Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Pick: Clint Sintim

As the draft nears, we here at ROTB will attempt the wet your draft appetite with as many potential Cardinals draft picks as you can handle. We'll try to give you the good and bad of each player and predict how he'll fit into the team. We're certainly not professional scouts (or even accomplished amateur scouts) but we'll still try to present the facts as we see them. With all that being said, we kick off our potential draft pick series with.....

Clint Sintim (OLB), University of Virginia

Height & Weight: 6'3, 256 lbs.

Combine Results

• 40 Yards: 4.75
  
• 20 Yards: 2.71
  
• 10 Yards: 1.58
  
• Bench: DNP (choice)
• Vertical Jump: 34 1/2
  
• Broad Jump: 9' 11"
  
• 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.40
  
• 3 Cone Drill: 7.37
  

Positives - Sintim's a versatile player with very good size and length to go along with a relentless motor. He's got a knack for getting to the QB (20 sacks between the past two years) and has the strength to shed blocks and be a factor in the running game. His strength plays to his advantage as he's a punishing tackler who doesn't shy away from contact. He reads plays well, takes good angles and has the athleticism to makes plays in pursuit. As a four year starter (after a redshirt season) and emotional leader for the Cavaliers, Sintim played through pain throughout his career and finished with 49 straight starts.

Negatives - Sintim doesn't have great straight line speed and may not be a true 'side line to side line' player. At times he'll get too high and be engulfed by bigger blockers, and needs to improve his hand work to free himself. Scouts biggest concern is his ability to drop into coverage. He wasn't asked to do that very much at Virginia and he struggled with it during Senior Bowl week looking stiff in the hips and had trouble diagnosing routes. He might not have the ability to play man coverage against backs or tight ends.

Overview: Sintim has flown under the radar during his career playing in the shadow of Chris Long in 2007, and overlooked because in 2008 the Cavaliers had a down year. Scouts worry about his ability in coverage but his productivity in college is impossible to ignore. Durability isn't a major concern but he did play through a major shoulder injury in 2006 that required surgery after the season. His versatility could allow him to play in a variety of defensive schemes and he's as experienced and accomplished as any backer in the this year's draft. His upside or ceiling might not be as high as guys like Larry English or Micheal Johnson but he's not near risk for a 'bust' pick either. A safe pick who should have a long career in the league.

Projected Round: Late 1st - Early 2nd

Why should the Cardinals draft him and how would he fit into their scheme......

Why should he be a Cardinal: For a team that struggled to put pressure on the quarterback last season and lacks depth at outside linebacker, drafting Sintim would kill two birds Niners with one stone. His pass rush chops should allow him to contribute very early on and his experience as an outside backer make the transition period much easier than other options.

How he fits into the Cardinal defense: Sintim played with his hand off the ground most of the time at Virginia but he also dropped down to defensive end and rushed the QB out of a three point stance on passing downs. That versatility could be exactly what they're looking for with a semi-hybrid scheme. He could rotate with Travis LaBoy as a rookie and move into Chike Okeafor's more traditional OLB role after a year of experience in the system. His fiery demeanor and solid locker room presence could also bode well for the Cardinals.

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Clint Sintim is certainly an intriguing prospect and looking back at our most recent mock draft roundup, two different mocks have us taking the OLB from Virginia. Draft Tek thinks we'll call his name in the first while the National Football Post thinks he'll slide to the second where we'll scoop him up. Now it's your turn, what do you think of Sintim? Has anyone watched him played up close and personal? Would he be a good fit for the Cardinals?

Also guys, if there are any draft prospects that you'd be interesting in profiling, shoot an email to revengeofthebirds@gmail.com and we'll discuss the possibilities.

Highlights of Sintim: