May 19, 2013

Projecting the Browns Pass Rush

December 19, 2011 by 17 Comments

Yesterday in the loss to the Cardinals, Jabaal Sheard scored two sacks to bring his total for the year up to 7.5.  That’s a great start to a Browns career.  He passed Michael Dean Perry to stand alone as the second most prolific rookie sacker behind only Kamerion Wimbley who had 11 in 2006.  Sheard has had some growing pains at times this year, but it appears that he is getting more and more comfortable.  Early on in the season Sheard seemed to get caught running too far upfield or was pretty easily corralled to wherever opposing offensive tackles wanted him to be.  As the season has progressed, he’s mixed in some moves to impose his will.  On one play in particular yesterday, Sheard didn’t get to the QB, but I was impressed as he carried the tackle upfield and spun back inside where he had a lane to the QB from an angle that he was likely to be able to surprise him.  That should mean good things for the Browns’ pass rush heading into Sheard’s second season.

Interestingly enough, 7.5 sacks also gave Sheard enough to match last season’s team leader.  That was none other than Marcus Benard.  Benard is one of the tough luck situations for Browns fans this season.  Probably due to the lockout and a lack of communication between players and their new coaching staff, Benard put on weight for the switch to the 4-3 from Mangini and Rob Ryan’s 3-4 defense.  Benard must have thought that the switch from linebacker to defensive end would require some additional mass, much to the dismay of the Browns’ coaching staff.  That slow start was amplified to eleven when Benard shortened his season with a crash of his three wheeled vehicle on the freeway.

I am guessing that it is telling that the Browns decided to pay Benard even though he injured himself in non-football activities.  Benard is set to become a free agent this off-season after Benard signed a one-year deal with the Browns for this season.  You have to think that the Browns paid Benard because they have designs on bringing him back.  Similarly, you have to think the Browns earned some goodwill with Benard and his agent by paying him even though they could have fought it after the accident.

Assuming Benard is healthy and back in a (white) Browns uniform next year, the Browns might have that dangerous D word.  Depth.  Jayme Mitchell has had a very uneven season including trips to the doghouse.  24-year-old Emmanuel Stephens has seen time for the Browns in his second year in the league after being undrafted out of Ole Miss.  Brian Shafering has seen time in his third year and Oklahoma rookie Auston English has played a bit as well since Benard has been out.

None of those guys are superstars and the Browns’ rushing defense has left a lot to be desired this season, but they are certainly young.  If they can continue to improve and bring back a healthy and sleeker Marcus Benard back to camp, the Browns might just have some real potential to be dangerous rushing the passer without lots of stunts and blitzes.

It sure would be nice, wouldn’t it?  Sheard and Benard could have weekly meetings at the QB.

Related Posts

Zemanta
Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , ,
  • Wheel

    Great news about Sherard. But what’s the verdict on Phil Taylor? He seems very hot and cold. As I recall, Heckert drafted him in large part to clog up the middle against divisional opponents. And we all know what Benson, Mendanhall, and Rice have done. Living in Colorado, I haven’t seen any games on TV. But I would be interested in thoughts about Taylor. Is he worth the trade down (and up) to get him?

  • mgbode

    I think the verdict on Phil Taylor is that he is a rookie and DT is an awfully tough position.

    He certainly ran hot and cold as you remarked and the hope is that he will have less cold as he learns the NFL.

  • DonFelder

    Maybe I’m not a critical analyst when it comes to watching defensive tackles, but Taylor has not played at a level worthy of a first-round pick, even for a rookie at a hard position.

    I hope he improves.

  • mgbode

    as for the DL, I want us to find 3 things through FA, trades, and the draft (in no particular order).

    CB2 (may be on the roster if Dmitri can play to potential – he’s shown glimpses, but also been beaten badly)

    WOLB or MLB – I’d prefer DQ go to WOLB, keep Gocong at SOLB, and find a MLB. But, if there are better WOLBs to be had, then grab one and plug them in. Fujita showed his age this year and we have little to no depth at LBer.

