Cavalier Film Room: Grounding the Hawks with Defense
May 26, 2015LeBron James and the Cavs land another Sports Illustrated Cover
May 26, 2015With the Cleveland Browns kicking off Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this week, one surprising element is outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo donning a red no-contact jersey for Day 1. In February, it was revealed that Mingo underwent surgery to repair a labrum issue which had plagued the 24-year-old pass-rusher for much of the 2014 season.
In March, two months removed from surgery, Mingo told reporters that he would be 100 percent by Training Camp. Earlier this month, it was reported that he would be “pretty close to all-go” for OTAs, but the Browns appear to be taking things slowly with the former first-round draft pick.
Despite his issues with injuries and tallying just seven sacks in two seasons with the Browns, Mingo still graded out as a top-15 3-4 outside linebacker (via Pro Football Focus) as a part-time player across 681 snaps in 2014 thanks to solid run defense. It’s safe to say that the Browns would love to get more pass-rushing production out the LSU product, but a rotation could once again be in order with the team using a second-round pick on linebacker Nate Orchard. With Jabaal Sheard out of the picture, one would assume that Mingo will be dropping into coverage a lot less, but he’ll have to get fully healthy for this to even materialize into a decision on the part of the Browns’ coaching staff.
Other items of note:
- Rookie wide receiver Vince Mayle is on the sidelines sporting a cast for his broken thumb. Tight end Randall Telfer (foot) and cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (knee) are also not participating.
- First-round draft pick Danny Shelton is not present for Day 1 as he is finishing school.
- Rookie running back Duke Johnson is not participating in OTAs at this point as he remains as the only unsigned draftee of the Browns. Isaiah Crowell is getting reps with the first team.
- Quarterback Johnny Manziel is taking second-team repetitions behind Josh McCown.
- Safety Tashaun Gipson is still absent from Berea as he remains unsigned. Gipson has until June 15 to sign his second-round tender. Jordan Poyer will play with the first team in his place.
- With the team easing Alex Mack back into the fold, John Greco has taken snaps center with rookie Cameron Erving playing right guard.
14 Comments
I had surgery for a torn labrum in both shoulders and it was a solid 12 months before full functionality returned and five good years before I was completely pain free.
Obviously it’s the nature of the game and they’re professionals, but it must be difficult to be in Greco’s position at the moment with Erving coming in to take over.
At the same time, I’ll be curious to see if the Browns utilize their talent level at OL to do what teams never seem to do on offense, which is sub for OL, especially with their run the ball down your throats mentality. Teams swap in DL all day to keep them ‘fresh’ – imagine if you’re a tired DL and suddenly Erving is rotating down the line to keep the other team’s OL ‘fresh’.
It would be fascinating to see if they could make this type of approach work or if the all important Oline chemistry would be too irreparably disturbed to make this workable.
I know the predominant narrative has Erving replacing Greco but from everything I can gather Greco was a much higher rated guard last year than Schwartz was at tackle.
More reps for Nate Orchard. 😀
yeah, a little disconcerting that he waited at all for that particular surgery. You can’t extend your arms and hold or push with power with a damaged labrum, and that’s kind of the essence of the pass rushing moves Mingo must learn. Maybe he reinjured it working out post season.
Greco was something like +2 and Schwartz was +0.7 Not a huge difference but a difference. Which really begs the question, what is everyone convinced that Schwartz is horrible and has to be Replaced ASAP?
Surprisingly, Bitonio was ranked in the top 5 of guards. Not surprisingly, Thomas and Mack were also ranked at the top. Our line, if health, will be stupid/video game good.
and, apparently, Solomon who is running with the first team for now.
Ooooh, I forgot about him. 🙂
Yeah, don’t think Schwartz is terrible but he’s not great either. If great is available I’ll choose that.
I would assume the decision was made in concert with the team. Seems questionable in hindsight but maybe they still felt he was more valuable at 50%, or whatever % he was, than having the surgery during the season and being unavailable.
I believe he had the surgery shortly after the season ended. It’s a solid six weeks before they can begin exploring any kind of rehab activity. Rehab is initially about regaining flexibility and slowly adding strength work back in. High volume, very light weights first followed by more weight/strength later. Would be surprised if he’s done any significant work since the surgery. I think it’s more likely the team is just treating him as early rehab and limiting his activity/stress.
Mingo will be gone when his contract is up. For a cover OLB, he ranked 36 out of 46.
From what I’ve been told, most labrum tears do better if you leave them alone. So it had to be bad enough or the team wanted him better quicker for them to do the surgery.
And I also had injuries to both shoulder and was a full 2+ years before I went pain free after my rotator cuff tear.
He’s been cleared. You’ll just have to look for the guy wearing a “Number-48, Orchard” jersey.
Mingo is another total first round bust. He stinks.