#71: Christian Kirksey, LB, Iowa

[theshad]

WHO?!?!?!?

Mike Jones!

 

[EdMonix11]

We just upgraded upon Craig Robertson, our worst defender last year, and people are mad we didn't select a WR.......

 

[macbdog]

This is a pick I just don't get, especially with Borland on the board. Curious to see what the actual plan is for this guy.

 

[oasis05]

I think they are more worried about pass coverage. Big Phil Taylor takes care of the run. Makes more sense to have pass covering line backers with our stout run defensive line. Just think he's small and will get exposed at the next level.

 

[natedagg]

"Neva heard of him, probably sucks! Reach."

- Every Cleveland fan

I was kidding. I haven't heard of him and don't know if he was a "reach" because I am not in any draft circles. It was a troll post, I admit it. If he can drop into coverage, he fills a roll that we weren't strong in. I have no problem with it, and as always, for all of our picks, I reserve judgement on them until they hit the field. I give the draft an A because of what holes we were able to fill while we also acquired another 1st rounder next year. How it plays out 3 years from now, I haven't the foggiest.

 

[EdMonix11]

This is a pick I just don't get, especially with Borland on the board. Curious to see what the actual plan is for this guy.

Because Pettine and Co. think Kirksey is better? Not real hard to understand. Two completely different players-- Borland is the type of linebacker we're trying to get rid of.

 

[oasis05]

I assume the browns are expecting Rubin Taylor and company to continue to occupy blockers and that will free up kirksey as we saw with Jackson and Robertson. You don't need big line backers with the attention our defensive line commands, and it will allow us to play some pass coverage.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I've heard of him, I just was never impressed with him.

Then again, last year the Bills did the same thing with Alonso and they just simply developed him. Kirksey has the athletic tools, but doesn't have the football talent yet. He's unmolded clay. This is a pick where you take the guy and trust your coaching staff.

We'll see.

 

[Jack Brickman]

I've heard of him, I just was never impressed with him.

Then again, last year the Bills did the same thing with Alonso and they just simply developed him. Kirksey has the athletic tools, but doesn't have the football talent yet. He's unmolded clay. This is a pick where you take the guy and trust your coaching staff.

We'll see.

Conveniently we have the guy who helped developed Alonso on our coaching staff.

 

[tristan+kyrie=$]

hell worth the pick so we don't have to see Tight Ends running up the seam with Robertson stiffing there ass

 

[A Squared]

 

[macbdog]

Because Pettine and Co. think Kirksey is better? Not real hard to understand. Two completely different players-- Borland is the type of linebacker we're trying to get rid of.

And apparently the kind that the guy that is wanted by the coach the team tried to get before Pettine? We could play the 'they thought he was better' game if we want, but the Browns lose that one based on track record pretty quickly. no offense, but if Harbaugh wants him- and he has shown he can put together a defense- I think that says something more. We'll see how this ends up in a few years. The Browns went for athleticism, the 49ers went with production. See if either, one or both turns into an NFL regular.

 

[Anglefan]

We could play the 'they thought he was better' game if we want, but the Browns lose that one based on track record pretty quickly.

This is a really dumb sentence. The track record comment with a first year GM and head coach is particularly stupid. Kirksey fits Pettine's defense, Borland does not. It's as simple as that. It's not "they thought he was better", it's "Borland does not fit the scheme whatsoever, so they weren't going to pick him".

 

[DJTJ]

And apparently the kind that the guy that is wanted by the coach the team tried to get before Pettine? We could play the 'they thought he was better' game if we want, but the Browns lose that one based on track record pretty quickly. no offense, but if Harbaugh wants him- and he has shown he can put together a defense- I think that says something more. We'll see how this ends up in a few years. The Browns went for athleticism, the 49ers went with production. See if either, one or both turns into an NFL regular.

Just because Harbaugh took him doesn't mean anything. Our defense wants inside linebackers who can cover. Guess what Chris Borland doesn't do? Cover.

Size and speed wise, Kirksey is basically a clone of Kiko Alonso.

 

[440]

I've heard of him, I just was never impressed with him.

Then again, last year the Bills did the same thing with Alonso and they just simply developed him. Kirksey has the athletic tools, but doesn't have the football talent yet. He's unmolded clay. This is a pick where you take the guy and trust your coaching staff.

We'll see.

You'd have to think that's what they were thinking when they drafted him. They are the same weight, had very similiar senior seasons of college while both doing similiar things, and Kirksey out performed Alonso at damn near every drill at the combine. The LB position is changing and Pettine knows this more than anyone.