Browns looking for help in the middle
Posted March 19th, 2009 by Luke Chandler
When new Browns head coach Eric Mangini took over in his first season as the Jets head coach, he used the team's two first round picks in 2006 on the offensive line. After drafting D'Brickshaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold, he gave the Jets two building blocks up front. With only two spots on the Browns line solidified, Mangini could make a play early on Day 1 of the draft to upgrade the Browns offensive line.
Per Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Rep, the Browns have been heavily scouting the top two centers in this draft, California's Alex Mack and Oregon's Max Unger. With the thirty-sixth pick overall at the top of the second round, the Browns should be in a position to select either player.
For more insight on each player, I'll defer to Dan who has been watching both Mack and Unger for the past two seasons:
Mocking the Draft/New Era Scouting's No. 1 overall center, Alex Mack:
Alex Mack
6’4, 314 pounds | California | Center
Strengths: An attacker at the second level. Seeks out opponents instead of letting them come to him. Really good cut blocker. Mack has great snap quickness to get the ball off and get into his stance. Mauling run blocker who uses his powerful lower body to push back tackles. Exceptional trap blocker. Never stops competing, even when a play is halfway down the field. Plays with a lot of intensity. Possesses great base strength. Play overall is very similar to Matt Birk of the Minnesota Vikings.
Weaknesses: Mack is sometimes slow to react in pass protection, which brings in to question his awareness. Doesn't move laterally especially well. Can have some trouble reacting and neutralizing speed rushers charging the A-gap. Will get too tall in his stance. Needs to keep better balance and body, especially on the move. Base has to get wider or he could have some trouble facing players stronger than him. Fairly tall for a center. Not especially long arms. Bulky build throughout his frame. Probably can't hold much more mass.
Final word: Mack is arguably the best center in college football since Nick Mangold. He's especially powerful. His biggest strength is in-line, run blocking. Needs to develop his technical skills better. Registered a program-record power clean of 374 pounds. Has no known character flaws. The unquestioned leader of Cal’s offense.
Round projection: 2
Mocking the Draft/New Era Scouting's No.2 overall center, Max Unger:
Max Unger
6'5, 305 pounds | Oregon | Center
Strengths: Has plus agility for an interior linemen. Very light on his feet and quick off the snap. Moves in space fairly well. Properly targets defenders on the second level. Great character. Solid team player who switched effortlessly from left tackle to center. Has the intelligence to make pre-snap adjustments along the offensive line. Picks up blitzes nicely. Uses his quickness to adjust to spin moves and stunts.
Weaknesses: Somewhat slender for the position. If he stays at center, Unger needs to add about 15 pounds of muscle to hold up against bigger NFL defensive tackles. Especially needs to add strength in his lower body. Will get pushed back by bigger tackles and will need guard help. At Oregon, In pass protection, Unger had a lot of space around him that allowed him to use his mobility to neutralize his opponents. It will be interesting to see how he holds up in a tighter line. Unger snapped mostly from the shotgun and will need to adjust some to having the quarterback directly under him on almost every play. Takes deep steps, which could cause him to tangle up with guards or quarterbacks in the NFL.
Final word: At this point in his career progression, Unger is a much better pass blocker than run blocker. As a sophomore, Unger was one of the best left tackles in the nation. Then, with the arrival of Fenuki Tupou at Oregon, he shifted inside so head coach Mike Bellotti could get the best players on the field. Will be at least a very dependable backup lineman at the next level.
Round projection: 2
Both are highly versatile players. Unger has played every spot on the line, and in the right scheme could sub anywhere he is needed. Mack has enough strength to move out to guard, where the Browns also have a need.
So who do you think the Browns should target? Are you happy that they are looking at centers given their other needs on offense? Let us know in the comments!
