<![CDATA[D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep]]>As we know, the volume of injuries to our defensive front really put the challenge to the "play like a Brown" mission in 2014. Nonetheless, guys sucked it up and played hurt or in a technique they probably weren't best suited to succeed in. Rubin is gone while film alley-ooops the reality Phil Taylor should never line up in a 5 technique again. My gut says we should keep at least 7 guys. There's a couple BIG salaries that could very well be factored in to who gets cut as well as ongoing abilities to perform at 100% and show up in shape. I know some people aren't all that thrilled with the type of inside push Ishy Kitchen generates; BUT he played quite a bit when Craig Robertson successfully replaced Karlos Dansby. Is that possible if the NT isn't keeping blockers off him? I think I also remembered reading in here that PFF rated Dansby really high against the run. Ishy was rotating in all year and I get the impression our staff thinks he'd continue to give us fresh legs in the rotation. My hope is Shelton helps us accomplish more 3 and outs so the frequency of needing the backup NT is less. Another thing we can easily do is kick John Hughes inside especially if Cooper and Bryant are rocking outside. A lot of good options available.

I know people and magazines like to focus on who will start; but we're going to go 2 deep not only for situational strengths/specialties but for fresh legs and replenished motors. That means we'll see a whole lotta everybody we keep. I see some great veterans for younger guys to learn from like John Hughes, Randy Starks and Billy Winn. If Des Bryant can get back to the form he showcased before he had that minor heart valve procedure in 2013 - he's applicable to that group as well.

When we go 3 man line - here's what we'll probably start the year off with:

RE: John Hughes (sub) Des Bryant/Xavier Cooper

NT: Danny Shelton (sub) Phil Taylor/Ishmaa'ily Kitchen

LE: Randy Starks (sub) Billy Winn/Xavier Cooper

This could be a 4 man look - I'm stealthing in OLBs (but keeping Orchard standing up for ideal X-stunts)

RE: Des Bryant (subs) Billy Winn/Armonty Bryant

RT: Danny Shelton (subs) Ishmaa'ily Kitchen/Xavier Cooper

LT: Randy Starks (subs) Phil Taylor/Xavier Cooper

LE: Paul Kruger (subs) Billy Winn/Scott Solomon

Understand that positions above are subject to change once we get some games behind us. Please feel free tweak either front as necessary folks. It's just fun to put the names in places we might see them; and discuss some exciting possibilities. This will get a lot easier to place guys as training camp, scrimmages and preseason games separate the doe's from the bucks and the do's from the don'ts. Injuries usually play a role in it all too.

I cannot FREAKIN wait to see Danny Shelton and Xavier Cooper; and I don't feel like saying FREAKIN if ya know what I mean. Sounds like a season long prescription for sic em, sock em and sack em. Game on!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/37473/d-line-where-2-deep-isn-t-too-deepRSS for NodeFri, 02 Oct 2026 09:09:17 GMTSun, 12 Jul 2015 22:12:32 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Sat, 05 Sep 2015 12:30:04 GMT]]>Can't wait to see our rotations on the dline next Sunday. Looks like Meder was the pleasant surprise of training camp nobody saw coming.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/527132https://brownsboard.com/post/527132Sat, 05 Sep 2015 12:30:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:51:43 GMT]]>The DL isn't the only place where 2 deep isn't too deep.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/518440https://brownsboard.com/post/518440Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:51:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:18:43 GMT]]>

@mudfly said:

Id think so.....maybe not much, but gotta think there are a number of teams that would want him and might give us something....(as opposed to just cutting him).....maybe not.....

Yeah....Im over the top with it....Maybe - maybe not = eternal optimist?.....ok.... 😳

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/518082https://brownsboard.com/post/518082Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:18:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:11:26 GMT]]>

@mudfly said:

Yep....

Then God bless because you're an eternal optimist.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/518080https://brownsboard.com/post/518080Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:11:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:56:46 GMT]]>

@tiamat63 said:

That would also include absorbing his salary in a trade.

Still of the belief he has trade value?

Yep....

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/518075https://brownsboard.com/post/518075Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:56:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:49:04 GMT]]>

@mudfly said:

Id think so.....maybe not much, but gotta think there are a number of teams that would want him and might give us something....(as opposed to just cutting him).....maybe not.....

Personally hoping he sticks and returns to form.....

That would also include absorbing his salary in a trade.

Still of the belief he has trade value?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/518071https://brownsboard.com/post/518071Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:49:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:03:08 GMT]]>

@tiamat63 said:

Does he now?

Id think so.....maybe not much, but gotta think there are a number of teams that would want him and might give us something....(as opposed to just cutting him).....maybe not.....

