Browns keeping an eye on trio from Florida State
Saturday, March 18, 2006
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[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By STEVE DOERSCHUK [/FONT]
Free agency and the draft work hand in hand, which could mean the Browns will try to get their mitts on one of three Florida State defenders.
Improving the defensive front was a top priority coming off the first year in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 scheme. Since no young impact defenders were landed during Phil Savage’s free-agency sweep, the focus turned to some Seminole sensations: tackle Brodrick Bunkley, end Kamerion Wimbley and linebacker Ernie Sims Jr.
A day after 34-year-old linebacker Willie McGinest agreed to terms Wednesday, the Browns had a contingent at Florida State’s Pro Day.
Insofar as Bunkley, Wimbley and Sims figure to be first-round picks who could help Cleveland, two questions arise:
Do the Browns agree with analysts who see the any of the three as worth considering for the No. 12 pick?
If the Browns trade down, is it likely one of the three will be there?
BIG-PLAY BUNKLEY
The 6-foot-2¾, 306-pound Bunkley could play end or nose tackle in the Browns’ 3-4 scheme. He’s a bit light for nose tackle, but he’s a beast.
Bunkley’s NFL Combine performance in the bench press — 44 lifts of 225 pounds — was second only to the 45 put up by Ohio State’s Nick Kudla.
Bunkley has logged 40-yard dash times between 4.9 and 5.0 seconds and is very athletic.
He was a force for Florida State’s disappointing 8-5 team, making 25 tackles for loss, second in NCAA Division I.
The Web site nfldraftscout.com, which worked closely with the league at the Combine, is in love with Bunkley, rating him as the ninth-best player in the draft, one spot behind nose tackle Haloti Ngata of Oregon.
The site posted this updated analysis: “The closer the draft gets, the more the Browns are likely to look at Bunkley. He would play right end, a move that would relegate Alvin McKinley to a backup role.”
The Browns would have to convince themselves Bunkley has grown up. In 2003, he was fined and sentenced to community service for stealing a video game from a store. He also missed practice time in 2005 because of academic issues.
A ‘CHARACTER GUY’
Wimbley would have to convert from 4-3 end to 3-4 outside linebacker to fit. Not a problem, he says.
“I’m open to it,” Wimbley said at the Combine. “It would be a fun challenge. It would give me a chance to display athleticism that you don’t necessarily get to show at end.”
He has had to repair his stock after suffering a sprained knee Nov. 5 when a North Carolina State player chop blocked him. In nine games before the injury, he had 7½ sacks, 17 quarterback pressures and 11 tackles for loss.
It also doesn’t help Wimbley that he was a backup until 2005.
On the plus side, the 6-4, 248-pounder has looked strong in predraft workouts, running 40-yard dashes in about 4.6 seconds and vertical jumping close to 40 inches.
As to his reputation as a strong character guy, Wimbley said, “More of that comes from my spiritual walk. I have a great relationship with my Lord and Savior. I have to carry myself based on that relationship.”
OFF-FIELD ISSUES
Whereas Wimbley is the No. 14 player on nfldraftscout.com’s board, the linebacker, Sims, is No. 14 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s list.
Sims’ height (5-11¼) is a concern, but he looks well put together at 234 pounds. Viewed as Florida State’s best linebacker since Derrick Brooks, Sims plays with a relentless style that produces big hits.
“It’s just in me,” he said. “My intentions are to go out there and punish people.”
He has had to explain off-the-field issues too, including a July arrest on charges he assaulted his girlfriend. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to two days of public service.
Sims thinks he could inject speed into any scheme. His mother, Alice, was a Florida State track star. His father, Ernie, was a Florida State football player who had been a high school track star. At Thursday’s pro day, he ran the 40 in the 4.5 range.
His younger brother, Marcus, will be a freshman running back at Florida State.
Sims grew up with football. As a ninth-grader, he was a varsity starter for Florida Christian High School in Tallahassee. In a state title game against that year, he lined at defensive end against Orlando Lake Highland offensive tackle Max Starks.
“It was a first chance to face a big-time athlete,” Sims said.
Starks was the Steelers’ right tackle in Super Bowl XL. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail:
[email protected]
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