March 19th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Taking one of these two guys would give the Browns one of the best o-lines in the league. With the FA signings of Pork Chop and St. Clair there will be plenty of depth. Also, the blocking from the TE will be better now that Winslow's gone, and there will be better blocking from the WR position if Steptoe is replaced by a bigger slot receiver. Picking up a solid RB and C with the two second rounders would really bulk up the running game. Unfortunately there's no one around to catch the ball or rush the passer…
March 19th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
With the addition of Womack and St.Clair.The Browns look to be building a power running offense.I like Mack better than Unger.Mack was a former wrestler so he knows how to use leverage.He's very strong and can handle a big nose tackle.It would not surprise me if the Browns took Wells with the 5th pick in the draft.They just seem to be gearing up to be a ball control power running team.And Wells would be able to learn under Jamal Lewis.I know Beanie's not rated that high but sometimes you take the player that best fits your needs.I'm not sold on the list of defensive end /outside linebacker.Unless Aaron Curry is available.And I highly doubt that to happen.The Browns have many options at the #5 pick.Who they pick could decide the direction they go with the first 2nd round pick.We still have 6 weeks to go til draft weekend.This is definitely a fun part of the offseason.
March 19th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I like Mack . I like the Browns are trying to improve the O-line. How far has Ohio State players BOONE and REHRING fallen in the draft
March 19th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Don't discount Wood from Louisville,especially if Mack and Unger go higher than expected.Wood was the only center able to handle B.J.Raji at Senior Bowl practices.I'm liking Wells more all the time,but ideally a little later than 5.This might require us taking a player at 5 that another team loves[Crabtree,Orakpo?] We talk to teams in the 12 to 20 range emphasizing our happiness with our guy at 5 buuut if you really want him and Wells is there when you pick maybe we can work something out.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:06 am
I read about Mack and Unger 2 weeks ago and have posted on a couple of sports blogs that the Browns should think about a center. 3 injured QBs and no running game told me that not only is it a need, but there are some very talented prospects to fill it. With the OL signings the Browns have made, it seems that one of the first things they want is a dominant O-Line, and a 10 year C would finish it. Pass rusher with the first pick, center with the second pick, DB or RB with the third pick. If they can get another first or second round pick (the rumors are flying) then they could get all four of those positions or another LB if there isn't a quality DB on the board.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:06 am
A dominating offensive line is the cornerstone of any consistantly competetive team. Remember Dick, Monty, John, Gene and that line… they carried Jim and Leroy for a decade in the '60s and gave our QB's time to reach Gary, Paul and our team of receivers. I've been dreaming of those days for a long time. The closest we've come to that was during the Kosar years. Bring on the O-line early.
Kentucky Bob
March 20th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I'd prefer Mack, he seems to have the tools to play in the Central against some pro-bowl class NTs. Don't forget we might be in need of another quality WR with Mr. Stallworth's problems. PD reported he had a blood alcohol level of 0.12 combined with a homicide = jail time for Donte. Even if we don't keep him, I'd like to see them pick up Crabtree then either trade him or let him compete with Edwards for the #1 spot. Edwards would probably pout if they picked him, GOOD, maybe he'd finally man up and stop dropping the darned ball.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Mack seems like a beast!! Lets get him in 2nd.
I thought the Browns were going to go OL at the 5th pick. But all their signings allow them to get the best player or trade picks. I guess it's one of the advantages in having so many holes to fill.
April 12th, 2009 at 1:04 am
superdawg your running backs your clowns pick up suck period former wrestler wrestling wwf is all fake like the clowns fake nfl football joke on the lake your running backs suck what do you look at you have nothing n0o rec's no quarterbacks no def your a joke of the nflk clowns jets clev. clowns jets on the shores of dirty lake erie hahahaahahhaahhahahaha GO DALLAS GO PITT. clowns suck period you will always suck if your clev. hahaahahahhahahahahahahbgahahahahahahahaha
April 12th, 2009 at 1:05 am
jay c. i hope you clowns pick suckeyes players oh. st. because they will suck for the clev. clown jets too bad hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahaahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
April 12th, 2009 at 1:09 am
superdawn your masks are worn out dumb stupid imature your the puppy pd. cause your always crying clowns suck GO DALLAS GO PITT. clev jet clowns suck so do the suckeyes go texas usc haahahahah GO IRISH and any body the b eats the suckeyes and the clev. clown sucking jetds period !!!!ahahahahahahahahahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha