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Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Pick: Sean Weatherspoon

With the NFL Draft being only a month and a half away, now's that time where we can start discussing potential draft picks. From now until then, I'll try to list a potential pick everyday(key word being try) with the goal being when the draft comes around, everyone here will be knowledgeable about who the Cardinals may select. I'm not a professional scout but I will gather enough online resources to provide you with an accurate scouting report. We've already heard a lot of names thrown around so I thought I'd start with the popular Sean Weatherspoon:

Sean Weatherspoon, ILB, Missouri

Height and Weight: 6'1, 239 lbs

Combine Results

Drill 40-yard Bench Press Vertical Jump Broad Jump 60-yard
Result 4.68 34 40.0 10'03 11.59

History

As a freshman, Weatherspoon led the team in special teams tackles in 2005. He became a starter the following year, racking up 127 tackles(75 solo, 9.5 for a loss) and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. The following year, he became an All-American and consensus first-team all-conference selection with 155 tackles(18.5 for a loss, 5 sacks). In the Alamo Bowl, he was the defensive MVP with 17 tackles. His success continued into his senior year when he was named first-team All-Big 12 and finished the year with 104 tackles(14.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks).

Projected Round: Bottom 1st

Star-divide

Strengths

If you look at his combine results, you'll notice that he's clearly a physical specimen and workout freak. He's built like a tank and would probably turn the Cardinals weight room into his second home. Aside from his frame, Weatherspoon is also a tackling machine. As a starter at Missouri, he averaged 129 tackles per season and was the leader of the defense. He has good instincts and reaction speed and he can identify screens and bootlegs very quickly. He's a chase defender and can gain momentum downhill in a hurry. Weatherspoon is also very good against the run and has good instincts to find the ball carrier and lay a lick. He recognizes routes very well and won't hesitate to layout a receiver over the middle. He has a very deep drop and can cover a lot of space quickly. He has the speed to stay hip-to-hip with receivers and can cover running backs or tight ends over the middle. He has greet hand/eye coordination and has the hands to break up passes or intercept the ball. His tackling is top of the line and will lead whichever team that drafts him in tackles year in and year out. As a pass rusher, he is very explosive and can get off blocks in a hurry. He has a contagious work-ethic and would become one of the leaders on defense even as a rookie.

Weaknesses

Weatherspoon's aggressiveness can sometimes hurt him during games. He'll sometimes overshoot a run and can find himself staring at the back of a running back if he's not careful. He's a bit undersized to play in the middle(6'1, 239 lbs), and some teams may worry he's not the ideal inside linebacker. He tends to avoid blocks and can get lost in the shuffle as a result.  Although he's a very good tackler, he sometimes uses his shoulder to lay a big hit, which can hurt him in the NFL. He's undisciplined in open space and an elusive runner could have his way with Weatherspoon.

Overview

He does need to polish certain skills but his strengths by-far outweigh the weaknesses. With the loss of Karlos Dansby, the Cardinals find themselves considerably inexperienced and shallow at linebacker. The team may be signing Larry Foote soon but that doesn't mean they can't draft Weatherspoon and groom him for the future. His potential is through the roof and he has Jerod Mayo/Patrick Willis-type-play written all over him. Although outside linebacker is a glaring need on the defense, Weatherspoon may be too tempting to pass up for the Cardinals front office. What are your thoughts on Weatherspoon and should the Cardinals draft him?

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I think so.

Ill take as many LB’s at the moment. i want our defense to be the scariest in the league. Weatherspoon, Porter and Foote would be a nice set up.

"Victory belongs to the most Preserving" - Napoleon

"The teams that do the best job of putting personal agendas aside are the successful teams. It's not easy. That's why it's hard being a good teammate, but everyone has that choice." - Ray Allen

by AiTheLAviTiCuS#21 on Mar 9, 2010 4:22 PM MST reply actions  

I may be wrong but I think

He can play both inside & out. If he is available I think it would be a mistake to not take him.

Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.

by sc464 on Mar 9, 2010 5:31 PM MST reply actions  

+1

Ideally I’d like to see him rotated throughout all the linebacker positions his first year so we can see where he’s most comfortable and have him take over his second year. Wouldn’t be opposed to him stepping in and starting right away either if he can pull off a version of Patrick Willis in Cardinals red.

by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 9, 2010 9:40 PM MST up reply actions  

He's not an OLB in a 3-4

He’s probably capable of playing all three spots in a 4-3 but in a 3-4 he’s limited to the inside. That’s fairly common though, I can’t think of anyone who can play all four LB spots in a 3-4.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Mar 10, 2010 6:17 AM MST up reply actions  

If he is there take him.

With him, Graham, and Sapp, there are three Linebackers I like that could still be there at #26.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Mar 9, 2010 5:42 PM MST reply actions  

hes kinda like a ray lewis player....

