CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns bolstered their linebacking corps with the signing of veteran defender Mychal Kendricks this past week, and they expect his signing will drive competition among an already solid group of second-level defenders.
Adding an increased level of competition is just fine with fellow linebacker Christian Kirksey, one of the team’s defensive leaders from the 2017 season.
“As a competitor, you’re always trying to compete,” Kirksey said after a recent offseason practice. “We’ve been competing our whole lives. That’s something that separates us from everybody else is just our competitive attitude, and I think it’s going to be fun. Competition is fun, and I think he can play all three linebacker positions. He’s obviously proven himself in the league. He won a Super Bowl, so there’s a lot of things he can teach us.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys in the room, so adding another veteran player is a lot of wisdom, a lot of knowledge. So I’m looking forward to it. I’m a competitor and I’ve been here my whole career, so I’ve just been competing my whole life, and I think that those guys enjoy it the same way because at the end of the day, our main focus is winning. He’s bought into the brotherhood. He’s here now, so we’re just going to enjoy this moment, have fun.”
In 85 games over his six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the 6-foot, 240-pound Kendricks registered 459 total tackles, including 343 solo stops and 116 assists, to go along with 14 quarterback sacks, 26 passes defended and three interceptions.
“We’re trying to win ballgames,” Kirksey said. “Whenever you bring in another talented player, it’s definitely something that’s good. We’re trying to get as many dominant players as we can. That’s our focus.
“We’re trying to change this program around. Especially after last season, going 0-16, we’re trying to really make a statement and bring in as many veteran players, as many good players as we can, and I think that he’ll be a great addition for us.”
One of two linebackers to finish among the top five in tackles in the entire NFL last season, Kirksey plans on making an impact from wherever he is on the field in 2018.
“Whenever you’re on the field, obviously you want to be the best player on the field,” Kirksey said. “You believe that you should be on the field and play every snap. I just take pride in that. I’m willing to do anything for my team, so if they ask me to play every special-teams snap, every defensive snap, I’m willing to do that.
“I’m willing to go the extra mile. That’s something that comes with being a leader. Whenever I’m healthy and able to play, I’m going to go play. I can play every snap every day.”
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