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Can they be knots in the rope?
The Browns like their five draft choices. Of course, what else would they be saying at this stage?
Running around in shorts with about 70 other guys who mostly have the proverbial snowball’s chance in hell of making the roster, the Fab Five at least looked the part of football players during the weekend’s rookie minicamp.
No question, they will stand out in the hotel lobby. Now, whether they will become knots in the rope, who can say?
Ah, the rope. Knotted in several spots, it continues to hang in the vestibule of team headquarters, along with a sign posted by General Manager Phil Savage challenging everyone in the organization (presumably including secretaries and kitchen workers) to become a “knot in the rope” and give the Browns traction in their climb toward the Super Bowl.
OK, it’s beyond corny, but Savage just got a three-year contract extension and it looks like he knows what he’s doing, so if he wants to go around hanging ropes at the facility and also outside the locker room at Cleveland Browns Stadium (yeah, there’s one there, too), who’s to argue?
Will it help beat Pittsburgh? It just depends on how quickly these draftees turn themselves into knots.
Here are some of head coach Romeo Crennel’s initial impressions after watching them in person for the first time since the Combine:
Fourth-round linebacker Beau Bell: “He has some movement skills (let’s hope so, right?). You can see him move and be able to get to the ball some. But we’ll have to get the pads on because linebacker is one of those positions where they do have to hit some.”
Seventh-round linebacker Alex Hall: “He shows that he has athletic ability and talent. So far, I’m encouraged.”
Fourth-round tight end Martin Rucker: “Once we get to training camp and put the pads on, we’ll find out more about his blocking. So far, it looks like he can catch the ball, he’s got a big body, he moves well against the linebackers and that’s encouraging.”
Sixth-round nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin: “He looks like he has excellent strength. From what we’ve seen here so far, he looks strong, particularly if you look at his upper body. He’s like a little fireplug.”
Rucker and Bell are the best bets to become knots early. Rucker will get all the work he can handle at next month’s full-squad minicamp with tight ends Kellen Winslow Jr. (knee) and Steve Heiden (back) likely to be limited coming off surgery. Bell will be busting wedges on special teams until he learns the defense.
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By Professor
May 5, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Interesting metaphor with the rope. Last year the Titans and the Colts tied the slip knot that turned the rope into the noose that resulted in the Browns fans watching a game that was to never have an impact on their beloved team.