Personally hoping he sticks and returns to form.....

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/518043https://brownsboard.com/post/518043Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:03:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:27:20 GMT]]>There are considerations other than "the cap" involved in trades...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/518008https://brownsboard.com/post/518008Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:27:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:11:11 GMT]]>Here is a really good site on salary cap implications http://overthecap.com/calculator/cleveland-browns/ .

Phillip is sitting pretty and our new Gerard Warren apparently. His salary is at $5,477,000. If he is cut, it all goes to dead money and we get nothing gained toward the cap.

He will have to be Jabba the Hut in order for them to cut him. I still think he should be motivated though. Drafting Shelton is almost a direct smack in the nads to him I would think. Sure, they let Rubin walk, but drafting Shelton pretty much says "we don't trust you Phillip".

If he is in shape and has his game face on, Shelton and he could make a devastating pair in 43 sets and they could also spell each other in 34 rotations. Taylor is probably best playing no more than 60% of the snaps anyway to be effective. For Christ sake leave him off of 34 DE though, that was a bad experiment right there. Can't be a turtle and play 34 DE. No way, no how.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/517966https://brownsboard.com/post/517966Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:11:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:00:03 GMT]]>

@mudfly said:

Well lets hope Phil shows up ready to compete this year......he was the "only" one to fail the conditioning test last year and, now, he has some serious competition ahead if he wants to keep his job....

I definitely dont see the Browns eating his contract though.....Phil has trade value, so if they feel he wont make the roster, I see him being traded for whatever we can get.....(but I really expect him to make the team and play well, as long as he stays healthy)

Does he now?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/517873https://brownsboard.com/post/517873Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:00:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:58:27 GMT]]>Well lets hope Phil shows up ready to compete this year......he was the "only" one to fail the conditioning test last year and, now, he has some serious competition ahead if he wants to keep his job....

I definitely dont see the Browns eating his contract though.....Phil has trade value, so if they feel he wont make the roster, I see him being traded for whatever we can get.....(but I really expect him to make the team and play well, as long as he stays healthy)

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/517582https://brownsboard.com/post/517582Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:58:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Sat, 18 Jul 2015 20:02:48 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

His contract is fully guaranteed this year, so that makes no sense unless you don't think he is good enough to make the team outright.

Zombo

He has to make the team outright, but it isn't a given. They will eat his contract because they can afford to and have the room.

This is what competition is all about under Pett and his staff.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/517264https://brownsboard.com/post/517264Sat, 18 Jul 2015 20:02:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Sat, 18 Jul 2015 20:00:26 GMT]]>

@miktoxic said:

well can shelton beat out phil? remember when phil was healthy last on the thursday night game at cincy? we looked pretty good on the dline with him playing LDE and rubin at NT. when those guys are healthy they are good.

I remember Phil being completely miscast as a 34 DE kind of like Corey Williams was when Phillip traded for him.

His ass is on the line this year. It is put up or shut up, and will come down to camp performance. As it should be.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/517262https://brownsboard.com/post/517262Sat, 18 Jul 2015 20:00:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:13:33 GMT]]>well can shelton beat out phil? remember when phil was healthy last on the thursday night game at cincy? we looked pretty good on the dline with him playing LDE and rubin at NT. when those guys are healthy they are good.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516894https://brownsboard.com/post/516894Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:13:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:33:05 GMT]]>That's not to say Big Phil can't find time at DE, I'm certain he can. Is he a 2 gapping candidate? Absolutely not. He has the wingspan though to help set the edge and prevent tackle read cutbacks.

Obviously that would be a true 'heavy' package. I'm certain he'll get plenty of looks when we go to 4 down as well. However the possibility of seeing Shelton and Phil on the field at the same time is highly likely, especially given our first game against the run heavy Jets.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516859https://brownsboard.com/post/516859Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:33:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:13:13 GMT]]>

XxDaBuckeyexX said:

Phil Taylor is a prime cut candidate

His contract is fully guaranteed this year, so that makes no sense unless you don't think he is good enough to make the team outright.

Zombo

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516823https://brownsboard.com/post/516823Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:13:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:12:28 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

In what role? Coaches seemed to say Phil's 3-4 DE time was over, so to see significant time he'd have to beat out Shelton at NT. Can't see that, but he might be able to push his way to a "1B" status in a heavy rotation.

Inside. He's a big, talented guy, can be explosive if he comes back healthy. I think we'll see him a lot spelling Shelton at the nose and on the field in four linemen situations.

