DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Ray Horton to rush Kruger, play Shelton more, dust off Mingo

Heaven forbid that anybody makes a "typo" on here...

We were just having fun with it, not making fun of the poster at all.

Oh, I realized that. There have, however, been occasions...

In NFL Draft, Browns make good on need to get after the quarterback with multiple new faces

Posted May 7, 2016

Patrick Maks Staff Writer Twitter

Cleveland scooped up a pair of pass rushers who could play key roles next season

Ray Horton’s approach to defense isn’t overly complicated.

Stopping the run is a central theme.

So is getting after the quarterback.

“He likes hitting the quarterback when they're getting off the bus if he could,” Browns head coach Hue Jackson said of the team's defensive coordinator at the NFL’s annual owners’ meetings in March.

“He understands we like quarterbacks that stand in one place — and (if you do that) in pro football — you're going to get exposed."

The Browns last weekend began to make good on that approach, scooping up two pass rushers — Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah and Penn State’s Carl Nassib — in a draft class of 14 members.

Cleveland will also rely on players like Barkevious Mingo, who bulked up over the offseason, veteran linebacker Paul Kruger, 2015 second-round pick Nate Orchard and former first-round draft pick and nose tackle Danny Shelton to help pressure passers across the NFL.

“We really were pleased with what we were able to accomplish – the volume of talent but specifically addressing particular areas of the roster that we wanted to improve,” executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said last week.

Indeed, Cleveland made it a point to shore up its wide receivers group on offense and, on defense, its ability to pressure the quarterback.

As such, the Browns turned down a bevy of phone calls interested in making a deal for the 32nd pick and selected Ogbah, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound prospect who clocked a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at the combine. In his final year with the Cowboys, Ogbah — who will play linebacker — notched 12.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.

“We’re really excited to add him to our outside linebacker unit. He has an exceptional combination of power, speed and athleticism,” vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry said. “We think he will be able to add some pass-rush ability to our team.”

Meanwhile, Nassib — who went from a walk-on with the Nittany Lions to the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last season — led the nation with 15.5 sacks in addition to 20 tackles for loss. With a 6-foot-7, 275-pound frame, the Browns expect the West Chester, Pennsylvania, native to play defensive end.

For the Browns, who struggled to get after the quarterback in 2015 with 29 total sacks, Ogbah and Nassib could play key roles on a defense coming into form under Horton and Co. as Cleveland continues its offseason workout program.

“We’re going to change that,” Ogbah said last weekend when asked about the team’s past struggles. Then he looked at Nassib who sat to his right during a press conference.

“As you can see, he led the NCAA in sacks, and I was right behind him so we have a knack for getting to the quarterback,” Ogbah said. “That’s what we’re bringing to the table. We’re bringing that pass rush, getting back there and getting after him.”

After all, Horton in February made it clear the Browns will have to pressure signal-callers next season to be successful.

“You better affect the quarterback. Now, I go back to the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl," Horton said, pointing to Denver's win over Carolina in which it flustered Panthers quarterback Cam Newton from start to finish.

"(The Broncos) affected the quarterback. Next year, we’ll be looking for a rusher. The year after that, we’ll be looking for a rusher ... Until they change (the rules), we will be looking for a guy who can get around the corner and hit the quarterback.”

Horton added: “We’re going to preach what we do. We’re going to try to pressure the quarterback. As Coach Hue has mentioned more than once, we want to be suffocating.

“When we are in this division on the defensive side of the ball, you have to be. This is a tough, big-man division,” Horton continued. “You better be ready to play football on Sunday or you’re going to be embarrassed.”

And it would seem Ogbah and Nassib — as well as the rest of the Browns defense — are up to the challenge.
linky dinky

I like the strategy/philosophy.

I am really happy that the Browns tried to improve their pass rush. Let's just hope they picked the right guys.

Look, these articles are misleading. We could've added a hundred pass rushers, unless our secondary is able to hold it down for a few seconds, our blitz, regardless of the talent encompassing the rush - is meaningless. Joe Haden needs to find some sort of way to do his job and Tramon Williams never should line up against a #1.

Nassib and Ognah, or anyone in the trenches, won't benefit if our secondary gives up every easy completion ever.

Let's hope he don't hurt his fingers, again. =/

Trying not to mock the kid, but after that crap season - Yeah...

I disagree. It all starts up front, not the other way around. Our pass rush, will make our secondary better. Without a pass rush, we could have 3 darelle revis, and would still get toasted.

I think you are both right. Our pass rush and coverage ability both suck.

The rush will never, ever hit home if the back end isn't holding up. We witnessed this tons last year, did we not? How many check downs and quick slants shredded us? Most qbs left the games with clean jerseys.

