Wimbley coming along quicklyJeff Walcoff, Staff Writer 10.12.2006When Browns general manager Phil Savage drafted Kamerion Wimbley 13th overall at the 2006 NFL Draft, he and the scouting staff certainly expected Wimbley to one day be the pass rushing force the team's 3-4 defense needed. As a collegiate defensive end who had to take on the daunting challenge of moving to outside linebacker, never did they likely expect he'd be paying such dividends this soon.Wimbley leads the Browns in sacks (3), tackles for loss (4) and quarterback pressures (5). He is routinely seen outrunning offensive tackles to chase opposing quarterbacks around and out of the pocket. He's also ninth on the team with 19 tackles.It's been a challenging road for Wimbley that he has traveled with great efficiency."It started out kind of slow with progress but it's starting to really go smoothly now," he said. "It's more difficult when you start with a clean slate and you don't know much because you're building off of really nothing. Now whenever we do stuff I'm just adding onto the foundation."To the surprise of many, Wimbley vaulted through the position change and secured a spot in the starting lineup opposite former Pro Bowl linebacker Willie McGinest. Together, the pair makes up a strong duo of outside linebackers combining knowledge and experience with raw power, speed and potential.But Wimbley isn't close to being satisfied. He said he's aiming for double-digit sacks during his rookie season. He's just about on pace to be there by season's end. Meanwhile, he's making more and more of an impact each time he's on the field."I feel I'm starting to make an impact and hopefully I'm putting us in position to make us successful," Wimbley said. "But there is more I can do. There's still a lot I need to learn. I'm definitely not close to where I think I need to be. It's going to take a lot of work and study."I set higher goals than I'll probably ever achieve. So I set a standard way above what I'm doing now. What I'm doing now is good so hopefully I can keep that going and get to where I want to be."While Wimbley shoots for higher ground, he isn't surprising his teammates with what he has done so far. His fellow linebackers have seen his potential since he arrived shortly after the draft and know what he can achieve in the NFL if he continues on his current pace."Kamerion is doing everything I expected out of him," linebacker Andra Davis said. "It's not like he's coming from small school. He comes from one of the best programs in the nation and he played against he best players." It's no wonder Davis touted Wimbley's collegiate opponents. Wimbley went to Florida State, who plays Davis' alma mater Florida each year."He's used to competing," Davis continued. "He should have more sacks than he has. He has had the quarterback a couple times, but in this league quarterbacks aren't going to take the sack. They'll throw the ball away."He's an athlete. Kamerion is one of the fastest guys on our team. He uses his god-given talents to help us. He's doing everything we ask of him. The sky is the limit for him."
