They Called Him "Mingo"

In a "Hey Mary Kay" column, one guy asked if Ray Horton might turn Barkevious Mingo into a safety.

After getting up from the floor, I stopped laughing.  I remembered this genius talking about Mingo in coverage, right?  And then I remembered Ray Horton saying stuff like "Hopefully, he'll come in and embrace" what the Browns will do with him...and that his role would be different.

Hmm.

The Mary Kay guy compared Mingo to Cam Chancellor.  Mingo is one inch taller, and 6-8 lbs heavier.  That's true, but no...no Barkevious is not a safety.

However, he could be a nickel/dime linebacker.  He could be a safety/linebacker hybrid (who by the way blitzes a lot).

Since Ray Horton regrettably mentioned the phrase "playmaker", the local punditry (MKC aside) can think only of sacks.  The Mingo box is labelled "passrusher".

Fortunately, Ray Horton doesn't use boxes or labels.  As a Blitzer, he can get some sacks.  But as a coverage guy and unblocked run-stopper, he can smash people.

Mingo can man cover tight ends.  Ray wouldn't have him press anybody else, but put him in "off man" or zone, placing him deeper, and letting him see the quarterback.

Seattle uses Chancellor like this.  It sets him up to jump routes, or pulverize receivers and knock balls loose.  He's often ideally positioned on neutral downs to meet ball carriers at the line of scrimmage.

Offenses without a fullback can't aim a blocker at him (unless he's on a tight end).

Yep.  I think Ray is up to something insidious and diabolical here involving Mingo.  This should be fun.