If Barkevious Mingo wants more playing time, he'll have to earn it
Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo was relegated to pass coverage duty last season, but if he wants to get back to rushing the quarterback, he's going to have to earn it.
Mingo, who notched just two sacks last year as he battled a bum shoulder, enters his third season competing with the emerging Scott Solomon and second-round pick Nate Orchard for time at outside linebacker. Solomon took most of the first-team snaps throughout OTAs and minicamp while Mingo's shoulder still recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Armonty Bryant is also expected to get work at outside linebacker after missing 11 games last season.
Mingo, the sixth overall pick in 2013, won't get any special credit for being a high-draft choice.
"Guys are going to have to earn it," said defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil via the team's offcial website. "We don’t care where you were drafted, when you were drafted, how much you’re getting paid; the best 11 guys and the guys who earn their roles are the guys who are going to play.
"No one is guaranteed anything on the defense. Joe Haden knows that, Donte Whitner Donte Whitner knows that and Karlos Dansby knows that. You're going to have to earn playing time. We’re deep in every position group. Mingo is going to have to come back ready to go, and he’s going to have to earn it."
Mingo apparently knows it too, as he believes competition will make everyone, and the team better.
"We've got to compete for our jobs day in and day out. We have to compete on the field on game days to win the game. I wouldn't expect anything less. I'm ready as soon as I can get out there."
As the team's best coverage linebacker, Mingo was willing to drop back on passing downs last season. With a healthy shoulder, he's hoping he can get back to chasing quarterbacks instead of tight ends in 2015.
"My role was altered when these coaches came and I accepted that role," Mingo said. "It's about being unselfish and doing what's asked of us to help the team win games."
h/t: Cleveland Browns
