Doubts about Browns’ Rogers fading fast

By Zachary Bardou  |   Monday, July 28, 2008  |  Comments( 9 )

Cleveland Browns
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When the Browns traded cornerback Leigh Bodden and a draft pick to the Detroit Lions for defensive lineman Shaun Rogers during the offseason, there was immediately concern among Cleveland fans that their team may have compromised its secondary trying to solve its problems against the run. After losing Daven Holly for the season, those worries quickly became more widespread; however, early indications at training camp suggest that Rogers and the Cleveland defense will still make great strides this season.

Initially, many Browns fans wondered if the team had invested too much in an inconsistent but talented player with a somewhat checkered past, and they had their reasons. Despite a sensational rookie campaign in which he recorded a whopping 97 tackles, collected 3.5 sacks and broke up six passes, the rest of Rogers' occasionally brilliant career has been marred by scandals, motivation issues and recurrent weight problems.

In 2006, the massive lineman was suspended for violating the NFL's steroid and related substances policy, missing four games. Rogers attributed the failed test to an appetite suppressant that contained ephedrine and explained that he was taking the drug to combat late-night cravings associated with a sleeping disorder. Ephedrine is not an anabolic steroid and Rogers said he had discontinued using it before reporting to camp. In 2007, a stripper accused Rogers of threatening and groping her while brandishing a pistol, but the ensuing investigation did not turn up enough evidence to file charges.

Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage believe that a change of scenery and the opportunity to be part of a winning team will reinvigorate Rogers; so far, his performance at camp has indicated that they were right. After supposedly ballooning to nearly 400 pounds last season, the former Lion reported to camp this year at a relatively lean 359 and passed all his conditioning and fitness tests. In fact, many of his teammates have said that they are impressed with Rogers' speed and quickness and he has been one of the most dominant men on the field during the first week of practices.

Rogers, who played in a 4-3 scheme in Detroit, will split time between nose tackle and right end this season in Cleveland’s 3-4 defense, and is learning his new duties quickly while leading a unit that Crennel said is actually ahead of the offense early in preseason activities. Line coach Randy Melvin is reportedly impressed with Rogers' hand quickness, balance and lateral movement, while another Browns official told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer last week that he “may be the best defensive lineman in the division.”

After tipping and intercepting a Brady Quinn pass on Friday, Rogers followed up a thunderous 10-yard return by joining Robaire Smith in a choreographed celebratory dance. While it is still early, this defense appears to be gelling and having a good time while maintaining its poise and focus.

If Rogers and fellow newcomer Corey Williams can transform the Cleveland front into a dominant group, the linebackers and secondary will reap the rewards and success will trickle down. The linebackers will be able to breach overmatched offensive lines and the secondary will not have to maintain coverage for as long as last season.

Prompting further optimism, rookie linebackers Beau Bell and Alex Hall have impressed the coaching staff already, while second-year cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald both appear hungry and determined to prove the doubters wrong. Gary Baxter has been working out some at cornerback and even Joshua Cribbs’ name has come up as an emergency option in the secondary.

The Browns may still add another cornerback before the season starts to add some depth, but Shaun Rogers and the Cleveland defense appear poised to make some noise in 2008.

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!
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About Zachary Bardou

I am a freelancer journalist, editorialist and blogger from Richmond, VA. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and my work has since appeared in Richmond Magazine, Style Magazine, High Times Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Shoutmouth.com and...
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