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Mingo made strong first impression
Photo
St. Louis Rams quarterback Austin Davis (9) gets rid of the ball as he is chased by Cleveland Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo (51) in the third quarter of a preseason game on Thursday. Mingo was a force in his NFL debut as the Browns beat the Rams, 27-19.
Associated Press
BEREA
There seemed to be four guys wearing No. 51 for the Browns in their exhibition opener.
Rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo was everywhere.
The first-round draft pick made a huge first impression in his NFL preseason debut, making big plays on defense and special teams in Cleveland’s 27-19 win over the St. Louis Rams. Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick in April’s draft from LSU, had several pressures on Rams quarterbacks, recorded a sack that was nullified by a penalty, delivered a key block on Travis Benjamin’s 91-yard punt return for a touchdown and made a tackle on a kickoff.
At one point, his brown jersey was even spotted in the Dawg Pound. That was just a fan, but he’ll soon be joined by others.
“It was fun, man, Mingo said of his pro preseason debut. “It was everything I thought it would be. I enjoyed being out there with my teammates and just really enjoyed getting back to playing football.”
Mingo maximized every second he was on the field. On Cleveland’s first kickoff, he sprinted down and tackled Rams running back Isaiah Pead at the 14-yard line. But it was on defense when the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Mingo — everyone calls him Keke (key-key) — had his finest moments.
Although he’s currently working with the second-team defense, Mingo showcased his exceptional pass-rushing skills and speed off the edge that forced Rams quarterbacks into mistakes.
Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson was impressed by Mingo’s performance. The moment didn’t seem too big for him.
“He has a knack for getting after the quarterback,” Jackson said. “He showed a tremendous amount of conditioning. For your first game, it usually jumps up on you. Everyone remembers that first preseason game. You take a couple deep breaths and you’re like, ‘OK, this is the real deal.’ But I watched him every play. He’s got a knack for getting after that quarterback.
“He has a motor, and you can’t teach that.”
Mingo’s motor revs non-stop.
He’s always on the go, and even when he’s not moving there’s a sense he’s about to accelerate.
Mingo wasn’t credited with a tackle, but it seemed every time Rams backup quarterback Austin Davis was back to pass, Mingo was in the neighborhood.
He appeared to record his first sack, when he beat Rams backup tackle and former college teammate Joe Barksdale on a spin move, reached out and threw down Davis with one hand. However, the sack was wiped out by a tripping penalty. Mingo waved his arms toward Cleveland’s sideline, hoping the penalty would be declined. Still, it was a moment to savor.
“It was kind of flukish,” Mingo said.
“I just barely got a hand on him and he fell.”
Hardesty hurt again
The return of Browns running back Montario Hardesty didn’t last very long.
Hardesty injured his right thumb in early in practice on Monday, another setback for the fourth-year back whose roster spot is in jeopardy.
Just a few plays into his first practice since July 31, Hardesty, who has been slowed by a hamstring injury, jumped to catch a direct snap from center during 11 on 11 drills. As he reached for the ball, Hardesty’s hand bent back awkwardly. He grabbed his thumb and was quickly treated by trainers.