Ravens LB Must Step Up in 2016
Arthur Brown has been an enigma since he arrived in Baltimore via Kansas State. Many expected him to be selected in the 20-40 range of the 2013 NFL Draft and given the Ravens selection at No. 56 overall, most labeled him a draft day bargain.
Check out this scouting profile of Brown from NFL.com as he entered the 2013 NFL Draft:
STRENGTHS
Instinctive player who usually finds the football and plays bigger than his height indicates. Strong, secure tackler who wraps and rarely misses, even against larger ball carriers. Has the lower body power to stop backs’ momentum when head-up and brings power into his stops when attacking ball carriers in space. Uses hands very well. Keeps feet moving through contact. Moves towards the play side even if formation is used as misdirection. Attacks fullbacks in the hole, and does not shy from contact with linemen in the box. Uses his hands to keep pulling guards at bay, but can also dip under their shoulder to avoid their reach. Adept in coverage, can get his hands on a slot receiver or tight end, yet still come off to run with a crosser. Keeps an eye on receivers running behind him, can stay with them across the field. Handles running backs in the flat and on wheel routes. Competitive on 50/50 balls. Consistently hustles from one sideline to the other. Shows some quickness through gaps as a blitzer.
WEAKNESSES
Will be considered undersized for the inside linebacker position and doesn’t have much room to grow into. Maturity questions were raised after transfer from Miami. Won’t blow up blocker in front of him causing a log jam in the hole. Are times he overruns the hole due to poor vision, fails to recognize his mistake and reset.
NFL COMPARISON
NaVorro Bowman.
At this point, the Ravens would settle for Ed Hartwell or Bart Scott.
“My goal coming into this league was to be a productive, competitive player,” Brown shared in a nice piece written by BR.com’s Ryan Mink.
“That hasn’t changed since I’ve been here. I’m just going to keep striving and preparing to achieve that goal.”
2016 could be Brown’s last shot. Without any proven competition at the “Will” linebacker position, should he somehow approach those lofty draft day expectations, he could be in the league for several more seasons and secure his financial future.
But if he fails, there may be NO more seasons.
There’s just not a big market for three-year veteran linebackers with 17 career tackles, ½ sack and 1 forced fumble.
There are no more mulligans for Brown.
Arthur, you are on the tee!