Say whatever you want to say, the rush will be virtually ineffective if our secondary can't hold coverage, which in Hortons defense, they'll be asked to do. Bottom line. We could hit qbs with a crappy front if they're given the time to do so. Hell, even Mingo or Orchard could get them a sack if given enough time to get home.

I'm not worried about the CB's as much as I used to be now that I recall that (and I'm 99% certain) it was Horton who made everyone on here think that Buster Skrine was more than a slot CB in 2013.


Give him some guys that can move and that are coachable, and it'll do Ok.
I'm not expecting miracles this year, anyway.... I'm fully expecting us to suck.

I agree with you eo.. we always seem to be playing defense.. well, defensively. We are almost never in attack mode because we don't control anything. We don't dictate ANYTHING.

We give up big yards on 1st and 2nd downs, which leaves their playbook wide open, we don't score enough points on offense to force other teams to try to score with us. When offenses are comfortable and can use their entire playbook because you can't dictate anything, they are almost impossible to stop.. and we never force other teams out of that situation..

Yeah, I hear that. Haden first pro bowl was under Ray. But corners will be man press and left with little to no over the top help, almost what was asked of them with Oniels circus, under Horton too.

Unfortunately, last year, we were dropping literally everyone but three... and still giving up third down and etc conversions.

I'd worry about the corner backs if I were everyone.

I wouldn't sweat the help over the top too much... I'm pretty sure it was Horton that made Gipson, too.

I'm not saying we won't have problems or room for improvement, but I don't think QBs are going to simply be out there playing catch with their WRs.

We should have a better pass rush from both the edges and in the middle, and if Shelton steps up, we should be a little more stout in the middle. That will go a LONG way toward helping the secondary.

10 things that require zero talent.

1. Being On time
2. Being Prepared
3. Effort
4. Work ethic
5. Energy
6. Body Language
7. Being coach-able
8. Putting in overtime
9. Passion
10 Attitude

I am NOT attacking you, but why do you think Horton made Gipson?

Dick Jauron loved the guy. Horton said he was the MVP of the defense. Gipson made the Pro Bowl after Horton.

I think our secondary is extremely weak and will be a sore spot all year long.

I think Horton's scheme is very friendly to guys in the secondary, and it was under Horton that Gipson rose.

Sure, he had the athletic talent, but I believe that it was Horton that brought him along to where he was.... and I won't be the least bit surprised if/when Horton does it with another lesser-known name.

No disrespect intended, but I disagree. I'm just going off of my own observations but, I ask you, what happens more frequently? Defensive production through stunts, blitzes,mis-matches or just sound scheme execution or coverage sacks? By proximity to the ball the front is more important to presurring the quarterback. I want a sound secondary but we've had above average secondary play with midling front 7 play and the resutls have been the results.

Yup.... as pressure increases and gets in there faster, the DB's don't have to cover as deep because that ball has to be coming out. So, the Safety's don't have to sit 30 yards back, the CB's can press and jam... they just have to cover for about a 4 count.

As long as you don't lose contain, pressure can make the secondary look REALLY, REALLY good.

I think a good pass rush is important, but I also think people are forgetting just how bad this secondary was last year.

I also believe that people are forgetting what the Brown's defense did om 2013. Here is an excerpt from an article about it:




I get that folks want to be positive before the season, but I think the lack of talent in the defensive backfield is going to be a huge problem for this team. Last year, teams played pitch and catch against the secondary. This year should be no different.

I'm sorry, but we've not had above average play from the secondary. We've not even had average play there. As I said before, we could go prevent and still give up a 10 yard conversion for a third down. Our corners can't jam and play tight press off the line.

I bet we have alot of Qb pressures, but there's a reason they're just pressures. We, as in our secondary, gives qbs endless escape routes and options.

And ps, absolutely no disrespect taken bro. We're all entitled to our opinions, and I respect everyone's opinions whether agree or disagree. All good bro!

The discrepancy between Yards per Game and Points per Game is why I was/am luke-warm on the Horton hiring. If there is any silver lining to hope for, it is that the early part of that season had us doing well, and if memory serves me, it was a rash of injuries in the Front 7 that started the collapse after like Game 6, I think.

I'm not banking on it, but I am hoping that with him getting players he wants and if we stay healthy, it might turn out ok. Still.... his defense looks great in terms of Yards, but it gives up lots of points. I do believe that statement holds up even when you look at his defenses in Arizona, etc...

I saw no good reason for bringing Horton back, but now that he is back, I hope he proves me completely wrong.

I think you are right that the defense started off pretty good and got worse as the year went on. There were comments about a lot of guys quitting down the stretch, but injuries might have had a lot to do w/it. I really don't remember specifically.