LB Corps Set...or sumtin

[Alo]

From Grossi's Combine report:

* For the first time, Shurmur publicly acknowledged that, yes, the team will switch to a 4-3 defense.

* Heckert said he'd like restricted free agent D'Qwell Jackson back and feels he's better suited as the weakside outside linebacker in the 4-3. Heckert feels Scott Fujita is the prototypical strongside outside linebacker and Chris Gocong will play the middle.

While this could be "Silly Season" posturing for a team that seemingly needs more athletic LBs, Heckert did surprise people last year by saying that the team liked its current receiving corps, then didn't draft any WRs until the late rounds.

Similarly, the Browns could defer drafting an LB until rounds 5-7, first addressing DL, WR, CB/S, and RT. Maybe they'll draft a guy like Casey Matthews (if he slides) or Brian Rolle in the late rounds.

[Brown Warrior]

On the weakside, DQJ could play at 235, his more natural weight. He can move, right?

[faninthehammer]

moving is his strength. not a banger but few have the athleticism and pursuit speed. If jackson can stay healthy, I believe he'll have a huge season.

[YtownBacker]

Gocong is a fill and not the answer. He was traded by philly because he wasn't getting it done in the 4-3. The Browns were happy to get him because they thought he was a natural 3-4 LB and a misfit in a 4-3. I'm not saying he will suck but he isn't what I would be looking for as a MLB.

We need a banger in the middle.

[Brown Warrior]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

Gocong is a fill and not the answer. He was traded by philly because he wasn't getting it done in the 4-3. The Browns were happy to get him because they thought he was a natural 3-4 LB and a misfit in a 4-3. I'm not saying he will suck but he isn't what I would be looking for as a MLB.

We need a banger in the middle.

I can't agree with that, Y... and I see why Grossi says the Browns believe Gocong can be an excellent 4-3 MLB. Keep in mind that before last year he'd never played 3-4 ILB, either... and he did very well. Even better than I thought, according to Pro Football Outsiders.

Now that he's played a full season at 3-4 ILB, I think he's much more qualified to make a move to 4-3 MLB. He's a freakish athlete, per his famous Combine showing.

At least as a theory, I think a DQJ-Gocong-Fujita linebacking corps could be very good. They can all move. Still think we'll add to that, but it's a start.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

I can't agree with that, Y... and I see why Grossi says the Browns believe Gocong can be an excellent 4-3 MLB. Keep in mind that before last year he'd never played 3-4 ILB, either... and he did very well. Even better than I thought, according to Pro Football Outsiders.

Now that he's played a full season at 3-4 ILB, I think he's much more qualified to make a move to 4-3 MLB. He's a freakish athlete, per his famous Combine showing.

At least as a theory, I think a DQJ-Gocong-Fujita linebacking corps could be very good. They can all move. Still think we'll add to that, but it's a start.

I'd rather see Jackson in the middle. Philly didn't get rid of Gocong because he was tearing it up as a 4-3 backer. I believe Maiava is someone to look at as a will backer. He was miscast in the 3-4 and could provide some depth at the position.

Don't get me wrong, I like Gocong. He is solid, not exciting, but solid. He's not a banger, but he's solid. He's not overly fast or athletic, but he is solid.

[Brown Warrior]

We'll agree to disagree. Just like he'd never played 3-4 ILB before, he's never played 4-3 MLB before, here or in Philly. Heckert knows him as well as anybody and thinks he can be a 4-3 MLB.

I also think he's a big thumper for that position... and can run, per his freaky Combine. Just my opinion. I don't think the guy's been fully tapped into, even now. And he was pretty good last year.

[Sez.EJ]

I don't think we can bank on D'quell and we would be foolish not to draft at LEAST 1 LB... He's been hurt 2 years running with injuries to both arms.... no telling if he can recover fully or not.. I'm rooting for the guy..but skeptical.

Working out in the gym recovery is not the same as playing football recovery.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Casey Matthews here we come! Pull the trigger Heckert!

