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By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 12:54 p.m. EST, Feb 18, 2009
For once, the Browns' timing might be right.
They are in desperate need of linebackers, especially those with speed, and the NFL Draft this year is loaded with them.
''This is a great year for outside linebackers, especially when you're talking about 4-3 defensive ends in college who are expected to stand up and play rush linebacker,'' NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said on a recent conference call. ''It's the deepest group of 3-4 outside linebackers I've seen in the last five or six years.''
Browns coach Eric Mangini and General Manager George Kokinis will continue the team's search for defensive upgrades this week at the NFL Scouting Combine, which opened Wednesday and runs through Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Among the area players participating are Ohio State running back Chris Wells (Garfield High School) and receiver Brian Hartline (GlenOak) and Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton (Hoban).
The Browns hold the fifth overall pick but have only four selections in the April 25-26 draft, in the first, second, fourth and sixth rounds. Former General Manager Phil Savage dealt away the others for tight end Martin Rucker, receiver Paul Hubbard and cornerback Travis Daniels.
Many mock drafts have the Browns selecting Wake Forest outside linebacker Aaron Curry, whom Mayock said ''might be the safest pick in the entire draft.''
''He's a little different,'' Mayock said. ''He's a 4-3 (strong side) linebacker who dominated the tight end, but I could see him converting to a 3-4 outside linebacker. He rushes well, he drops well, he's a fifth-year kid, he's mature. He's scheme-diverse. He's intelligent.''
Mayock said he expects Curry will get a long look from Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli, who holds the third pick.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is one of those who projects Curry to the Browns. But he didn't seem as high on him as Mayock.
''He probably falls into that category as the safest guy, maybe not a boom, but not a bust,'' Kiper said. ''Curry doesn't have any real weaknesses, although he's not as fast as some would prefer.''
Kiper expects Curry's 40 time will probably be in the 4.6 range and doesn't put him in the same category as Jerod Mayo, the NFL's defensive rookie of the year who was picked 10th overall by the New England Patriots.
But Kiper said Larry English of Northern Illinois and Clay Matthews Jr. of USC are the best pass-rushing outside linebackers in this draft. Another standout is USC's Brian Cushing. Kiper projects Cushing going 23rd to the Patriots, English 24th to the Atlanta Falcons and Matthews between 22-32.
It makes for an ideal situation for the Browns to trade down, especially to acquire more picks.
''To trade down, they could possibly go as far as they wanted, could drop into the 20s,'' Kiper said.
Mayock believes that Cushing will be a strong side linebacker in a 4-3 defense, although some teams believe he could play inside in a 3-4.
''He's unafraid of anything,'' the NFL Network's Charles Davis said of Cushing. ''He's very instinctive, will light you up. His best football is ahead of him.''
Mayock said Matthews, son of the former Browns linebacker, ideally would play the weak side in a 4-3.
''I've only seen him play once with his hand down, then they stood him up,'' Mayock said. ''But he's USC's two-time special teams player of the year. He's got a chip on his shoulder. His dad, uncles and brothers all played big-time football and he didn't get a scholarship offer from USC. When he came in he was a 195-pound safety, now he's 250. He will outwork people, although he's not as naturally gifted as his father. He could be a second-round pick and three years ago he was a walk-on.''
Mayock also suggested Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, who will be a stand-up rush linebacker in the NFL, as another possibility for the Browns besides Curry. Another in the Orakpo mold is Penn State's Aaron Maybin.
''He's got great potential, will be an excellent pass rusher from day one,'' Mayock said of Maybin. ''Playing against the run and dropping in coverage, he's a project.''
Analysts agree that the cream of the inside linebacker crop is USC's Rey Maualuga and Ohio State's James Laurinaitis and after that there is a big drop-off. But Kiper said the Browns have to find a way to get a pass rusher.
''They need a running back, they could use a right tackle opposite Joe Thomas, they need a corner, they have a lot of needs,'' Kiper said of the Browns. ''But they can get a running back later. A pass rusher is the most important thing they need.''
Some suggest Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins could be a possibility for the Browns at No. 5, but Mayock said Jenkins ''could prove to be a Pro Bowl free safety in the NFL rather than a Pro Bowl corner.'' Kiper believes that Jenkins might fall out of the top 10 if he doesn't turn in a fast 40 time and said, ''This combine is as important for Malcolm Jenkins as anybody in this draft.''
''If you're the Browns sitting at No. 5, do you want the No. 1 or No. 2 outside linebacker or the No. 1 or No. 2 corner?'' Mayock said. ''To me the linebackers are more valuable this year because they're better players.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
For once, the Browns' timing might be right.
They are in desperate need of linebackers, especially those with speed, and the NFL Draft this year is loaded with them.
''This is a great year for outside linebackers, especially when you're talking about 4-3 defensive ends in college who are expected to stand up and play rush linebacker,'' NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said on a recent conference call. ''It's the deepest group of 3-4 outside linebackers I've seen in the last five or six years.''
