Terry Pluto's Talkin' . . . about the Cleveland Browns defense

[BernietheKid]

Terry Pluto's Talkin' . . . about the Cleveland Browns defense, Mel Turpin, and kids' reaction to LeBron James' departure

Published: Sunday, July 18, 2010, 6:00 AM

Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer




View full size Tracy Boulian / The Plain Dealer
Ahtyba Rubin, above, played well at nose tackle last season, which might let the Browns move Shaun Rogers to an end and could strengthen the defensive line overall.
ABOUT THE BROWNS . . .

1. Desperately needing a break from All LeBron, All the Time, I was wondering if the Browns actually could stop the run this season. Since they returned in 1999, their average rank against the run is . . . 29! That's also what they ranked last season. They have never ranked higher than 23rd (2003), the next best being 27th. In the past six years, the rankings are 29-28-27-29-30-32. How's that for consistency?

2. Can this change? Hey, why not? Hey, D'Qwell Jackson forced the first fumble of his four-year pro career in 2009, so anything is possible. (That note comes from dawgsbynature.com.) The possibility that Jackson won't be doing heavy duty is a reason to believe the run defense could improve.

3. It starts on the line, where Ahtyba Rubin made an impact at nose tackle after Shaun Rogers was injured. If Rogers can adapt to playing one of the ends in the 3-4 defense -- with Rubin in the middle and Robaire Smith at the other end -- that has to be positive. It's especially true as the Browns have some depth on the line with veterans Kenyon Coleman and C.J. Mosley. While some fans are high on seventh-rounder Cliff Geathers, free agent Brian Schaefering is more likely to help on the line.

4. In Eric Mangini's three years with the Jets, they ranked 7-29-24 against the run. So he and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan need to find a way to make the mass of linebackers effective. Last season, they started Eric Barton, David Bowens, Kamerion Wimbley and Jackson at linebacker. This season, Bowens may be the only starter in that group. They added veterans Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong and Matt Roth (who played only six games in 2009). They have Jason Trusnik, Marcus Benard and David Veikune, who the Browns say is progressing.

5. I know none of the linebackers is Clay Matthews or even Galen Fiss. But when the Browns started Bowens at inside linebacker with Rubin at nose tackle last season, the run defense improved. In the final five games with those two in the lineup, the Browns allowed 44 fewer yards on the ground than they did in the first 11 games. Even more important, they gave up 13 rushing touchdowns in the first 11 games -- but only two in the final five.

6. Yes, you can say the vast improvement of the Browns' running game with Jerome Harrison in the final weeks helped the defense by keeping it off the field. But the Browns' defense still had to keep the opposition out of the end zone.

7. Another reason the run defense should be better is that Sheldon Brown, a solid tackler, will start at cornerback instead of Brandon McDonald, a terrible tackler. First-rounder Joe Haden is supposed to be a strong tackler at cornerback. Rookie safeties Larry Asante and T.J. Ward are supposed to be run-stoppers.

8. Yes, there are a lot of "supposed to be's" in this analysis, but the Browns at least have more players on defense for coaches to employ. As last season progressed, Ryan used more variety on defense with as many as six linebackers on the field. All of this has to add up to a better ranking than 29th against the run, doesn't it? Please?

Terry Pluto's Talkin' . . . about the Cleveland Browns defense, Mel Turpin, and kids' reaction to LeBron James' departure | cleveland.com

[Danamal]

So B-Mac loses his job at corner(no argument from me) can he still be a part of the backfield or is he an outright cut?
Barring injury we could and I stress "could" surprise alot of teams this year with a much improved D that can bring the heat early and often.
Offense is still a mess till we settle this whole QB thing but the run game will buy us this season 7-9 or 8-8.

[Sektor]

Originally Posted by Danamal

So B-Mac loses his job at corner(no argument from me) can he still be a part of the backfield or is he an outright cut?
Barring injury we could and I stress "could" surprise alot of teams this year with a much improved D that can bring the heat early and often.
Offense is still a mess till we settle this whole QB thing but the run game will buy us this season 7-9 or 8-8.

He stays on the team for sure, unless Coye Francies and DeAngelo Smith badly outplay him.

[YtownBacker]

I think the entire article by Pluto is right on the button. I know some here rate DQJ a star in the making but I also think he will be fighting for playing time. He may fit into some speciality packages but I don't see him playing in our base package.

As far as McDonald, I don't see him being cut. He will work into some dime packages. McDonald actually does a decent job when he has coverage over the top. Fact was our Safety play sucked worse then our CB play last year. I think McDonald could develop into a decent corner but never a top corner because he can't provide any run support. A lot of his coverage problems are mechanical things he can work on if he really wants to be a pro football player.

I think Wright better come to camp ready to play and needs to suck it up and learn to tackle. He could end up a nickle back. Our horrible performace against the run isn't all on the DL and LBs. Our DBs sucked in run support and I believe Pluto touched on it very well.

[Sez.EJ]

Bmac is a pretty good talent. I think people forget that he is only going into his 4th year and was just a 4th round pick. He played early and often and played very well at times and struggled at others..but he is still learning and growning.. I wanted to remind eveyone about his 4th round status and also note some of our other past 4th rounder.. like Kaluka Maiava,Paul Hubbard,Leon Williams,Antonio Perkins,Amon Gordon,Lee Suggs.... so all things considered.. he's done pretty well. He will lose his "starting job" but I don't see him getting cut. matter of fact he's a guy we need as he has some experience under his belt now and hopefully will improve on a rough year last year.

[Vegasdogg]

Francais would have to really surprise some people, which considering Bmac's attrocious tackling may not be too hard. Bmac's skills are there but does he have the heart? If he doesn't than it could make a difference in him making the team or not. Sure he is talented but is he going to be pushed by Francais? Going to be a story line to follow in camp, which by the way is right around the corner.

[Enigmatic Evil]

I think it's a toss up between Francis and BMac. All I've seen of Francis were some of the games during last season's pre-season that he got action and as expected he made some very expected rookie botches. BMacs inability to tackle (and at times cover) has really hurt our defense. I want to root for the guy because he seems like he has good spirit which is always infectious in a locker room and really, I can't see Haden not passing him on the depth chart so BMac as our #4 corner doesn't sound so bad to me.

I entirely expect that DQJ will be fighting for his job in camp and pre-season. The players we've brought in are all more versatile than him and hopefully he realizes the position he's in and will work that much harder to earn his spot on this team. He stood out among more mediocre LB-corps but now that we've imported some more talented players he does not stand out as greatly as he once did. I'm rooting for him but I am also apprehensive toward him making the kind of impact on this team he formerly did. I want to see the possible Pro Bowl candidate on the field, not the whiney, play me or trade me diva we've witnessed this off season.

[Inspecta]

I really liked Francis in preseason last year, the kid loves to hit and can definitely fly around. I'd love for him to step up and contribute this year on nickel and dime packages....

[Riffer X]

Francies is a player but I think the main question is his smarts and savvy. Bmac is a pretty good player to have as a 4th corner and Francies may be able to fill the role of 5th corner and safety both. I think he will get a look at safety quite a bit.

[Sez.EJ]

I think Francis is going to be a special teams beast ,in addition to a good situational player. I can't wait to see him tank someone on kick coverage.