Arizona Cardinals Positional Breakdown: Questions At Linebacker
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 1, 2011 2:53 PM MDT
in NFL Offseason/Free Agency
Email
Print
Taking a look at the current Cardinals roster you will see a total of 11 linebackers, which includes our two rookies Quan Sturdivant and Sam Acho.
Despite surprising play from rookie linebacker Daryl Washington and FA pickup Paris Lenon, the LB core performed dismally last year and has left us fans with questions about the future of the position with the Cards, especially at the OLB position.
After the break is a list of the current LB's on the roster.
53
Haggans, Clark
LB
ACT
6'4"
243
1/10/1977
12
Colorado State
51
Togafau, Pago
LB
ACT
5'11"
242
1/10/1984
3
Idaho State
56
Walker, Reggie
LB
ACT
6'0"
244
12/15/1986
3
Kansas State
52
Obiozor, Cyril
LB
ACT
6'4"
249
9/26/1986
2
Texas A&M
55
Porter, Joey
LB
ACT
6'3"
248
3/22/1977
13
Colorado State
54
Hayes, Gerald
LB
ACT
6'1"
250
10/10/1980
9
Pittsburgh
59
Davis, Will
LB
ACT
6'2"
257
6/2/1986
3
Illinois
51
Lenon, Paris
LB
ACT
6'2"
240
11/26/1977
10
Richmond
Sturdivant, Quan
LB
UDF
6'1"
241
12/5/1988
0
North Carolina
Acho, Sam
LB
UDF
6'2"
262
9/6/1988
0
Texas
58
Washington, Daryl
LB
ACT
6'2"
230
10/9/1986
2
Texas Christian
First look gives us the usual suspects, Haggens, Porter, and Hayes as well as relative unknowns like Cyril Obiozor, Will Davis, Pago Togafau and Reggie Walker whom have played very few snaps during the course of their careers.
As the starters and rookies have been well documented we will take a look at the lesser known men and see if any of them offer potential to contribute next season.
Togafau has been in the league four years and has played a total of 15 games with no starts, while being inactive all of 2010. Togafau has decent athleticism running a 4.64 forty at just around 240lbs. He was 1st team all-conference in the Big Sky, a D1-AA division, for Idaho State. Scout.com says he has good instincts and aggressiveness and needs improvement in pass coverage and lateral movement.
Walker is going into his 3rd year as a pro and has played a total of 18 games all for the Cardinals. Though in those 18 games he has only registered 20 tackles, most of which were on special teams and limited action on the field. His strengths coming into the draft can be seen here Reggie Walker.
Obiozor has bounced around the league starting with Strohman's beloved Green Bay Packers, the Chargers and is now with the Cardinals. He has played in a total of 13 games, 6 with the Cardinals but only registered 4 tackles, all on special teams. He runs a 4.74 40 at 249lbs. His strengths and weaknesses can be read here Cyril Obiozor. Overall it states him as having the tools but just not ever producing.
Davis is entering his third year with the Cards as a converted DE from Illinois. Davis has played in 21 games with 3 starts for the Cards registering 33 total tackles and 3 sacks and is by and far the most productive of the group listed here. If not for a leg injury last season is it definite that he would have a contributing member of the LB core. His strengths and weaknesses from the draft can be found here Will Davis.
Going into next year I can see Davis fighting for a starting spot among the OLB's. He is an underrated player that while not the most athletic is tenacious in his pursuit. Him and O'Brien Schofield could turn into a nice tandem with Sam Acho spelling them. Add in Daryl Washington and it appears on paper the the Cards have a young and talent group of LB's that could greatly help new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.
Throw in Dan Williams, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Greg Toler and Patrick Peterson and it has become apparent the Cardinals have gone through a complete youth movement on defense. All that waits is to see if the youth can perform at the level we all hope for.
75 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
D-Wash looks like a stud
But we all know that he, along with DRC, Dockett, Toler, Campbell, a 1st round pick, and a bag of chips will be traded to Philly for Kolb so back to the drawing board there…
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Phoenix Suns/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
No kidding
Kolb<Leinart…and if we had kept him around we wouldn’t be trading anything away although his salary was supposed to balloon wasn’t it?
by Cardsfan928 on Jul 1, 2011 5:55 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
So you really think that Leinart is better than Kolb? Excuse me while I go and laugh my ass off. Do yourself a favor, watch the games and don’t scout with box scores.
