Anatomy of a prospect: Virginia OLB Clint Sintim

[cowboyjoe]

Anatomy of a prospect: Virginia OLB Clint Sintim
6:00 AM Fri, Apr 10, 2009 | Permalink
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This draft board is littered with undersized pass-rushers, many of whom project as outside linebackers at the next level in a 3-4 scheme: Everette Brown, Larry English, Cody Brown, Lawrence Sidbury... That could slow their development as pros and minimize their rookie contributions. But there's no projection involved with Clint Sintim.

Al Groh, the former head coach of the New York Jets, is now the head coach at Virginia and plays a 3-4 scheme at the college level. Sintim started 49 career games at outside linebacker for the Cavaliers and set a school record for his position with 29 sacks. He led all NCAA linebackers with 11 sacks last season and finished second in 2007 with nine. So there is no guesswork with Sintim by a 3-4 team -- you draft him, you play him.

Sintim is 6-2 1/2, 256 pounds and gave the NFL a 4.75 40 at the combine. He has an arsenal of pass-rush moves from a stand-up position, all of which should make him a premium draft selection (first three rounds).

 

[Woods]

I think there's a shot he will be available at 51.

 

[cowboyjoe]

I think there's a shot he will be available at 51.

yep, i heard the cowboys might be interested in him too

 

[jterrell]

20 sacks past 2 seasons as a 3-4 OLB.

This is my guy at 51 if he is there.

But everyone seems to want a 3-4 OLB so he'll be gone is my guess.
I love guys with college production sacking the QB.

This could be our Lamarr Woodley imho.

 

[RS12]

I thought Spencer was Dallas Lamar Woodley? I would jump on Sintim, I like his production? Dont care about 4.75, that is alot of sacks in a good confrence.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

dude might drop right into our laps at 51

right now he's a one-dimensional player, but that's all we need

 

[Woods]

dude might drop right into our laps at 51

right now he's a one-dimensional player, but that's all we need

I was reading that he could play ILB in Wade's defense, which sounded a bit wierd to me . . . . but I guess he's basically a rush LB and they just let him go after the QB.

 

[jterrell]

I thought Spencer was Dallas Lamar Woodley? I would jump on Sintim, I like his production? Dont care about 4.75, that is alot of sacks in a good confrence.

Unfortunately that has been far from the case.

Spencer was a DE who had to convert and right now that move hasn't been 100% fruitful. In any case we need 3 OLBs who can play so drafting another at 51 bothers me nil.

Spencer isn't done by any means but if he is just a rotational guy we need someone under 30 to eventually rotate him with. 3-4 guys we draft seem to be able to step in and help right away. Groh is a good coach for us to tap as BP did.

 

[jterrell]

I was reading that he could play ILB in Wade's defense, which sounded a bit wierd to me . . . . but I guess he's basically a rush LB and they just let him go after the QB.

When I made that Woodley remark that is why. He seems limited to rather straight ahead play but makes plays going forward very well. Probably not ideal in space but has more explosion than his pedestrian 4.75 40 suggests.

Woodley ran a 4.8 right?

If this guy could play both ILB/OLB for us as even a backup he'd have real value as our 5th best LB. I love being able to rush from anywhere as James showed last season. It makes our defense really hard to keep off the QB.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Meh, why do we need to spend a high pick on an OLB? Unless you think Spencer can't play, which I don't. Not sure about a 4.75 guy anyway. Spencer did like a 4.69 and people were afraid he was too slow.

I'm sure with all the new 34 teams, someone will take this decision out of our hands anyway.

 

[jterrell]

Meh, why do we need to spend a high pick on an OLB? Unless you think Spencer can't play, which I don't. Not sure about a 4.75 guy anyway. Spencer did like a 4.69 and people were afraid he was too slow.

I'm sure with all the new 34 teams, someone will take this decision out of our hands anyway.

Terrell Suggs ran a 4.81 40 and Lamarr Woodley ran a 4.72(i went head and checked).

Spencer seems plenty fast, he needs a lot of work however on technique.

 

[RS12]

Meh, why do we need to spend a high pick on an OLB? Unless you think Spencer can't play, which I don't. Not sure about a 4.75 guy anyway. Spencer did like a 4.69 and people were afraid he was too slow.

