Continuing a very preliminary look at how the Cleveland Browns roster might shake out come September, with a comparison to last season's numbers after the final cutdown out of preseason.

Linebacker

Book 'em: Paul Kruger, Karlos Dansby, Craig Robertson, Scott Solomon, Nate Orchard, Chris Kirksey.

Left to ponder: Tank Carder, Barkevious Mingo, Armonty Bryant,

Last year/this year: The Browns kept eight last year. They'll keep eight this year.

Solomon is on the "made-it" list based on the comments of defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil during minicamp. He gushed about Solomon to the point it had the media checking profootballreference.com to make sure there wasn't something about his past everyone had missed.

To hear O'Neil, Solomon will absolutely play early downs against the run and Mingo will have to earn playing time.

Everything he said was more than interesting.

However, Solomon's star could sink as fast as it rose. His experience with the Browns consists of a couple impressive games the end of last season and some offseason work without pads, or as running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery said, guys "running around in their underwear."

Mingo is on the maybe list because of O'Neil's comments, which challenged him to "earn it." I say Mingo makes the team simply because he has pass rush potential and the Browns will give him one last chance to turn potential to reality.

Carder also was praised effusively by O'Neil, who called the backup the Browns' best blitzer. Color me skeptical. Hayes Pullard was a highly regarded draft pick; it's tough to find a spot for him given the Browns probably will keep the same number (eight) they kept a year ago. He could be a practice squad guy.

They'll keep: Kruger, Dansby, Robertson, Solomon, Mingo, Orchard, Kirksey, Armonty Bryant (8).

Previously: Quarterback, Running back, Fullback, Wide receiver, Tight end, Offensive line, Defensive line.