Ken Iwebema

[ItsInTheCards]

the guy beat Joe Thomas for 2 sacks, that shows potential.. looks like he could be good. If nothing else, solid Special Teams

good teams find starters in the 4th round....not guys like this

 

[Mulli]

on ESPN.com

the guy doesnt even have the speed to play OLB, and couple with off the field issues, Graves better have a damn good reason for wasting a 4th rounder the second year in a row

When your DL coach knows the kid after having coached him, that is a pretty good reason to take a shot.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

This is a good pick at this point in the draft and is a perfect value right here in the 4th...

2008 NFL Draft Prospect - Scouting Report
Kenny Iwebema will quietly make a difference for an NFL franchise next season. Iwebema isn't a spectacular defensive end prospect, but will be a quality member of a defensive line rotation. The 6'4", 267 lbs. senior has put together a solid career at Iowa. He finished his final season for the Hawkeyes with 28 tackles (5 tackles for loss), 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and broke up 2 passes in coverage.

Iwebema has good size and technique for a defensive end. He is by no means the fastest DE in this year's class, but he has good quickness and pass rushing moves. Iwebema plays the run extremely well, making him more valuable on first and second downs.

He seems to always find a way to contain running backs on toss and sweep plays to the outside. He finished his career with 116 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 passes broken up in coverage. Iwebema can drop into coverage on zone blitzes remarkably well for a man of his size.

He may also find himself as an intricate part of some franchise's special teams.

Iwebema blocked 4 kicks during his career at Iowa. He shows a real knack for getting pressure on opposing kickers and punters alike. Kenny Iwebema should hear his named called around the third or fourth round.


Iwebema's showing at the East-West Shrine game fell far short of expectations. His coaches saw brief glimpses of his talent, but not enough to impress anyone.

Iwebema's effort has been challenged all throughout his career, but his physical tools have never been in question. He still has third or fourth round talent, but should work on his consistency if he hopes to actually be drafted there.

Kenny Iwebema had a very solid pro day in Iowa City. He ran the 40 yard dash in 4.77 seconds, a good time for a defensive end. He also displayed his strength and athleticism with 20 reps on the bench press, a 35 1/2 inch vertical leap, and a 9'8" long jump. Iwebema is very talented, but horribly inconsistent. He should ,however, be drafted late in round four or the middle of round five.
Last Updated Apr-02-2008 by Randall Weida

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=1288

 

[cardsfanmd]

good teams find starters in the 4th round....not guys like this

The Pats took a QB in the third. (makes me feel a little better)

 

[Crazy Canuck]

For the record.

There were alot of know-it-all's on this board who panned the Antonio Smith pick some years ago.

With this pick we are potentially 2 deep at both DE positions in our 3-4 set.

Overall: Iwebema arrived at Iowa in 2003 and redshirted the year. In his first three seasons (2004-'06), he appeared in 32 games (19 starts) and compiled 78 tackles (15 for losses) and 11 sacks. As a senior, he played in 11 games (all starts) and finished the season with 28 tackles (five for losses), 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two blocked kicks and two pass breakups. Iwebema had shoulder surgery during the 2006 season, but was able to return for the Alamo Bowl against Texas. He missed one game in 2007 because of an injury. He also was suspended one game in 2006 for a violation of team rules. Iwebema is a traditional weak-side defensive end prospect who is at his best rushing the passer and making plays in pursuit. However, he's not in the elite category in terms of first-step quickness and closing burst so he must improve his ...

 

[ItsInTheCards]

The Pats took a QB in the third. (makes me feel a little better)

I know, I was hoping for OConnell later on

 

[Mulli]

Wow two or three threads on the fourth round pick?

 

[D-Dogg]

Why - because you read it a draft magazine or is this your personal opinion??

Read it on a couple of sites.

My personal opinion is that we shouldn't have drafted him at all, in any round...maybe 7th. Injured, average after recovering...meh.

Are you a cardinals fan too? Good win by your hawks, btw.

 

[Shogun]

So you any of you believe that he can play standing up? I don't.

 

[Mitch]

The current depth at 3-4 OLB: (probably keeping 4)

Okeafor (2009)
Haggans (2008)
LaBoy (2011)
Berry (2008)
Schobel (2008)

The current depth at 3-4 DT: (probably keeping 4)

Dockett (2010)
Smith (2008)
Robinson (2009)
Campbell (2011)

Thus...it would seem that the Cardinals drafted Ken Iwebema to be an OLB, seeing as only Okeafor and LaBoy are signed beyond this year. The Cards are looking beyond this year on this pick.

And while one may wonder how Iwebema is going to make the roster this year, the Cards have to be concerned about the age and durability of the veterans at OLB.

