O'Brien Schofield: Should Benefit From More Snaps

O’Brien Schofield is a six-year NFL veteran, spending his last two years in Dan Quinn’s defensive system with Seattle. By having extended playing time now that OLB Brooks Reed is out with a groin injury, expect Schofield to shine in this new role with the Atlanta Falcons.

Schofield is familiar with Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme after being a part of the Seattle Seahawks organization the last two NFL seasons. O’Brien Schofield was a rotational piece in the LB corps of the Seahawks, starting only 2 games while with the 2x NFC Reigning Champs.

He was going to play a similar role in Atlanta after joining his former Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn in Flowery Branch, after Schofield signed with the Falcons in free agency. However, Brooks Reed being placed on IR with designation to return gives O’Brien Schofield his best opportunity as a professional since he played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2012 (9 starts).

More from Atlanta Falcons

The former Wisconsin Badger will start opposite of OLB Justin Durant in the Atlanta Falcons’ 4-3 Base Defense next to a trimmed down MLB Paul Worrilow. The Atlanta Falcons’ starting linebacker unit is infinitely better than where they were last year and we’re heading into only Week 2. The unit passes the obvious eye test and O’Brien Schofield is a big part of the group’s giant leap forward in 2015.

While he only had one tackle in the Atlanta Falcons home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, Schofield played the most “free” of any Dirty Bird on defense. From what we’ve heard Dan Quinn preach about all offseason, playing a fast and physical brand of football, perhaps O’Brien Schofield best exemplified the Atlanta Falcons’ new defensive identity.

Live Feed

Falcons vs. Panthers prediction, odds, spread, injuries, trends for NFL Week 15 /

Blogging Dirty

Every NFL Team's Playoff Odds Following Week 14 (Two New Division Leaders in NFC)Betsided

NFC South Odds: Who Will Win the Worst Division in Football?Betsided

Atlanta Falcons have yet another chance to slip back into playoff picture Blogging Dirty

NFL Week 15 Survivor Pool Picks (Trust Rams, Fade Panthers in Top Predictions)Betsided

Road to 272 Bets - NFL Week 15 Picks for Every Game Betsided

I can recall at least three plays where Schofield got into the Eagles’ backfield and wreaked havoc on QB Sam Bradford. Philadelphia may have done a good job accounting for DL Adrian Clayborn on MNF, but they didn’t seem to have an answer for Schofield coming from the edge in the first half.

O’Brien Schofield should start at linebacker along with Justin Durant and Paul Worrilow at least until Brooks Reed is able to come back from his injury. With more snaps in Coach Quinn’s system and playing for great LB minds like DC Richard Smith and LB Coach Jeff Ulbrich, expect O’Brien Schofield to make it extremely difficult for Quinn to cut his playing time down when Reed returns from injury. I feel that familiar friends in a new place will bring out the best in O’Brien in 2015, playing for the Atlanta Falcons.

Next: Julio Jones Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week

More from ATL All Day

Home/Atlanta Falcons

O’Brien Schofield: Should Benefit From More Snaps

By John Buhler | Sep 17, 2015

O’Brien Schofield is a six-year NFL veteran, spending his last two years in Dan Quinn’s defensive system with Seattle. By having extended playing time now that OLB Brooks Reed is out with a groin injury, expect Schofield to shine in this new role with the Atlanta Falcons.

More from ATL All Day