BEREA – When the Browns decided to unload veterans
Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown, Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers in the off
season—there was a huge void created in the experience factor of the
defensive line.
Part of that void is expected to be filled by 6-3, 294
pound Alvin McKinley. The Browns have shown a lot of confidence in McKinley
as he has just started two games in his prior five NFL seasons.
“I want to take advantage of the opportunity the Browns
have given me,” McKinley said. “They have shown confidence in me and I want
to show them they were right.”
McKinley’s only two NFL starts were last year with the
Browns and yet he totaled 60 tackles, including three sacks and had 20
quarterback pressures. He also recovered two fumbles. In one his starts,
against San Diego, he had 10 tackles.
He has 133 tackles in his career, including three
sacks, three passes broken up and two fumble recoveries. He has also blocked
two field goals in his career. He was a fourth-round draft choice of the
Carolina Panthers in 2000 and after spending his rookie season with the
Panthers he joined the Browns for the next four seasons after being released
at the end of the 2001 training camp by Carolina.
McKinley is slated to open the season at defensive end
opposite of Orpheus Roye. For McKinley, it’s the first time he’s played on
the outside.
“It’s more of the scheme,” McKinley said. “The biggest
difference is I’m taking on tackles 6’6” and 350 pounds as opposed to guys
who are 6’-6’2” and 275-300 pounds.
“I have a whole lot bigger guys around me and blocking
me,” he said. “It’s more about leverage and technique.”
McKinley, 27, played in the 3-4 defense while at
college at Mississippi State, but was a nose tackle.