Reid's system
makes Qb’s appear better than they are…See the guy that lead the Eagles to 5 conference games. Wasn’t looking to good in Washington and I find it hard to believe he fell into the grand canyon
by Cardsfan928 on Jul 1, 2011 7:31 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
U think maybe the quality of the Team he was traded to had anything to do with that?
Who were his wide receivers? seriously name them. How about being behind one of the only O-lines in the league that made our line look good. The skins D is also in sad shape. The only guy Donovan could count on was Chris Cooley and he was constantly double covered.
His system is a QB friendly system. That is true.... But it works both ways he has had Good Qb's to run his system.
The man knows how to develop Qb’s.
Because in another comment section someone called Andy Reid’s system “QB friendly” and then advocated trading for Kyle Orton.
so
those aren’t mutually exclusive statements.
Reid has a long track record of being QB friendly and for being able to develop/evaluate talent. McDaniel’s is a horrible talent evaluator and is an offensive coordinator as a ceiling.
Tom Brady connection lends relevancy.
Not to Kolb or Leinart but in regard to “system quarterbacks” in general and the question of Orton’s ability.
McDaniels was QB coach then offensive coordinator at New England from 2004 to 2008. Of course Brady was in the league for 4 years prior and had been a starter for 3. McDaniels didn’t mold Brady into a great QB. They did however set some records for scoring under McDaniels.
Orton didn’t have the same level of talent around him but put up huge numbers in Denver. Does McDaniels system make Orton look better than he is?
McDaniels really botched his first opportunity as a head coach. No doubt about that.
I wanted McDaniels
because McDaniels would be Haley 2.0 and our offense did not help the D’s cause, but on a positive note at least they know what they will be up for this season when it comes to the workout routine.
Offensive coordinator
I would have been quite surprised if anyone other than Mike Miller had been named coordinator. Would have been interesting to bring in McD though.
And I’m sure that the team had nothing to do with that, right? Because it’s totally realistic to expect a QB to perform well when he is throwing to Anthony Armstrong, Santana Moss and Joey Galloway and handing the ball off to Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams while playing behind the offensive line equivalent of the U.S. Border (am I doing it right Arizonans?).
QB friendly system
If it were all system then you can say the same of all teams that run a version of the WCO. Reid is among the best QB coaches in the NFL.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
To around 12 million.
There were clearly more issues with Leinart than on field performance. If he hadn’t thrown a hissy fit when they wanted to look at Derek Anderson in the preseason he may not have burnt that last bridge and be the starter today. That payday looming didn’t help him out any either. Still couldn’t say at this point which QB is really better. Neither have a significant track record to judge by. Leinart could have found himself on the chopping block this year rather than Derek Anderson had he not performed outstandingly as the Cardinals QB. Instead he got trucked out. Regardless, Leinart is water under the bridge now.
No, it’s pretty apparent that Kevin Kolb is better than Matt Leinart. When Kevin Kolb starts he actually produces, Leinart doesn’t. In 5 starts with starters around him that Kolb finished he has 1528 yards, 9 TD passes, 6 INTs (2 of which came on last second Hail Marys), 64.7% of passes, 7.91 YPA and 1 rushing touchdown. In addition to that he has won NFC Offensive Player of the week twice. That is more than Leinart ever achieved. Kevin Kolb is better than Leinart in just about every facet of the game, arm strength, accuracy, mobility, leadership etc. etc.
It’s really not even close. There is a reason Kevin Kolb is the most sought after QB in the NFL right now and Matt Leinart isn’t even going to be retained as the Texans third string QB.
Leinart
had some nice games in his rookie season, and Kolb is sought after because there isn’t anyone else on the market. I for one am not buying in on the hype train, after his game against the Falcons, who puts someone with that kind of production back to second on the depth chart
after his game against the Falcons, who puts someone with that kind of production back to second on the depth chart
Well keep in mind that up to that point Michael Vick had been playing on an entirely different level than anyone else in football.
True,
I wanted Vick here, and at the time with Leinart on the roster having two lefties could make some interesting position match ups I will only except Kolb if the trade involves Washington and Orakpo ends up in Arizona as well.
I doubt Vick would have been nearly as good if he never went to Reid's system.
The year he spent learning from Donovan McNabb was the turning point in his career. McNabb taught him how to be a Professional level NFL Quarterback. I somehow doubt that Leinart would have been able to teach him that.
