2014 Preview: Defense
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After determining the battles in camp, I decided to look at the offensive and defensive groups that I picked to make the roster, and do a little breakdown. Thought some might like to add, or comment.
Starting Defense:
Haden Rubin / Taylor / D.Bryant Gilbert
Kruger / Robertson / Dansby / Sheard
Gipson / Whitner
Key contributors - Winn / Hughes / Mingo / Skrine
Backups - A.Bryant / Barnett / Carder / Eubanks / Kirskey / Desir / McFadden / Poyer / Aubrey
Biggest weaknesses:
Three of them:
1 - Justin Gilbert starting as a rookie. Rookie corners are prone to getting burned as they adjust to the speed of the NFL. With teams unwilling to throw toward Haden, Gilbert will be challenged. Expect him to give up some TDs... It's just part of the maturation process for a young corner adjusting to the speed of NFL receivers. This is assuming he wins the starting spot. If not, then we're looking at the same weakness having Skrine start. He would be a liability, most likely.
2 - Tashaun Gipson. I like Gipson as a fundamentals guy who will make the tackle when necessary. My problem with Gipson is he hasn't shown anything special with regards to playmaking. He has been average in coverage and has lacked any explosiveness. I hope he steps it up this year, especially with Whitner playing opposite him.
3 - Inside Linebacker. Adding Dansby was HUGE after we lost Jackson, and I think Dansby is a much better fit for a 3-4 defense. The problem is, we only have one reliable ILB. Robertson has shown flashes, but was much better in the 4-3 system 2 years ago. Drafting Chris Kirskey, who is undersized, does not seem to have fixed this situation. Hopefully, Pettine will utilize a rotation based on situation.
Strengths:
Three of them:
1 - Defensive Line. I LOVE the depth we have on the D-line. I think Taylor is poised to have a great season, and I think Rubin will play well considering his contract his ending. Bryant was a force when healthy. Winn and Hughes have contributed nicely since they day they were drafted, and they should continue to get better. This has to be one of the best 3-man fronts in the NFL, and I think they will be out to prove that this season.
2 - Veterans, with an edge - As much as I liked DQJ, he never played "with an edge." He always seemed too nice, polite, and quiet. Bringing in Dansby and Whitner changes that tone quite a bit. Whitner is an intense competetor, and couple that with Haden's desire to win a championship, and Taylor's nastyness and we now have a D not only with talent, but with some fire underneath them.
3 - Depth? ... What? - At almost every position group, we COULD sustain a major injury to a starter (knock on wood). In the past, this team would be crippled by an injury to a starter b/c we would never have people behind them to step up. This group, while we may take a slide if a guy like Haden went down, could sustain quality play even if they were to lose a player for an extended amount of time.
Analysis:
This defense SHOULD be pretty stout. You're looking at minimum 5 players with Pro-Bowl talent (Taylor, Dansby, Sheard, Haden, Whitner), 3 young players with great potential (Gilbert, Gipson, Robertson), and 3 solid NFL-quality starters (Bryant, Rubin, Kruger). Combine that with 2 of our guys on contract seasons (Rubin, Sheard) and 4 very high-quality young players that will bey major contributors (Winn, Hughes, Mingo, Skrine) and this has top 5 D written all over it.
The problem with the Browns has, and may continue to be, the struggling offense. We can bring in all the best defensive players in the world, and put them in some of the best schemes, yet struggle because the offense continues to go 3-and-out. Defensive players need something to play for, and something to believe in. They can't be put on the field following turnovers, 3-and-outs, and field goals and be expected to win the game. Defense is dependent on solid, balanced offense. If Hoyer or Manziel can't give these guys a reason to stick their necks out, they won't perform at their highest. If we can score some TDs and get some sustained drives on O, this D will be fierce.
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nicely done.
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Agree... nice write-up. A few thought on the particulars...
Agree on the attitude Whitner and Dansby may bring. I think both are upgrades at their positions.
Gipson/ Gilbert
Gipson's sophomore campaign with 5 INTs in 15 starts was a surprise... at least it surprised me. By the end of the season he looked more like a vet than a 2nd-year FS. How much further he progresses in year three with expectations raised, but in a different system, is anybody's guess, but I look for him to better his 2013 performance.
I thought Gilbert was the most promising CB in the draft. While that promise translates into play there will be pain. I'm prepared the occasional coverage pain. What will get to me is if he has issues tackling, if he hesitates to hit and wrap up. I think Joe will show him how it's done (and Skrine will push him as well), but we shall see. Gilbert may need a full season and off season for his body to mature and be conditioned to give him the confidence to stick his nose "in there".
LBs
Sorry to harp on this, but in a 3-4 they have to be your strength. And beyond the concerns over our #2 ILB, I still do not see a 3-down OLB on the roster. If I am an opposing OC and see Kruger on the field, then I swing pass to his side all day long. And if Gilbert is on Kruger's side, so much the better.
Line
Love it... love it... love it...
Analysis
I know I'm the amateur here, but when I look at this group, I still see 4-3 talent being shoehorned into a 3-4. Right now I can only hope that Pettine/O'Neil have a better shoehorn than Chud/Horton.
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We are going to blitz and we are going to be press man, we will create a shit ton of turnovers. If you play fantasy football, you may want to think about picking us up.
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