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Bell ahead of Veikune, Fraley ahead of Mack


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I thought this was interesting. Some of us were noting that Beau Bell looked terrible in his time playing with the first/second teams last week, despite his ability to lay a lick. He just can't tackle in space, at least some people noted. However, he's ahead of Veikune according to Doerscuck. If you watch the replay of that Titans game, you see Veikune running around a step behind a lot of the time.

 

Also, Fraley is still ahead of Mack?

 

He might play a lot. He might play a little. He might play here. He might play there.

 

Not even the boss knows what he’s going to do with second-round draft pick David Veikune.

 

Veikune was a defensive end at Hawaii, which automatically meant he would get a crash course at outside linebacker in the Browns’ 3-4 scheme. His big body, overall skills and football IQ gave coaches the bright idea he could play inside linebacker, too. Indeed, he has.

 

“He has to be swimming,” Head Coach Eric Mangini said. “He’s played inside, outside, the buck position, defensive end.

 

“He’s going from a three-point to a two-point stance. There’s a lot of information. It will serve him well over time.”

 

What has it done for him lately? Veikune says he has “no idea” what his role will be in the season opener.

 

Has it been a quantum leap from Honolulu? A gradual one?

 

“I wouldn’t say quantum,” Veikune said. “Maybe in between those two.”

 

NOW THIRD STRING

 

Veikune heads into tonight’s game at Chicago listed as a third-string linebacker behind D’Qwell Jackson and Beau Bell. Bell, though, didn’t make a single tackle while appearing in four games as a 2008 fourth-round draft pick.

 

Veikune was drafted two rounds higher than Bell. He was the new regime’s first defensive draft pick. Will he move ahead of Bell? Do the math.

 

“One important thing that I’ve tried to get across to everybody, especially the rookies, is understanding the whole defense,” Mangini said. “If you understand why we’re doing it, what it’s designed to stop, what it should look like, where people should fit, then problems aren’t as tough to figure out.

 

“When you just know your spot, other stuff doesn’t make any sense.”

 

In Veikune’s case, he isn’t just soaking up knowledge. The staff envisions him as a versatile guy who can be solid in a base defense or move around and spring surprise attacks.

 

“I have a good amount of knowledge from Mangini in the teaching aspect,” Veikune said. “He makes sure we know everything.”

 

In Veikune’s case, he’s been practicing everything. Soon the games will be real.

 

“Everyone’s excited about the season,” Veikune said. “It’s really close.”

 

Fraley remains ahead of Mack

 

Don’t assume Head Coach Eric Mangini will start first-round Alex Mack at center just because he started 2006 Round 1 pick Nick Mangold right out of the gate with the Jets.

 

Hank Fraley, who turns 32 this month, might be slowing down, but he has impressed Mangini during the preseason.

 

Fraley has begun the last eight seasons as the starting center of the Eagles and Browns. He has played in 10 playoff games and has been an iron man, losing only eight games (all in 2005) to injury.

 

Mangini said Fraley has “great savvy” and used a first-down gain on a third-and-12 draw play against Tennessee as an example:

 

“Hank recognized something (the Titans) had done. It really wasn’t anticipated based on their front. (The way the play progressed), driven by Hank, really opened up that hole.”

 

http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/x175034749...to-keep-Veikune

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it's tough for a center to just come in and start, unless the team doesn't have much choice.

 

Mack will be the starter in due time, but it's good that Fraley is holding his own.

 

But, I think we will have Mack in there before we play the dirty rotten filthy ratbirds or Stinksburg.

 

Veikune has surprised me a few times in preseason with some heads up play...

 

different positions in the pros is a lot to throw at a linebacker, and the Browns have options to give

 

Veikune some time.

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Veikune looked somewhat lost out there last week mangini is feeding him a lot of info and the kid will be better off for it i would find it hard to believe bell is ahead of him though...bell is a hard hitter but first he has to lock onto the victim before laying the hit he is failing to do that thusfar imo...;)

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Guest Aloysius

I wouldn't read much into this. After all, Rod Hood was playing with the ones right before he got cut.

