Buckeyes Blow Lead Against West Virginia
January 25, 2010And Then, There Were Two
January 25, 2010Now that The Big Show Mike Holmgren has shored up his front office roster, it’s time for him–and for us–to look at the team’s roster. We’ve borrowed from the Department of Homeland Security and will be looking at each position group day by day, finishing with a roster upgrade ranking based on need. Check back each day this week for a new position group. Previous Reports: RB, OL, WR/TE, QB, ST
While the quarterback position is bantered about more than others, and should be the highest priority for the new front office due to the impact on the game, the Browns also have a gaping hole on the other side of the ball. Specifically, the one that helps keep the opposing quarterbacks honest: the defensive backfield.
The 2008 off-season saw players like Jabari Greer visit Cleveland looking for a deal, only to leave without one where he would then sign with New Orleans. Instead, the team opted for re-signing Mike Adams, drafting two late-round defensive backs and attempting to add free agents Hank Poteat and Corey Ivy – the latter did not even make the final roster. The result of said negligence was not pretty.
The 2009 Season
Starters: Eric Wright (CB), Brandon McDonald (CB), Brodney Pool (FS), Abe Elam (SS)
Key Reserves: Mike Furrey (WR/FS), Mike Adams (CB), Hank Poteat (CB), Coye Francies (CB)
NAME | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | TLOSS | FF | BK | PD | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
Abram Elam | 91 | 74 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
Mike Adams | 69 | 58 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eric Wright | 65 | 57 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 74 | 18.5 | 47 | 0 |
Brandon McDonald | 55 | 50 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
Brodney Pool | 50 | 39 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 33 | 8.3 | 32 | 0 |
Hank Poteat | 34 | 26 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mike Furrey | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Coye Francies | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
McDonald was looking to make up for a rough patch of play during the 2008 season, but may have made matters worse in 2009 by getting abused by opposing receivers down field and opposing running backs in one-on-one situations. The prince of the arm-tackle did nothing but hurt his standing with team and especially with fans. Losing his starting job to Mike Adams midway through the year, McDonald was nothing but the giant red flag that personified the necessity to address the defensive backfield going further – regardless of the relatively strong play of his starting teammates.
I say relatively as when compared to top flight defensive backs, the Browns starting corps isn’t turning any heads – but Eric Wright and Brodney Pool sure looked stellar when standing next so McDonald. Both Wright and Pool hauled in four interceptions and were credited with double-digit defensed passes. Wright really turned up his intensity towards the end of the season, which was a positive given that his peer did not play in a game following a week 12 concussion.
The fact that seven of the 11 games featured at least five tackles from Pool was solid. The fact that a good chunk of those tackles featured Pool leading with his head, however, was not. The concussion that Pool suffered is at least his fourth during his NFL career and was thought by some to be potentially career-ending.
Following this injury, the Browns were forced to put receiver Mike Furrey at free safety almost full time. And Mike Furrey’s best quality: he isn’t Hank Poteat.
The slot receiver was easily the least of all of the evils that the Browns could have trotted out to the free safety slot. Poteat’s biggest highlight of the season featured him on the wrong end of a game-deciding pass interference call against the Detroit Lions. He was frequently found roughly three steps behind any receiver running a crossing pattern and simply had a knack for holding beyond the five-yard cushion – especially on key third-and-longs. Not exactly a resume building season for Sir Hank.
And while Francies seemingly had a strong preseason, a locker room fight with veteran players was the only news he was able to make during the 2009 season due to his name being featured among the inactives more often than not.
All in all, the Browns were 30th in the NFL in receiving defense, allowing 4,149 yards on 313 receptions. Only Oakland and Miami allowed more yards per catch as the Browns allowed 13.3 of them on each opposing reception. Not. Good.
