Mack: Ready to Improve

[BernietheKid]

Mack: Ready to Improve
		By Fred Greetham OBR Browns Reporter Posted Aug 4, 2010 | More Alex Mack ran a lot of laps in 2009. But no more. The team's 2009 draft pick is coming off a solid rookie season and is ready and willing to take the next steps up in 2010. Fred Greetham reports from Berea...
BEREA—Second-year center Alex Mack is ready to build on his rookie season where he started all 16 games. After being drafted by the Browns in the first-round, the rookie from California continually progressed as the season wore on. “The biggest thing is a different starting point,” Mack said. “Last year, I was right out of college.” He said there is no substitution for experience. “The biggest thing was playing in all of those games, so I have a lot more reps in games and in practices,” he said. “So, I’m a lot further along. Toward the end of last year I was a lot more comfortable.” Eric Mangini was on Mack a lot early in his rookie year and Mack was often seen running a lot of laps for mistakes he made. That hasn’t been the case this year. “That’s typical, especially at center” Mangini said. “You are a rookie. You’ve got to handle the snap count. You have to get the ball up every time. “You have to help run the offense,” he said. “It’s a lot to ask from a guy and I thought he did it really well last year, especially taking into account how young he was.” Mangini knows the importance of the center position and that’s why he drafted Nick Mangold in his first year with the Jets and Mack when he came to the Browns. “I think it is really challenging and you have to understand, he’s dealing with both sides of the line,” Mangini said. “Most of the offensive linemen, they are taking care of their half of the line and he’s dealing with the big picture. He is also dealing with the quarterback. You are working with that group, making sure everybody is sound in terms of what their assignments are an the quarterback can come up, change the play completely and you have to go through that same progression. The snap count usually changes when the play changes, so there’s a lot to remember and you have to be able to process quickly and Alex can. Nick Mangold could. It’s hard for those young guys to play early there.” Mack thinks the Browns can continue to run the ball well and build upon their success in the last four games. “I think we ended up running the ball well the last four games and think we can continue from there.” Notebook Bike Brigade: Besides the three players on PUP (DL Shaun Rogers, DL C.J. Mosley and DB Coye Francies), DB DeAngelo Smith (knee), RB Peyton Hillis (leg), LB Titus Brown (undisclosed) and DL Derreck Robinson (undisclosed) were on the stationary bicycles. DB Chris Roberson went down and was carted off the field with what looked like a leg injury trying to defend a pass on WR Josh Cribbs. Mangini said he will have tests. P Dave Zastudil (knee) also was missing as he was getting his knee checked. Rogers and Mosley were doing one-on-one drills on the side with the blocking sled. However, Mangini was asked about Rogers’ return and he said he “wasn’t close” to returning. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is scheduled to be in Berea Thursday and there might be word on if Rogers would be suspended forthcoming. Quick Hits: DB Gerard Lawson intercepted two passes in the 11-on-11 drills, including one he returned for a touchdown from QB Colt McCoy. The other came against QB Seneca Wallace. “It’s a way to show up on tape and be noticed,” Mangini said of Lawson. The third-year player has mostly played on special teams in his time with the Browns. Day Off: Mangini said he gave the players a break from the practice field on Tuesday, in part because of the progress the team has made. “I think you understand the team better and the guys are making the progress we want them to make,” he said. “I thought (no practice) had a good effect and gives them a recovery day.” Scout.com: Mack: Ready to Improve

[Sez.EJ]

I love this kid.. go sickem boy... .. we got him especially to handle hampton and ngata and the big dt's..

[hiwaygal]

Awww...he's cuter than I expected! (LOL)

I know I'm probably gonna ruffle some feathers with this but, IMO, this was a SOLID first pick last year. I remember everyone was kinda going WTF?!?!?! But this kid has proved his value and he could have a nice, long, successful career here. Future Pro-Bowler? Future HOF? Yeah, could be.

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by hiwaygal

Awww...he's cuter than I expected! (LOL)

I know I'm probably gonna ruffle some feathers with this but, IMO, this was a SOLID first pick last year. I remember everyone was kinda going WTF?!?!?! But this kid has proved his value and he could have a nice, long, successful career here. Future Pro-Bowler? Future HOF? Yeah, could be.

