Why this is Barkevious Mingo’s last chance
Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo (51) looks on during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns defeated the Vikings 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, I had a discussion with a Cleveland Browns fan about the evolution of the game. He brought up about how needing an elite quarterback to compete for a championship is just a current trend. Relaying names like Phil Simms, Mark Rypien, Jeff Hostetler, and Trent Dilfer as super bowl winning quarterbacks that were very average, yet won.
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Do people realize how much the game has changed since any of those quarterbacks played? That’s almost like the person who relies on the lottery to change their life. Chances are, you probably won’t win it, so go back to work and stop blowing your money on tickets.
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Over the past decade, every championship team has had an elite quarterback. It’s not an accident. My point is that this game has change dramatically even over the past five-to-six years. Just look at how offense is played, where almost every team runs a version of the west coast offense. It wasn’t like that ten years ago.
One of those big changes is the expectancy to go from college to the pro’s and be able to contribute right away. Barkevious Mingo falls right into that category. Mingo, was taken sixth overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, and so far as underwhelmed in his first two NFL seasons. Racking up only seven combined sacks, two of which came last season.
The knock on Mingo coming out of college was his thin stature. Many thought he would be pushed around by the large NFL tackles on either side of the line. But, to get back to the evolution of the game, no longer are players given four-to-five years to develop, no matter where they are taken in the draft.
This has something to do with high turnover rate in coaching and management positions, and the win now mentality, not a four-to-five year plan type mentality. Teams after a couple of seasons know what they have in their draft picks, and the big-leap usually comes for player in their second season to decide whether they can really play at this level.
I see Mingo being very expendable not only because of his mediocre play, but let’s face it, is he really a Ray Farmer “guy?” I’m a big believer that when someone takes over player personal for an organization – whether a coach or general manager – they want to bring in their own people. Players that they personally acquired might be given a longer leash to prove their worth than a player added from a different regime.
Farmer, was the assistant general manager when general manager at the time, Michael Lombardi, selected Mingo, while Rob Chudzinski was the head coach. As men, we want it done our way, and ego is always involved. We want to build our legacy, with moves we made ourself to prove our genius. What does Farmer have invested in Mingo? Nothing. What does he owe him? Nothing. Neither does head coach, Mike Pettine, who wasn’t here when he was drafted.
Sorry to say, but if Mingo doesn’t perform this season, I don’t think anyone will be lobbying hard for him to stay. As a top ten draft choice, coaches expect a player they don’t have to coach up. With the drafting of Nate Orchard, Mingo should have a big chip on his shoulder heading into 2015, because it could very well be his last with the Browns. Loyalty and sympathy no longer exist in today’s NFL.
What do you guys think about Barkevious Mingo’s future with the Cleveland Browns?