Browns Roster Upgrade Advisory: Severe
2010 Contract Situations
- Mike Adams – Signed a three-year, $4.1 million contract. The deal contains $1.5 million guaranteed, including a $1.25 million signing bonus and $250,000 of Adams’ first-year base salary. 2010: $900,000, 2011: $1.1 million, 2012: Free Agent
- Abe Elam – 2010: Restricted Free Agent
- Coye Francies – Signed a four-year, $1.8505 million contract. The deal included a $100,500 signing bonus. 2009: $310,000, 2010: $395,000, 2011: $480,000, 2012: $565,000, 2013: Free Agent
- Mike Furrey – 2010: Free Agent
- Brandon McDonald – Signed a four-year, $1.858 million contract. The deal included a $192,500 signing bonus. 2009: $460,000, 2010: $550,000, 2011: Free Agent
- Brodney Pool – 2010: Restricted Free Agent
- Eric Wright – Signed a four-year, $3.165 million contract. The deal includes $1.5 million guaranteed. 2009: $460,000, 2010: $550,000, 2011: Free Agent
So, to clarify – if the Browns do not address the defensive backfield by either signing their own free agents, other team’s free agents or via the draft, we have Mike Adams, Coye Francies, Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright. Also. Not. Good.
The failure to acquire any defensive backs last off-season may actually come back to haunt the Browns going forward. Jabari Greer, Ken Lucas, Brian Dawkins and Darren Sharper were just a few of the names that were on the free agent list last year. Dawkins and Sharper were named to the Pro Bowl team, and Greer would have stepped in an easily been a starter with the Orange and Brown.
Rob Ryan has gone on record to say that he would like his defensive line and linebackers to be able to be more aggressive going forward. This move would put even more responsibility on the defensive backfield to succeed in many one-on-one situations – something that they did not flourish in last season. A top-flight free safety and a shutdown corner are two of the most glaring needs among this current defensive unit. Both of these positions appear to be available within the draft, but it is highly likely that the former will be unavailable come the seventh selection in the draft.
Per Scout.com, the highest rated DBs coming out of college are (draft position):
Safety
Eric Berry, Tennessee (early-first round)
Taylor Mays, USC (mid-first round)
Earl Thomas, Texas (mid-first round)
Nate Allen, South Florida (second-third round)
Chad Jones, LSU (second-third round)
Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech (late-second round)
Terrell Ward, Oregon (third round)
Cornerbacks
Joe Haden, Florida (early-first round)
Patrick Robinson, Florida State (late-first round)
Syd’Quan Thompson, California (early-second round)
Dominique Franks, Oklahoma (second round)
Devin McCourty, Rutgers (early-second round)
Donovan Warren, Michigan (second-third round)
Kareem Jackson, Alabama (second-third round)
And if the Browns opt to go a different direction with their early-round selections, the current free agent list is comprised of the following:
Safeties:
Oshiomogo Atogwe (STL)
Antoine Bethea (IND)
Roman Harper (NO)
Nick Collins (GB)
Dawan Landry (BAL)
Cornerbacks:
Dunta Robinson (HOU)
Richard Marshall (CAR)
Fabian Washington (BAL)
Nick Harper (TEN)
Leigh Bodden (NE)
As discussed ad nauseum, the whole “UFA” of most of these players may become “RFA” given the lack of a collective bargaining agreement – and salary cap – in 2010.
It’s not pretty, folks…
25 Comments
If Berry is there at 7, we have to take him. If he’s not and Haden is there at 7, we have to take him.
“prince of the arm-tackle ” – hilarious
Also, Rob Ryan rather than Rex (I make the mistake too)
If Eric Berry is there, he appears to be a slam dunk pick and a real game-changing DB in the mold of an Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu…something that the “new” Browns haven’t really had (Earl Little doesn’t count)…Mays has dropped rapidly after being exposed this year as more of a linebacker in a safety’s body without great coverage skills…if Berry’s gone, the pick could be Haden, a bonafide shutdown corner who could come in right away and at some point allow eric wright to slide over to the #2 CB position, which would help our defense a ton
@EZ…sorry, your comment wasn’t there yet when I wrote…
Any of the safeties would be an upgrade over what we have. I think its safe to assume that Pool is done, or at least the browns should move forward as if he is. Also, I dont see Berry being there at 7, though mocks are rarely right, so theres always a possibility. Right now, I would love to see Haden (who project to Leon Hall or Derelle Revis) become a Brown. Haden allows Wright to be the #2 (not right away but eventually) and BMac to move to the nickel back. Adams had a great 2nd half of the season stepping up at CB when he is typically a S. I would like to see a Safety come in the top 3 rounds this draft who could start/ rotate with Adams and Elam, though this is the one position I would not be opposed to getting a FA for. We need a starter at S, so going to get an Atogwe or someone else on that list would be good.
