Lonnie Harvey DT-exclusive somewhat interview

[SKULL]

This is the N F L ,not college.

How any of them played or looked to us as fans in college does not fit the equation now .

The scouts and coaches saw something that they feel they can coach.

It all comes down to who wants it the most in camp .

[rayzor]

the only thing i can think of is his pass rush...because there were better all around DT still on the board...we will go into the season with the same starters on the Dline..if peppers comeback just with more rotation..

brown will be starting.

[scpanther22]

brown will be starting.

i dont think he starts this year..prob will only see him on passing downs

[crunkpanther]

I would bet almost anything we're going to keep five DTs this year, given the questions at the position and the injuries we went through last year.

So this guy is absolutely in the mix for one of those spots, and I wouldn't be shocked if one of these UFDAs turned out to be a contributor this year.

Also, I see no reason why he should get down to 300 or 310. Like someone else said, 325 or maybe even 335 would be fine. He's more of a Kemo DT than a Lewis DT and that's what IMO we most need.

[rayzor]

i dont think he starts this year..prob will only see him on passing downs

there has only been 3 1st rounders (which i count brown as) since 2001 that haven't started in their rookie year.

davis (whom they were trying to find out where he fit and was primarily brought in as a vick spy)

williams (had to sit by a RB that was firmly entrenched in the role)

stewart (back seat to williams)

there is not a better option other than peppers at DE than brown. the sacrifice they made...they are going to get him in as early and as often as possible. there is maybe a 5-10% chance that brown won't be starting come week 1, with or without peppers.

at any rate he will be on the field more often than any other DE not named peppers.

[SmootsDaddy89]

If Brown can't prove he wont be a liability in the run game, then he wont start this year. Period. Even if Pep sits out.

[crunkpanther]

To me, I don't care if Brown "starts," at least this year. If he's in there on third downs getting pressure, then that's fine, and really, it means he basically starting for what we brought him in to do, at least for this year.

I think it's likely that Peppers and Brayton or Johnson start and that Brown sees most of his action on third downs.

But getting pressure on third downs is important enough that to me, if that's his role this season, then that basically is starting.

That's an important enough role that it's almost like a starting position. It's not like backing up someone at safety or guard something. A pass rush specialist at DE is almost like a separate position from a more running down DE.

If he grows into an every down DE, then great, and we may need that next year if Peppers is gone. But for now, just bringing the heat on passing downs will do it for me.