It is not always reliable to subscribe to information shared by a team's player. After all, players play, coaches coach and front office types make the important decisions.
Still, it often can be insightful to listen to what a player has to say about topics related to his team. After all, he is arguably closer to those actually doing the on-field combat, having personal relationships with the human beings deciding whether to join a given squad, re-sign with a team or get the hell out of town as quickly as possible.
So, the DL's appearance today on a local cable television sports-talk program was possibly an hour of listening well invested.
Inasmuch as Smith figures to be among those most impacted by the arrival of two seasoned DL vets, acquired in trade from NFC North rosters, discovering Smith's impressions would be enlightening enough. But the affable big man had even more to intimate.
He strongly hinted, for example, that both Chaun Thompson and Orpheus Roye could be back at OLB and DE respectively, and that tenured ILB Andra Davis is as excited as anyone about the additions, certain to be there at the press conferences to greet the newcomers.
Shaun Smith spoke of a rotation involving himself, Shaun Rogers (formerly of Detroit), Corey Williams (late of Green Bay), Robaire Smith and Roye, while also mentioning Mel Purcell and Chase Pittman, a pair of 2007 draftees who spent last season on the practice squad (DEV). He also referred to versatility as the keyword for this group of front wall candidates, suggesting several would be interchangeable in the three DL positions.
While none of this is unpredictable or earth-shaking, by any means, it is somewhat clarifying, particularly where Thompson, a key special teamer, and Roye, who'd recently had his contract with the Browns terminated, are concerned. Orpheus, in particular, would lessen the urgency for an additional experienced DE for the Cleveland 3-4---which, by the way, is a scheme in which neither Rogers nor Williams has familiarity.
Some mumbling was involved and I'm not always the best at hearing; but he muttered something about LBs, edge-rushers and possibly Ethan Kelley, while failing to mention Louis Leonard at all. That could be entirely oversight or potentially flawed listening.
Shaun also admitted campaigning for former Bengals' teammate Landon Johnson, an ILB who is not expected to translate well into a 3-4 scheme, and for some playing time as a short-yardage FB.
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There is an expectation that a vet CB might be brought aboard to replace Leigh Bodden and protect against the youth and relative inexperience of returnees Daven Holly, Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald and AJ Davis---the last three of whom were mere first-year men. Should that come to pass, don't be stunned if that player is former Ohio State Buckeye and Buffalo Bill Antoine Winfield, an Akron native who attended Garfield High.
Winfield joined Minnesota as a free agent, but has reportedly not altogether enjoyed his time there, supposedly conflicting with the team's defensive philosophies, among other things. Since his is an understandably hefty contract, he may be let loose by the Vikes and gravitate to his regional club.
But that is just a guess.
So is the idea that TCU's troubled DE Tommy Blake might be the Browns' target with its round-four pick, the first it figures to have use of, following the deals for Williams and Rogers. He'd make an exciting complement to Wimbley as a three-down, edge-rushing LOLB.
In case you missed it, Blake is the subject of a February 18 Sporting News cover story.
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One thing that is quite apparent is the faith being exhibited in Head Coach Romeo Crennel's influence, leadership, personality and popularity with NFL players. GM Phil Savage does not seem at all shy about relying upon Crennel to help optimize a challenging/troubled talent like the too-often-poorly-conditioned Rogers and a youngster in Williams, whom Green Bay was supposedly afraid to enrich with a sizeable contract, fearing his focus might wane.
It must also be acknowledged that last year's Browns' squad demonstrated outstanding veteran leadership within its ranks, sufficient to right the ship following the Opening Day disaster at home versus Pittsburgh, after which, for the first time in history, an NFL team traded away its starting QB. From that day forward, the Browns went 10-5 behind a nearly raw first-year starter at QB, including a 7-0 home record.
Crennel and his coaches had something to do with enabling and encouraging that clubhouse leadership. In fact, it may be that Crennel's foremost genius has to do with his people skills, especially as they affect NFL ballplayers.
Certainly, Crennel deserves much of the credit for maximizing his wondrous offensive weaponry by extracting maturity from TE Kellen Winslow, Jr., WR Braylon Edwards and that emerging QB alluded to, Derek Anderson.
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While it is understandable that fans and followers are primarily concentrating upon positional personnel additions, attention should also be paid to the value of special teamers, as Cleveland is one of the league's teams most intent upon having strong units in all areas---reflected in the club's having Pro Bowlers representing all three aspects of a football team. Note, for example, Nick Sorenson's retention and the desire to retain Kris Griffin and Chaun Thompson, among others. ('Teams play may even bring Simon Fraser and Lennie Friedman back.)
This priority also explains keeping inactive on Game Days those who don't/can't help on 'teams: RB Jerome Harrison, OG Isaac Sowells and WR Travis Wilson.
For this reason, New Mexico WR Michael Smith should have particular appeal. He covers kicks and can return them, much like ace Joshua Cribbs. He's a sleek, fluid athlete with trackman's speed and run-after-the-catch skills.
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In the event you missed it, that was Mentor's Jacob Bell getting a roughly $6 mil/yr. deal to move from Tennessee to StL. The OLG, who played collegiately at Miami of Ohio, will be asked to help stabilize a troubled Rams line that suffered terribly once Orlando Pace (Sandusky and OSU) went down early last season.
Similarly, Nordonia's Rob Sims (OSU, son of former Brown, the late Mickey Sims) will move from left to right guard to make way for Carolina castoff Mike Wahle in Seattle's lineup. Both Sims and Bell are rising talents in the sport, particularly among young guards.
Another OL with Ohio ties, ex-Charger Shane Olivea, who played RT both in Columbus and San Diego, might be someone the Browns pursue. He's enough of a brawler to factor inside, providing needed insurance behind ORG Ryan Tucker, but could also bring necessary experienced protection at tackle, where currently nothing exists behind Joe Thomas and Kevin Shaffer. Nat Dorsey is an UFA and Cliff Louis a veritable rookie after a season on the DEV. Reportedly, Olivea has some off-the-field issues compromising both his effectiveness and marketability.
Like many in this year's free-agent class, Olivea participated in the 2004 Senior Bowl.
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Should you have a son with Valentine's Day as his birthday, consider trying him at QB. The combination seemed to have worked for Jim Kelly, Steve McNair and Drew Bledsoe.
When former Cowboys' head coach Tom Landry employed the shuttle system at QB in Dallas, he was doing so with a pair of guys sharing the same birthdate---Roger Staubach and Craig Morton.
Read the complete post at http://www.xanga.com/MALeonard/645470126/shaun-smith-insights.html