Preview: Cleveland’s defense brings new playmakers

By Connor Byrne  |   Wednesday, August 30, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Cleveland Browns
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Key additions: LB Willie McGinest (free agency); DT Ted Washington (free agency); LB Kamerion Wimbley (draft, first round); LB D'Qwell Jackson (draft, second round); LB Leon Williams (draft, fourth round); CB DeMario Minter (draft, fifth round); DT Babatunde Oshinowo (draft, sixth round); SS Justin Hamilton (draft, seventh round).

Key losses: DT Jason Fisk (signed with Rams); DE Amon Gordon (signed with Broncos); DE Kenard Lang (signed with Broncos); CB Ray Mickens (signed with Jets); LB Ben Taylor (signed with Packers).

Most important aspect: The linebackers. General manager Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel decided to bring in McGinest, a 12-year veteran, through free agency, and what a terrific decision it was. McGinest thrived under Crennel, the former Patriots defensive coordinator, when the tandem was winning championships earlier this decade in New England. Make no mistake, McGinest still has plenty of game left, and, more importantly, his leadership skills will be perfect for the Browns' relatively young defense.

The all-time postseason sack leader will likely spend some time rotating with Cleveland's highly touted No. 1 pick, Kamerion Wimbley. The unproven Matt Stewart is currently penciled in as the starter on the right side of the Browns' unofficial depth chart, but don't be surprised if Wimbley snags his spot before long.

On the inside of the Browns' four-linebacker scheme is the duo of Andra Davis and rookie D'Qwell Jackson. The 254-pound Davis is covertly becoming one of the best tacklers in football, as he racked up a career-high 149 takedowns last year. He'll be a great mentor for Jackson, who has been impressive since the Browns drafted him back in April. At Maryland, the now 22-year-old Jackson was a big-time performer.

Biggest area of concern: The health of the starting cornerbacks. Top man Gary Baxter, who signed a massive contract with the Browns in March 2005, missed most of last season because of injury and hasn't been healthy of late, though he is practicing.

Currently, thanks to Baxter's and second man Daylon McCutcheon's lack of health, Leigh Bodden and Ralph Brown are the two starting corners, which could very well end up spelling trouble. Assuming Baxter returns to form soon, as he says he will, there will still be some concern at the No. 2 CB position, since McCutcheon's status for Week 1 is very much up in the air.

Final outlook: Because the Cleveland Browns added so much front-seven talent in the offseason, their pass rush should end up being right up near the top of the league. McGinest, Wimbley and DL Orpheus Roye can get the opposing QB, with Ted Washington, Alvin McKinley, Davis and Jackson stuffing the run. Look for Crennel's 3-4 scheme to thrive up front, but the secondary is more than slightly questionable.

--Got feedback? Connor J. Byrne responds to readers' comments and questions via e-mail: cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Realfootball365.com's Cleveland Browns 2006 offensive preview arrives next week.
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