With the 130th pick... The Arizona Cardinals select LB O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin

[Shogun]

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Read & React: Very good nose for the ball playing near the line or in space. Plays faster than his timed speed indicates because of his football IQ. Aware and reads misdirection on the edge. Gets his hands up to block passes near the line.

Run defense: Takes good angles to the ball and is a reliable tackler in the open. Stands his ground very well against tackles on either side of the line considering he is undersized. Explodes into double teams. Able to punch and disengage to chase down run plays run to his side, but will be engulfed regularly by NFL offensive tackles. Beats cut blocks with his hands, recovers quickly to chase down the ball.

Pass defense: Displays the speed needed to cover tight ends and running backs downfield and in the flat. Attacks plays in front of him, takes good angles and wraps securely. Aware of screens and can take out a running back before quarterback can throw the ball. Better receivers and tight ends will separate from him using their length. Must improve the fluidity in his backpedal and drop to get into position in coverage. Inexperienced recognizing routes and will need to prove he can make the interception.

Tackling: Always hustles to the ball whether the play is on his side or he needs to chase down the line or downfield. Uses his long arms to wrap up securely, can be explosive enough to knock the ball loose. Doesn't have the size or strength to make a lot of arm tackles. Former special teams ace with a future there because of his speed and willingness to throw his body into the fray.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Relentless pass rusher. Often double-teamed and works through blocks and traffic until the ball is away. Explodes from three-point stance or when standing up, although he will be the last guy off the ball at times. Gets the corner against slower tackles and tight ends, and can push them into the pocket using his lack of height to get under their pads. Strong hands to rip off blocks and force fumbles. Stays balanced after a spin or outside-in move. Nice backfield awareness; stays home on misdirection and can disrupt passing lanes with good vertical and arm length if unable to reach the quarterback. Explodes into running back blocks.

Intangibles: Facing a nine-month rehab, at minimum, after tearing ligaments in his knee at the Senior Bowl. Team captain. Looked up to by younger teammates and respected by all players and coaches. Leader by nature, growing up in Navy household and in junior ROTC while in high school. Pushes his teammates to match his standards in the classroom, weight room and practice field.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/565191​

 

[Shogun]

O'Brien Schofield
6'2, 221 pounds | Outside linebacker | Wisconsin

Strengths: Schofield is an experienced player who reads plays really well. Quickly sniffs out and differentiates pass and run plays. Closes with a lot of speed and intensity. Has lined up in a two-, three- and four-point stance. Very athletic. Showed during offseason practices that he can drop back into coverage and still make a play. Takes nearly perfect angles when he's tracking the run to the outside.

Weaknesses: Played defensive end in college and will need to transition to a new position. Can be moved around by blockers and needs to get much stronger, particularly in his lower body. Inexperienced dropping into coverage in actual games. Struggles when he has to work to the inside and gets lost in the trash. Has a variety of pass rush moves, but executes none of them especially well. Tore his ACL during Senior Bowl practice and may be a non-factor his first year in the league.

Final word: No player benefited more during East-West Shrine Game practice than Schofield. But whatever team takes Schofield is taking a risk. His game is based on quickness and athleticism. How much that is negatively affected by the torn ACL is unknown.

When Schofield is fit, he's a dangerous pass rusher and is a heady player. He may not go until the five or sixth round, but could be a steal for a team that has patience.

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/3/31/1398276/obrien-schofield-nfl-draft

 

[SuperSpck]

This is one of those players off their "120 board".
He's dual-project, both medically and positionally, but he is a dynamite player and I'm really pleased he's on the team.

 

[Shogun]

Pick Analysis: The Cardinals take a chance on O'Brien Schofield from Wisconsin. The former Badger suffered a knee injury during the Senior Bowl, and his recovery will likely keep him out of action until training camp. However, if he fully recovers, he could give the Cardinals a versatile linebacker to add to their 3-4.

Overview

Schofield was a two-year starter for the Badgers and had a breakout season in 2009. He has a good combination of size, strength and athleticism. He is a tough, hardnosed player with good instincts and technique. He uses his hands well to ward off blockers as well as locating the ball quickly to stay active to the pile. He has shown versatility, playing with his hand on the ground and as a stand-up outside linebacker. He shows good edge quickness, pass rush moves and counters but isn't elite in this area. Schofield has good balance, lateral quickness and agility to be an effective zone coverage defender but again may be a liability in combination man schemes. He is a solid run-support defender with power on contact but isn't fluid to work through trash in pursuit. Schofield is a good football player who brings versatility to a defensive unit, but with an ACL injury sustained at the Senior Bowl his draft status is uncertain.

