Cleveland Browns: Top 6 Position Battles at Camp
Sep 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Matt Ryan(2) looks to pass as Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle
Jake Matthews(70) blocks Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker
Scott Solomon(60) in the first quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
4. The Core “Will” Set The Tempo
Competition: Barkevious Mingo, Nate Orchard, Scott Solomon
The Browns have a young linebacking core led by veterans Karlos Dansby and Paul Kruger. Kruger had a career year last season with 11 sacks and was seventh in the NFL at his position. Dansby was having a good season until he sprained his knee and missed several weeks, but Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey filled in and didn’t miss a beat. While the inside and strong-side backer positions made progress, there was constant turnover on the weak-side.
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Mingo has been an underachiever since being drafted sixth overall in 2013. He has been injury-plagued and is too small to play against bigger and stronger competition. He misses tackles and is incapable of stopping the run and getting to the quarterback on a consistent basis.
Mingo did show toughness by playing most of the season on one shoulder, but it did nothing but hold the defense back. He is now out with a knee injury. Pro Bowl linebacker right? In his two years in the NFL, he has 55 total tackles and seven sacks. For some, that’s week five stats.
In comes journeyman linebacker Scott Solomon.
Solomon was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster in December after Mingo was shut down for the remainder of the season. He immediately made an impact by strip-sacking Cam Newton and compiling seven tackles against the Carolina Panthers.
He plays with a relentless energy and is always around the ball, which is something Mingo has struggled with immensely. It continued Thursday against the Washington Redskins when he compiled three total tackles. I think he wants that spot.
Nate Orchard was drafted to strictly rush the passer. A player that was originally recruited as a wide receiver with the Utah Utes–and converted to a linebacker/defensive end–increased his sack total by 15 by compiling 18 sacks last season. He will likely be used in the same role as Jabaal Sheard was.
He didn’t look impressive on Thursday, but most defensive rookies struggle in their first professional game. If he can regain his college form, the Browns could have something special.
Result: Scott Solomon
After being cut twice from the New York Jets and once from the Tennessee Titans, Solomon will finally get his chance to be a starter and show the NFL what he brings to the team.
Orchard will split reps with Solomon and get better as he gains experience and game action. The time is up for Mingo. He’ll get reps sparingly, but will be demoted to special teams and possibly on the way out potentially. There’s just too much depth for patience.
Next: How Dominant Can the Interior Defensive Line Become?