Cleveland Browns Preview: Depth In The Secondary

Since becoming head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Eric Mangini has placed an emphasis on developing depth and versatility at every position.

Developing depth with players who are capable of filling multiple roles allows the coordinators to change schemes on the fly and rotate in fresh players at crucial moments in the game. It also helps ensure that there is an insurance policy in place should one of the starters miss time due to injury.

There is no doubt that this philosophy holds true for Cleveland's young secondary, where several talented players will be competing for a chance to make their mark on the 2010 season.

Entering training camp, no position in the secondary is set in stone. New faces and returning players alike will be fighting to cement their place in the pecking order.

The following is a list of players currently on the Browns' roster and a quick glance at what each player brings to the table in what is shaping up to be a very talented secondary.

Eric Wright

Years Experience: 3

Projected Role: Coverage Corner

Analysis: A three year starter in Cleveland, Eric Wright is a favorite to man one of the starting cornerback spots in 2010.

Wright is a very fast player and is able make up lost ground quickly, allowing him to excel in man coverage.

With eight interceptions and 38 passes defended in his three seasons, Wright has shown the ability to make plays on the football, and opposing quarterbacks learned quickly that it is often a good idea not to throw in Wright's direction if at all possible.

Eric Wright is just entering his prime, and should only become more productive with gained experience.

It will be interesting to see how much increased competition at the cornerback position pushes Wright to get better.

Sheldon Brown

Years Experience: 8

Projected Role: Physical Corner

Analysis: Team president Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert didn't waste any time upgrading the secondary in the off season, and traded for former pro bowler Sheldon Brown in early April.

While Brown does possess good coverage ability, he has gained a reputation for bringing an intimidating physical presence to the cornerback position. He is a hard hitter, will play rough with receivers and is excellent in run support.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out his hit on Reggie Bush for a prime example of how Sheldon Brown likes to play football.

Brown was brought in to be a starter and should begin the season at one of the top two cornerback spots.

Expect Brown to bring a much needed veteran presence to the locker room, and to be a leader as well as a physical force on the field.

Joe Haden

Years Experience: Rookie

Projected Role: Coverage Corner

Analysis: The seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft, Joe Haden is believed to be the future of Cleveland's secondary.

Haden has all the tools to develop into a rarity in today's NFL: a true "shutdown corner"

Haden is an instinctive player with a rare combination of size, strength and quickness. While Haden was flagged by many scouts for a sub-par 40 time at the combine, game tape shows that his playing speed is top notch.

While Haden's status as a high first round pick will keep him under the scrutinizing gaze of Brown fans, he most likely will start the season as the nickel corner an be afforded time to grow into a starting role.

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan likes to make frequent use of three CB formations, so even as the third corner, Haden should have plenty of opportunities to make plays and showcase his talents in his rookie season.

Abram Elam

Years Experience: 4

Projected Role: Support Safety

Analysis: Abram Elam has a solid, if unspectacular first season with the Cleveland Browns in 2009, leading the team in tackles with 91.

Elam is a physical strong safety, who is an asset in run support and can put pressure on the quarterback. He hits hard and tackles well, but his coverage ability is limited.

While Elam's lack of turnover production is cause for concern, ( he had none in 16 starts in 2009) the emerging young defensive backs should allow him to be in coverage less and perform in more of a traditional SS role.

Hopefully fans will be doing a lot less head shaking over Elam's pass coverage in 2010, and a lot more fist pumping as he lays hits on the ball carrier.

Mike Adams

Years Experience: 6

Projected Role: Utility Man

Analysis: Mike Adams played every position imaginable in Cleveland's secondary in 2009, starting as safety depth and ending the season at cornerback, replacing maligned former starter Brandon McDonald.

Adams really isn't great at any one thing, but he is good at just about everything and his ability to play multiple positions at a high level have made him a favorite of the current front office and coaching staff.

Adams is the quintessential team-first player, doing anything and everything asked of him and may earn himself a starting job in 2010.

At the very least, Adams provides Cleveland with a versatile defender who can enter mid-game and be productive, or start over several games if necessary.

T.J. Ward

Years Experience: Rookie

Projected Role: Enforcer

Analysis: Many experts thought that Cleveland reached for T.J. Ward with the 38th overall pick due to his injury history, but the Browns' medical staff were confident that Ward is ready to go and the team made the pick.

