3-4 Linebacker Corrections

1: Billy Winn and Rubin are not, and will never be, linebackers.

2: Hall Davis, Austin English, and Chris Gocong will be given a chance to play outside linebacker by Ray Horton, and all three have a very good chance to succeed.

3: All three of these players are also potential SAM ILB's in this defense.  And let me just anticipate you here: Phil Taylor is not, and will never be, a linebacker.

4: James Micheal-Johnson will play one or both of the ILB spots.

5: Acho, Fort, Robertson and even Maiaiva (sp?) are candidates for the WIL (run-and-hit) linebacker spot which Jackson now fills.

While at number six the Browns still could draft one of those stud OLB's (like especially Ansah), this collection might be enough for now.  The olb's aren't the only blitzers (everybody blitzes), and a Lawrence Taylor is not mandatory.  Once again, the bar has been raised above the Himalayas.

 If the quarterback merely competent, and a good cornerback is acquired or emerges, the team as it is can compete for a Division Title in 2013.

It can't contend for anything more without a really good quarterback, a better guard, and more TE depth.  Linebacker is no longer a need.  And you need eight.  The Ravens might have eleven because three special teamers are linebackers, but you don't need 11.  Besides, Winn and Rubin are linebackers, right?

For all you know, one or more of the guys you've so casually buried alive is the next James Harrison (except for the vicious/stupid/dirty part).  Unlike you, Horton will find out.  His shovel stays in the shed until needed.

If Milliner slides to six, he's it.  Unless they're scheming to draft Geno Smith there. And it might indeed be Warmack--and in either case the lynch mob be damned.

Hate to say it, but the Mallet trade talk is credible.  Tony Grossi's outstanding column on the subject, Here's why the Ryan Mallett-to-the-Browns rumors are not going away , convinced me.  Another column on Dawgs by Nature, What is Ryan Mallet actually worth, and should the Browns be interested? , terrified me.

Mallet sounds like a Weeden clone!  He just hasn't had an opportunity to eat the ball after refusing to throw to wide open recievers yet.  He's got the not replanting and being inaccurate part down pat, though.

Ok but let's be fair:  He's been Brady's understudy and has had the best NFL coaching for a couple years now, and didn't I just write about Turner and Chud being able to fix Weeden?  Isn't it possible that Mallet is already fixed?

Keep an open mind, and forget the draft pick.  Bill needs a defensive lineman.