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Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
General Manager Kokinis says he has the skills to play a variety of positions. Two picks unsigned
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Jul 27, 2009
Browns linebacker David Veikune, the 52nd overall pick from the University of Hawaii, has signed a four-year contract and was expected to participate in the team's rookie orientation Sunday, according to a source.
Terms were not disclosed, but the Honolulu Advertiser reported Veikune would sign a $3.5 million contract with $1.8 million guaranteed. Profootballtalk.com reported his signing bonus as just under $1.4 million.
''Probably the most important aspect of the deal was to secure a skill/injury and cap guarantee,'' said Veikune's agent, Ken Zuckerman. ''Other second [-round] contracts were coming in without that and it was very important to us to protect David.''
Zuckerman said Veikune received an increase over last year's 52nd pick and he will get the ''one-timer'' portion of his guaranteed money ($400,000) even if he is hurt or cut.
To make room for Veikune, the Browns waived wide receiver Devale Ellis.
Veikune, 6-2 and 257 pounds, totaled 16 sacks and 25 tackles for losses in his final two seasons at Hawaii, where he played defensive end. In 41 career games (15 starts), he recorded 118 tackles (78 solos), 18 sacks and 28 tackles for losses.
Browns General Manager George Kokinis raved about Veikune's versatility after drafting him in the second round.
''He's got a big-time motor,'' Kokinis said. ''He's got that versatility to put his hand in the dirt and get to the quarterback or stand up and work as an outside 'backer. He's got the size and intelligence to possibly even work inside.
''That versatility, that toughness, that motor was something we went after. He's a strong kid, he had a 35 bench [repetitions of 225 pounds] at the combine, he [vertical] jumped 33 inches, so he's got some explosion to him. He had a 28 on the [Wonderlic] test. He's a smart kid that we could probably use in a lot of positions.''
Just two of eight Browns' draft picks remain unsigned.
They are receivers Brian Robiskie of Ohio State and Mohamed Massaquoi of Georgia, both second-rounders. The Browns' first full-squad practice is Saturday.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns
Browns linebacker David Veikune, the 52nd overall pick from the University of Hawaii, has signed a four-year contract and was expected to participate in the team's rookie orientation Sunday, according to a source.
Get the full article here.
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akron, oh
Posted 06:12 AM, 07/27/2009
His favorite song is tiny bubbles.
Kandi, SL
Posted 08:05 PM, 07/27/2009
Me ke aloha, Maaaaahalo!