Browns coach Eric Mangini and General Manager George Kokinis will continue the team's search for defensive upgrades this week at the NFL Scouting Combine, which opened Wednesday and runs through Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Among the area players participating are Ohio State running back Chris Wells (Garfield High School) and receiver Brian Hartline (GlenOak) and Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton (Hoban).
The Browns hold the fifth overall pick but have only four selections in the April 25-26 draft, in the first, second, fourth and sixth rounds. Former General Manager Phil Savage dealt away the others for tight end Martin Rucker, receiver Paul Hubbard and cornerback Travis Daniels.
Many mock drafts have the Browns selecting Wake Forest outside linebacker Aaron Curry, whom Mayock said ''might be the safest pick in the entire draft.''
''He's a little different,'' Mayock said. ''He's a 4-3 (strong side) linebacker who dominated the tight end, but I could see him converting to a 3-4 outside linebacker. He rushes well, he drops well, he's a fifth-year kid, he's mature. He's scheme-diverse. He's intelligent.''
Mayock said he expects Curry will get a long look from Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli, who holds the third pick.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is one of those who projects Curry to the Browns. But he didn't seem as high on him as Mayock.
''He probably falls into that category as the safest guy, maybe not a boom, but not a bust,'' Kiper said. ''Curry doesn't have any real weaknesses, although he's not as fast as some would prefer.''
Kiper expects Curry's 40 time will probably be in the 4.6 range and doesn't put him in the same category as Jerod Mayo, the NFL's defensive rookie of the year who was picked 10th overall by the New England Patriots.
But Kiper said Larry English of Northern Illinois and Clay Matthews Jr. of USC are the best pass-rushing outside linebackers in this draft. Another standout is USC's Brian Cushing. Kiper projects Cushing going 23rd to the Patriots, English 24th to the Atlanta Falcons and Matthews between 22-32.
It makes for an ideal situation for the Browns to trade down, especially to acquire more picks.
''To trade down, they could possibly go as far as they wanted, could drop into the 20s,'' Kiper said.
Mayock believes that Cushing will be a strong side linebacker in a 4-3 defense, although some teams believe he could play inside in a 3-4.
''He's unafraid of anything,'' the NFL Network's Charles Davis said of Cushing. ''He's very instinctive, will light you up. His best football is ahead of him.''
Mayock said Matthews, son of the former Browns linebacker, ideally would play the weak side in a 4-3.
''I've only seen him play once with his hand down, then they stood him up,'' Mayock said. ''But he's USC's two-time special teams player of the year. He's got a chip on his shoulder. His dad, uncles and brothers all played big-time football and he didn't get a scholarship offer from USC. When he came in he was a 195-pound safety, now he's 250. He will outwork people, although he's not as naturally gifted as his father. He could be a second-round pick and three years ago he was a walk-on.''
Mayock also suggested Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, who will be a stand-up rush linebacker in the NFL, as another possibility for the Browns besides Curry. Another in the Orakpo mold is Penn State's Aaron Maybin.
''He's got great potential, will be an excellent pass rusher from day one,'' Mayock said of Maybin. ''Playing against the run and dropping in coverage, he's a project.''
Analysts agree that the cream of the inside linebacker crop is USC's Rey Maualuga and Ohio State's James Laurinaitis and after that there is a big drop-off. But Kiper said the Browns have to find a way to get a pass rusher.
''They need a running back, they could use a right tackle opposite Joe Thomas, they need a corner, they have a lot of needs,'' Kiper said of the Browns. ''But they can get a running back later. A pass rusher is the most important thing they need.''
Some suggest Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins could be a possibility for the Browns at No. 5, but Mayock said Jenkins ''could prove to be a Pro Bowl free safety in the NFL rather than a Pro Bowl corner.'' Kiper believes that Jenkins might fall out of the top 10 if he doesn't turn in a fast 40 time and said, ''This combine is as important for Malcolm Jenkins as anybody in this draft.''
''If you're the Browns sitting at No. 5, do you want the No. 1 or No. 2 outside linebacker or the No. 1 or No. 2 corner?'' Mayock said. ''To me the linebackers are more valuable this year because they're better players.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 01:06 PM, 02/18/2009
The Browns need corner help, but not rookie corner help. They're too young in the backfield and need a veteran presence. Get your CB in free agency, not the draft.
Akron, Oh
Posted 02:43 PM, 02/18/2009
@Jon cornerback Dre Bly was just released by denver .
Stow, OH
Posted 03:21 PM, 02/18/2009
Just as long as we don't here anymore "mad dog in a meat locker " comments from some dumb scout .
Atwater, OH
Posted 04:32 PM, 02/18/2009
At this point in time the Browns need a lot of help. As intriguing as those higher picks are. I would rather have more picks in the draft.
Kokinis and Mangini will evaluate all the options and see what is offered. Then they will make their decision. We will not know until draft day what is going to happen. There will be speculation, with what they do or don’t do in free agency, and that’s okay with me.
According to the NFL Network, Dre Bly was released because he didn’t live up to expectations. I don’t think we need that right now. We need people that are going to lead by example.
