With the loss of starting safety Sean Jones for four to six weeks for knee surgery, the Cleveland Browns have been dealt yet another blow to their depleted secondary. The focus has been on the Browns’ defensive backfield since cornerback Daven Holly was lost for the season during offseason OTAs.
That, combined with the youth of starting cornerbacks Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright (both second-year players), has left the Browns wafer thin at corner. The loss of Jones for an extended period, combined with Brodney Pool’s struggles with his third concussion in four years, leaves the Browns even more depleted.
The development of these young players is important, but it is not the defensive piece that will determine the Browns’ fate in 2008. That burden falls on the Browns' linebacking corps. The Browns’ secondary may be young, but they should improve. Their linebacking core is a mix of underperforming veterans and young players who have failed to develop.
In the 3-4 defense it is up to the defensive line to occupy blockers, thereby freeing up the linebackers to make plays. Shaun Rogers looked formidable at nose tackle in his Browns debut. Corey Williams has taken some time to adjust, but I feel he will be able to fit in after a few weeks. Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith were effective last year and will only benefit from their pairing with Rogers and Williams.
That leaves the onus to make plays on the Browns' linebackers. In the three plus years that the Browns have employed the 3-4, the linebackers have failed to do so. Andra Davis is a smart player, but his lack of speed leaves him a step—or two—behind when attacking the line of scrimmage. Willie McGinest is in his last season in the NFL and is frequently hampered by injuries.
The younger linebackers have failed to step up as well. D’Qwell Jackson appears to be too small to be an effective inside linebacker and just doesn’t make enough big plays. He, like Davis, is the king of the tackle four yards downfield. Leon Williams is a physical specimen but seems to struggle mentally, which has kept him off the field. Rookie draft pick Beau Bell has been out since training camp due to knee surgery.
On the outside, the Browns were hurt by the loss of Antwaan Peek for the season as he was supposed to take the heat off of Kamerion Wimbley. But this was the year Wimbley was supposed to showcase a new repertoire of pass rushing moves. After one week, he still only has one move, the speed rush from the outside. Until he adapts, the Browns are lacking that pass rush from the outside the 3-4 defense needs.
3 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Nate Powers 10 months ago
Though you make a point that the linebackers are weak. I disagree at a point the Browns have proven that the linebackers can be very good. Look at how Davis, Jackson, and Wimbley(2years ago)
played very well with a weak defensive line.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. The only way the Browns have a chance to succeed is to get Lito Shepard and another Linebacker preferabley outside due to the injury to Peek.
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russ autin 9 months ago
now the reason i question the validity of this story is you didn't name the best set of 3 4 linebackers ever to sport a jock strap(really 4 jock straps) Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson ,Pat Swilling and the hardest hitting linebacker of all time Vaughn Johnson. the only line backing core to go to the pro bowl as a unit. that right all 4.other than that great story i watched the game they were m i a.
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Mr. Charming 9 months ago
In the off season the Browns appeared to improve the defense, assuming no major injuries. But, the Browns injury report looks like the casualty list from Gettysburg. In spite of that, we have to wonder how the Browns would ever effectively play the 3-4, a defense that requires play-making linebackers, with the current crop of linebackers. McGinest and Davis best days have passed, and Wimbley seems like a one trick pony, unable to follow up a promising rookie season. Watching D'Qwell Jackson bounce off Marion Barber like a ping pong ball makes him look like a career special teams player, not a play-making linebacker. In short, at linebacker, the Browns need to start over. This line up won't cut it. Sunday's battle with the Steelers shapes up catastrophic, and not because of all those soulless Steelers fans despoiling Browns Stadium with their vile presence.
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