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2010 Cleveland Browns Pre-Camp Preview: Defense - Part 1
July 28, 2010 By Jeff Biasella
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Cleveland Browns:
(@Tampa Bay, Kansas City, @Baltimore, Cincinnati, Atlanta, @Pittsburgh, @New Orleans, BYE, New England, NY Jets, @Jacksonville, Carolina, @Miami, @Buffalo, @Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh)
Defense:
Browns fans, there is a god and his name is Rob Ryan. Actually according to Wikipedia his real name is Remus which sounds crazy enough to be true considering the Ryan family. Either way, he's the bizarro Brian Daboll. Also I'm only referring to him as Remus for now on because Rob doesn't do his craziness justice and if it is true, it's the best coaching name since Norm Mack Van Brocklin.
As we saw last year, he can turn instant Sanka into a high-end latte. Needless to say, I can't wait to see what he does with actual NFL players instead of the extras from The Replacements. If this was 1997, when passing was primarily used in long yardage situations, the Browns would be entering training camp with a top 10 defense. The good news is the Browns are ready to crack the top 20.
Starting with the front line, it doesn't look like Shaun Rodgers will be receiving any type of suspension for being stupid. But the concern I have with him is the lasting effects of his ankle injury. The guy is 6'4'' 350 pounds and entering his 10th season; not a good recipe for a successful rehab. I think it's safe to say some of his explosiveness will gone. Just as long as all his explosiveness doesn't disappear he should still have a significant impact on the game simply because he's relentless and insane on the field. Also, Tony Grossi of the Plain Dealer reported the Browns are seriously considering moving him to DE and letting Ahtyba Rubin take over at NT. This is the type of Remus Ryan move I can get behind for two reasons:
First, the knock on Rubin when we drafted him back in 2008 was that he was undersized and lacked the strength to move linemen off the ball. All the scouting reports suggested he would be a 2rd or 3nd round pick if his size wasn't an issue because he had a Dwight Freeney-esque spin move and great lateral quickness on stunts. Well he's solved that size and strength. The Browns drafted Rubin when he was 20 and he weighed 280 pounds. Now he's a 330 pound man ready to do some damage. Plus he meets the criteria for my "Position at Birth" theory: When a guy's name sounds like he should be playing that position and no other one on the field it's a good sign. For example, Peyton Manning sounds like a guy who should be playing quarterback not DE. Joe Thomas sounds like a guy who would be one hell of an offensive lineman but not so much a force at running back. JaMarcus Russell sounds like an All-Pro defensive lineman and someone who would be awful at quarterback. Ahtyba Rubin without a doubt sounds like a NT.
Second, moving Shaun Rogers to DE gives Remus more options than should be considered healthy for a man with his intensity and love for creating defenses. It might be a good idea for the Browns to hire Remus an assistant to follow him around and make sure he doesn't spaz out like Steve Butabi entering the Roxbury in the midst of a hottie overload. I'm just guessing, but I expect to see him go blitz crazy and with good reason. As it stands right now, the front three will probably be Shaun Rogers, Ahtyba Rubin, and Kenyon Coleman. The potential starting linebacker corps is Scott Fuijta and Chris Gocong on the outside with D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton inside. Then rotating in at will is "Position at Birth" candidate Kaluka Maiava, David Bowens, and Matt Roth.
Any double team Shaun Rogers and/or Kenyon Coleman receives means Rubin only has to beat one man which is what you want out of an aggressive 3-4. Most 3-4's want their NT to eat up blocks. It makes more sense though if your NT faces more one-on-one situations instead of being a body catcher. He's the closest player to the ball and if he only has to beat one guy, chances are he disrupts that play. Also, it allows the defense to get a better rush up the middle. When Shaun Rogers would get double or triple teamed, an o-lineman could easily slide off and pickup the linebacker coming inside. When the Browns tried to get in from the outside they couldn't because Robaire Smith rarely demanded a double team. The openings weren't there because o-linemen could keep the QB safe in a "V" shaped pocket. Now the defense is spreading the o-line and creating gaps inside by forcing guards and tackles to pay more attention to the DE's. I can't wait to see the packages, zone blitzes, delayed blitzes, and stunts Remus designs because players with practice squad talent were creating opportunities under him. Now that the Browns have actual NFL players, the defense will be able to finish.
