Courtney Upshaw OLB/Bama paired with Sam Acho would be one bada#$ combo!!

[Lomax to Green 84]

I really like O'Brien Schofield and think he has a bright future. However, I think his future is more as a situational pass rusher. When the season ended Schofield once again mentioned gaining weight as his #1 priority and yet looking at how pumped up Schofield looks, one has to wonder how much can he actually put on.

If the Big Red took a flyer on Courtney Upshaw OLB from Alabama (Roll Tide!!) and paired him with Sam Acho, the Cards could potentially be on the cusp of true greatness at the linebacker position. Acho seems like the perfect leverage rusher for a Pittsburgh style defense and Upshaw is simply just one bad dude. Where Schofield will have to gain weight to get to 250, Upshaw could probably stand to drop some weight and still play in the 265 to 270 range.

Most scouts say that Upshaw won't wow anyone at the combine with his 40 time, but his physical style of play is off the charts. Pair his physical/leverage rush ability with Acho's and throw in Schofield on occasion and we have potentially a dominant outside linebacking situation for 2012 and beyond. I think Upshaw is the perfect Pittsburgh style outside backer. Big, physical, and a terrific run defender to go with his pass rushing skills.

 

[Chopper0080]

I really like O'Brien Schofield and think he has a bright future. However, I think his future is more as a situational pass rusher. When the season ended Schofield once again mentioned gaining weight as his #1 priority and yet looking at how pumped up Schofield looks, one has to wonder how much can he actually put on.

If the Big Red took a flyer on Courtney Upshaw OLB from Alabama (Roll Tide!!) and paired him with Sam Acho, the Cards could potentially be on the cusp of true greatness at the linebacker position. Acho seems like the perfect leverage rusher for a Pittsburgh style defense and Upshaw is simply just one bad dude. Where Schofield will have to gain weight to get to 250, Upshaw could probably stand to drop some weight and still play in the 265 to 270 range.

Most scouts say that Upshaw won't wow anyone at the combine with his 40 time, but his physical style of play is off the charts. Pair his physical/leverage rush ability with Acho's and throw in Schofield on occasion and we have potentially a dominant outside linebacking situation for 2012 and beyond. I think Upshaw is the perfect Pittsburgh style outside backer. Big, physical, and a terrific run defender to go with his pass rushing skills.

We would have the slowest pass rush in the league. The time of 3 yards and a cloud of dust is over. Having two slow OLB's, no matter how physical, would be incredibly short sighted. Especially when the scheme dictates that they still have to drop into coevrage from time to time.

Unless Upshaw shows some burst this offseason, I just can't see the justification of drafting a slow edge rusher in the top 15 of the draft.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

We would have the slowest pass rush in the league. The time of 3 yards and a cloud of dust is over. Having two slow OLB's, no matter how physical, would be incredibly short sighted. Especially when the scheme dictates that they still have to drop into coevrage from time to time.

Unless Upshaw shows some burst this offseason, I just can't see the justification of drafting a slow edge rusher in the top 15 of the draft.

Indeed. He has a very slow burst off the line and he's too slow to get around the edge in the NFL. He's great at making the hustle plays, but he will have little impact as a pass rusher.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I'm with Holian and am hoping for Kirkpatrick or Upshaw to fall to us.

 

[Stout]

I don't know enough about the college OLB prospects as of yet, but I agree that we need to grab one in the draft. One with explosiveness off of the edge. I think Schofield will improve immensely with another offseason, but you can never have too many edge rushers in the 3-4. You need to constantly have a few kids in the developmental pipeline, because it takes so long for them to translate to the position in the pros.

 

[GatorAZ]

Absolutely... Schofield is no where near as polished as Upshaw. It would give us a lethal trio at OLB though. Upshaw's explosiveness is fine, his pass rush isn't on display as much as other because it's the SEC. It is not a passing league. He plays in the 3-4 already, there would be little transition.

If would take Reiff before him but that's about it in our area.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I'm with Holian and am hoping for Kirkpatrick or Upshaw to fall to us.

