Ogbah Transitioning to Outside Linebacker

Making the jump from college football to the NFL is challenging for every rookie, but can become even more difficult when a player is asked to switch positions to fit his new team’s system.  Browns’ second-rounder Emmanuel Ogbah is making the transition from defensive end in Oklahoma State’s 4-3 defense to outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s 3-4 scheme.

Ogbah said he has made progress during the team’s OTAs, which ended two practices early on Wednesday.

“It has been a lot of work, a lot of repetition and a lot practice that they are having me do,” Ogbah said. “Transitioning from a 4-3 defensive end to an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme is something new, but with hard work and practice and repetition, I am getting better at it. It is translating to the field.”

Browns head coach Hue Jackson said Ogbah is coming along and learning how to be a professional from Browns veterans.

“He is truly starting to understand the NFL game and what it takes to play up here each and every day,” Jackson said. “I think our veteran players have done a good job of taking him under their wing and showing him the ropes on how you have to prepare to play each and every day in the National Football League.”

The biggest difference between defensive end and outside linebacker is the added responsibility of pass coverage.  Ogbah said he started learning how to drop in coverage before the NFL draft and is getting better with each practice.

Tim Tedeschi

Tim Tedeschi is a writer for NEOSI and a producer/contributor for the Sports on Tap Podcast. He is a senior at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he has worked as sports editor of the school newspaper, general manager of the college radio station, and play-by-play and color commentator for NAIA and high school basketball, soccer, and football. Follow him on Twitter @tim_tedeschi.