I’m lost… Did the browns hire Rex Ryan, or does WFNY now cover the Jets?
“I’m lost… Did the browns hire Rex Ryan, or does WFNY now cover the Jets?”
Freudian slip after being slammed with Rex coverage all weekend. Fixed!
It has to be Haden. He is by all accounts a shut down, number one type corner. We really need him. Then Eric Wright would be even better as a 2.
If Mays is going to be a late round option, then I want to trade down again this year. I love the talent level of Alex Mack at his price point. Obviously it will depend on the compensation for moving down, but I am all in favor of it. If not, then Haden would be a solid pick. Berry won’t be there, I fear.
Like T.I. said..
I want Joe Haden, I need Joe Haden.
If Berry is there at #7 I will be shocked. Im cool with Haden as long as we address RT shortly thereafter.
First off, I don’t think we should even be considering keeping Mcdonald around another year.. He is absolutely horrible and I can remember at least 3 occasions over the last couple seasons where he blew coverage on a huge play to seal the fate of the browns. If we can trade up a spot or 2 to get Berry, we should DEFINITELY do it considering we have so many draft picks to barter with. But if we don’t and we get Haden at 7, I wouldn’t be too upset. They’re both shut down players at their respective positions in my book.
I am done trading down. To be a contender, you need playmakers. By trading down, we stockpile players but most of those players will likely be average at best.
We need to use our high draft position to get a playmaker this year. No trading down for more 3rd round picks and a pile of scrubs from another team like we did last year…
The secondary is hands down the biggest or should I say worst part of the team. Hopefully the Browns can duplicate what the Saints did, no not advance to the SuperBowl, instead improve what was a joke of a secondary one year to a decent one this year. They signed Darren Sharper and Greer from Buffalo and added veteran free agent Mike McKenzie. The Browns biggest need is both safeties followed by at least one corner spot. Eric Berry is my choice I would be shocked if he went before #7 not sure on Joe Haden I don’t think he’s anywhere near being in the same class as a Darrele Revis even out of college. I still like Taylor Mays out of USC I think his name has taken a hit simply because USC had a bad season and don’t forget he saw alot of teammates leave in last years draft. I wouldn’t take Mays at #7 however.
i’ll express a dissenting opinion here. i won’t say the secondary is a strength, but to all who complain about the tackling of our CBs… that sounds like an indictment of our LBs. i mean, it’s a lot to ask of a 4.5 running DB to jump in front of leron mcclain with a head of steam. our guys can’t shutdown like revis? revis benefits greatly from an imaginative pass rush… our blitz packages were getting better but still subpar. in other words, our DBs may look bad… but they’re also holding the bag for poor pass rush and slow LBs.
i still see an offense that went -what- 12 games without a rushing TD? so my highest priority is upgrading the the offense and i keep coming back to the right side of the OLine.
btw… as far as trading down to save money… i’m all for that… provided the money saved gets plowed into free agents. has that been the case? not sure.
Mays could fall into the 3rd round because he’s not too bright. Browns will pick either Berry or Bradford if there. If not Hayden. You can get a good RT in the 3rd round.
14…Mays was exposed this year. He is a LB playing Safety with horrible coverage skills. His rep as a headknocker is overhyped as well. i remember seeing a film breakdown of him either whiffing or shying away from contact during gamechanging plays on several occasions this year.
