Training Camp Battles (by position group): Secondary
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The last installment of my take on position battles. I have not made any profound predictions, and have basically taken the easy route with my picks, so that trend will most likely continue here.
17 total players entering camp who play safety and/or corner. Here's what I see...
Starting Shut-down Corner - Joe Haden
Duh...
Starting Strong Safety - Donte Whitner
Duh...
Starting Free Safety - Tashaun Gipson
I don't know if Gipson should be given a pass in camp to become the starter, but who is his competetion? We really haven't brought in any potential FSs over the offseason, which tells me Pettine liked what he saw on tape from last season. I think Gipson is starter-quality, with potential to become good; however, he does not seem to have the highest ceiling.
Cornerback 2 - Buster Skrine vs Justin Gilbert
One of the most intriguing battles in camp this season. Can the rookie take over from day 1? Rookie corners tend to struggle, no matter how much talent they have but does a rookie Gilbert beat out a scrappy veteran Skrine? I think both will get enough playing time, both inside and outside but who is going to be "the guy" playing opposite Haden.
Nickel Corner - Loser of Cornerback 2 vs Pierre Desir vs Isaiah Trufant vs Leon McFadden
In all reality, this comes down to either Skrin or Gilbert. But, this team didn't just draft Desir to put him on the bench and they didn't bring in Trufant for no reason. Plus, does McFadden make the jump after getting healthy and a full offseason? Good group of players here, with a lot of potential.
CB4, 5, and/or 6 - Losers of above vs Aaron Berry vs TJ Heath vs Royce Adams vs Jordan Poyer vs K'Wuan Williams
Guys like Adams, Poyer, and Berry will have a shot at making the roster but are going to have to show the ability to succeed in man coverage. Also, as in most position groups, the versatility to fill-in at safety and play STs may be the deciding factor in getting a roster spot or not.
Backup safeties - Johnson Bademosi vs Josh Aubrey vs Robert Nelson vs Darwin Cook
With a new defensive scheme, it is so hard to predict who is a good fit at safety, and who is a good fit at corner. Again, versatility may be key. This should be an interesting battle to make the roster, and just like the corners above, STs should play a major factor.
Eligible for Practice Squad - K'Waun Williams, T.J. Heath, Royce Adams, Josh Aubrey, Robert Nelson, Darwin Cook
My Picks:
CB1 - Joe Haden
CB2 - Justin Gilbert
CBS - Buster Skrine
SS - Donte Whitner
FS - Tashaun Gipson
CB4 - Pierre Desir
CB5 - Leon McFadden
DB8 - Isaiah Trufant
DB9 - Josh Aubrey
PS - Royce Adams
Release - Poyer, Berry, Cook, Williams, Bademosi, Heath, Nelson
I really have no idea here. I like Bademosi, and could see him on the roster. I don't think they would have signed Trufant as a FA if they didn't expect him to make the roster. I don't know much about the youngest members of this group. I really like the top 5 on that list, but depth could become an issue especially if McFadden and/or Desir aren't performing well. Still... Haden and Whitner immediately make this group a fun group to watch.
That's all folks... Let's get ready for some football...
Go Browns!!
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Dont be surprised if Desir ends up being a Safety. The kid is kinda raw, but is a beast. I like the assesments you are making. As a whole though, our Defense is loaded for once. My thought on only weakness would be the ILB spot.
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Dont be surprised if Desir ends up being a Safety. The kid is kinda raw, but is a beast. I like the assesments you are making. As a whole though, our Defense is loaded for once. My thought on only weakness would be the ILB spot.
Assuming Gilbert gets his ass into camp the secondary starters are basically set thru Nickelback. Beyond that it is difficult to see how the roster will end up.
As a whole though, our Defense is loaded for once. My thought on only weakness would be the ILB spot.
Seems like our D is being pronounced "loaded" around here for the third year running. Hopefully this year y'all are correct. In the past two years, I haven't seen it, but I am more optimistic this year because the secondary has been addressed.
I still think LBs, be they inside or outside, are our weakness. Our defensive success will hinge upon Pettine's scheme minimizing our weakness... something Horton was allegedly going to do last year.
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