I'm sure with all the new 34 teams, someone will take this decision out of our hands anyway.

Right now you have a 33 year old Brooking, and Barbie as your backup. Ellis wont be around much longer, not sure he isnt gone within two weeks. Give me an impact guy at 51 anywhere. Sintim seems as safe a pick, and likely to be impact as any IMO.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Sintim played all over the place in Virginia's 3-4 defense. He may be the most ready-to-go prospect we have a shot at.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Brooking=33 years old
Ellis= 34 years old
Spencer=questionable
Barbie= ummm...

We need to replenish our LB core with youth and talent. Sintim is the most polished 3-4 OLB in the draft. If he fell and Jerry grabbed him I would not be upset at all. You can never have enough pass rushers. Plus the last Virginia product we picked went pretty well.

Sintim,Spencer and Ware would be a very good pass rush. Plus you can use Sintim all over the field blitzing.

 

[Rampage]

Brooking=33 years old
Ellis= 34 years old
Spencer=questionable
Barbie= ummm...

We need to replenish our LB core with youth and talent. Sintim is the most polished 3-4 OLB in the draft. If he fell and Jerry grabbed him I would not be upset at all. You can never have enough pass rushers. Plus the last Virginia product we picked went pretty well.

Sintim,Spencer and Ware would be a very good pass rush. Plus you can use Sintim all over the field blitzing.

which is why we will probably have no shot at him. but if he's there within range of our 1st pick Jerry should do whatever it takes to make it happen.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

which is why we will probably have no shot at him. but if he's there within range of our 1st pick Jerry should do whatever it takes to make it happen.

True..there's a bunch of 3-4 teams that pick ahead of us in the 2nd round. I highly doubt he goes in the 1st. He could slip though and I would rush to the podium if he was there. He could be a 8-10 sack guy on a yearly basis playing opposite Ware. I'd still have Spencer rushing the passer on 3rd downs along with Ware and Sintim.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Several of you guys mentioned how we have no ILBs -- which is definitely true -- and then said we should draft an OLB. Why?

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Several of you guys mentioned how we have no ILBs -- which is definitely true -- and then said we should draft an OLB. Why?

I said we should draft both. Ellis is 34 and I mention Sintim for his replacement. I know we have Spencer, but you can never have enough pass rushers. Brooking is 33 and Carpenter is just crap so we need a ILB also to groom.

 

[28 Joker]

I have not been real crazy about Sintim at 51. His upside may be limited, but he's solid now. What scares me is this. That is what they said about Carpenter.

However, the Cowboys could do a lot worse.

Bunting has Sintim rated as an OLB and ILB in a 34. Perhaps, he can perform both roles and give a team solid depth inside and outside. Sintim's workouts have not been good, but he put up double digit sacks last year in the ACC. If Sintim goes before 51, it will be because of his ability to play outside and inside, imo.

However, I don't want to draft a guy at 51 and have him turn into Bobby Carpenter.

I want a third pass rusher who can drop into coverage. Sintim is stiff and not very fast. Coverage isn't going to be is friend.

If Sintim could give Dallas the sacks/pressure as a third rusher and not cost $ 6.25 million dollars, even if he's is a liability in coverage, he would be a good addition.

His versatility would add depth to 2 positions.

OLB and Bradie James' spot

 

[RS12]

I have not been real crazy about Sintim at 51. His upside may be limited, but he's solid now. What scares me is this. That is what they said about Carpenter.

However, the Cowboys could do a lot worse.

Bunting has Sintim rated as an OLB and ILB in a 34. Perhaps, he can perform both roles and give a team solid depth inside and outside. Sintim's workouts have not been good, but he put up double digit sacks last year in the ACC. If Sintim goes before 51, it will be because of his ability to play outside and inside, imo.

However, I don't want to draft a guy at 51 and have him turn into Bobby Carpenter.

I want a third pass rusher who can drop into coverage. Sintim is stiff and not very fast. Coverage isn't going to be is friend.

If Sintim could give Dallas the sacks/pressure as a third rusher and not cost $ 6.25 million dollars, even if he's is a liability in coverage, he would be a good addition.

His versatility would add depth to 2 positions.

OLB and Bradie James' spot

Read in the Sporting News article about him Al Groh, said he was actually good in coverage. This was within last few months.