    FS – or a SS even. Mike Adams does what he can but just isn’t talented enough to start. Usama was disappointing this year.

    RDE – our most urgent need. again, little DL depth, need a DE who can both rush the passer and stop some runs to that side (not get blown out of the lane).

  • http://serandez.blogspot.com Ezzie

    I think that at times Taylor has looked fantastic, and at times he looks dull for lack of a better word.

    Physically he definitely has it – even his speed is really remarkable, in that he’s often all the way at the sidelines on tackles. That he has that, plus that he’s shown an ability to be really successful at other times and good mental acuity those times, makes me think he’ll continue to improve as he picks up other nuances and techniques and understanding in general.

    It’s also really hard to judge a DT since often their job is to just occupy people.

  • http://serandez.blogspot.com Ezzie

    mgbode – Agreed on all those, though I think Patterson and Skrine are great as nickel/dime backs, but wouldn’t fare as well against teams’ #2s. I actually think Young and Adams would look better if the Browns had a RDE – they look worse when forced to consistently make open-field tackles in run support. But I do think a better FS would be a plus and they’d be great as added depth.

  • DonFelder

    @ Ezzie: That’s why I can’t go nuts and call the guy a bust or anything like that. I’m just glad we got Sheard, too.

    Right now, the jury’s still very much out on Heckert’s drafting imo. A lot of question marks and at least one nearly-certain bust in Hardesty

  • mgbode

    dang, I worded that poorly. anyways, I agree Ezzie that Dmitri and Buster may be best as depth. Patterson did have a chance as a CB2 for the Eagles and struggled. Of the ones I listed though, I feel more confident in having to use him as a starter than the others.

  • SCY

    While Taylor has diappeared later in the season, he played pretty well to open the season. I don’t know the DT position well, but I would suspect that the rookie wall for a DT on top of the lack of depth has prolly taken a toll on him. Even Rubin, who most have been very happy with, has seemed to slow down as the season went on. And if I recall, there were some articles early in the season regarding the shear number of snaps the DL, especially the interior, we taken. I think anyone saying Taylor wasn’t worth the pick is being overly harsh, but that’s just my opinion…

  • C-Bus Kevin

    Statistically, he topped Michael Dean Perry, but does he have his own sandwich at McDonalds? I think not. Ha!

  • Harv 21

    and in other Browns news, Alex Smith apparently out for remainder of season with major injury. TE position now down to Evan Moore and Jordan Cameron. Since Moore apparently doesn’t block very well and we’re playing the Ravens … look for Seneca to do his impression of the rabbit on the greyhound track.

    This might be beyond ugly.

  • Eric D

    To defend Taylor, a lot of the big plays we’ve given up have been stretch plays or stretch plays that get cut back, not runs right up the middle. I’d say Phil’s played well, if a little inconsistent. Still like the pick and have high hopes.

  • mgbode

    @CBus-Kevin – anytime you can add copious amounts of bacon to a Big Mac, you just have to do it.

  • Matt

    Does anyone know if rookie D-linemen have trouble adjusting to the longer season? Is this a conditioning issue that will be resolved as Uncle Phil gets used to the league in future years?

  • jimkanicki

    nerd alert. i ran walked through another personal mock.
    how does nick perry sound to fill the other DE slot opposite sheard?
    here tis:

    1a, barkley, qb, usc
    1b, brown, olb, unc
    2, perry, de, usc
    3, wagner, ot, wisc
    4a, robinson, cb, ucf
    4b, white, wr, wmu

  • Steve

    I actually looked up the stats for the Browns defensive front a week or two ago and the only one not ranked in the top 10 for his position in the afc was jayme mitchell. Personally I think he may as well wear a skirt on the field because watching him play is pretty pathetic. Multiple times I’ve seen him stand still and watch a running back go right past him instead of trying to make a tackle.

  • Porkchop xpress

    Does anyone know where you can find the stats for how many plays a d lineman is in for in a game? I know I’m an apologist but I feel like Taylor might be breaking down because we only have 3 legit d linemen on our team. I think you could probably find 2 backups on any of the 3 other teams in the division that would start for us.