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Browns beef up defensive line
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

BEREA Finally, Browns fans can watch elite defensive linemen playing in their own backyard.

Interestingly, that is where Robaire Smith is used to finding Shaun Rogers.

Smith joined the Browns last year and became their best defensive lineman.

Rogers arrived in a 2008 trade with a reputation of being — on his good days — maybe the best size-speed interior defensive line talent in the league.

At training camp, some observers are surprised to see Smith and Rogers buddying up as if they'd been friends for years.

Actually, they have been.

"I played in Houston, and I have a place there," Smith said after practice. "It just so happens that my backyard and the backyard of Shaun's best friend connect.

"We got to know each other that way. Now, it's good to know we're on the same team."

It's an issue that none of the Browns' 2008 defensive lineman were on the same team as recently as 2006. Chemistry must be built on the fly.

Two free agents, Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith. Two trades, Corey Williams and Rogers. Three guys with no prior 3-4 experience.

One slam-bang project to get the defensive front contention-worthy.

At least they all seem to get along. They pal around with linebacker Willie McGinest, who chooses the restaurants, thumbing his nose at Robaire Smith's passion for Burger King and Taco Bell.

"We've got a lot of different personalities. It just so happens none of our personalities clash," Robaire Smith said. "Guys want to get better. Guys want to dominate."

Dominate? Too often since Head Coach Romeo Crennel imported his three-man front from New England, the front line has been an open gate. The defensive yards-against average ranked in the lower third in Crennel's first year, at 316.8 a game.

It only got worse, dropping to 344.8 in 2006 and 359.6 in 2007, at which point Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham got the boot.

Guilt by association stings Robaire Smith even as the 2008 camp progresses.

"We've got some guys who go out there and love to work, want to get better, love to dominate, want to go out there and prove a lot of people wrong," he said. "I mean, we took a lot of stuff this offseason.

"As a group, that's where our pride kicks in. These new guys came in and fit right in with it."

Rogers, who exudes intimidation, talks a lot more to his new teammates than he does to the media.

The foursome will do the bulk of the rotating on the three-men line Monday against the Giants. They will play two to four series early in the national TV preseason game.

Later in the game, several players competing to be the No. 5 man will show their wares. Like the big four, they are all fairly new to the Browns.

The candidates include:

• Melila Purcell, beefed up to 295 pounds after coming in as a Round 6 rookie in 2007.

• Chase Pittman, likewise heavier, at 300 pounds, after making the practice squad at about 285 in 2007 as a Round 7 rookie.

• Louis Leonard, who joined the Browns last Oct. 8 after first making he Rams as an undrafted rookie, then getting cut.

• Ahtyba Rubin, a rookie Round 6 pick who seems to have made a strong impression on Crennel.

Hopes for beating Dallas in the Sept. 7 opener are pinned more on guys like Robaire Smith. He is eager to prove he's not just a body behind the well-hyped newcomers, Rogers and Williams.

"I feel better than I've felt for a while," Smith said. "Playing the defensive line, you're gonna have bumps and bruises. But getting a little wiser can help with that.

"A lot of times, you can get a little reckless in there on that line. I'm learning to play with more technique and not be as reckless."

With so many new and fairly new pieces to fit together, there could be some wreckage at first. Good chemistry could help, but ...

"When a group of guys gets along and can be comfortable with each other and laugh with each other, they're developing chemistry," Crennel said. "I'm not worried so much about the chemistry. I'm worried about the play and production."

It's going to be interesting to see the final mix of players we keep.

Rogers,Williams, Smith, and Smith will make the club.

Two of Pittman, Purcell, and Leonard will make the squad....Rubin will probably be a PS move unless we keep 7.

I still think IF Pittman or Purcell make the final roster, they are going to hurt our D. It wouldn't suprise me if we picked up another D end, before the season starts.

I kind of think they will keep Rubin. When they drafted him, Savage asked- "can he make the roster"- and the scouts said "Yes". It will be an interesting decision and i will be curious to see what direction they go.

Tell me you're looking forward to seeing Purcell, Leonard, or pittman?

whah? are you talking about this guy ?

Well, we're talking about the same guy who was proposing moving DQwell Jackson to backup safety.

Just clicking...I'm thinking the Browns have little choice but to be thinner on the DL at least to start the year:

Starters - Williams, Rogers, R. Smith
Backups - S. Smith, Leonard, Pittman
PS - Rubin (I'm worried he may not make it through to PS...Niners allegedly loved him)

If Rubin does make it through to the PS, I'm not sure he spends all year there...the Browns may need some help.

Don't be suprised to see somebody brought in to replace Pittman.

Maybe via trade or once the waiver hits...If they just go with what's on roster, I think Pittman stays over Purcell.

Just clicking....got to remember - Our 2 studs have played less than 2 quarters in our system which is totally new to them. At some point it will start to click and they can just play all out with reaction to the scheme. Right now they are in a thinking mode which retards all by a step or so.

Its only going to get better...and with the prowess of those two...it trickles down to the rest of the team....making them all better!!

JMHO - no, the sky is not falling - it is just an acorn

my head hurts.

Come on eo...all Browns get Chicken Little Syndrome! It's just our nature!

EO I feel good out our first four D-lineman, as long as we avoid injuries on the D-line it will be just fine. It's the lack of depth that could cause some real problems.

100% agree. He's like a friggin tree he's so huge.

I want to know what's up with Louis Leonard (the guy with the most promise behind our "front four").

He was a healthy scratch against the Giants and hasn't been at practice in a week according to Browns Scout.

T_

He might be huge, but wasn't he the one that was in at NT in the second half against the Giants. The one that in his four point stance looked like he was sitting on his ankles and would get pushed back constantly?

Yes.

On the TD run in the second half he was pushed about 5 yards into the endzone.

I don't care how strong a NT is in his upper body. That position is about 90% lower body.

I thought that was him, it killed me that he was in his stance like that. You can't get any drive if you're sitting on your heels. He needs to be up with his butt in the air. So he can push with his legs.

Rubin is a project NT..he has the physical tools , he just needs to learn the proper techniques as being pointed out..once he gets those down he should progress.

Wait, are you trying to say our 6th round pick might not be contributing right away? What a wasted pick!

He actually could..even though I get the sarcasm..the Browns don't want him or Hall on the PS..I think they'll try to find room for both on the roster..
Being the only pure NT in the draft he has HIGH value to us..and every other 34 team...

Yeah he could probably benefit from a year on the PS more than people realize. Physically he is it. The technique of playing NT is a big deal, not just run and hit the center.

I'm more excited about him than I ever was with Oshinowo.

Am I the only one who has a problem with our position coach's ??????? I am and have been less than impressed with both the LB coaching and the DL .. Folks talk about something as basic as the proper stance ??? What the devil did the coach have him doing all during off season work outs and Training camp ???? Don't get me started the the Line Backing corp.. ..

"Come on eo...all Browns get Chicken Little Syndrome! It's just our nature!"

But of course...actually I start to until I come to the boards and read all the more worse cases, for me its a cure all...lol