David Vobora
Encyclopedia
David Vobora is an American football
linebacker
for the Seattle Seahawks
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams
with the final pick (252nd overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft
, earning him the title of Mr. Irrelevant
. He played college football
for the Idaho Vandals
of the Western Athletic Conference
.
, and running back
. He was honorable mention All-Midwestern league quarterback as a senior. He was a second team all-conference linebacker as a junior and an honorable mention all-conference linebacker as a sophomore. He was also an honorable mention basketball
player as a senior.
, Vobora started 33 and ranks sixth in school history with 341 tackles (209 solo), including three sacks, 28 stops for losses. He recovered three fumbles and caused six others. He also intercepted two passes and had five pass deflections. As a senior in 2007
, Vobora was All-WAC
for the second consecutive season, and led Idaho in tackles with 148 (59 solo) and had a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2006
, he was first-team All-WAC after leading the Vandals with 134 tackles (101 solo, 33 assists) and 15.5 tackles-for-loss and four passes defensed, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries and one interception. In 2005
, he played in all 11 games and started six and finished with 43 total tackles (32 solo and 11 assists) with six tackles-for-loss and forced three fumbles and had two fumble recoveries. As a true freshman in 2004 he played in all 12 games (started three) and made 17 total tackles (12 solo, five assists). Vobora played for three head coaches (Nick Holt
, Dennis Erickson
, & Robb Akey
) in his four seasons at Idaho, and did not redshirt
.
335-pound bench press. 330-pound power clean.
, Vobora agreed to a three-year, $1.24 million contract with the Rams. After final cuts on August 30, Vobora and Kansas City's Ryan Succop
were the only Mr. Irrelevant
s to make the roster of the team that drafted them in the 2000s. His stay on the roster lasted only one game, as he was waived two days after the season opener to make room for Eddie Kennison
on September 9, moved to the Rams' practice squad.
Vobora remained on the Rams' practice squad until November 4, when he was promoted to the active roster after wide receiver
s Drew Bennett
and Dante Hall
were placed on injured reserve
.
On November 30, Vobora made his first career start at linebacker in the game against the Miami Dolphins
. This was the first time a Mr. Irrelevant started in a game during his rookie season in 14 years, not since Marty Moore
started four games for the New England Patriots in 1994. Vobora compiled five total tackles in the game, which tied for the second-best effort in team tackles, but the Rams lost 16–12.
Vobora was named the starting strongside linebacker for the 2009
season. On September 30, 2009, he was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substance policy. Vobora stated that he would sue the company that produced the supplement he took, because it contained substances that were not listed on the label. Vobora's agent, Marc Lillibridge, conceded "(The supplement) was not on the list of officially sanctioned products, and ultimately a player is responsible for anything he puts in his body." On June 20, 2011, Vobora's lawyer announced that a federal judge ruled against the company and awarded Vobora $5.4 million.
The Rams released Vobora on August 12, 2011.
on August 22, 2011, but was waived two weeks later on September 4. He re-signed with Seattle on October 4.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
with the final pick (252nd overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, earning him the title of Mr. Irrelevant
Mr. Irrelevant
"Mr. Irrelevant" is the title bestowed each year upon the last pick of the annual National Football League draft.- Irrelevant Week :The name arose in 1976, when former Southern California and NFL receiver Paul Salata founded "Irrelevant Week" in Newport Beach, California. He announced the final...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Idaho Vandals
Idaho Vandals football
The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I...
of the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
.
Early years
Vobora is a 2004 graduate of Churchill High School in Eugene, and was the team captain as a junior and senior and played linebacker, quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, and running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
. He was honorable mention All-Midwestern league quarterback as a senior. He was a second team all-conference linebacker as a junior and an honorable mention all-conference linebacker as a sophomore. He was also an honorable mention basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player as a senior.
University of Idaho
In 45 games at IdahoIdaho Vandals football
The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I...
, Vobora started 33 and ranks sixth in school history with 341 tackles (209 solo), including three sacks, 28 stops for losses. He recovered three fumbles and caused six others. He also intercepted two passes and had five pass deflections. As a senior in 2007
2007 Idaho Vandals football team
The 2007 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in NCAA Division I FBS college football during the 2007 season. Idaho competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games in the Kibbie Dome...
, Vobora was All-WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
for the second consecutive season, and led Idaho in tackles with 148 (59 solo) and had a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2006
2006 Idaho Vandals football team
The 2006 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in NCAA Division I FBS college football during the 2006 season. Idaho competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games in the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facilty on campus in Moscow, Idaho...
, he was first-team All-WAC after leading the Vandals with 134 tackles (101 solo, 33 assists) and 15.5 tackles-for-loss and four passes defensed, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries and one interception. In 2005
2005 Idaho Vandals football team
The 2005 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in NCAA Division I-A college football during the 2005 season. Idaho competed as a first-year member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games in the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus...