[Brown Warrior]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

I don't think we can bank on D'quell and we would be foolish not to draft at LEAST 1 LB... He's been hurt 2 years running with injuries to both arms.... no telling if he can recover fully or not.. I'm rooting for the guy..but skeptical.

Working out in the gym recovery is not the same as playing football recovery.

Agree. A lot. I think round 3 is a good linebacker round, plus a free agent or two.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Alo

From Grossi's Combine report:

* For the first time, Shurmur publicly acknowledged that, yes, the team will switch to a 4-3 defense.

* Heckert said he'd like restricted free agent D'Qwell Jackson back and feels he's better suited as the weakside outside linebacker in the 4-3. Heckert feels Scott Fujita is the prototypical strongside outside linebacker and Chris Gocong will play the middle.

If Jackson can ever stay healthy, that's a GREAT idea to put him on the weak side. It will also keep the big uglies off him.

[Riffer X]

I hate to talk about guys that still aren't signed, but I have a feeling Jackson stays. He had an attitude when the Browns didn't give him everything he wanted, so now maybe he sees it more from a business perspective for a team such as the Browns. Basically, we would have been screwed if he did get the long term deal he was looking for while making tackles 8 yards downfield and being grossly overrated. Instead, he got hurt and has basically been non-existent. I can't imagine he gets any offers that are all that great from anyone else, so I think he would love to stay here and prove himself for a year at the Will.

I like DQ and think he has a lot of football left to play, but ILB was not his calling in the 3-4. I think the Will is and it is not like we have a plethora of LB's in here. Fuge will be the man at the SAM but I think Goke will be about only average at the Mike. A guy like Casey Mathews would serve as a pretty good all around backup for all three spots IMO, I think he will be very versatile.

Keep an eye on Ross Homan in later rounds, especially if he slides. He would make a nice Will or Sam IMO.

Ross Homan
OLB, Ohio State War Room analysis
Against inside run: Is a tough, physical, downhill run defender. Shows good strength on contact, but really struggles to shed once engaged with bigger blockers within the box. Questionable arm length based on the way he takes on blockers in game film. Plays with outstanding lower-body flexibility, leverage, and pad level near the line of scrimmage. Grade: 7.5
Against outside run: Is an outstanding run defender on the perimeter and in the open field. Is a sure tackler on the move in the open field. Plays hard in backside pursuit and takes proper angles to the ball. Has the range to play sideline-to-sideline when unblocked. Struggles to shed once engaged, just like he does within the box. Is a physical tackler, capable of making the big hit on the move. Grade: 8.0
Run/pass recognition: Has exceptional run/pass recognition, instincts, and awareness in all situations. Is quick to read and react to blocking schemes as a run defender. Shows tremendous anticipation skills as an underneath zone defender and has the ball skills and run-after-catch ability of a small-college running back after the interception. Can react to what he sees as the play develops. Grade: 8.5
Blitz/coverage: Has shown to be a good pass rusher in limited opportunities. Will slow-up before contact at times, even when going-up against a running back in pass protection. Is highly effective on run blitzes, where he uses his great timing and awareness to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Is an exceptional zone defender, but only an above average man-to-man coverage player. Shows great anticipation for underneath routes and keys on the quarterbacks eyes as well. Does a great job of jamming and re-routing receivers within his zone. Lacks great long speed and reco to be a top man-to-man coverage player against a running back, a tight end, or a slot wide receiver down the field. Grade: 7.5
Pursuit/tackling: Plays hard in backside pursuit and takes proper angles to the ball. Has the range to play sideline-to-sideline when unblocked. Has good play speed and lateral range. Grade: 7.5
Bottom line: Homan is entering his second full season as the starter at weakside linebacker for the Buckeyes. He stays on the field for all of their defensive packages. He has excellent overall size with only average arm length for either weakside linebacker for a 4-3 scheme or inside linebacker for a 3-4 scheme at the next level.

ROSS HOMAN MEASURABLES
Height: 6-0	Weight: 229
40-yard dash: 4.65	10-yard dash:
20-yard shuttle:	60-yard shuttle:
Broad jump:	225-lb. bench:
3-cone drill:	Vertical jump:
Wonderlic:	20-yard dash: