Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The Arizona Cardinals trade DE Matt Shaughnessy to the Baltimore Ravens for ILB Arthur Brown.
Why it make sense for the Cardinals:
Adding speed at WILB is a glaring need, especially with the health of Sean Weatherspoon in question. The Cardinals have good depth on the defensive line, but are lacking at ILB. Brown has had 12 tackles (leads Ravens) and a sack this far in the pre-season.
Why it makes sense for the Ravens:
John Harbaugh has been concerned about his team's sluggish performance stopping the run and getting a run stuffer like Shaughnessy can help address that need. The Ravens are very deep at ILB, which is why Brown hasn't gotten much playing time his first two years.
Here's an article on Brown that was printed before training camp:
When Arthur Brown was drafted in the second round by the Ravens two years ago, he arrived with considerable expectations and hype as many draft analysts had compared the undersized linebacker to legendary retired middle linebacker Ray Lewis.
It was ultimately far too much for Brown to live up to as he struggled to get on the field in his first two NFL seasons, recording just 15 tackles and 18 career games with zero tackles last season season in four games.
Now, Brown, 24, is trying to jump-start his NFL career heading into his third season. He's bulked up to roughly 242 pounds after playing his first few seasons between 227 and 232 pounds.
The former Kansas State All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is also diagnosing and reacting to plays faster. Whether that translates into more playing time remains to be seen, but Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees has identified a lot of progress from Brown.
“I think A.B. has taken a big step forward," Pees said. "I think he’s feeling a little more comfortable with the defense. He has always been fast; he has always been a tough guy. His problem has always been, maybe, a little bit of thinking what was going on and sometimes that would make him slow to react.
"If he knows, he’s plenty fast. He’s a very fast linebacker. He has taken a big step forward, as far as understanding the defense and what he has to do.”
Brown remains behind Pro Bowl inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and middle linebacker Daryl Smith on the depth chart, though. He does seem to be on the track to contribute more on special teams this year and possibly as a defensive reserve if called upon.
Brown didn't look hesitant this spring and was more instinctive. The extra weight didn't seem to slow him down at all.
"I'm getting bigger," Brown said. "I put on some weight and I'm maintaining it right now. I do feel good moving around. It's about keeping it on.
"I ate consistently, nothing outside of my regular diet, just very consistent throughout the offseason. I'm getting older. I've been putting on that grown-man weight."
At Kansas State, Brown had 201 tackles, 16.5 for losses, three sacks and three interceptions in two seasons after transferring from the University of Miami. Special teams is likely his quickest path onto the field this season.
"That's definitely one of my main roles and main focuses," Brown said. "That's how I need to make it on the field is in that phase of the game."
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In my opinion, Brown's speed, quickness to the ball, chase ability and coverage talent would make him an instant fit in AZ at WILB.
Why it make sense for the Cardinals:
Adding speed at WILB is a glaring need, especially with the health of Sean Weatherspoon in question. The Cardinals have good depth on the defensive line, but are lacking at ILB. Brown has had 12 tackles (leads Ravens) and a sack this far in the pre-season.
Why it makes sense for the Ravens:
John Harbaugh has been concerned about his team's sluggish performance stopping the run and getting a run stuffer like Shaughnessy can help address that need. The Ravens are very deep at ILB, which is why Brown hasn't gotten much playing time his first two years.
Here's an article on Brown that was printed before training camp:
When Arthur Brown was drafted in the second round by the Ravens two years ago, he arrived with considerable expectations and hype as many draft analysts had compared the undersized linebacker to legendary retired middle linebacker Ray Lewis.
It was ultimately far too much for Brown to live up to as he struggled to get on the field in his first two NFL seasons, recording just 15 tackles and 18 career games with zero tackles last season season in four games.
Now, Brown, 24, is trying to jump-start his NFL career heading into his third season. He's bulked up to roughly 242 pounds after playing his first few seasons between 227 and 232 pounds.
The former Kansas State All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is also diagnosing and reacting to plays faster. Whether that translates into more playing time remains to be seen, but Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees has identified a lot of progress from Brown.
“I think A.B. has taken a big step forward," Pees said. "I think he’s feeling a little more comfortable with the defense. He has always been fast; he has always been a tough guy. His problem has always been, maybe, a little bit of thinking what was going on and sometimes that would make him slow to react.
"If he knows, he’s plenty fast. He’s a very fast linebacker. He has taken a big step forward, as far as understanding the defense and what he has to do.”
Brown remains behind Pro Bowl inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and middle linebacker Daryl Smith on the depth chart, though. He does seem to be on the track to contribute more on special teams this year and possibly as a defensive reserve if called upon.
Brown didn't look hesitant this spring and was more instinctive. The extra weight didn't seem to slow him down at all.
"I'm getting bigger," Brown said. "I put on some weight and I'm maintaining it right now. I do feel good moving around. It's about keeping it on.
"I ate consistently, nothing outside of my regular diet, just very consistent throughout the offseason. I'm getting older. I've been putting on that grown-man weight."
At Kansas State, Brown had 201 tackles, 16.5 for losses, three sacks and three interceptions in two seasons after transferring from the University of Miami. Special teams is likely his quickest path onto the field this season.
"That's definitely one of my main roles and main focuses," Brown said. "That's how I need to make it on the field is in that phase of the game."
[email protected]
twitter.com/RavensInsider
In my opinion, Brown's speed, quickness to the ball, chase ability and coverage talent would make him an instant fit in AZ at WILB.