 

If anything, this could be a way for the coaches to get a long last look at Bell, just to make sure they're making the right move. Veikune's a lock to make the team, so his play tonight isn't much of a concern.

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Bell had a monster hit/tackle "in space" on ST coverage last week. Titans returner tried a little stutter-step juke, and Bell just squared his hips & lowered the boom on him. Tattooed the guy too.

 

I hope Bell has improved enough so that he makes the team. He's a hell of a tackler. If he can play & not just tackle, that's our thumper next to DQ. Hopefully Mangini & Ryan can get it out of him.

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Mack started the last game and played well?

 

Really? I saw him on his ass more in 2 quarters then Fraley all last season (not really, but a lot). Not saying he won't be the man, but he has missed some major assignments and has got thrown around pretty good.

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The Fraley deal doesn't surprise me all that much....and isn't a knock on mack....it is a tough position to walk right in and command.

 

The Bell deal does surprise me.

 

Hard to understand how anybody could say Bell is ahead of Veikune when they have been playing different positions. Veikune has been playing OLB since they had so many injuries. IMO Veikune has excelled on kickoff coverage. He does a nice job maintaining his lane. Bell is all over the field, he can put some licks on but he is also creating gaps fro the returner because he is always trying to make the big hit.

 

I see Bell as the 5th ILB and that spells trouble. I don't think he will beat our either Maiava or Leon Williams. Mainly because Williams can play both ILB and OLB and does a good job on special teams. Maiava is a monster on special teams. Veikune plays ILB, OLB and plays with his hand down on some 4 man fronts. He also outplays Bell on special teams.

 

My question would be who's depth chart are they going by. I guarantee Veikune and Maiava make the team, I don't know about Bell or Williams.

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I wouldn't read much into this. After all, Rod Hood was playing with the ones right before he got cut.

 

If anything, this could be a way for the coaches to get a long last look at Bell, just to make sure they're making the right move. Veikune's a lock to make the team, so his play tonight isn't much of a concern.

 

 

Took that post right off my keyboard, Alo.

 

That's exactly what's going on here. Bell is playing for his job in Chicago tonight.

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NWOB and Alo, I agree. Rod Hood was upset because all of the players keep getting switched in camp. Some days with the 1's and other days with 2's or 3's. It was off-putting to him.

 

At first, that struck me as odd and I didn't like it but the more I thought about it the more it seemed like a genius move. If you keep the depth chart fluid in training camp and players are not sure if they're really a starter then EVERYONE has incentive to work harder.

 

I surely think that Mack is going to start but perhaps he wants to see how tough Fraley is mentally and how hard Mack will push if he's got a "carrot dangled in front of him".

 

 

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Hard to understand how anybody could say Bell is ahead of Veikune when they have been playing different positions. Veikune has been playing OLB since they had so many injuries. IMO Veikune has excelled on kickoff coverage. He does a nice job maintaining his lane. Bell is all over the field, he can put some licks on but he is also creating gaps fro the returner because he is always trying to make the big hit.

 

I see Bell as the 5th ILB and that spells trouble. I don't think he will beat our either Maiava or Leon Williams. Mainly because Williams can play both ILB and OLB and does a good job on special teams. Maiava is a monster on special teams. Veikune plays ILB, OLB and plays with his hand down on some 4 man fronts. He also outplays Bell on special teams.

 

My question would be who's depth chart are they going by. I guarantee Veikune and Maiava make the team, I don't know about Bell or Williams.

 

Y-town, I think you hit the nail on the head, depending on how they play tonight either Williams or Bell or maybe both are gone by Saturday.

 

A shame really, a couple of years ago I thought Williams did enough to be in the LB rotation but hasn't shown much lately and aside from the occasional big hit on kickoff coverage Bell has been invisible.

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