Who is more exciting to watch? Vick or Kolb? Who is harder for defenses to stop?
Vick on tv = $$$$$
$$$$ makes the world go round
by CardsDefense on Jul 1, 2011 11:49 PM MDT up reply actions
Your completely CHOSING to ignore Kolbs production.
In 5 starts with starters around him that Kolb finished he has 1528 yards, 9 TD passes, 6 INTs (2 of which came on last second Hail Marys), 64.7% of passes, 7.91 YPA and 1 rushing touchdown. In addition to that he has won NFC Offensive Player of the week twice.
Thats about 300 yds per game, 65% completion rate, almost 8 yd per attempt, and almost 2 TD’s per game. Extrapolated over a season. Thats well over 4000 yds, and almost 30 TD’s! What about those numbers isn’t appealing to you?!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
The youth
can’t really perform any worst than the longtooth’s can they?
LB
There is a good deal of potential and IMO, some excess baggage. Porter and Haggans are well past their best and in need of replacement. Obiozor is complete baggage. He has some (average) physical ability, but absolutely no football instincts or football intelligence. Can’t say I know much about the rest of the guys mentioned. Generally if they are in their 3rd year they should be hitting their stride. Any player in his 3rd season, but hasn’t seen the field much should be getting replaced.
I like Washington and Schofield alot. Both have potential to be very good players, just don’t realistically think pro bowl type players. Acho has some ability, but I am not sold on his converting to OLB. From watching his game film/highlites, I noticed he seemed to line up more as a DT, than a DE or OLB. So he is hard to judge as an OLB prospect. But he has some talent and the type of measurable to give him a chance. Davis I know next to nothing about, except what little I read from the link. His 40 time is a little disturbing, but sounds like he has some physicality. If he had trouble turning the corner in college, as the link states, his potential as an NFL OLB is pretty limited. Sturdivant is a kid w/ NFL game, but from what I saw he played the same type of game as Washington, so IDK if he is a starter. Maybe he can bulk up and be the run stuffing ILB to compliment Washington. But from what I saw he was more a Weak ILB, than Strong ILB.
Its a group w/ some good young talent, that IMO, needs a better run stuffing ILB and a dominant pass rushing OLB to complete them. At this point I don’t see them on the team. Just my opinion… Not trying to sell anyone short and really hope that Washington, Schofield and Sturdivant can all play at the same time. Leaving just the elite pass rushing OLB as the missing piece to make them complete. The backups seem to be good enough for now, w/ better depth in the form of Acho\Davis at OLB. Don’t know about the ILB depth…
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
ILB depth as the roster now stands
is Quan Sturdivant and Reggie Walker. Gerald Hayes will be released. Walker is kind of a bubble player. The lock out may help him out. Paris Lenon and Daryl Washington will lock down the starting positions. Togafau may be helped by the lock out too, though he was stuck on the practice squad all last season. There is not an ideal strong side ILB there. After drafting Sturdivant it will be a low priority in free agency. I don’t expect any other new faces but hope I’m wrong about that.
It's hard to argue with your assessment.
We really don’t have a thumper in the middle, but hopefully Dan Williams will gobble up the middle and help those guys out. If not, like I said in another post, we are going to be soft in the middle.
I hope Davis can be a very physical bull rusher like Woodley (not comparing them, just hoping he fills that role) and O’Brian can counter with his speed and athleticism. The guy was a fringe first rounder before his injury.
I see a lot of potential but I am not 100% it’s going to pan out.
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 1, 2011 6:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Schofield has the talent to be a elite pass rushing OLB. Acho has the talent to be good solid player.
by McCollum, Travis on Jul 1, 2011 6:42 PM MDT up reply actions
I worry we are over hyping Acho and Sturdivant.
Hopefully that pan out, but I’m not sold on either one.
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 1, 2011 6:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Like i said I think he can be a good solid player nothing elite or great but solid and someone you can trust to just do his job.
by McCollum, Travis on Jul 1, 2011 6:57 PM MDT up reply actions
Acho has impressed already.
I understand why people get their hopes up with him. Sturdivant on the other hand slipped to the 6th round. He could be a steal as a 6th rounder, but what are the expectations of Sturdivant as a 6th to say, Daryl Washington? Would he be looked upon as highly if he were drafted earlier? I don’t think so. There would be more scrutiny. Ultimately I’m never sold on any player until they’ve actually accomplished something. I do have some high hopes that these two deliver.
