Former Arizona Cardinal O’Brien Schofield hopes to take ‘victory lap’ around University of Phoenix Stadium
Jan 28, 2015, 5:39 PM | Updated: 5:39 pm
PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals drafted O’Brien Schofield in 2010 knowing he was still recovering from a torn ACL suffered at the Senior Bowl.
They knew he would need time to round into form, but viewed him as a developmental pick, someone who they could snag at a lower draft position than his skill set would dictate because of the fact that he was not ready to play yet.
Schofield appeared in 10 games as a rookie, tallying 2 sacks, then added another 4.5 in 16 games in 2011. He appeared in just nine games the following season, but picked up 4 sacks.
The following training camp, with a new coaching staff in charge, he was cut just after taking the field for the annual conditioning test. The team had just signed veteran John Abraham and needed a roster spot.
“For the longest (time), that used to drive me crazy to even think about it because I felt like I had done enough for the organization that I would have got more decency of how they let me go,” Schofield, now a Seattle Seahawk, said at Super Bowl XLIX Media Day Tuesday at the US Airways Center. “But I mean, it’s whatever. I’m a Super Bowl champ. They had to see me twice a year. I know they didn’t want to speak to me the first year and I was perfectly fine with that.
“But there’s no need to hold any grudges. I’m still living my dream, I’m still playing ball, I’ve gotten better.”
Schofield added his game has grown since walking off the field that day in Arizona, with his coaches not saying a word to him on his way out. It was a tough time for him, but he moved on. He had no choice.
In two seasons with Seattle, the former fourth-round pick has appeared in 31 games (395 snaps), racking up 28 total tackles and three QB sacks. ProFootballFocus.com credited him with nine QB hits and 15 QB hurries, as well.
