Arthur Brown wasn't watching when the Ravens drafted inside linebacker C.J. Mosley in the first round. He can't remember whether he found out via Twitter or somebody texting him.
His honest-to-goodness reaction?
"I'm just happy to have him – another linebacker to add to the defense," Brown said. "It's almost like another little brother. He'll be a great player for us."
After last season ended, Head Coach John Harbaugh said he expected Brown to win the starting Will linebacker spot for 2014. Now many pundits envision Mosley, the 17th-overall pick, to fill that role.
But Brown, who the Ravens traded up to get in the second-round last year, hasn't paid that any attention. He's approaching the summer the same way he would have otherwise.
The Ravens aren't just handing Mosley the job. Brown was running with the first-team defense during Wednesday's OTAs.
"It's a fight every day," Brown said. "It adds competition to the room. That makes me better, that makes us better and that makes him better. There's no negative emotion at all."
Brown isn't going to stand by and watch the rookie leapfrog him. He's still hoping to win the starting job and be an impact defensive player. He's made a good impression thus far this summer.
He was a player who stood out to Senior Personnel Assistant George Kokinis last week. On Wednesday, Harbaugh brought up Brown, unsolicited.
"[He] knows what he's doing – he's playing fast," Harbaugh said.
As a rookie, the speedy Kansas State product played in 14 games but made no starts. Brown was limited to the defense's nickel package and made 15 tackles, a half-sack and one forced one fumble.
In order to expand his role this season, he is working on adding more weight and understanding the defense better.
Brown came into the NFL a bit undersized for an inside linebacker. He said he ended last season weighing about 228 pounds. Coaches instructed Brown to add some bulk this offseason, and he's now tipping the scales at 235 pounds. It's only a seven-pound difference, but it's all muscle and it shows.
Brown is adamant that he still maintain perhaps his best attribute of his speed. At the same time, he wants to be stronger against the run.
"I can feel it. I'm sturdier out there," he said. "It's about taking on those big 300-pound blockers and being able to stand my ground."
Brown enlisted the help of a personal chef/nutritionist, who works with the Ravens' nutritionist and prepares meals in Brown's home. He eats and lifts – a lot – and said there's no limit on how much weight he puts on.
"As long as I can move around, make plays and be productive, my weight will continue to rise," Brown said.
Besides eating and lifting, Brown has had his nose in the playbook this offseason, and has been working with coaches as much as possible. He had trouble grasping the entire defense last year, which was a big reason he was limited to certain packages.
"Everything just makes more sense now," Brown said. "It's really comprehending the defensive scheme and knowing my role and how it relates to the other 10 players.
"Experience is valuable. It set a solid foundation that I can build upon this year."
