Assembling the Defense

[Sez.EJ]

Depth across the ENTIRE DL is a huge issue. This article is really right on the money and it's almost scary how bad it could be if we take some injuries. DE is still a huge need. It's almost a no brainer we have to bring in at least 2 free agents just to be able to field a rotation...not to mention we have to have someone who is somewhat proven even if it is a journeyman type just to hold down the fort until we can draft a monster pass rusher next spring. I think that will be our 1st, first round target is for a DE to match with Sheard to get that starting 4 that can really bring it in both run and passing situations.
I can see us spreading some free agent love money around for some DE's.

[Legacy Fan]

Did Tuba drop back and get a pick last year, or did he just layout and knock down a pass? I can't remember the game, but I do remember Alo, Ocon, and myself going apeshit in the chat box when it happened.

Meaning, if he sheds some libbies, the guy can penetrate.

[BernietheKid]

Ahtyba Rubin INT (00:00:44:21)
Ahtyba Rubin intercepts a pass from Matt Cassel at the end of the second quarter.

Ahtyba Rubin INT

[Legacy Fan]

Yes!! That's the one.

Thanks Berns

[Brown Warrior]

The Browns have all but guaranteed they'll resign Mitchell, so the guys we can pretty much count on right now are Sheard, Rubin, Taylor, Benard, Mitchell, and Shaefering. There's a lot to like about that as a primary rotation, but I get the sense we're looking for another DE and another DT in free agency.

Shurmur seems to be suggesting that we'll be very aggressive once free agency starts. I could see a lot of mid-range guys at DT, DE, LB, CB, S, RT, and WR. Teams commonly sign that many free agents, with only a couple being higher profile. On the high side, the Patriots signed 23 free agents in BB's first year.

[Brown Warrior]

Here's what I'll say about the Browns defense: In the last two years, their top four picks have all been on that side of the ball (Haden, Ward, Taylor, Sheard) and they "found" two young guys either late in the draft or as a UDFA (Rubin and Benard). That's six homegrown guys who can seriously play. I personally would add Shaefering, who really should've been drafted and proved last year that's he's at worst a strong rotational guy.

On top of that, the Browns signed a young free agent who played very well last year... in Gocong. He's a versatile linebacker with really nice size, speed, and experience. He was just a terrific get.

That's eight guys who probably play for us the next several years. That's actually a lot. If DQJ can come back and stay healthy? It's nine homegrown guys. Wright becomes the guy he was in 2009 again? It's ten.

Brown and Fujita are very good players, not ancient or "broken," but they've likely seen their best years. Great teams start these kinds of players every year. You have to. You can't draft an entire roster every few years.

[Riffer X]

http://www.barkinghard.com/forums/na...tml#post126139

Vikes' Ray Edwards wins boxing debut

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ESPN.com news services

Amid the NFL's ongoing, drawn-out struggle, Ray Edwards' off-the-field fight was short and sweet Friday.

Edwards
The Minnesota Vikings defensive end won his pro boxing debut, a four-round bout that ended with a unanimous decision after Edwards knocked down former amateur kickboxer T.J. Gibson twice at Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minn.
According to local reports, Edwards scored knockdowns in the first and fourth rounds of the otherwise subdued fight; the judges scored it 40-34, 39-35, 40-34.
"A little rougher than I expected, but I wrestle 300-pound guys all day so I'm used to it, guys trying to be rough," Edwards said, according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.
Edwards was reportedly guaranteed $5,000 plus 50 percent of the gate proceeds for the fight.
If the NFL's lockout continues into next month, Edwards' second fight of a two-bout deal will take place under the same terms, according to the Star Tribune.
Edwards is the second NFL player to take up boxing during the lockout.
Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski improved to 4-0 last month with a first-round knockout in Oklahoma, a fight that resulted in controversy.
Zbikowski was temporarily suspended by a gaming official for a failed drug test that was later nullified.

[BernietheKid]

Browns Insider: Dick Jauron Interview

Jamir Howerton sits down with defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to learn about his journey through the coaching ranks and also his days as a stand out athlete at both Swampscott High School and Yale University.

Browns Insider: Dick Jauron Interview

[Alo]

Originally Posted by Riffer X

http://www.barkinghard.com/forums/na...tml#post126139

Vikes' Ray Edwards wins boxing debut

Yeah, I like that a lot about him. Good player...just think he's going to be overpaid.