Actually, the Browns Draft Didn't Suck After All

First, this correction is urgent: The Browns don't lack depth at nose tackle.  They might be deeper at nose tackle than any other NFL team.  Rubin can play nose tackle (quite well) DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

At first I was infuriated by what Banner did in the draft.  And Tony Grossi might be right about what could have happened had they traded down rather than draft Mingo; basicly Jarvis Jones (or something) and a second-rounder--one of the two players being a cornerback.

But not being a blockhead, I had to try to understand why they did what they did by walking a block or so in their shoes, and considering the fact that Ray Horton had a lot to do with this pick.

There were three elite 3-4 OLB's in this draft, and Mingo was one of them.  Mingo is the quickest, and fastest.  His college production was harmed by how he was used in his scheme.  He was a nominal DE on the strong side, where he was double-teamed and had to set the edge often.  He was rotated out quite a bit, missing plays.

Tony was wrong to compare him to Kimerion Wimbley, because Mingo already has a variety of pass-rush moves which Wimbley never developed.  Counter-moves seem enate in him, as he suckers blockers with head-fakes and uses his hands like a kung fu guy. He's taller, with better reach than Wimbley.  He's even quicker, and faster.

Mingo is also quicker and faster than Jordan and Ansah.

Tony was right in suggesting that opponents will run right at him, and that he needs to get bigger.  But this has been overstated, as I learned from Mike Krupka and Pat Kirwan. Playing in the SEC against formidable offensive linemen and tight ends, he usually succeeded in setting the edge, and excelled (I repeat excelled) in getting off blocks.

Where Ansah would use a rip and leverage to force the lineman off-balance and then shed him, Mingo extends his hands more and uses his superior balance and quickness more--but he succeeded.

One game the amatuers looked at had Mingo playing contain against a scrambling quarterback.  He usually got parallel to the QB and stopped.  It was obvious to me that that's what he was supposed to do--stop the quarterback if he tried to run.  They turned this into him getting shut out by the right tackle.  How ignorant.

Kirwan said several times that those who say that Barky can't deal with blocks are wrong, and cites several times that he saw Mingo actually engage a guard with his shoulder, and then bounce right or left to make a tackle without giving an inch.  He's 240, but none of it's fat.  He's wiry.

Opposite Paul Kruger, who is bigger, shorter, and relies much more heavily on leverage, Mingo is the most strikingly dissimilar type that was available in this draft class. Horton can move these two around opponent-by-opponent to find the best matchups.

Mingo didn't cover much in college, but did cover enough to show how capable he is in that phase.  He can not only drop back into a zone, but can actually run and change directions with tight ends and big recievers in man.  Jordan can do this too, but Ansah probably never will.  With more experience, Mingo probably becomes the best of them in coverage.

Look at the tapes, and you see it: He moves like a cornerback.  Even when he blitzes from the edge, it looks almost like a cornerback blitze.

The way is was with Kruger and Sheard, you really don't want either of those guys in coverage.

It seems like Horton is zeroed in on speed, as first he tries Robertson at ILB, then they don't draft an ILB, but do draft the fastest OLB available.

Now, if they had traded down, I don't believe they would have drafted Jarvis Jones.  He is another leverage guy, like Sheard and Kruger.  High risk in coverage.  Certainly a great player, but not like Mingo.

I liked McFadden in the third round.  He's really about one inch shorter than Joe Haden, and is a really good cornerback.  The "Honey Badger" actually missed two appointments with NFL teams on the eve of the draft, and frankly doesn't project well to playing outside in a press/man scheme in the NFL.

I was initially infuriated when the Browns traded for yet still another slot reciever in Devone Bess.  I'm biased, because Nelson actually had slightly better stats, Norwood was never given a fair shot, Benjamin shows great upside, and then there's that Brian Brennan-like Josh Cooper kid who will now probably get kicked to the curb.

But then I found out that all they did was flip a couple picks not far apart, and got the guy almost for free (and cheap cap-wise).  Now I think it was a good move.  Bess is strictly a possession guy, but very durable and consistant, and still just 27 years old.

And while this "eggzzbeereeunzz" stuff for recievers is massively overstressed, it IS good to have this guy in here to help guide the youngsters.

Trading the 4th and 5th rounders for 2014 3rd and 4th-rounders was a good move too. Two thirds and two fourths so far next season is some nice ammo to trade up with, should Weeden/Campbell fail, or should the Browns be in range of a true future franchise guy even if they don't, or even if they just want to load up.

Banner is absolutely right: they're not going to the Superbowl in 2013, and they are building this thing to last.

I also liked that the third rounder next season will be Pittsburgh's, since Pittsburgh will suck.

Wish I could say the same about Baltimore and Cinci, but I can't.  Damn Ozzie....

Bryant and Gilkey are more than just afterthoughts.  Gilkey will be in the mix immediately.  I'd be surprised if he won a starting job at guard as a rookie or anything, but not if he backs up more than one position and makes the active roster.  Kind of expect one of the guards they inherited to be released.

Bryant seems to fit as an OLB, but I was surprised when Chud talked about him gaining weight.  He'd only do that if he's meant to play DE here.  Probably a practice squad guy.

And I don't care about pot.  And we all drank and drove when we were young.  If your glass house has a basement, better go there now.

Undrafted "DT" Dave Kruger is raw and inexperienced, but has freaky speed and quickness for his size.  He's much bigger than his bro Paul, and projects to DE in this scheme.  He might be another practice squad guy, but has great upside.  Look for this guy in 2014 he could turn into a monster!!!

FB Garrett Hoskins will get his shot at fullback.  He played tight end in college, but is 6'2", 252.  He's a good reciever too, so I'm rooting for him (if not Smelley).

Per Sobo, had OT Chris Faulk remained healthy, he would have been a mid-round pick. He's 6'6", 331.  Might have stolen one here--Sobo is a pretty good source.

There are other UFA's like ILB Mike Niam who could surprise, and this is a pretty good UFA haul so far.  Lots of WR's and corners.

I believe they could still trade Sheard and/or Rubin.  They've really got too many OLB's and  NT/DE's now.