I JUST WANT TO WIN!!
GO BROWNS!!!!!!!
New Carlisle, OH
Posted 05:04 PM, 02/18/2009
Can we let a guy with Beanie Wells upside get away? Remember LaDainian!
The, US
Posted 08:51 PM, 02/18/2009
Come on, Beanie is no LaDainian. Not now, not ever. Draft for the pass rush.
Richfield, OH
Posted 11:58 PM, 02/18/2009
Draft that chimp from Connecticut. Seems very aggressive.
akron, oh
Posted 04:48 AM, 02/19/2009
two words, mike junkin
two more, craig powell
final two, clifford charlton
i just want them to win also.
Posted 07:21 AM, 02/19/2009
If Aaron Curry is there at 5 draft him. If not, trade down but draft before Denver to get Malauga. If no trade there, move back to 15-25 and take the best available need. Look for them to take Wells before the 20s and Laurinaitis or Matthews if they fall back into the 20s.
CB will be veteran free agents. Just like Concernone stated, Dre Bly is out there, Chris McCalister is out there.
Draft needs are OLB, ILB, RB, WR, Lineman (D and O).
Naples, FL
Posted 07:35 AM, 02/19/2009
A Different TonyZ...Do we really want a LB that they say will be good but not greatwith the #5? A guy that is a "safe" pick but also will never be a Ray Lewis or a Harrison? The Browns need a dominating LB if they are going to use the #5 pick. Reading the various draft analysis on Curry, nothing excites. I'd much perfer to trade down for an extra pick than take Curry.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:42 AM, 02/19/2009
Whatever the clowns do, we know one thing for sure - it will not work out - does it ever?
Posted 08:57 AM, 02/19/2009
CleveRox... go to youtube and search for Curry. You might change your mind. There's no such thing as a draft expert, after watching the videos you might change your gut feeling about this guy. The only thing that stands out to me negatively is that fact that he played in the ACC.
I'm in favor of trading down too, but Curry is a guy you have to take a long look at. There's a reason why he's on Scott Pioli's radar too.
Stow, OH
Posted 09:25 AM, 02/19/2009
Whoever they choose they need to look past the athlete and look at his character as well.I am sick of the guys they have brought in with the " me " attitude, who pose in the end zone after finally scoring a touchdown in a 20 point loss.Draft the guy that will leave his heart on the field every game and give the glory to his team, not himself .
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 11:06 AM, 02/19/2009
All this talk about specialty linebackers. How 'bout we pick one that can tackle?
Akron, , OH
Posted 11:11 AM, 02/19/2009
Forgetaboutit....Strickly OHIO boys can field the best the browns will need.
We have watched the fools work their magic and it's just like congress.
Unrealistic--- sure is !!!
Pipe dream---- sure is !!!
Love Ohio----- sure do !!! Ohio folks can bring home the bacon.
akron, OH
Posted 11:32 AM, 02/19/2009
@lowrider are you kidding?take matthews at #5.need a pass rushing lb, not a project at 5.curry if he's there or trade down for more picks.would take osu's freeman in round 2 or 3.team needs a upgrade on lbs.
stow, oh
Posted 11:33 PM, 02/19/2009
Hey cleverox,Ray Lewis wasn't rated high when he came out.He was considered undersized and not fast enough to cover sideline to sideline.James Harrison wasn't even draft and was cut four times.He played in the world league over in Europe.If you watch any tape on the Curry he's a playmaker.Three interceptions returned for touchdowns.They say he's safe because he's a 5th year senior so he's matured and understand the game.I don't care what Mel Kiper said the kid can run and he's physical.He doesn't catch and drag the runner down.He runs threw the ball carrier and drives him down.If he's there at the 5th pick it's a no brainer.We can still draft a pass rusher in the second round.Some of the coaches feel Curry would actually be better at inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.So we could fill two position in two rounds.GO BROWNS!!!
Posted 05:10 AM, 02/20/2009
My man is right, we need people who care, players that leave it all on the field. The draft from two years ago is going is going to prove to be a good one. Now we have an opportunity to do something very similar to that. There are alot of great players in this draft. Trade down and get 2 instead of one. DUH!!!!!
Posted 06:27 AM, 02/20/2009
Don't listen to Mel Kiper. He's an entertainer. If he was that good some NFL team would grab him and pay him a lot of money.
Posted 06:50 AM, 02/20/2009
Emack, Malaugu will be there at 10. That's why I said if Curry is gone try and drop down but make sure you're ahead of Denver. They will more than likely take Malauga at 12.
Superdawg and Russ, thanks for backing me up. I couldn't have said it better myself.
There's no such thing as a Draft Experts.
Curry or trade down.
Posted 05:08 PM, 02/20/2009
Trade down, trade down, trade down. Also get a decent backup QB thru free agency and trade Anderson to get some more draft picks....they need to take all defense in the draft unless they get a steal....
Sagamore Hills, OH
Posted 10:43 PM, 02/21/2009
Pittsburgh is a disgusting city with lots of mulleted dirtbags.
