Monday, February 28, 2000
PSU's Brown may slip to Bengals
But trading down also an option
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquier
INDIANAPOLIS — The fallout from the NFL's biggest trade of this offseason has landed in the Bengals' lap. Along with Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown.
After securing the third pick in a trade with San Francisco, Redskins personnel di rector Vinny Cerrato said Sunday the Bengals are sitting in a good spot with the draft's fourth pick.
“Cincinnati's either going to get who we see as an impact player or some offers to trade down,” said Cerrato here at the NFL scouting combine.
Bengals President Mike Brown acknowledged his team can use the 25 sacks logged by Courtney Brown the past two seasons. But he also said with such players as Michigan State receiver Plaxico Burress and Virginia running back Thomas Jones available, it's not a lock Cincinnati will opt for the pass rusher.
Plus, there are those inside the club who would like to see the Bengals trade down and maybe get two late first-round picks so they can draft two cornerbacks.
“No one is pursuing us for a trade now, but that's something we can do,” Mike Brown said. “This isn't like the last couple of years where we've had a gun to our head with the first pick and had to fill a position.”
Part of the reason the Redskins swung the deal was so they could take Alabama left tackle Chris Samuels, a player eyed by the Bengals. Washing ton also has the second pick, and with former Buffalo defensive end Bruce Smith in the fold, the Redskins figure to pass over Courtney Brown in favor of his Nittany Lion teammate, outside linebacker LaVar Arrington.
With Cleveland expected to take Florida State wide receiver Peter Warrick No.1, Courtney Brown is sitting there with the NFL scouting combine's second highest rating behind Warrick of all the seniors.
And Bengals defensive line coach Tim Krumrie sees him. Krumrie, drafted by the Bengals in 1983 and their line coach since 1996, can't remember Cincinnati ever possessing a dominant pass rushing end in his 18 seasons with the club. He thinks the 6-foot-4, 271-pound Brown could be that guy, but he needs to figure out how dominant and if he'll have more impact than a Burress or a Jones.
Many NFL scouts think Brown is a pass rusher who envelops blockers and shreds opposition game plans.
“This is the first time I've been coaching that I've got a guy who I really feel comfortable taking in the first round,” Krumrie said. “From everyone you talk to here, everyone's impressed with him.”
Krumrie has already had an eyeful of Arrington and Brown on tape.
“You find yourself watching one of them and then you see the other one do something that makes you say, "Who's No. 11?'” Krumrie said. “Or the other way around.”
Arrington is No. 11 and he's also been watching the Bengals. He knows about their third-year linebackers, Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons.
“Cincinnati doesn't need me,” Arrington said. “That Takeo Spikes, he's a great player. And they say the other guy might be better.”
The Bengals are satisfied if one of the group of Warrick, Arrington, Samuels and Brown falls to them, they will get an impact guy. The problem is the players at their most pressing need — cornerback — aren't good enough to take so high.
“I'd love to be that No. 4 pick,” said Ohio State cornerback Ahmed Plummer with a smile. “That wouldn't be bad at all, playing in Cincinnati, in a new stadium.”
Plummer was joking about going so high, but don't laugh if he ends up in stripes. If the Bengals trade down, Plummer, the Wyoming High School grad, could be coming home if the pick is Nos. 15 through 22. That's where he figures to go as possibly the first cornerback taken.
“Maybe there's not the outstanding top of the draft guy like there has been in recent years,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. “But I think a few of these guys we could take in the second round and maybe the third could come in and help us a lot.”
Bengals Stories
UC stays perfect in C-USA
UC looks tough, but still fragile
BEARCATS NOTEBOOK
Muskies put on show on road
XAVIER NOTEBOOK
Each player has different priority in spring training
REDS NOTEBOOK
Buckeyes' defense stifles Illini 64-51
Cardinals in no hurry with Ankiel
Busy week for high schools
Big crowds check out Mighty Ducks, Cyclones
Griffins drub tired Cyclones
