‘‘His ability to bend his knees, drop in coverage, plant and change directions and break on the football are all things we’re encouraged about,’’ Crennel said. ‘‘He was a defensive end in college, and they don’t do a whole lot of that.
‘‘He’s been able to make the transition and look good in doing it. He’s picking up things pretty quickly. You don’t have to keep repeating things to him. You tell him once and he gets the concept and understands what you’re talking about.’’
Wimbley played exclusively at end at Florida State. The Browns, who selected him with the 13th overall draft choice, plan to use him as a hybrid player. He’ll line up as a linebacker in the base 3-4 alignment but will switch to a down lineman on some passing downs.
The same switch was tried with Kenard Lang last year, but Lang never appeared comfortable at linebacker. The Browns cut Lang in the offseason, which allowed him to sign with the Denver Broncos.
Wimbley seems better suited to make the move. He’s more fluid in his movements than the stiff-legged Lang.
‘‘I’m getting comfortable with it as every day passes,’’ Wimbley said. ‘‘There are little things I have to correct. I’m pretty proud of what I’ve accomplished thus far.’’
There’s no question why the Browns selected Wimbley. With a NFL-low 23 sacks last season, the defense is in dire need of developing a strong pass rush.
Wimbley had just 12 sacks in four seasons at FSU, but he’s quick to point out that he was part of a rotation in his first three seasons. He was a full-time starter last season, when he registered 7.5 sacks before missing the last three games with a sprained knee.
‘‘It wasn’t until my senior season when I had a chance to start,’’ Wimbley said. ‘‘I think in those games (that I missed) I could have improved on my sack numbers. I don’t think it was a concern if I could get sacks or not. I think it was more so that we had NFL guys playing in front of me in my junior year, and I had to play both sides to back them up.’’
One advantage Wimbley will have in making the switch to linebacker is having 13-year veteran Willie McGinest as a teammate. McGinest made the same move with the New England Patriots after his career at USC.
‘‘It’s important for me to have somebody if I have a question I can go to him and get a player’s perspective on him,’’ Wimbley said. ‘‘He can tell me what he’s thinking so I can try to take some of those things into the way I play. His mentality when he plays is what makes him so good.’’
The plan as of now is to start McGinest on the left side and Matt Stewart on the right side — Andra Davis and Chaun Thompson could be the inside starters. Wimbley would join Stewart and McGinest as part of a three-man man rotation at the outside spots.
and nice link. I think we agree on the ILB position. I have made feelers to the owner of DQwell and he appears not to be interested at this point. Perhaps he might if Thompson gets the starting nod this season.
