Bosa, Elliott, Thomas top their positions on Todd McShay’s 2016 NFL Draft board
October 16, 2015Kevin Love to make preseason debut Sunday against Toronto
October 16, 2015Barkevious Mingo’s agent is unhappy with his client’s playing time, according to NEOMG’s Mary Kay Cabot.
“Keke is an impact player and needs to be on the field,” agent Jeff Guerriero said Thursday. “It’s that simple.” (Guerriero’s Twitter account doesn’t exactly scream super-agent, for what it’s worth. Are many NFL agents also injury attorneys?)
Mingo himself was asked some seemingly pointed questions as to whether or not he had considered requesting a trade. He was also asked what it would take for him to want to go to another team. It warrants mentioning that Mingo did not do much in the way of pot stirring.
“I’m a team player and I’m here to do whatever I can do to help the team win,” Mingo said. “That is the role I’m playing right now.”
Mingo underwent arthroscopic knee surgery before the season and missed all four preseason games. He was healthy enough to go in Week 1 against the New York Jets. He has played in every game this season, though his playing time has been both limited and up and down. He has played as many as 26 snaps (against the Raiders in Week 3) and as few as 4 (against the Ravens last week).
Browns defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said that outside linebacker has become a crowded spot. Rookie Nate Orchard played 43 of the Browns’ 70 defensive snaps against Baltimore, Armonty Bryant played 37, Scott Solomon played 31, and Paul Kruger played 28. Solomon was placed on injured reserve this week, which would seem to open up some more time for Mingo.
“It became a little bit of a crowded position group,” O’Neil said Thursday. “I talked to Ming this week. I have to do a better job of getting him going and getting him involved, and that’s our plan moving forward.”
O’Neil said that Mingo has consistently been featured in the defensive game plan. The events of the games, it seems, have not always resulted in Mingo-friendly situations.
“We had packages up for him last week [against Baltimore],” said O’Neil. “We just couldn’t get to him. The way that game ended up being played in the second half, we just couldn’t get to those packages. He’s got a big part of our game plan this week. He has had a big part of our game plan every week. You can never predict how it’s going to go and what packages you’re going to end up in and what down and distances you’re going to end up in more.”
Mingo was asked Thursday if he plays more strongside or weakside linebacker. He doesn’t seem to have much of a preference as long as he gets on the field.
“I do a lot of stuff,” Mingo said. “I’m dropping [into coverage], I’m rushing, I’m doing this, I’m doing that. Whatever they ask me to do…I’m comfortable with everything that I would be asked to do.”
Mingo was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2013 draft, but has yet to be a consistently impactful player. In 35 career games, he has 93 total tackles and seven sacks. The Browns have struggled to generate a consistent pass rush in 2015. With the Denver Broncos coming to town, getting pressure on Peyton Manning will be crucial. Given Scott Solomon’s injury and the middling play of Paul Kruger, Mingo may get more time to prove himself Sunday.
11 Comments
Oh he “needs to be on the field. It’s that simple.” Ok, we get it now. It really was simple! Now he’ll make some plays.
OR maybe working on being in the right spot for plays? Or a little extra weight might not hurt. Maybe the agent could slap a bib on the Mingo and airplane spoon-feed our heroin chic LB?
Or better yet, maybe just a change of scenery…
https://41.media.tumblr.com/78f93a8c11b90a461eca591ea5bebdd0/tumblr_ms4dfo1JG91somw7ho5_500.png
Mingo sure feels busty up to this point, in spite of what his agent unsurprisingly thinks. Doesn’t seem like he’s either a sideline-to-sideline OLB or a pass rusher. He’s a tall, athletic player who doesn’t seem to excel at anything.
Johnny Manziel’s agent on line 2!
He’s pretty good at over running a play.
He’s also shown a proclivity for not setting the edge.
Or maybe he just has a different edge that he abides by, did you ever think of that?!!!
PS. For the Browns as a whole, this “edge” you speak of, is as elusive as the holy grain. I’m not sure I even know what it is anymore.
Agent also says I told ya, I’m only talking to Mingo’s mom once a week, take a message.
Agent also says ok ok Kiki, I’m on it, I’m callin’ the beat writer to light the stove … no-no, hell no, not that one, I mean the cougar. She’s not so bright, if I call she’ll run with it.
Agent also says she’s calling again? What? Really. So you tell her I’m a damn fine agent, when my clients can play. Nah, don’t say that, just put her into my voicemail.
Barkevious Mingo is clearly a fan of a different edge… The Edge, to be specific.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae294/u2_stage_and_studio_edge/1-Guitars/Fender/Telecaster_Custom-1975-walnut/edgeGW2.jpg
“Mingo-Friendly situations” = “College Football”
Seriously. As a side note, all of the talk from O’Neill is not about how the players have underperformed (or just suck), but instead Mingo and Kruger’s PT just happens to have been reduced because of “other packages being called.” Dear god…what a load.
So, no no…it’s not you….nothing’s wrong with you buddy…that good looking girl was just calling for a different package.