Arthur Brown

[vmax]

They must love him because Ozzie in essence gives up 2 players for 1.

 

 

Baltimore swapped its 62nd (Round 2), 165th (Round 5) 199th (Round 6) to move up to No. 56.

 

It was great seeing J.O. up there introducing the Ravens and getting his "Super Bowl Champions" props in.

 

 

NFL.com Overview

Brothers Arthur and Bryce Brown were top recruits coming out of Wichita East High School, Arthur as a linebacker signing with Miami (Fla.) in 2008 and his brother going to Tennessee as a running back in 2009. Neither finished their careers with those schools, however, as they chose to complete them in the same place -- Manhattan, Kansas, to play for head coach Bill Snyder. While Bryce's contributions to the team were limited (three carries, 16 yards), Arthur became the impact player for which the Wildcats hoped.

He didn't get much of a chance to play during his two years with the Hurricanes, getting in 23 contests (with no starts) and making just 17 tackles. Brown then redshirted his first season in Manhattan as a transfer student before starting all 13 games as a team captain in 2011. Named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-conference pick that same season, he racked up 101 tackles, 9.5 for loss, on the year. Against Baylor, Brown intercepted Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III to set up the Wildcats' game-winning field goal -- it was the only second-half interception RG3 threw all season. His success continued in 2012, as Brown started every game at either inside or outside linebacker, amassing 100 total tackles, seven for loss, including one sack. He added four pass breakups and two interceptions, one of which came against West Virginia's Geno Smith, the Mountaineer's first of the season. Brown was set to participate int eh Senior Bowl, but an injury kept him off the field.

NFL.com Analysis

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 ballcarriers. Has the lower body power to stop backs' momentum when head-up and brings power into his stops when attacking ballcarriers 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 misstake and reset.

Bottom Line
The brother of the Philadelphia Eagles' 2012 seventh-round draft pick, running back Bryce Brown, transferred from Miami (Fla.) to see the field more regularly. It didn't take long for Arthur to make an impact at Kansas State and became the Wildcats' most consistent force on the defensive side of the ball during his tenure in Manhattan. Some will question his size, but Brown plays much bigger than his frame suggests due to strong hands and a physical attitude on contact. He projects as either an inside linebacker or weak-side prospect in the NFL.

[vmax]

"Liking this better and better....

LATEST NEWS

04/21/2013 - 2013 NFL DRAFT: FIVE BOLD PREDICTIONS: 5. One linebacker becomes an All-Pro...Arthur Brown of Kansas State got little press in Manhattan and isn't yet a headliner, but he'll make like NaVorro Bowman and go from overlooked rookie to most wanted in short order. Brown can play inside or outside linebacker and his experience stopping the run and in coverage showed scouts he'll play all three downs with the kind of verve coaches want from their defensive captain. This isn't a knock on Manti Te'o or Alec Ogletree as much as a nudge to the limelight for Brown. - Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange

 

Overview

It is seemingly an annual rite of passage. Every year there is an ultra-productive linebacker who, if only an inch or two taller, would warrant top 15 consideration. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the fortunate recipient a year ago when they landed former Nebraska star Lavonte David in the second round. He went on to record 139 tackles as a rookie, tied for the eighth best in the NFL.

 

This year, teams have two undersized stars to choose from in Rutgers' Khaseem Greene and Brown, who disappointed in his first stop in college but has since coming home has developed into an All-American and LOTT Impact Trophy finalist.

 

Originally signing with Miami (Fla.) out of high school, Brown was one of the highest recruited players in 2008 and chose the Hurricanes over offers from just about every other program in the country. Brown struggled to crack the starting lineup in his two seasons in South Beach, finishing his Hurricane career with only 17 tackles. Never quite fitting in at Miami, he moved back to his home state of Kansas, transferring to Kansas State.

 

After sitting out the 2010 season due to transfer rules, Brown had a stand-out junior campaign at middle linebacker in his first season with the Wildcats, totaling a team-best 101 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one interception. His breakout performance earned him the Big 12's Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

 

For as reliant as the Wildcats were on Heisman finalist Collin Klein on the offensive side of the ball during a run to the Fiesta Bowl in 2012, the team was every bit as dependent upon Brown on the defensive side. The surprisingly stout playmaker posted an eerily similar season in 2012 as he had his first season in Manhattan, recording 100 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions and a sack despite being the focus of every offense.

 

Brown's lack of ideal size could push him into the draft's second frame. If so, he, like David and countless others before him, could prove to be a "big" steal.

Analysis

Strengths: Instinctive, physical defender who, other than his lack of ideal size, ranks among the surest prospects of the 2013 draft. Possesses excellent key and diagnosis skills. Often takes his initial step toward where the play is designed to go before the quarterback has finished taking the snap. Possesses explosive, active hands to quickly slip blocks and plays with excellent leverage, bending at the knees to consistently get under the pads of would-be blockers and pushing them aside to make the play in the hole. Very good balance to avoid cut blocks and when knocked to the ground; remarkably quick in popping back up. Very good sideline to sideline speed, which could allow him to remain at inside linebacker in the NFL. Drops back into coverage fluidly, demonstrating not only the athleticism but the awareness to handle this responsibility in the NFL. Times his blitz well with the snap, showing the flexibility to slip past blockers, flatten out and close on the quarterback.

 

Weaknesses: Obvious size concerns, though he plays much bigger than he looks. Tendency to take on blocks with alternating shoulders, putting him in excellent position to slip off and make tackles but also could be jeopardizing the long-term health of his body, especially considering his relative lack of size in the first place. Stands out on tape for his size, physicality and open-field tackling, but hasn't proven to be much of a playmaker over his career, posting "just" three interceptions and not a single forced fumble over his collegiate career. Struggles while at Miami open up concerns about how well he'll handle the jump to an NFL team further from home.

 

COMPARES TO: Curtis Lofton, ILB, New Orleans Saints -- Like Lofton, Brown plays bigger than he looks and will quickly prove himself to be a vacuum tackler in the NFL. To emerge as one of the elite at their position, however, each has to show a greater ability to cause turnovers.

 

--Rob Rang

 

 

 

56 A- Ravens select: Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State

The Ravens get it. They know how to replace departed players with good football players. Brown is a heck of a player.

Prisco

 

[vmax]

"He plays like his hairs on fire...

 

Edited April 27, 2013 by vmax

[vmax]

Edited April 27, 2013 by vmax

[colincac]

2 guys who will fly around. Love it. Sad to see this run on WR's here, was hoping for the guy from Cal.

[oldno82]

Sounds like a very good pick. They said Ray Lewis was too small too.