, he played in all 11 games and started six and finished with 43 total tackles (32 solo and 11 assists) with six tackles-for-loss and forced three fumbles and had two fumble recoveries. As a true freshman in 2004 he played in all 12 games (started three) and made 17 total tackles (12 solo, five assists). Vobora played for three head coaches (Nick Holt
Nick Holt
-External links:* - Nick Holt - Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator - 2009-* - Nick Holt - Defensive Coordinator - 2006-08* - "Holt bolts for Rams," - 07-Feb-2006* "In Holt he trusts." - 19-Aug-2006...
, Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
, & Robb Akey
Robb Akey
-External links:...
) in his four seasons at Idaho, and did not redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
.
Pre-draft
| Pre-draft measureables | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash 40 yard dash The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football... |
10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20 ss 20 yard shuttle The 20-yard shuttle, also simply called the short shuttle, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the quickness and change-of-direction ability of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
3-cone 3 cone drill The 3 cone drill, or three cone drill, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the agility, quickness and fluidity of movement of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
Vert Vertical jump A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is... |
Broad | BP Bench press The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight... |
Wonderlic | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-1 * | 236 * | 4.59 ** | 1.58 ** | 2.67 ** | 4.14 * | 6.99 * | 35½" * | 9'09" * | 21 * | 21 * | |||||||||
| * represents NFL Combine NFL Combine The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general... **represents Idaho Pro Day |
|||||||||||||||||||
335-pound bench press. 330-pound power clean.
St. Louis Rams
On July 22, 20082008 St. Louis Rams season
The 2008 St. Louis Rams season was the 71st season for the team in the National Football League and their 14th in St. Louis, Missouri. They hoped to improve upon their 3-13 record from last season but the season was a complete disaster, and their worst season ever. Not only did they fail to...
, Vobora agreed to a three-year, $1.24 million contract with the Rams. After final cuts on August 30, Vobora and Kansas City's Ryan Succop
Ryan Succop
Ryan Barrow Succop is an American football placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He is the 2009 Mr. Irrelevant after being selected by the Chiefs with the final pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.-Early years:Succop attended...
were the only Mr. Irrelevant
Mr. Irrelevant
"Mr. Irrelevant" is the title bestowed each year upon the last pick of the annual National Football League draft.- Irrelevant Week :The name arose in 1976, when former Southern California and NFL receiver Paul Salata founded "Irrelevant Week" in Newport Beach, California. He announced the final...
s to make the roster of the team that drafted them in the 2000s. His stay on the roster lasted only one game, as he was waived two days after the season opener to make room for Eddie Kennison
Eddie Kennison
Edward Joseph "Eddie" Kennison, III is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams 18th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
on September 9, moved to the Rams' practice squad.
Vobora remained on the Rams' practice squad until November 4, when he was promoted to the active roster after wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
s Drew Bennett
Drew Bennett
Andrew Russell "Drew" Bennett is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at UCLA....
and Dante Hall
Dante Hall
Damieon Dante Hall is a former American football Return specialist, and wide receiver in the National Football League. He is considered one of the greatest return specialists in NFL History...
were placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
.
On November 30, Vobora made his first career start at linebacker in the game against the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. This was the first time a Mr. Irrelevant started in a game during his rookie season in 14 years, not since Marty Moore
Marty Moore
Marty Moore and raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Moore also holds the distinction of being the first Mr. Irrelevant ever to play in a Super Bowl...
started four games for the New England Patriots in 1994. Vobora compiled five total tackles in the game, which tied for the second-best effort in team tackles, but the Rams lost 16–12.
Vobora was named the starting strongside linebacker for the 2009
2009 St. Louis Rams season
The 2009 St. Louis Rams season is the 72nd season for the St. Louis Rams, and the 15th in St. Louis. Due to the Rams winning only against the Detroit Lions, they finished with the NFL's worst record at 1–15, earning the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft in Steve Spagnuolo's first season...
season. On September 30, 2009, he was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substance policy. Vobora stated that he would sue the company that produced the supplement he took, because it contained substances that were not listed on the label. Vobora's agent, Marc Lillibridge, conceded "(The supplement) was not on the list of officially sanctioned products, and ultimately a player is responsible for anything he puts in his body." On June 20, 2011, Vobora's lawyer announced that a federal judge ruled against the company and awarded Vobora $5.4 million.
The Rams released Vobora on August 12, 2011.
Seattle Seahawks
Vobora signed with the Seattle SeahawksSeattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
on August 22, 2011, but was waived two weeks later on September 4. He re-signed with Seattle on October 4.
External links
- Go Vandals.com - David Vobora