D-line likely to be Browns' priority

By: Jeff Schudel, JSchudel@News-Herald.com
04/21/2007

Hawaii end is a potential diamond in the rough in second round of NFL draft

This story on the defensive line is the first in a series previewing the NFL draft April 28 and 29. Sunday: Linebackers.

Maybe it's because they were burned so badly in 2000 and 2001, or maybe it is because so many other holes had to be filled, but since taking Gerard Warren with the third overall pick six years ago, no position has been more neglected by the Browns in the draft than the defensive line.

Ironically, Romeo Crennel and his predecessor, Butch Davis, were both defensive coaches before wearing the big sombrero.

The highest the Browns have drafted a defensive lineman since Warren is the fifth round in 2004. And you are forgiven if you do not recall the stellar contributions of Amon Gordon, the defensive tackle from Stanford who made 10 tackles as a rookie and never played for the Browns again.

Finding an end is an even more daunting task now that the Browns use a three-man defensive line, because more than 90 percent of college teams play a 4-3 defense.
Robaire Smith was signed in free agency to replace Alvin McKinley on the right side.

That leaves aging Orpheus Roye on the left side. Roye missed seven games with various injuries last season, so finding his eventual replacement has to be a priority.
One player the Browns have their eye on is Ikaika Alama-Francis, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound end from Hawaii. He should still be on the board when the Browns pick in the second round.

"He's kind of interesting," Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "Jerry Glanville (a former NFL head coach) was the defensive coordinator the last couple years at Hawaii. They're one of the few teams in the country that uses a three-man front.
"Ikaika never played high school football. He walked onto the basketball and football teams at Hawaii. He's a developmental roll of the dice. You feel like there's a lot of upside there. He should go fairly high in the draft."

Alama-Francis does come with a warning label, however: His right pectoral muscle was torn at the Hula Bowl in January. Still, the Browns are intrigued enough by him that they had him in for a predraft visit.

The scouting report from Pro Football Weekly says: "Tough and physical. Shows some natural rush skills. ... Raw, inexperienced. Toughness and desire are a concern. Can 'wow' blockers with his natural strength. If he could learn to put it all together, he could be a dominant pro."

Better ends are in the draft, namely Gaines Adams from Clemson (whom the Browns project as a linebacker), Adam Carriker from Nebraska and Jamaal Anderson from Arkansas.

The Browns would have their pick of all three with the third pick in the first round, but Savage has made it clear he will pick an offensive player first. He has also emphasized the importance of hitting on the second pick, expected to be a defensive player unless one of the top guards or tackles is available.

Speaking during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in December, Alama-Francis said he would enjoy playing for a cold-weather team.

"I love it out here," he said. "People think I'm crazy when I say I love cold weather because I'm from Hawaii and I'm used to 85 degrees. You've got to leave the island sometime, but I love it out here. We'll see what I'm like in zero-degree weather."
Alama-Francis said Glanville and Hawaii coach June Jones, like Glanville a former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, have drilled an NFL mentality into him.

"Jerry taught me things that I never would have learned from any other coach," Alama-Francis said. "He's been there and done that, even in the pros, and I was very blessed to be coached by two NFL coaches. I mean, for my first year to my last year.
"He told me never to quit. He instilled that. I always wanted to work hard, but he just pushed me to that extra limit. He was always pressing upon me you've got to give every play in every practice 100 percent. That's really helping me now."