This...

Upshaw is my #1

 

[Chopper0080]

Absolutely... Schofield is no where near as polished as Upshaw. It would give us a lethal trio at OLB though. Upshaw's explosiveness is fine, his pass rush isn't on display as much as other because it's the SEC. It is not a passing league. He plays in the 3-4 already, there would be little transition.

If would take Reiff before him but that's about it in our area.

 

[Chopper0080]

This...

Upshaw is my #1

Why? Someone give me a reason to like this plodding edge rusher.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Why? Someone give me a reason to like this plodding edge rusher.

"Because he plays for Alabama"....

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

Why? Someone give me a reason to like this plodding edge rusher.

I think Upshaw is alot more athletic and explosive than given credit for. He is a rugged, SEC linebacker and is asked to do alot more than just pin his ears back and rush the passer.

Many of the same things were said about Lamar Woodley coming out of Michigan. Upshaw and Woodley are the exact same size 6'2" and 265 pounds. Woodley gets his sacks by taking a short path to the quarterback, using great leverage and strength and great technique. I have a feeling if Upshaw played in a conference like the Pac 10 who throw the ball a bunch more and spread the field, he would have alot more sacks on his resume.

 

[GatorAZ]

Why? Someone give me a reason to like this plodding edge rusher.

He is the best overall 3-4 OLB prospect in this draft and he will be the first one taken at his position.

 

[GatorAZ]

"Because he plays for Alabama"....

Yeah it's not like Saban has ever put any quality front 7 defenders in the NFL.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Yeah it's not like Saban has ever put any quality front 7 defenders in the NFL.

Not as many as you think. Outside of Julian Peterson, Jarvis Green and Marcell Dareus, most of his front 7 players haven't done much in the NFL. Rolando Mcclain was a high 1st round pick, but he hasn't been successful at all with the Raiders. His most successful players have been WR's, ironically.

 

[GatorAZ]

Not as many as you think. Outside of Julian Peterson, Jarvis Green and Marcell Dareus, most of his front 7 players haven't done much in the NFL. Rolando Mcclain was a high 1st round pick, but he hasn't been successful at all with the Raiders. His most successful players have been WR's, ironically.

Spears has been starting for Dallas for what 6 years. Kyle Williams is a pro bowler DT. So yeah not a ton of pros but not many coaches have the defensive legacy Saban does.

As for Upshaw he will not blow you away with elite sack numbers but he's rated so high because he's a complete OLB. For his size he's solid in coverage and leads the SEC in tackles for loss. Teams don't run to his side very often.

I want 4 game changing LB's on this team. Upshaw plays 3 positions for Bama, Saban has him do everything.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The guy Upshaw compares favorably to is LaMarr Woodley. He doesn't have that "burst" but is still a very good pass rusher and an elite LB. Having a burst doesn't necessarily make you a good pass rusher, see Aaron Maybin.

Pittsburgh has Harrison and Woodley at OLB. I think they get by more on strength and technique than pure speed. Maybe Acho and Upshaw could develop into that kind of tandem with Schoefield providing the speed aspect. If all the OL are gone, I'd have no problem with Upshaw. I can even see him sliding to SILB like Timmons did in Pittsburgh.

 

[Garthshort]

If we draft him, I'd be fine with the selection, because I have a lot of faith in Steve Kiem and his scouts. Though I do feel that an OLB taken in the first round must be able to generate sacks.

 

[Chopper0080]

The guy Upshaw compares favorably to is LaMarr Woodley. He doesn't have that "burst" but is still a very good pass rusher and an elite LB. Having a burst doesn't necessarily make you a good pass rusher, see Aaron Maybin.

Pittsburgh has Harrison and Woodley at OLB. I think they get by more on strength and technique than pure speed. Maybe Acho and Upshaw could develop into that kind of tandem with Schoefield providing the speed aspect. If all the OL are gone, I'd have no problem with Upshaw. I can even see him sliding to SILB like Timmons did in Pittsburgh.

I will wait and see...