@paulbip I will be extremely surprised/upset if we draft a QB with our first pick. The obvious pick here is Joe Haden (Berry of course if he’s there, which he won’t be). If we don’t go with the secondary here we have to go with a playmaker like Dez Brayant from Ok St or Spiller from Clemson. Another option is to trade down and pick up Mcclain in the 12-15 spot. The second and third round should be devoted to the right side of the line and a project QB like Lefavor, Pike, McCoy etc…
@boogeyman,
Barring something crazy like arrests or whatever, Berry will almost definitely be gone by #7. He’s tied for #1 on ESPN’s talent/prospect list, goes #3 on Kiper’s mock, #2 overall at scout.com, #3 on Scott Wright’s mock. What are you basing your shocked-ness on?
Mays was mediocre this year for a first-rounder. He makes bone-crushing hits but he’s awful at coverage and playing the safety position. He’ll probably be a first-rounder right now, but there’s a reason his reputation took a hit this year and it’s not USC being down.
@16 paulbip If the Browns take another young QB in the first round I will lose all respect for Mike Holmgren as some kind of genius but I don’t see it happening I believe you’ll see them stick with Quinn and add a veteran backup of some kind while dealing the meathead Anderson. If they take a QB I’m hoping it’s a sleeper pick later in the draft and it’s Ryan Mallett out of Arkansas.
@19 Alex there is a long way before the draft I don’t put alot of stock into all of those mock drafts but historically safeties do not go that high. I don’t remember when Ed Reed was drafted but I don’t think it was #7 or higher and other then Troy Polamalu from USC with the Steelers Reed is probably the best safety drafted in the past decade. I’m hoping the Jets don’t give Kerry Rhodes his salary bonus or whatever it is and maybe he becomes available. Having played for Mangini last year perhaps the Browns could have an inside track with him I don’t know.
Hayden is overated. I live in Florida, and my Gator friends all say he isnt good enough to be a top 10 pick…If Eric Berry falls all the way to #7 , that would be my pick.
Haden is another Eric Wright, at least if the Browns pass rush doesn’t improve. I like Eric Wright but he’s not a “shut down” corner. Revis looks even better than he is (and he is great) because of the great pass rush of the Jets. All that being said, the Browns obviously should go with Berry if there at #7, and they should stick with their board if Berry is not. That means if they have RT Okung as “best available” and both he and Haden are there, they should take the RT. This team isn’t good enough to pass on talent, no matter what position. I am in no way opposed to trading down 7 to 10 spots and selecting a LB like McClain and picking up an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick. There are plenty of big RBs to pair with Harrison that will be available in the 2nd or 3rd round (RB from Fresno st., Gerhart from Stanford, RB from Mississippi ST. etc.) and some decent CBs like Javier Arenas and Syd’Quad Thompson, safties like Myron Rolle (next John Lynch)not to mention TEs like the guy from Arizona and possibly Gresham from Oklahoma may slip to early 2nd round due to injury.
BROWNS 2010 Checklist
1. Get a new O.C.
2. Put Rubin at NT, Robaire and (Peters) at DE. OLB’s Wimbley and Roth, ILB’s D’Qwell and (McClain).
3. Free agency- WR (Boldin, Owens, or Brandon Marshall). We could trade Quinn, and Williams for Marshall straight up. QB (McNabb, trade Rogers and DA with a 2011 compensatory pick.) He’s 33, he won’t be as expensive as people think.
4. Draft-1st round ILB McClain, ALA.
2nd round CB Arenas, ALA.
3rd round RT Sam Young, ND and SS Kam Chancellor, VT.
4th Round LG John Jerry, MISS.
5th round DE Corey Peters, KEN and RG Brandon Carter, Texas Tech and FS Kurt Coleman, OSU.
6th round WR Freddie Barnes, BG and QB Ryan Perrilloux, JAX ST.
7th round RB Blount, ORE.
5. Pay Josh Cribbs!!!! Re-sign D’Qwell Jackson, Jerome Harrison, Lawrence Vickers, Evan Moore and Matt Roth.
@23
Seriously? Just say no to TO. I’ll shoot someone if we sign him. And given what happened with the cancerous-in-the-locker-room Braylon last year, what are the odds we pick up someone who’s been injured each of the past 3 years, suspended twice, and sat in the biggest game of the regular season this year because of his issues with everything?
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