Next Up: The Second Half Begins in Cincinnati
July 17, 2015From Kid to Play: What’s Up with Shump’s Hair?
July 17, 2015Last week I started off my Browns position previews series with the defensive secondary. This week we moved up to the linebackers; first looking at the inside linebackers and now the outside linebackers.
This group will be assigned to go after the quarterback and wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield. These players will need to be the teams pressure creators on defense. So, let’s take a look at Paul Kruger and the outside linebacker position of the Cleveland Browns.
[2015 Browns Position Previews: Safeties, Cornerbacks, Inside Linebackers, Outside Linebackers]
Outside Linebackers
Additions
Nate Orchard (Draft – Second Round from Utah)
Mike Reilly (UDFA – Williams & Mary)
Subtractions
Jabaal Sheard (Free Agency – New England Patriots)
The Starters: Paul Kruger
Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard have manned the outside linebacker spots in the starting lineup over the last couple seasons. But this coming season, the team will be looking to replace Sheard after he left in free agency. The Browns now have only one starting spot set in stone with Paul Kruger returning off a very good season last year. While Kruger was a disruptive force last season, he was pretty much the only consistent pass rusher. For his 2014 season, Pro Football Focus gave him a plus-9.8 grade, which was third highest grade given on the Browns defense.
Kruger bounced back from an up-and-down 2013. In 2014, Kruger played in all 16 games, netting 53 tackles, four forced fumbles, four passes defended and 11 sacks. He showed last season that he was worth the big money the Browns dished out to him in free agency. Kruger was the team’s most consistent pass rusher, causing 51 pressures last season, eighth most by a 3-4 outside linebacker according to Pro Football Focus. He was relentless in chasing the quarterback.
But, Kruger was not as good versus the run as he was rushing the passer. On multiple occasions, he would lose contain in the running game allowing rushes to the outside for bigger gains. He showed up in the passing game, but he needs to improve his performance against the run. Overall, though, Kruger is a disruptive force who the defense relies heavily on to put pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Contributing Outside Linebackers: Barkevious Mingo, Armonty Bryant, Nate Orchard, and Scott Solomon
Barkevious Mingo, Armonty Bryant, Nate Orchard, and Scott Solomon will all have a part in the Browns defense. With the loss of starter Jabaal Sheard, the starting spot on the opposite side of Paul Kruger is up for grabs amongst these four players. Last season, Pro Football Focus gave Mingo a plus-8.6 grade, Bryant a minus-3.4 grade, and Solomon a plus-5.4 grade.
Barkevious Mingo had a solid season last year, fighting through injury for much of the season. In 2014, he played in 15 games, totaling 42 tackles, four passes defended, and two sacks. Mingo has not produced in the pass rush game like the team expected when drafting him in the first round, producing only 25 pressures last year according to Pro Football Focus. But, he has been pretty good in other aspects like in the run defense. Mingo has the athletic ability to change direction and chase down runners from sideline to sideline. If Mingo can improve his pass rushing, he could take control of the starting spot.
Armonty Bryant might be the biggest wildcard of all the outside linebackers on the Browns. Last season, Bryant only played in five games, netting 11 tackles and one sack. He was lost for the season after tearing his MCL and ACL against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After playing his first two seasons on the defensive line, the Browns are looking to stand him up as an outside linebacker. Bryant is a very athletic player with explosion to get off the line and put pressure on the quarterback. But, he has not put it all together yet, showing just glimpses of what he potentially could do.
Nate Orchard was the Browns second round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft from Utah. At Utah last season, he had 84 tackles, one forced fumble and 18.5 sacks. Orchard could force himself into a heavy load of playing time if he can develop quickly this coming season. He has a good combination of speed, power, and technique to rush the passer and cause headaches to the offensive tackles. He is a good athlete to move in space and change directions to go after the ball. If Orchard can acclimate himself to the NFL game, he could be a major contributor on the Browns defense.
Scott Solomon may be one of the more interesting players on the Browns defense. In 2014, he played with the Browns in the final two games, grabbing seven tackles, one forced fumble and one sack. He is a player who has really impressed the coaches with brief playing time and work in practice. He was productive in both rushing the passer and versus the run. He plays all out and is relentless in trying to get to the ball carrier. He could be a weapon for the Browns, adding depth to the outside linebacker group.