Zombo

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516822https://brownsboard.com/post/516822Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:12:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 13:44:53 GMT]]>Phil Taylor is a prime cut candidate

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516799https://brownsboard.com/post/516799Wed, 15 Jul 2015 13:44:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:33:45 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

I think Phil Taylor is going to be on the field a lot more than you guys are perhaps surmising.

In what role? Coaches seemed to say Phil's 3-4 DE time was over, so to see significant time he'd have to beat out Shelton at NT. Can't see that, but he might be able to push his way to a "1B" status in a heavy rotation.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516782https://brownsboard.com/post/516782Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:33:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 10:26:58 GMT]]>

@the-gipper said:

Whatever they run 4/3, 3/4, hybrid.....I agree that depth now is a key....as last year with so many injuries what turned out to be what we thought was a strength became a weakness. You just can't have like 4 of your top 5 DL sitting on the sideline and expect maximum production.

The scenarios you all point out here look great.....but let's get lucky for once and remove the injury but. Then, yes, like Stacy's mom I think we will have something going on.

Try to look at it this way. I've never seen us have 4 of our top 5 defensive linemen standing healthy on the sideline for extended periods between reps. When I went to the TN game - the thing that jumped out at me was how often our big defensive linemen were running on and off the field in every series. And it wasn't like we were all that healthy either. If this year's goal is to improve against the run - the Dline will be prioritized. That's a good thing considering the types of running games we face in the AFC North.

When we predict how many Dline and how many LBers we think they will keep, we're using their positions in the 3-4 (our Base D at least allegedly) even though we will use multiple fronts and occasionally see OLBers used as DEs. I think that's how they get classified by position when they're listed on the active roster as well. Therefore, I'm not including Kruger, Solomon, A. Bryant and Orchard as Dline in the head count of Dlinemen I think we'll keep.

The outrageous volume of injuries to our dline in 2014 has me thinking we'll keep about 7 defensive linemen (and stash a young stud on the practice squad). Part of this planning factors in guys will get dinged up and miss games or play hurt - "play like a Brown."

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516733https://brownsboard.com/post/516733Wed, 15 Jul 2015 10:26:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:53:21 GMT]]>this Browns defense will be kickass. I can't wait for the football to start.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516646https://brownsboard.com/post/516646Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:53:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Wed, 15 Jul 2015 02:33:58 GMT]]>I think Phil Taylor is going to be on the field a lot more than you guys are perhaps surmising.

Zombo

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516615https://brownsboard.com/post/516615Wed, 15 Jul 2015 02:33:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Tue, 14 Jul 2015 13:30:30 GMT]]>

@flugel said:

Man, this is fun. Those look really good Tour. I really like how you did your 4 man front. In particular, look at the depth of the DTs. Our Defensive Staff is going to have a blast putting together some killer combos. All that kind of makes it easy to see why you feel Kitchen might have trouble making the team.

How many DL will they keep on the roster? That 4-3 depth chart puts 11 of them there....but some of those: Kruger/Orchard, could be DE/LB hybrids.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516480https://brownsboard.com/post/516480Tue, 14 Jul 2015 13:30:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to D-Line: Where 2 Deep Isn't Too Deep on Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:16:11 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

All true, but Cooper seems to me to be a better 4-3 DE candidate than my Billy boy...

I appreciate your inference case for him, Flugs, but I have trouble seeing Kitchen sticking. Hughes is a more than adequate rotational NT in addition to his DE role. And Kit's departure opens the slot for reported wunderkind Wynn as a pure DE. As you mention contract considerations might raise the possibility of Taylor departing rather than Kit.

In the 3-4 I see:

RE: Desmond Bryant- (sub) Xavier Cooper/Dylan Wynn

NT: Danny Shelton - (sub) Phil Taylor/John Hughes

LE: Randy Starks -- (sub) John Hughes/Billy Winn

In the 4-3:

RE: Scott Solomon- (subs) Armonty Bryant/Dylan Wynn

RT: John Hughes -- (subs) Billy Winn/Danny Shelton

LT: Xavier Cooper- (subs) Randy Starks/Phil Taylor

LE: Paul Kruger -- (subs) Nate Orchard

Man... that looks like a quick, strong, aggressive 4-3 front.

Also looking at the above the name that looks to be in trouble is Armonty's... his value in a 3-4 at either DE or OLB is just not evident.

Man, this is fun. Those look really good Tour. I really like how you did your 4 man front. In particular, look at the depth of the DTs. Our Defensive Staff is going to have a blast putting together some killer combos. All that kind of makes it easy to see why you feel Kitchen might have trouble making the team.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/516406https://brownsboard.com/post/516406Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:16:11 GMT