Edgerrin James to an already potent passing attack should help lead the offense to the elite level. He needs holes to run through, so by drafting Justice to anchor the offensive line, it should provide James with the necessary room to run. If James is able to produce like he has his whole career, it will provide an enormous boost to the offense. With a higher echelon offense, the Cardinals should be able to contend for a playoff spot--something they haven't partaken in since the 1998-99 season.The mediocre offensive line has only moderately addressed this offseason. With plenty of space under the salary cap after their big-time splash landing James, the Cardinals went out and signed free agent offensive guard Milford Brown, who started 13 games for the Houston Texans last season. They also re-signed guard Reggie Wells to a five-year, $17.5 million deal.Adding Justice to the mix could immeasurably improve the offensive line into an at least average or slightly above average unit. Couple that with the likes of playmakers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, James and Warner, and defenses could be bewildered by the potentially powerful offense. The 6'6", 300 pound right tackle was the stalwart of USC's offensive line during the team's run to prominence. As a true freshman, he began starting in his second game and never relinquished the position. He was a freshman All-American in 2002. He did a terrific job protecting the blindside of quarterback Matt Leinart, who is also expected to be a top pick in this year's draft. Although exceptional at both, Justice is a better run blocker than pass, which would benefit James. Head coach Dennis Green has added the stretch play to the offensive repertoire, a play that he used in Minnesota with Robert Smith, and James ran effectively with the Colts.Other than the offensive line, the Arizona Cardinals have needs at quarterback, outside linebacker and tight end. With a pick in each of the draft's seven rounds, there is chance for many or all of those needs to be filled. Justice would fill a glaring hole and finish shoring up what looks to be a tremendous offense for 2006 and years to come in Arizona.