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Expectations rising for defense
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
07.31.2007
Other than a battle for a starting cornerback job and a few new guys along the defensive line, things on the Browns defense are mostly unchanged from a year ago.

But that's not such a bad thing. In fact, it signifies consistency -- something the Browns have been striving for during the last three years under Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel.

With big changes occurring on the other side of the ball under new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, the now-under-the-radar defense is faced with the new challenge of high expectations.

While the offense adjusts, the defense is expected to be a reliable strength of the team.

For this, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has crafted a new mantra for his unit:

"We want to mentally and physically challenge the opposing offense," he said.

"That comes with being tough and aggressive, attacking the guys in front of you, and being able to respond to adversity."

Grantham has every reason to be optimistic.

His three oft-mentioned rookie linebackers from a year ago -- Kamerion Wimbley, D'Qwell Jackson, and Leon Williams -- are now second-year players all with experience playing in scrimmage situations. Wimbley's AFC-rookie-best 11 sacks helped him earn team MVP honors among the media, as well as fans on ClevelandBrowns.com.

Seasoned veterans like 17-year nose tackle Ted Washington, 12-year veteran Orpheus Roye, and 14-year vet Willie McGinest are back to aid in the improvement of the run defense. The club also added eighth-year defensive lineman Robaire Smith during free agency to help the cause.

While that run defense ranked just 29th in the NFL a year ago, allowing 142.2 yards per game, he's confident that can improve.

"You need to be solid up front," Grantham said of run defense. "Having Orpheus healthy will be key to that. The addition of Robaire will help us, and the ability to drop our safeties down and make an eight man front, that's something we need to be able to do. But to do that you have to be able to cover outside."

A step in being able to cover outside and create that eight-man front came when the club drafted potential star corner Eric Wright in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. And, while losing a starting safety in Brain Russell during '07 free agency, the team is replacing him with the immensely talented Brodney Pool.

"We've felt good about (Pool) every since we've had him," Grantham said. "He's played in a lot of situations for us over the years. He has the ability to make some plays. As we move forward we'll see he's a guy who can help us."

Another reason for Grantham to be confident is the guy starting beside Pool at the other safety slot. Sean Jones had a breakout season a year ago, tying for the team lead with 5 interceptions and finishing third on the club with 107.5 tackles.

"Sean came along as a playmaker and he had some sacks, big hits, and interceptions for us and the position he plays is going to allow him to make some big plays," Grantham said. "This year he and Brodney are doing a good job together."

As one can see, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic. But, as stated before, promise for success comes, especially in this case, at the expense of increased expectations.

Now, the defense won't simply be looked at as a pleasant surprise but as a unit depended upon to keep the team in games, force turnovers, and maintain good field position.

To do that, it's going to take that consistency for which Savage and Crennel have been searching.

"The guys came back in good shape," Grantham said. "They're fit. They're ready to roll. At times we did play good defense last year. What we're looking for consistency over 16 games."

I really think the Robaire Smith signing was the best signing we made this offseason. Sure Steinbach is good, and dont get me wrong he was a great signing.

But i think Robaire Smith will bring a run stopping ability we arent used to. He may not have been the best player in the conference. But, DLs that dont get sacks and just stop the run dont get much publicity unless they stink. He's gonna be good for us and I think will bring a run stopping ability we havent seen since the return.

A strong D and a running game... hmmm... wonder what that could mean?

Super Bowl!

One thing I would really like to see is for Sean Jones to improve his hands. There are at least 2 games last year that I think we would have won if Sean had held onto a potential interception. If he had better hands he could of hand 3-4 more interceptions last year and in he scenario it would have been hard not to elect him to the pro bowl.

In some of the TC articles being posted there are already reports about him droppping a ball that hit him right in the hands.

If we can just get in the mid teens in stopping the run, that would be HUGE.

Especially if Kamerion Wimbley takes that 2nd year leap that we all expect from him. I also think that the beneficiary of that will be Antwan Peek.

Stopping the run is always important, but I think our pass rush will be what keeps us in games, gets us off the field on 3rd down and creates turnovers. We need the pass rush to perform like we hope it will. That '01 D was horrendous but had a pass rush and therefore created turnovers out the yin yang.

We stress run stopping for good reason, but if we're gonna have a respectable record this year, we're gonna do it rushing the passer.

I agree. Smith is a solid defender who will shore things up against the run game.

It was almost like we had a chipmunk defense with Alvin, Simon, and Theodore..

"You need to be solid up front," Grantham said of run defense. "Having Orpheus healthy will be key to that. The addition of Robaire will help us, and the ability to drop our safeties down and make an eight man front, that's something we need to be able to do. But to do that you have to be able to cover outside."


Thats one of the keys people that I was trying to hammer home for some time..in order to blitz U need corners who can cover and play good press and single coverage..
If you have the DB's choking the recievers the QB can't complete anything EVEN IF HE HAS TIME to get the pass off..

Dooot Dooot Doot-Doot-Doot-Doot

you guys just had to brag....brag just a little about the improving defense ...and Roye gets hurt. They say that what goes around comes around...well we ought to be coming around quite well pretty soon!