Eric Mangini Says Abe Elam’s Pass Defense is “Developing”

This Saturday, the Cleveland Browns revamped secondary will have the unfortunate task of attempting to stop Detroit’s Calvin Johnson from gaining chunks of yardage per reception.  While the Great Lakes Classic will likely only feature the starters for a little more than a half, one of the men responsible for Johnson – especially in terms of help over the top – is safety Abe Elam.

With pass coverage long considered a weakness of Elam’s, head coach Eric Mangini gave the former New York Jet a vote of confidence on Wednesday morning.

“There are certain things that [Elam] does really well and there are certain things that I continue to push him to work on,” said Mangini.  “The thing with Abe I, he understands that he has to work on the weaknesses.  It’s hard to do, but the guys that stay around a long time and get better, that’s what they really focus in on.  Not just playing to their strengths, but I’m going to attack my weaknesses so when I get out on the field, it’s going to be a lot better.”

Johnson’s 2009 season was considered to be sub-par in terms of expectations for the 24-year-old receiver.  But while he was injured for most of the second half, the second-overall pick in the 2007 draft went off for seven receptions, amassing 161 yards and a touchdown.  The yardage output was easily his highest of the season while he only topped seven receptions two other times.

While how the Browns decide to attack Johnson remains to be seen, the unfortunate part is that the Lions also have other options this season.  Outside of the standout wide receiver, the Lions have added Nate Burleson and Tony Scheffler in free agency while drafting a solid running back in Jahvid Best.  Matt Stafford and Brandon Pettigrew will be in their second year making things that much more cumbersome.

With regard to Elam, the Browns will have to decide on if they will keep him in the defensive backfield for most of the passing downs, or allow someone with better coverage skills to take over. Often times last season, the team would substitute certain formations into the defensive backfield to focus on strengths, very similar to how the pass-rush is more of a team effort than one or two players.

“We will take some big guys off the front, we will switch some guys around in the secondary,” said Mangini.

“I think it’s more a function of this guy matches up better against this slot receiver in this set,” he continued.  “It’s not a blanket statement, it’s more that’s where their strength is that you want to take away.  Put this guy here, handle it and then you can do some things that you want to do without changing the front.”

The addition of three rookie defensive backs definitely puts more of the onus on the veterans to step up where needed, even if it is in an area of perceived weakness.  Last season, the Browns had Elam at strong safety with Brodney Pool patrolling the top of the passing lanes.  Pool, though injured through a chunk of the season, managed to intercept four passes in 11 games.  The addition of TJ Ward to the defensive backfield does not add a ton of interceptions on paper, so the team hopes that Elam’s ever-evolving skills in the passing game will help fill in the gaps where needed.

“I think he’s developed since the time that I first got him,” said Mangini.  “Each year, he gets a little bit better.  He’s gotten to play a lot more, he’s got a lot more experience.”

Said development and experience will most certainly be tested come Saturday at 5:00PM EDT.

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(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)