Da Clip Show: Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 4/20/10
April 20, 2010Contest Time: Get Your Goosey On
April 20, 2010It seems like the Linebacker position has been a position of need since the Browns took the field with Tim Couch at QB. This year is no different. The need was intensified by the trade of former first rounder Kamerion Wimbley to the Raiders in the off season. The Browns added Scott Fujita through free agency, and Chris Gocong from Philadelphia through the trade that brought in Sheldon Brown and saw Alex Hall go to the Eagles. Gocong played outside in the 4-3, but is more likely to be an inside backer in the 3-4 system. The Browns still need an outside backer that could possibly play a little DE as well.
The Candidates
Rolando McClain ILB Alabama 6-3⅜, 254 lbs.
Brandon Graham OLB Michigan 6-1⅜, 268 lbs.
Sergio Kindle OLB Texas 6-2⅞, 250 lbs.
Jerry Hughes OLB TCU 6-1¾, 255 lbs.
Daryl Washington OLB TCU 6-1¾, 230 lbs.
Sean Weatherspoon OLB Misouri 6-1¼, 239 lbs.
Sean Lee ILB Penn State 6-2⅛, 236 lbs.
Navorro Bowman OLB Penn State 6-1, 242 lbs.
Brandon Spikes ILB Florida 6-2⅞, 249 lbs.
Koa Misi OLB Utah 6-2⅝, 251 lbs.
Eric Norwood OLB South Carolina 6-0⅞, 245 lbs.
Thaddeus Gibson OLB Ohio State 6-2, 243 lbs.
What The Browns Could Do
I doubt very much that the Browns would target any of these players with the #7 pick. McClain is the best of the group and he is an inside backer, which the Browns seem to have a lot of- so much so that they may be willing to let D’Qwell Jackson go. Jackson is a RFA that hasn’t signed his contract tender. Bringing in Gocong may have meant the end of Jackson’s time in Cleveland. The Browns now have Gocong, Barton, Veikune and Maiava for the 2 inside spots. The outside backers on the list just aren’t #7 pick value. I look for the Browns to start targeting some of the names here with one of the third round picks (Cleveland owns 3 of them) or maybe even a fifth.
The player I like and think might still be available at pick 85 is Eric Norwood from South Carolina. He was second team all-SEC his sophomore year, and first team his junior and senior years. He had 9 sacks as a junior, and 7 last year and leaves the Gamecocks as their all time leader in sacks (29). Norwood began his college career as a DE and made the switch between his sophomore and junior seasons. The Steelers and Patriots both have had Norwood in for visits, so the Browns may have to be on their toes in order to nab this very durable prospect.
Of course, the Browns could do nothing at the position. If they went with a DE that they thought was a pass rush specialist they may decide to push one of last year’s picks to the outside, most likely Veikune to go along with Bowens, Roth and Fujita. The truth is that this team has many needs, and while I think they still need to address the LBs, they may be satisfied with the upgrade from Fujita and Gocong.
(For all the WFNY draft articles, go to our consolidated draft home page.)
8 Comments
YES! ERIC NORWOOD IS THE MAN!
I went to SC and watched this kid terrorize SEC QB’s for 4 years, hes a STUD!
In addition to not missing a game due to injury, Norwood also was named all-academic at least one of his seasons. Sounds like a smart, tough football player. I likey.
Do we need another linebacker? If so, Brandon Spikes. If he went out in the draft last year, he would have been a first round pick. This year, you can probably take him in the 3rd.
A mock I saw today by Pat Kirwin had the Browns taking both Spikes and Thad Gibson in the 3rd. Unlikely, but I’d like to see one of them fall to the Browns around then.
I like the fact that the kid switched from DE to LB while at ccllege. So when we inevitably switch him to another position, he’ll be able to handle it.
So what happens when the Browns draft a TE from UTEP with a third round pick? Do we just commit seppuku and go back to enjoying the cavs?
The Browns don’t need no stinkin linebackers.
paulbip has apparently not been watching the Browns for the last decade.