Big mouth, hard hitter, lil undersized and non stop motor. would be a great pickup for the cards, i know he played outside but he has potential to be a MLB (which he played in the senior bowl).

by Ogre7 on Mar 9, 2010 7:32 PM MST reply actions  

I think we need to take an OT DT OG (Lupati) or TE in first round take ILB later – I like Butler from Wash. as a third round pick same size etc as Weatherspoon better value.

by lorenzothedog on Mar 9, 2010 7:43 PM MST reply actions  

Good Pick Andrew

I think Weatherspoon would be a great pick.
We need to replace Dansby and we have no quality depth at inside linebacker. I did not think Highsmith looked good when he took over for Hayes. Especially when he was covering running backs in space.

by WeiWuWei on Mar 9, 2010 9:37 PM MST reply actions  

Whiz loves athletes

and this guy fits or exceeds in every measurable. I would say Weatherspoon, Graham or if NT Dan Williams or Alabama’s Cody are available.

http://undrafteds.com/

by Undrafteds on Mar 9, 2010 9:45 PM MST reply actions  

The more I read on this kid, the more he reminds me of Dansby

Dansby wasn’t ever great at getting off blocks and his aggressiveness caused him some problems from time to time but having great athleticism will help him make more plays than most other linebackers. ’Spoon is experienced at dropping into coverage and could be a very solid 3-down linebacker in a year or two.

I say sign Foote and draft this kid. Spoon can start as a nickel LB and we can work him in slowly while still having a solid LB core.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Mar 10, 2010 6:20 AM MST reply actions  

Anybody got a mop.

I’m drooling all over the place.

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Mar 10, 2010 11:14 AM MST reply actions  

my thoughts exactly

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Mar 10, 2010 12:58 PM MST up reply actions  

Would be a nice fit

If he plays the weakside ILB position (where he projects) I don’t think his size would be a problem at 240 pounds. Lawrence Timmons is about the same size, and much like Timmons, could probably bounce outside in case of injury.

I really like his intensity as well. According to a report I read at the Senior Bowl, he was covering Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount, when Blount short-armed a pass coming his way, Weatherspoon apparently asked him why he didn’t want the ball.

by Long Beach on Mar 10, 2010 2:32 PM MST reply actions  

haha great story!

Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.

by sc464 on Mar 10, 2010 2:35 PM MST up reply actions  

Even more impressive

is that he got a 240 pound back to short arm a pass. But yeah, I love the attitude and intensity that comes with that remark.

by Long Beach on Mar 10, 2010 2:37 PM MST up reply actions  

They said in the Senior Bowl he's quite a talker

Not necessarily trash; he likes to try and pump up his teammates. Sounds like an MLB to me.

by tw3kr on Mar 10, 2010 11:01 PM MST up reply actions  

For sure!

I am like this guy more and more. To bad he might get taken before he gets to us.

They are who we thought they were!

by Jessesb on Mar 10, 2010 11:45 PM MST up reply actions  

mans a beast

mark my words if we draft him he will be a pro bowl caliber talent

by sportsfreakaz on Mar 10, 2010 7:58 PM MST reply actions  

Live and in Person

I just wanna put my two cents in on this subject…I was a photographer at the University of Missouri when ‘Spoon played there and he is a workaholic! and his attitude is infectious! He loves to be in the middle of the play…I mean yes he does kinda over pursue, and run around a block, but he wants to be near where the ball is. I’ve seen him in person and watched him as he has terrorized QB’s, made running backs think twice, and any reciever coming into his zone…well let’s just say they know 12 is out there waiting for the hit. I think in the right system and with the right coaching he’ll be a stud! But that’s just what a Mizzou person thinks…just a little biased I know :D

by TheChosen on Mar 10, 2010 11:06 PM MST reply actions  

Your "bias"

will play well around here, as there has been a recent groundswell of support for us to pick him in round one, if he’s available.

by Long Beach on Mar 11, 2010 10:45 PM MST up reply actions  

Want him badly

But we may have to trade up a little to get him. I agree that he might not get past Phi or Atl now that Atl signed Dunta Robinson.
There is no rumor about this and have no way of knowing what might happen, but it strikes me that Jax who are having financial problems would absolutely want to move down, because their main focus in this draft is getting Tebow. But #10 is way too high and Tebow may not last until they draft in the 3rd round their next choice. So here is what I envision(remember this is all in my head) Pitt trades their 18 and a 3rd for #10 and they go with Rolando McClain. Jax then trades #18 and Pitt 3rd rounder to us for #26 and our 2nd rounder which they use to get Tebow. That way everyone gets the player they want. If we move up that far, we should be able to land ’Spoon. I just hope they want him as much as I do.

by toolman234 on Mar 11, 2010 10:22 PM MST reply actions  

Anything is possible

but based on our recent history I’d be surprised if we moved up. I’d be just as surprised if Jacksonville has to use anything higher than a 3rd on Tebow.

Then again, I’ve been wrong many times before so it will be fun to see how this year’s draft plays out. I fully agree that Weatherspoon would look good in Cardinal Red.

by Long Beach on Mar 11, 2010 10:42 PM MST up reply actions  

He would be.....

The leader of this defense 4-5 years from now and lead the unit for another 8-10 years thereafter.

by toolman234 on Mar 12, 2010 10:48 AM MST reply actions  

Coming over from Rock-M-Nation

The Mizzou Tigers blog. Spoon is a beast, plain and simple. The new defensive coordinator for his senior year was a big reason for his “drop off” in tackles, had him dropping in to pass coverage more and more to help the young corners, and young defense around him in general. He is a tremendous kid, and works harder than anyone to perfect his game. Also as growing up in St. Louis with parents who are Cardinals fans, it would be great to see him on this team. Whoever drafts Spoon is getting one hell of a player

by TheHamburglar on Mar 16, 2010 4:53 PM MDT reply actions  

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