I agree Highway and I think he can be both of those! I personally think in a few years he might be the best C in the league, but that also could be me being a bit of a homer.

[Enigmatic Evil]

I wasn't disappointed with the Mack pick, I was more confused as to why we kept trading down. Didn't we trade down twice before picking Mack late in the first round? Regardless, the pick looks like a great move a year later. Mack grew into his role during his rookie season and he should be a main stay at Center for years to come. This article is like, one part singing Mack's praises and one part justifying taking him in one fell swoop. I don't think there are any of us around that are going "man I wish we would've drafted (blah) instead of taking Mack where we did."

[hiwaygal]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

I wasn't disappointed with the Mack pick, I was more confused as to why we kept trading down. Didn't we trade down twice before picking Mack late in the first round? Regardless, the pick looks like a great move a year later. Mack grew into his role during his rookie season and he should be a main stay at Center for years to come. This article is like, one part singing Mack's praises and one part justifying taking him in one fell swoop. I don't think there are any of us around that are going "man I wish we would've drafted (blah) instead of taking Mack where we did."

Yeah we did trade quite a bit...but my opinion on that is we NEEDED more picks and if that meant trading down then so be it.

And not necessarily for you EE, but hindsight is 20/20. Much like people were not happy with our 1st round pick this year, many people were not happy with our pick last year. No, no one is really questioning the pick now.

[BernietheKid]

We defiantely traded down to get picks and save some money. I liked Mack last year but thought he was going to go in the second round, but once I heard PIT wanted him I liked it even more. I agree that some people disliked the pick at the time, but if you remember back to 08' Fraley was getting our QB's killed and we needed an upgrade.

[Danamal]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

I wasn't disappointed with the Mack pick, I was more confused as to why we kept trading down. Didn't we trade down twice before picking Mack late in the first round? Regardless, the pick looks like a great move a year later. Mack grew into his role during his rookie season and he should be a main stay at Center for years to come. This article is like, one part singing Mack's praises and one part justifying taking him in one fell swoop. I don't think there are any of us around that are going "man I wish we would've drafted (blah) instead of taking Mack where we did."

Yeah,
Picking linemen with your first pick is never popular but if your goal is to build a strong cockpit worthy of supporting a rookie QB and lets face it,a really young bunch of skill players its a smart pick with the least amount of bust potential.
Mack started the season very shaky as did the entire offense but he did settle into the position and definitely seems to be our guy at center for the next decade.
If your Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison is retiring yeah you want a receiver in the first round,I get that but when you don't have anything, it all boils down to management and how you want to build your team and you always start construction with a solid foundation.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

I wasn't disappointed with the Mack pick, I was more confused as to why we kept trading down. Didn't we trade down twice before picking Mack late in the first round? Regardless, the pick looks like a great move a year later. Mack grew into his role during his rookie season and he should be a main stay at Center for years to come. This article is like, one part singing Mack's praises and one part justifying taking him in one fell swoop. I don't think there are any of us around that are going "man I wish we would've drafted (blah) instead of taking Mack where we did."

If I remember correctly didn't we get Barton or Bowens in those trade downs? and if it was Bowens. getting Mack and a good LBer was a steal

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

If I remember correctly didn't we get Barton or Bowens in those trade downs? and if it was Bowens. getting Mack and a good LBer was a steal

We got Abe Elam. Kenyon Coleman, Brett Ratliff, and we also got a sixth rounder from Philly which turned out to be James Davis. Bowens and Barton were FA.

Cleveland Browns got it right with center Alex Mack in 2009 NFL Draft: Terry Pluto | cleveland.com

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

We got Abe Elam. Kenyon Coleman, Brett Ratliff, and we also got a sixth rounder from Philly which turned out to be James Davis. Bowens and Barton were FA.

Cleveland Browns got it right with center Alex Mack in 2009 NFL Draft: Terry Pluto | cleveland.com

LOL well there goes my point! thanks Bernie!

Although Elam has been a servicable safety!

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

LOL well there goes my point! thanks Bernie!

Although Elam has been a servicable safety!

I thought you were asking a question, sorry I wasn't trying to disprove your theory. I think it was a good trade because we traded down and saved money, possibly got a great center, and a very good two-down run stuffing DL in Coleman.