With Iwebema...this is the type of player who flashes big-time talent, but hasn't stayed healthy or consistently productive enough to warrant an earier selection.

It will be interesting to hear Whiz and RG explain their thinking on Iwebema and how and where he fits in.

 

[Mulli]

So you any of you believe that he can play standing up? I don't.

The guy who used to coach him at Iowa might think so.

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

I am still scratching my head on this one.

 

[Stout]

 

[JeffGollin]

Oy vey!

Forget about need (having already drafted Calais Campbell). The high and low points of his profile are:

Good - He's got nice size and is good anchoring against the run.

Bad - His motor isn't very good, he gives up too early in pursuit and is lazy in the class room and not a self-starter in the weight room.

What's not to like?

Seriously - The only thing I can figure is that the Cardinal D-line coach came out of Iowa - correct? Maybe he knows stuff about the kid that we don't know.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

So you any of you believe that he can play standing up? I don't.

No, and nor does he have to as one of 3-4 D-ends.

Potentially we are two deep at both DE positions and nose for our 3-4 D.

Dockett (Campbell) - Watson (Branch) - Smith (Iwebema)

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

the only glimmer of hope for KI is that his best year was when Aiken was there.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

The current depth at 3-4 OLB: (probably keeping 4)

Okeafor (2009)
Haggans (2008)
LaBoy (2011)
Berry (2008)
Schobel (2008)

The current depth at 3-4 DT: (probably keeping 4)

Dockett (2010)
Smith (2008)
Robinson (2009)
Campbell (2011)

Thus...it would seem that the Cardinals drafted Ken Iwebema to be an OLB, seeing as only Okeafor and LaBoy are signed beyond this year. The Cards are looking beyond this year on this pick.

And while one may wonder how Iwebema is going to make the roster this year, the Cards have to be concerned about the age and durability of the veterans at OLB.

With Iwebema...this is the type of player who flashes big-time talent, but hasn't stayed healthy or consistently productive enough to warrant an earier selection.

It will be interesting to hear Whiz and RG explain their thinking on Iwebema and how and where he fits in.

I would seem to me, that he has an opportunity to knock off Robinson, and if not, still make the team in place of Schobel.

He's simply a depth choice based on the Cards projection that he can fit the scheme. If it works, we'd have a young two deep crew of D-lineman in the 3-4.

Dockett (Campbell) - Watson (Branch) - Smith (Iwebema)

 

[Snakester]

I thought for sure we would go for depth on the o-line with this pick. When healthy and motivated Iwebema has dominating strength for a DE. Again a 4-3 LDE or a 3-4 end. He reminds me of Antonio Smith coming out only more ability. This looks like a boom or bust pick here mainly because of his injury history, which is a long one. If he can stay healthy and take to good coaching we might have a solid player here in a couple of years.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I dont like this choice but Ithink the Cards are seeing Berry as a possible situational player now to come in fresh on third downs to rush the passer. ???

I dunno, dont like the pick and can think of 3-4 other guys would rather have.

Day 1 Cards Draft B+
Day 2 Cards Draft D

 

[JeffGollin]

I just watched his highlight reel (Thanks Omo).

You can see he has terrific closing speed, which suggests that the ability and athleticism are there - it's just a matter of his bringing it on every play - and for Coach Aiken to be able to draw it out of him.

That will be the challenge. Let us not forget that last season, there was this guy named Buster Davis who was shown the highway - it will be up to Ken to make sure the adrenalin is flowing 100% of the time and that the light bulb is perpetually "on."

 

[HookemCards]

If I was going to go DL here, I'd have taken Pressley. The second day plan seems amiss to me.

 

[Duckjake]

Has anyone posting actually seen him play? He sure looks the part in Jim O's highlight reel but as us golfers like to say you can make any course look great by taking pictures at sunset.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I just watched his highlight reel (Thanks Omo).

You can see he has terrific closing speed, which suggests that the ability and athleticism are there - it's just a matter of his bringing it on every play - and for Coach Aiken to be able to draw it out of him.

That will be the challenge. Let us not forget that last season, there was this guy named Buster Davis who was shown the highway - it will be up to Ken to make sure the adrenalin is flowing 100% of the time and that the light bulb is perpetually "on."

Sounds like as with Campbell, he has the potential to wear down easily. Luckily, we have added quite a few players to the front seven where you can tell the entire group to pin their ears back and go 100% on every play.

 

[lobo]

Oy vey!


Seriously - The only thing I can figure is that the Cardinal D-line coach came out of Iowa - correct? Maybe he knows stuff about the kid that we don't know.

........and that is the ONLY thing!

 

[Buckybird]

Put the pads on and lets see if this kid can play. I like the fact Graves and Wiz are sticking with their board and adding to our defense, it is our weakness.