Draft reports on Sturdivant.
NFL… “Sturdivant’s draft stock dipped after missing five games this past season with a hamstring injury, but he is athletic enough to eventually become a starter at the next level. He is a smart football player that flows to the ball and shows a good closing burst. He gets in good position and shows the ability to anticipate routes in zone coverage, and he maintains speed in transition which makes him effective in man. He lacks the necessary bulk and strength to take on blockers and can is engulfed in phone booth situations too often. Sturdivant is likely a third round pick.”
CBS had him as #87 overall, again 3rd round.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
A lot of people had him graded higher.
He still fell to the 6th round. Being that he fell, if he plays well it will be a great pick for the Cardinals. If he played the same level but was drafted in the 3rd it would not be considered as notable. There is always a question about why a player fell. Just because speculators ranked him well doesn’t mean that team evaluators did too. I’m not trying to say anything negative about Sturdivant. The kid hasn’t even had a shot at doing anything yet. I just think, as I believe Jesse does, that some people are setting their expectations too high right off the bat for both these guys. The same expectations were piled on Cody Brown. He never even saw a regular season game.
couldn't agree more.
I just think, as I believe Jesse does, that some people are setting their expectations too high right off the bat for both these guys
Just pointing out his ability and potential. I wouldn’t be counting on anything from him just yet either. It seems to be a common problem here…
Washington and Schofield have alot to prove too… You’ve only seen glimpses of them, but most seem to think they are All Pro’s waitiing to happen.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Washington and Schofield
Washington was playing lights out. His game is far from perfect yet (otherwise he wouldn’t have lost his job to Hayes even briefly). I do believe he will be every bit as good as Dansby if not better. He is still on the learning curve though. I felt that it only hurt his development when Hayes went back into the lineup. The team was clearly better with Lenon / Washington than with Hayes / Lenon.
Schofield I have no set expections of, only hopes. He pulled through a nasty injury way ahead of time. The fact that he played at all last season was a triumph for him. That injury is why we got him in th 4th round so hopefully fully recovers and lives up to the ratings he had prior to it.
With Acho and Sturdivant, and also Davis as well the Cardinals have swung the pendulum from being the oldest linebacking crew in the nfl to having a stable of young players. Things won’t completely come together this year for them but there is at least some reason for hope there. Prior to the 2010 draft this youth movement was what most fans were crying out for. Time will tell how it works out.
Washington is a lot faster than Dansby ever was
by CardsDefense on Jul 1, 2011 11:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Dansby is also much bigger, stronger and better against the run than Daryl Washington will likely ever be. Also at this point Dansby is the better blitzer but Washington’s athletic ability will likely eventually make him the better blitzer.
Washington at his best reminds me of Lawrence Timmons which isn’t an insult, Timmons is one of the best linebackers in the game.
agreed.
D. Wash is better in coverage and has the speed to match up with Tight Ends better than Dansby ever could. D. Wash and K. Dansby are different styles of player. I’m definetily a fan of both and hope both continue to play well
by CardsDefense on Jul 2, 2011 10:01 AM MDT up reply actions
Eh oh Dansby
He fled us for money, call me bitter but I do resent him for it.
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 2, 2011 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions
D-Wash
Way faster. I think he will become a great blitzer. His coverage skills are definitely better than his run stopping. His side to side play is fast and relentless which will help on runs going outside the tackles. Cards need to partner him up with a thug to stuff the middle.
Oh I agree theres hope!
What I’m saying is neither has played enough to be a proven commodity. They have potential, but haven’t done it over the course of a season or 2. Which means opponents haven’t studied them to find way to exploit them. How they react after teams start attacking their weaknesses will determine the outcome of their careers. In short, they have alot to prove yet.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Agreed
Acho=Vrabel 2.0…nothing flashy, but when the critical third down in the 4th quarter comes….SACK….
Acho as Vrabel 2.0 is just completely unrealistic. Acho wasn’t even that good in college as a pass rusher. He is good dropping back into coverage and supporting the run but he isn’t a dynamic pass rusher. If Acho ever develops into anything other than a solid starting 3-4 SLB I will be surprised.
Why
Vrabel didnt really ever have a signature move or blinding speed around an edge, but he rarely made mistakes and made the critical plays late in games.
