Skelton Drafted by Cardinals in Fifth Round

After months of evaluation and speculation, the wait is over – senior quarterback John Skelton is an Arizona Cardinal.

After some of the premier quarterbacks fell deep into the draft, the Cardinals used their fifth-round pick, No. 155 overall, on Skelton.

"We moved around, we had an opportunity and we had a high grade on this quarterback, a big guy with a good arm that, in our interviews with him, has a very good feel for the game," Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "That was an area, with only two quarterbacks on our roster, that we felt was important that we address."

The Cardinals traded cornerback Bryant McFadden to the Steelers, from whom they acquired McFadden through free agency the year before and for whom the Steelers received a compensatory fifth-round pick, for the pick with which they took Skelton. The trade had been in the works for days, according to Steelers personnel.

"I though I would get picked in the fourth round and we were all getting a little nervous," Skelton said. "I am just excited it's kind of over now."

In the months leading into the draft, there seemed to be a great deal of mutual interest from both the Cardinals and Skelton.

"Arizona was the one team out here the most," Head Coach Tom Masella said. "They were out here four, five, six times."

"In my heart of hearts I kind of always thought the Cardinals would pick me up," Skelton said in a conference call with the Arizona Cardinals. "Speaking with the coaching staff at the Combine and then having both Coach Millers [passing game coordinator Mike Miller and quarterbacks coach Chris Miller] come out to work me out and the meeting we had, in the back of my mind I always thought I would be a Cardinal."

It seems like Arizona is a perfect fit for Skelton, going forward.

"What they have done is a lot of shotgun," assistant coach Bryan Volk said. "A lot of their passing concepts are a lot like what we do."

"I believe I fit in well with their system, especially since it's similar to Fordham's," Skelton said.

According to some, Skelton resembles another big, strong-armed quarterback who Whisenhunt helped develop.

"I think I play a little bit like Ben Roethlisberger, big body, stand tall in the pocket, able to throw the ball downfield, able to avoid the rush," Skelton said. "I think I most mirror someone like Ben Roethlisberger in the NFL right now."

"Coach Whisenhunt has had a lot of success with Roethlisberger," Volk said. "John is a lot like Ben physically."

In terms of when Skelton will be able to get on the field, there is only one consensus – he has to be ready.

"I am thinking of it being a year or two down the road if [Cardinals quarterback Matt] Leinart doesn't pick it up and [Cardinals quarterback Derek] Anderson doesn't pan out," Volk said. "If he is brought into spotlight right away it will be much harder than if he is allowed to develop."

"It depends on how long it will take him to adjust, how quickly he picks up the terminology and speed of the game," Masella said. "You can't rush quarterbacks, you have to develop them. If [Skelton] can make the adjustment, he'll be fine."

Skelton marks the first Fordham athlete drafted by the NFL since Kenny Parker in 1968.

Parker, who actually played basketball, not football, at Fordham, was drafted in the 16th round.

Skelton went ahead of bigger-name quarterbacks such as Cincinati's Tony Pike and Central Michigan's Dan Lafevour. When Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy fell much further in the draft, it looked like it could be a tough day for Skelton.

However, the Cardinals believed in Skelton enough to use a fifth round pick on him.

It turned out that Skelton was not the only Ram to have his NFL dream realized last Saturday, as senior tackle Andrew Tyshovnytsky signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.

"Him and his agent felt that Indy was the best fit for him," Masella said. "All of their coaches called him."

According to Masella, Tyshovnytsky was made a high-priority free agent, and received a signing bonus.

"It is unbelievable to be drafted, but by not being drafted, he could pick his team," Volk said.