David

Veikune

Wimbley, the No. 13 overall pick in 2006, is just 26 years old and led Cleveland in sacks last season, so the move is surprising at first glance. However, the Browns have stockpiled quality depth at outside linebacker, and could turn to Marcus Benard (3.5 sacks in ’09), trusty Jason Trusnik, gifted Alex Hall, or 2009 second-round pick David Veikune opposite Matt Roth. In Oakland, Wimbley will likely start at left defensive end, replacing Greg Ellis. He’ll be playing with his hand in the dirt for the first time since Florida State.

Veikune, an end in college, led the Rainbows with 16.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a senior. He will convert to outside linebacker in the Browns’ 3-4. Eric Mangini clearly wasn’t overly concerned with the spot opposite Kam Wimbley, passing on better prospects for wide receivers until now.

The Browns now appear to be making first-round pick Alex Mack a priority, instead of taking the common strategy of signing their later-round picks first. No offers have been exchanged for Brian Robiskie or Mohamed Massaquoi.

Coach Eric Mangini used Veikune both inside and outside during minicamps, but the former college end is more likely to be used as a pass rusher. Veikune made headlines in May when he won a bet with Mangini by diagramming a complicated blitz formation in front of the team.

Cleveland wants to improve against the run and at 6'2/257 Veikune would be an imposing inside ‘backer. Eric Mangini’s old team, the Patriots, made a similar move with Tedy Bruschi at the start of his career. Like Bruschi, Veikune played end in college. Veikune could compete with Eric Barton at ILB.

Veikune knew every player’s assignment on the play. We pass along the small story to point out Veikune’s football intelligence. He reportedly is moving like a natural linebacker rather an a conversion end, and could contend for a starting job at OLB right away.

The candidates are David Veikune, Kaluka Maiava and David Bowens. Veikune and Maiava are rookies. None of the three have been affected by the team’s flu bug yet. Expect some sort of rotation, with Maiava and Veikune leading the way.

Veikune was one of the team’s second-round picks in April, coming out of Hawaii. He doesn’t have a tackle through his first four games, playing mainly on special teams. Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson should both be productive Sunday against a Cleveland defense that’s already poor against the run.

Mike Adams starts at corner with wide receiver Mike Furrey moving into the lineup at safety. Unfortunately, the Raiders don’t have the passing game to exploit that matchup.

Veikune, a second-round pick, did not have an impact during his rookie year. He dressed for 10 games but recorded no tackles and can be considered a disappointment. Veikune will likely have a chance to impress a new coach next season.