If Acho is Vrabel 2.0 we lucked out
But I agree with D-jack, I think it’s way to premature. We don’t even know his play style as a 3-4 LB
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 2, 2011 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions
What we know of Acho
at this point is mainly that he is dedicated, smart and not at all caught up in his own ego. Can’t wait to see him on the field.
It is premature
but the fact that Adub gave him an endorsment on already knowing the entire playbook makes me think he may be the first jersey I buy for this draft class.
I love Schofield but I think this
Schofield has the talent to be a elite pass rushing OLB
Is really over rating him. I’m a Badger fan and have watched him quite a bit. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see elite in him. If your right, we’ll both be very happy.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
2 sacks in 2 games
inside of a season he was supposed to miss all of, I’d say that’s some serious potential, everyone talking head called him the steal of the draft. We’ll be able to accurately grade the 08 drafts after this season.
Not to argue
But when nobody knows who you are or that your even on the field it isn’t too hard to make a play.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Agreed to both
I think it is impressive that A he even played at all and B that he produced some sacks. But everything changes when a team starts scheming to account for you.
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 2, 2011 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions
Curtis Gatewood. Another practice squad LB.
Just to complete the list. Not expecting anything there.
Brandon Sharpe
Athletic, 15 sacks his senior year in college. Didn’t play much prior to that. This’ll be his second season in the NFL. I assume he needed seasoning and possibly conditioning, recording significant time in only one of his college seasons. If any of the practice squad/bubble guys can add some competition to the OLB group, I’m thinking it’s him.
Gatewood was a solid performer in college, but yeah, he’s been bouncing around the league a while and just hasn’t shown up.
When was he added?
I totally missed him on the roster. He’s not on the list Urban put out for contract status. Must have been after Obiozor was signed. They cut loose everyone else at the end of preseason last year.
Acho may have spent more time at DT vs DE and LB...
but so did Davis. He seems to be turning the corner though. All hope isn’t lost yet.
If you don't have anything good to say about the Cards this season, you'd be correct.
by hevchv on Jul 1, 2011 7:13 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Nice post Jesse
I think our D will lok something like this:
CC, DW, DD on the line
Davis, OScho @ OLB
DWash, Lenon @ ILB
PP7, DRC, Toler as top 3 CBs in some variety
AW, KR @ Saftey obviously.
Issue with our defense is threefold: No depth, uncertainty how the potential of the young pass rushers will play out, and the lack of a run thumping ILB alongside the playmaking Dwash.
Davis and OScho might turn out to be solid OLB and for a good pass rush. The potential is certinly there, and Acho has some strong potential too. Sturdivant could play alongside DWash, and by the looks of it we would have 2 athletic, fast ILB that might be a small liability against the run. However, with our Line being as strong as it is, that might be enough in the middle of the D.
ADub is getting old no doubt, but he has a few more years in him. Our secondary will be one of the better secondaries in the league as it stands now. Re-signing Branch, and adding another DL for depth is a necessity IMO. With a less predictable DC in Horton, we might have a stronger defense than most people realize.
We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!
"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen
Also agree
And thanks Rob.
I really think, like our young players, we have good potential for our D. If Dan Williams shows up next season and plays even average at NT I think our 3-4 line has to be considered one of the better ones. Hopefully as you said that will help protect our ILB’s.
One thing I really see with our D is that I believe we will do really well with a lead. With PP, DRC and Toler all able to play man and the dual blitzing threats of AW and Rhodes I think we will able to put a lot of pressure on teams. Though we are built different, it reminds me of how Indy’s D is designed with Matthis and Freeney wrecking havoc once the team has a lead.
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 2, 2011 11:23 AM MDT up reply actions
+1 As well
I agree with everything but I could see as a snag in what you guys are saying. If I’m not misunderstanding, what happens if Whiz decides to have some of these rookies such as PP, Acho etc.. ride the bench and learn before playing? They may not see much playing time till the following season.
Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.
2012 season
That’s when the defense should be decent if it’s going to be. A lot of change to assimilate in a shortened time frame this year. Also talking about several new pieces again with Peterson and possibly two new starters at OLB. New DC. Some new position coaches. This defense wasn’t very good last season. It is a bit much to expect it to suddenly be an upper echelon defense this season.
Acho has a lot of competition to overcome before getting play time. I don’t expect him to get a ton of it. Peterson should be in the mix early, probably taking over a starting spot by mid year.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Revenge of the Birds
Related FanShots on Revenge of the Birds
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
