May 16, 2012

POLL: Who Are the Best Browns Since 1999? Defense

Things get interesting today.  Certainly a bit more interesting than they were with some of the special teams categories.  Just FYI there were some difficulties creating these categories because of the various switches between the 4-3 and 3-4.  For example, for the purposes of this poll Kenard Lang is a defensive end, while Kamerion Wimbley is an outside linebacker.  David Bowens and Matt Roth are also listed at outside linebacker too because that’s what they played when they were here.  Marcus Benard was a tough one because he is a DE now, but he certainly made his noise (so far) as an outside linebacker.  I’ve already probably said more than you care to know.

Even though I’ve already beaten this into the ground, I’d also like to point out that I made Chaun Thompson an outside linebacker because that’s what I remember most, despite the fact that I believe someone tried to put him inside at one point.  Regardless, if you are voting for Chaun Thompson… Nevermind. I don’t want to sway the vote.

  • Mattx1x

    saw on another page people the curse of aspiring to mediocrity my officially be over the browns are gonna remove the “al” from the sleeve thank god should have never been there in the first place

  • Anonymous

    I always liked LB Andra Davis. Saw him at the Strongsville Mall once. Good player and class guy.

  • Anonymous

    I like Mike Adams as a FS but they put him at CB and Jamir Miller was put as a OLB when I thought he played ILB. Overall we’ve had decent defense but the most lacking spot was DL as a whole (except within the last 3-5 years).

  • Ritz

    Wow, this list is sad… I had so much trouble ranking players because no one was any good

  • Anonymous

    this list was less sad than the offense though (which is sad in itself)

    man, our DEs have been terrible.  that is the weakest of the above groups to me.

  • New_prodigy

    Wow…we suck

  • Ezzie Goldish

    This was way better than the offense. At least here there are a lot of players who deserved to be in the NFL for 1-3 years.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t know why I thought the defense was going to be better.  In retrospect I guess the drafting the Browns have done under H&H isn’t that bad.  These lists just reaffirm how bad this organization has been since it’s rebirth.  I’m sorry but Grossi is right, Lerner is pathetic either for his incompetence or disinterest whichever you choose is up to you.  It’s the only way to explain rosters with these names. 

    It’d be sickening yet somewhat interesting to have a list of head coaches as well as general managers that have been associated with this team since 1999. 

  • Anonymous

    Now if only we could get some punctuation . . .

  • http://norcoastbias.blogspot.com/ Eric D

    Interesting how I skew towards current players. Maybe it’s whatever’s left of optimism, but the temptation to put players like Sheard and TJ Ward high on that list is strong.

  • steve-o

    What i’ve learned from these exercises (offense and defense) is that many of our best players really sucked.

  • Anonymous

    Nope, Miller was a Pro Bowler at OLB.

  • Anonymous

    Who are the Browns best drafters since 1999?

    1. Tom Heckert
    2. Phil Savage
    3. Dwight Clark
    4. Butch Davis
    5. Eric Mangini

  • Anonymous

    argument over ineptitude, but:

    Dwight Clark at 3?   KJ, McCutch, Rainer, Northcutt, Shea.  I can see an argument for Couch (just on abuse-level he took).   That is 5 or 6 out of 24 picks, which is about 20% hit rate (and we’re not talking pro-bowlers here).

    Butch had Henry, Fowler, Faine, PONTBRIAND, Winslow, Andra/Andre Davis, Crocker, Sean Jones.    3 of those guys were among the best at what they did when they were here (Faine, Winslow, Pontbriand).    9/29 draft picks = 31%.

    What is sad is look at the first year of any regimes drafting (except H/H).  the 1st year drafts by each regime were absolutely wretched. basically, between the instilling their own types of players + having absolutely terrible drafts they were setting themselves up for complete failure.

  • Anonymous

    ^This. 

    It’s sad and depressing when you look at the list and realize that over the entire past 11 years combined, the Browns have never had even one defensive end who would have started consistently for a serious contender.

  • Matt S

    It’s not really fair to rank Heckert at all yet. But, until we start seeing some better results, I don’t think he gets to rank ahead of Phil Savage (or Butch for that matter). Savage was a very good drafter (and brought in some good talent in free agency, like Jurevicious, Steinbach, McGinest, etc.). I honestly thought he never should have been let go.

  • Anonymous

    Wow, this list is sad… I had so much trouble ranking players because no one was any good
    it is an very informattive for us thanks ……. Organza Sashes

  • Steve

    Have results been posted yet?