Jim Dray

by Cardsfan928 on May 29, 2010 1:56 PM MDT

So I am going to be real sterotypical here, and just assume he is very smart and comes with a high football IQ, but outside of a couple of Stanford games I watched Gerhart and the Qb stole the show...I was wondering if anyone else on here knows much about him...Is he a project? Could he be just like etiher of the millers? and will the creator of the nickname "Howling Beantower" please come forward?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

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what I’ve read and listened to. He’s rated as a very good blocker but thought of as limited as a receiver. However, no less an authority than the Whiz himself thinks his receiving skills are underrated.

Right now, I’d say he’s more of a project (probably practice squad for 2010) but as noted in a previous story I think he has a decent shot at a roster spot. If he turns out to be like either of the Miller’s this draft will be legendary but that is anybody’s best guess. I know Pittsburgh picking up some guy named James Harrison as a FA didn’t set off any victory bells at the time either.

by Long Beach on May 29, 2010 2:18 PM MDT reply actions

He's also coming off of a knee injury (which I found out on here a few days ago)

so it’s possible that he’ll start out on the PUP, but more than likely go to the practice squad for a year.

by tw3kr on May 29, 2010 3:06 PM MDT up reply actions

I believe

the only player projected to possibly be on the PUP is Schofield, I think Dray has been participating in all the OTA’s to this point.

by Long Beach on May 29, 2010 3:51 PM MDT up reply actions

yeah dray from what i've read has just beening wearing a knee brace but is practicing.

by az78true on May 30, 2010 1:20 PM MDT up reply actions

He played all of last season. The knee was a previous injury but it caused him to change his game from a more receiving TE to a more blocking TE.

MBN

by mbn on Jun 7, 2010 9:30 PM MDT up reply actions

That's what I thought

Schofield is another interesting is it me or does he seem a bit undersized to play OLB in a 3-4? With his lingering back issue could schofield maybe be groomed to take Hayes place, I think hayes is one of the most underrated LB’s in the NFL considering he keeps gore and jackson pretty quiet twice a season, but a back injury is no small issue. Doesnt it seem as though we are building playmakers through depth?

by Cardsfan928 on May 29, 2010 6:54 PM MDT reply actions

Definitely

No doubt we’re building up our depth, which is something the Whiz has made a priority since he got here. Yes, that can lead to building playmakers because the higher level of competition forces everyone to bring their “A” game if they want playing time.

Completely agree about how underrated Hayes is. Very solid run stuffer who fills the non-glamorous role of the strong-side ILB in a 3-4. The only thing I wouldn’t agree on is how Schofield should be used. His size won’t be an issue at all if he’s the OLB on the weakside, speed and pass rush ability are far more important than size for that position. At 220ish (I’ve seen him listed at so many different weights I don’t know what to believe, having seen him on film he looks bigger than that) he’d be way too small to play Hayes’ position. Plus, he was a DE at Wisconsin so the transition to OLB will be a lot more natural than trying to go inside.

One last agreement, that is kind of implied in your post, we do need a better back-up for Hayes, unless Reggie Walker is that much better than I realize. Monty Beisel, as evidenced by the Saints game, is too big of a dropoff in his place. I can’t believe the coaching staff is comfortable with the idea of playing Beisel and Lenon on the inside if it comes to that. I project our NT’s to be much better this season, but at the same time I’m not expecting miracles from them either.

by Long Beach on May 29, 2010 9:19 PM MDT up reply actions

schofield plays at 240 but...

when he weighed in at the combine, he was coming off injury and lost muscle mass, hence the 220 weight.

by Ogre7 on May 30, 2010 12:18 AM MDT up reply actions

Appreciate the info

per your response I just read that he weighed in at 242 at the Senior Bowl so it’s fair to say for anyone who’s concerned about it that he’s big enough to play as an OLB in the NFL.

by Long Beach on May 30, 2010 8:22 AM MDT up reply actions

no prob

by Ogre7 on May 30, 2010 1:41 PM MDT up reply actions

I thought we were going to a L and R OLB

making them more interchangeable vs a strong and weakside OLB..

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 Jun 3, 2010 7:31 AM MDT up reply actions

Might be

not sure, since that’s the first of I’ve heard of it. If you can clarify that for me I’m open to the education because it sounds like semantics to me.

Either way, whatever we run out of this base I don’t see Schofield going inside. I may be wrong, but I cannot come up with anyone who has made the switch from college DE to Pro ILB, regardless of the scheme. Granted, it’s pretty common for a 4-3 OLB to move inside if a team switches to a 3-4 (i.e. – Dansby) but having a DE known for his pass rushing skills to go inside plays away from what his strengths are.

by Long Beach on Jun 3, 2010 1:09 PM MDT up reply actions

Schofield and Hayes

Schofield played at 243 in college and lost weight by the combine (the 220ish weight) because he didn’t eat for several weeks after his knee surgery. He easily will be into the 240s by playing time. He is very talented and graded out much like Jerry Hughes. If he returns to former form he will be the steal of the draft.

Hayes is a free agent in 2012. His back issue and age likely means his days are numbers. I would anticipate that the MIke ILB will be a high priority in 2011 draft. In the mean time I think the Cards will hope Hayes’ and Beisel’s aging backs will survive through the season.

MBN

by mbn on Jun 7, 2010 9:36 PM MDT up reply actions

Apparently Green Bay

had some interest in him as well (makes sense, in light of where he played his college ball and his skill-set). Not sure if anyone has seen this, if not it’s a pretty good article about him.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/85748082.html

by Long Beach on May 30, 2010 8:27 AM MDT reply actions