Strengths

Explodes off the ball and has the speed and lateral quickness to stick with tight ends in man coverage. Heady player who keeps contain and does not get fooled on screens and draws. Uses heavy hands to get inside and shed blockers and takes good pursuit angles. Plays with a mean streak and gives knock-out shots when he tackles.

Weaknesses

Tore his ACL at Senior Bowl practice in January. Lined up in a three-point stance in college and will have to learn to play in space and drop in coverage. A bit top heavy and lacks the lower body strength to be stout against power running schemes.

Grade

5.5

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2010/profiles/o'brien-schofield?id=496851

 

[Mulli]

He seems a little small, no?

 

[Shogun]

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[MadCardDisease]

In my early mock draft I had the Cards taking Schofield in the 5th round.

I really like this pick. Lots of potential if he can return to his previous form. Might not provide much this year though as he rehabs his knee.

 

[Shogun]

I like the pick and it's smart. We still get a developmental rusher, and we don't clog up the pass rush rotation since he'll be on IR.

He's a 'redshirt' pick.

 

[WisconsinCard]

think of it as we traded that pick for a next years second rounder

 

[Crazy Canuck]

O'Brien Schofield (born April 3, 1987 in Great Lakes, Illinois) is an American football defensive tackle/defensive end who is expected to play linebacker at the professional level.

As a fifth-year redshirt senior for the 2009 Wisconsin Badgers he ranked second in the nation in tackles for a loss (TFLs) and second in the Big Ten Conference in quarterback sacks. For the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, he earned several second team and honorable mention All-American recognitions by various publications.

He was a first-team 2009 All-Big Ten Conference selection. He earned the defensive MVP award at the 2010 East-West Shrine Game, but was injured during practice for the 2010 Senior Bowl the subsequent week.

 

[Shogun]

At least one team had Wisconsin LB O'Brien Schofield with a first-round grade before he blew out his knee at the Senior Bowl.

http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter/status/12770077501

 

[Goldfield]

Brown was last years redshirt. So we do this alot.

 

[Buckybird]

yeah he won't play this year this pick is definately for 2011. I'm worried about the defense not getting big enough at LB

 

[MadCardDisease]

he had a great year at Wisconson and also was the defensive MVP at the East West Shrine game:

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012310aaa.html

 

[Goldfield]

Dan Williams will make our LB's play bigger IMO.

 

[Dr. Jones]

think of it as we traded that pick for a next years second rounder

This is exactly what I thought.... And it is a shrewd move (again) by our FO.

And I like that they like Military guys....

Team captain. Looked up to by younger teammates and respected by all players and coaches. Leader by nature, growing up in Navy household and in junior ROTC while in high school. Pushes his teammates to match his standards in the classroom, weight room and practice field.

 

[Harry]

Don't totally rule him out for this year, though that is the most likely route. The medicals on him suggest there would be an option to put him on the PUP list and activate him mid-season. A great deal depends on his situation by late June.

 

[slinslin]

ACL is usually 6 months, the injury happened like 2 month ago?

Why couldn't he be ready for the season?

 

[Evil Ash]

ACL is usually 6 months, the injury happened like 2 month ago?

Why couldn't he be ready for the season?

9 months not 6 but usually its closer to a year. Its possible that he could play this year but I doubt it.

As others have said he is a good player that for all intents and purposes is redshirting this year.

 

[WisconsinCard]

ACL is usually 6 months, the injury happened like 2 month ago?

Why couldn't he be ready for the season?

6 to 9 months, everybodys heals at different rates

 

[Dr. Jones]

From the blog..... Pretty promising.....

UPDATE: Schofield says he plans to play at 245 pounds. He is listed at 221, which was his combine weight, but that was because he had just suffered the injury and lost weight. He says his timetable is to start running in mid-May and hope to start contact work sometime in camp. “I am really planning on playing this year,” he said, and coach Ken Whisenhunt compared the situation to tight end Stephen Spach, who blew out his knee about the same time of year last year and managed to play the following season.
“We feel he’s a first-round talent,” GM Rod Graves said. “We gambled a little bit and we felt like it was well worth it.”

 

[Cardiac]

I'm sure he wants/plans to play this year. Never say never but realisticly at best he will be at 85% or so. He has to adapt to the NFL game etc etc. I bet if Cody, Davis and Baggs are effective he will be IRed.

 

[TJ]

I'm sure he wants/plans to play this year. Never say never but realisticly at best he will be at 85% or so. He has to adapt to the NFL game etc etc. I bet if Cody, Davis and Baggs are effective he will be IRed.

More than likely PUPed if he cant make it by training camp

 

[Buckybird]

Cards wont take a chance, he will never play a down this year

 

[TigToad]

I'm really excited about this pick. We got a 2nd round value, at a position we need depth in. I don't mind waiting a year for a potential quality starter in the 4th round.