By Staff
Jim Flynn and Scott Reynolds, Pewter Report
Kevin and Arron Sears made their football debut on a small football field in Russellville but they'll be playing on the world's largest stage of professional athletics come the 2007 season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went offense in the second round, selecting Tennessee guard Arron Sears with the 35th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
Although he spent most of his collegiate career at left guard, Sears started 13 games at left tackle as a senior, surrendering just one sack.
In 2006, Sears had 77 knockdowns and 16 blocks that resulted in touchdowns for the Volunteers. As a result, he won the Jacobs Blocking Award, which is given annually to the SEC's best blocker.
The Bucs, who had the 28th-ranked ground attack in the NFL last season, will lean on Sears to help the team improve in that particular area.
"I'm pretty sure offensive guard is what everybody is looking for me to play," said Sears. "They want me to come in and help the football team run the football."
A member of the Senior Bowl South squad in January, Sears graded out with an 86.6 rating. He had a 90 grade or better in eight games last season.
The 6-foot-3, 319-pound Sears scored well on his agility tests with a 425-pound bench press, 500-pound squat, 30-inch vertical jump and 33 1/8-inch arm length.
With Sears on board and possibly the leading candidate to win the starting left guard job, it appears as though the Buccaneers are comfortable having Dan Buenning, who started all 16 games at left guard as a rookie in 2005, move to center to compete with John Wade, Nick Milhlauser and Matt Lehr.
Tampa Bay might also use Sears to serve as a backup right tackle behind Jeremy Trueblood, who was the team's 2006 second-round pick.
"When I was down there [for my visit] they talked to me about playing guard and maybe a little bit about the right tackle position," said Sears. "But I'll find out more when I come down for the mini-camp."
Kevin Sears signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns following the conclusion of the draft.
Kevin played line backer at Auburn. Last year, he recorded 10 tackles, including a season high four in the game against Alabama and recovered two fumbles.
Kevin will join the 2007 Cleveland Brown draft class, which includes offensive lineman Joe Thomas and quarterback Brady Quinn.
"Sears has all the tools, size, strength and speed to be an NFL linebacker," the Browns said on their website.
Draft experts have touted Cleveland's draft selections as one of the best in the NFL this year.