April 25, 2009
Five reasons Cleveland will love Alex Mack
posted by @ 10:44 pm | comment
Five reasons I think Cleveland is going to love Alex Mack...
1. He has brains and brawn. Any time a guy graduates from Cal, he's probably going to be smart enough to make the O-line calls. That's not to mention the fancy awards he's picked up for his smarts and community service. He's polished, too, and he's worked to make himself the player he's become.
2. He'll mix it up. A former high school wrestler, he learned leverage there and showed his toughness last fall when he broke his right (snapping) hand. He didn't miss a game; he just started snapping with his left hand.
3. There are/were lots of good centers in this draft. That the Browns targeted Mack as the one for them says he fits everything they're looking for. Solid player, solid citizen, lots of upside.
4. If you're going to win in the AFC North, you're going to have to win in the trenches. He blocked for Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett at Cal in 2006 and 2007, and he blew open holes for Jahvid Best last year. Mr. Best is headed to the NFL, as well. He can fly, and Mack was credited with eight downfield blocks last fall for getting out and helping him.
5. He's versatile. He said he "enjoyed" his trial run at guard at the Senior Bowl. Considering the Browns have veterans with experience at both positions on the roster, that helps him immediately and in the long term. It gives the team flexibility, too. Eric Mangini said Mack will get a chance to carve himself a position, and the things he'll bring to that battle -- brains, work ethic, willingness to improve and play anywhere -- seem to the things that are going to be contagious around here.
That's good news for the Browns. | 
