Browns sign LB Mychal Kendricks

[Randolphkeys]

My understanding with Kendricks is that he is a phenomenal athlete who had an injury in 2016 appear to derail some of his gifts. However, his PFF grade continued to be stellar. Philly just wasn't sure they could spend top linebacker money on him anymore. For the Browns, leaving Schobert in on passing downs was never ideal since he is 6'1 and not the athletic coverage backer Kendricks has already proven to be. In this sport, chances are pretty good that one of the three will go down with injury, maybe even two. It's rare that a Browns team can withstand multiple injuries to one position and still look like an NFL team.

 

[CBBI]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Kendricks has never, to my knowledge, played middle linebacker in a 4-3.

He's played ILB in a 3-4 and SLB in a 4-3, but never in the middle.

 

[Soda]

I think Hue said that Kendricks can play all 3 positions and will start out at middle linebacker. I assume they are going to rotate all 4 linebackers. I thought he would play in Collins spot till he was healthy.

Agree that they'll rotate them all. Plus, it gives them an opportunity to mix-up formations with Collins being versatile enough to come off the edge.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Kendricks has never, to my knowledge, played middle linebacker in a 4-3.

He's played ILB in a 3-4 and SLB in a 4-3, but never in the middle.

I'm pretty sure you are correct, at least going back to Cal. However, its also important to note the position has been changing the past four years or so. Luke Kuelchy in Carolina is a middle linebacker in a 4-3, but is also their best linebacker in coverage. Same can be said for Rueben Foster last season, and the Niners drafted a converted safety to back up Foster in Fred Warner of BYU. The 4-3 is asking the MIKE to do more in coverage, which is why Tank Carder scared the daylights out of me as a possible starter last season.

 

[inliner311]

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