Strictly Special Team Contributors: There are no special team only players in the outside linebacker group. Scott Solomon, Nate Orchard and Barkevious Mingo all could have contributions on the Browns special teams.
Other Outside Linebackers on Roster: Mike Reilly
Mike Reilly is an undrafted free agent from William & Mary. He will have a tough time making the squad because of the five players ahead of him on the depth chart. If he does make the team, he would most likely just be a special teams contributor.
Biggest Strength: Youth
The Browns outside linebacker group is full of youthful players, with Paul Kruger being the oldest at 29 years old. This means the group can develop together and gain cohesiveness, which will help them become better players. With youth comes fresher legs and the ability to improve with more experience. The Browns can use the wealth of young outside linebackers in a rotation, which can give them fresher legs later in games, allowing them to be productive in bigger situations late in the game. It is a good problem to have for the Browns to have the depth of young outside linebackers.
Biggest Weakness: True pass rushing threat besides Paul Kruger
The Browns outside linebacker biggest weakness this coming season is their lack of consistent pass rushing outside of Paul Kruger. The team did not have an answer for a second pass rushing threat last season. This will be a major problem if the Browns cannot find others who can put pressure on the quarterback. The youth behind Kruger has not shown consistent pass rushing ability as of yet. The solace in this, though, is that the young outside linebackers on the team could develop their skills and be a threat to the offensive backfield.
Biggest Position Battle: Barkevious Mingo vs. Armonty Bryant vs. Nate Orchard vs. Scott Solomon
This battle between Barkevious Mingo, Armonty Bryant, Nate Orchard, and Scott Solomon will be an interesting one to watch this preseason. These four will battle for the starting spot opposite Paul Kruger. The four young players each bring something different to the team. At this time, Mingo looks to be the favorite to win the starting spot, but it could just be a rotation if the coaches feel like all four can be highly productive. The two leading players to overtake Mingo, in my opinion, are Bryant and Orchard. Both players have the skills and athleticism to make plays and be productive NFL players. But, I believe Mingo will win the job and be the starting outside linebacker opposite Paul Kruger.
Grade: C+
The Browns outside linebacker group is lead by Paul Kruger, who elevates this group with his disruptive pass rushing skills. He is the key threat in the Browns ability to get after the quarterback. This group, though, is lacking in consistent talent behind Kruger. Besides him, there is no player on the team who has been someone whom defenses must gameplan against. The group will need a player or two to step up and be a playmaker. Another key aspect this group must improve on is their ability to keep contain against the run. The outside linebackers struggled mightily to keep runners from bouncing outside. Kruger makes this group better, but the lack of consistent players behind him keep this group merely average — but with potential to get better.
All stats (unless noted otherwise) are from ESPN.com
6 Comments
Ugh, who here said…Mingo gets to where he doesn’t need to be faster than anyone else on the team.
You are a generous grader, Joe. Kruger has had one nice year out of two so far, but it’s a tad premature to say he’s justified the money they guaranteed him. If he can’t hold the edge, if more no-name RBs zoom past him, the contract will look like sheer desperation to get some semblance of a pass rush. And speaking of which …
If Mingo had a “solid” year then Mike Junkin made a strong contribution on special teams. I mean, they’re desperately trying to find any role on the field for him, and if it’s in short/middle pass coverage that’s just sad. He was drafted to be an explosive pass-rushing beast. Even before his injury he’d been invisible since his 3rd pro game, the one where opponents figured out he didn’t own a single move other than an outside speed rush and that he wasn’t strong enough to bull rush anyone.
Orchard is going to relegate Mingo to the bench.
Kind of hard to say with confidence before Orchard has even participated in a training camp practice. Just two years ago Mingo was a 6th overall and supposedly forcing someone else to the bench – or maybe it was Sheard to OLB. Time draws a merciful veil …
I’m channeling my inner Carnac.
LBs overall are probably the weakness of this defense we’ll see if the collective can overcome the absence of that one true bona fide stud. I’m hoping we see this change in the next off-season.