Ward is a bit of a throwback player at the safety position, and his intimidating, physical style of play can take over a game when he really gets going.

Ward possesses sound overall skills and his improving pass coverage opened eyes in mini camp.

Expect Ward to crack the starting lineup, either to begin the season or shortly thereafter.

Also expect to take pity on opposing receivers who attempt catching passes over the middle, as Ward's bone-jarring hits may just dislodge a few teeth as well as footballs.

Larry Asante

Years Experience: Rookie

Projected Role: Run Support Safety

Analysis: Cleveland's other rookie safety and fifth round draft pick, Larry Asante is another aggressive and physical defender who should find a chance to contribute in 2010.

In college at Nebraska, Asante gave himself the nickname of "Assassin" as he strived to be a physical game changer for the defense.

He is a prototypical "in the box" safety, and has the potential to be a real monster in shallow pass coverage and against he run.

Asante earned praise in mini camp for his quick adjustment to the speed and intricacies of the pro game. He will likely be a rotational safety and special teams player in 2010, but coach Mangini has made it known that he is not opposed to starting two rookie safeties in 2010.

Brandon McDonald

Years Experience: 3

Projected Role: Corner Depth

Analysis: Brandon McDonald was benched in favor of Mike Adams late in 2009 after struggling most of the season, his second as a full-time starter.

With the addition of Sheldon Brown and Joe Haden, McDonald is highly unlikely to return to a starting role anytime soon, but should compete for the fourth cornerback spot.

McDonald has shown flashes of ability in the past and has even played extremely well at times. With two years of starting experience under his belt adding to McDonald's potential to thrive as a dime back, McDonald may yet find a way to return to the good graces of Browns fans.

Coye Francies

Years Experience: 1

Projected Role: Corner Depth

Analysis: Coye Francies was thought by many to be the most underrated cornerback prospect in the 2009 draft, but saw little playing time in his rookie season, even though the poor play of some of the other DBs did little to warrant his staying on the bench.

Francies is raw, but is a physically gifted athlete, who has the athleticism and potential to develop into a starting caliber NFL cornerback with some time and experience.

Barring a phenomenal training camp, Francies will likely be little more than depth in 2010, but Sheldon Brown will not be around forever, and someone will be needed to groom into the nickelback role for the future. Francies and McDonald are two likely candidates.

Nick Sorensen

Years Experience: 9

Projected Role: Safety Depth/Special Teams

Analysis: It has often been said in the NFL that the more you are willing to do for the team, the better your chances of keeping a job.

For nine seasons, Sorensen has found a way to keep a job playing almost exclusively on special teams.

Virtually unknown to anyone who doesn't relish watching Cleveland special team highlights, Sorensen is an integral part of the unit.

While he probably won't see much playing time on defense, Sorensen is an experienced, physical player who provides depth and will help ensure Cleveland's special teams unit remains the best in the league.

Odds, Ends and Wild Cards

Ray Ventrone is a backup safety and special teams ace. The fifth year player has potential and has a chance to make the final roster due to his quality play on special teams.

DeAngelo Smith was a rookie last season and the backup safety spent time with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, playing in seven games with one start for Detroit..

Chris Roberson is a long shot to make the team's opening day roster. The backup DB has played in only one game in three seasons with one tackle to show for it.

Gerard Lawson is another backup DB playing both of his two NFL seasons in Cleveland. Lawson has very limited experience, but his familiarity with the Browns may give him an outside chance of making the team.

Finally, one player to keep an eye on is Chris Chancellor, an undrafted rookie out of Clemson. Chancellor was a highly rated defender prior the 2010 Draft and it is actually very surprising that he wasn't taken. Tough, capable and with loads of potential, Chancellor may be Cleveland's next great undrafted gem.

Final Thoughts

The Cleveland Browns enter 2010 with a very young secondary. Short on experience but long on promise, the unit has the potential to develop into a very solid one in the near future.

While starting spots are limited, expect each player who makes the game day roster to bring his own unique angle to the team, and hopefully help make the secondary a great one in 2010.

It may be a bit much to anticipate that a weak coverage unit will turn completely around in just one offseason, but the Browns' front office have put a lot of resources into making sure that it is well on its way.