Joe Tait Did it “His” Way
April 14, 2011Capturing ‘Big Mo’
April 14, 2011Free lance journalist Mark Leonard is back for another guest post. This week Mark looks at the Browns’ defensive line and ponders the (limited) possibilities. As always, Mark’s work and opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of myself or WFNY.
Suddenly, it’s just a bit more than two weeks until commencement of the 2011 NFL Draft, the dispute involving the players and the owners notwithstanding. Though it is theoretically possible the issues between the parties will be sufficiently thawed that customary off-season maneuvering like trades and free-agency will yet ensue prior to Draft Day, that seems a far-fetched and unlikely happenstance.
Therefore, what each team presents currently is probably the depth chart with which it will enter proceedings on Thursday April 28, when Round One of the player-selection process unfolds.
That being the case, consider this the Browns’ defensive front wall:
B. Schaefering A. Rubin B. Sanford ???
J. Mitchell T. Ivey S. Paxson ???
D. Robinson T. Adams K. Quaye ???
Not all of these players are under contract. None is an elite performer or even a well-known name. It is doubtful an impact player exists among them, though a few are quite adequate defending the run. None is a proven pass-rusher. Clearly, question marks preside at RDE, where a club’s most dangerous edge-rusher might align, threatening an oppositional QB’s blindside. It is a non-descript, pedestrian, unspectacular collection suggesting it may well be the least able of the Cleveland Browns’ many positional units. Consequently, it is likely to be the very first addressed when festivities begin on that last Thursday in April.
A bona fide weapon through which the Browns can pressure the pocket is a serious organizational need, particularly as the team transitions from a 3-4 to a 4-3 under new Defensive-Coordinator Dick Jauron and top aide Ray Rhodes.
But most of you already knew and understood that.
What has it as the focus of today’s consideration is the vision that may be held for certain members identified. Specifically, it would appear that Brian Schaefering and Brian Sanford—a pair of never-drafted free agents—are possibly more significant than many imagine.
This is because they will influence whether the team must also invest in an additional highly-drafted DL during draft weekend. Should either be envisioned as capable of satisfying the job requirements of a 3-technique DT, that would constitute one less DL vacancy. Should neither be viable, another of the club’s top-four picks would expect to be devoted toward resolving that void.
It is easy to imagine, then, how disadvantageous it is for this organization to be required to move forward without benefit of free-agency, trades and organized team activities (OTAs). Cleveland, like every other NFL outfit, must depend exclusively upon draft weekend as its means to attend to personnel deficiencies, neither able to audition its in-house components in newly-envisioned roles nor able to depend upon a post-draft influx of non-drafted free-agent signings. The Browns’ challenge is especially difficult because they are installing new systems on both sides of the ball and are doing so with several new-to-the-organization coaches, including Head Coach Pat Schumur.
As for the configuration above, it signifies what this writer suspects is the team’s present DL depth chart, operating under the simplistic assumption that the team will desire predictable skill sets at each post.
For example, the left DE figures to be the anchor DE, one especially strong defensing the run, able to shut-down the off-tackle thrust and hold the point. Similarly, the one-technique LDT essentially performs as might a 3-4 NT, in that he angles over the center, absorbs blocks, keeps ‘backers clean and must be forceful at the point of attack. Neither of these two is relied upon heavily for pass-rush, though both must offer more than would be expected from 3-4 DL, which both Schaefering and Rubin have been throughout their brief careers.
Needless to say, those stacked behind Schaefering and Sanford approximate their respective skill sets at their positions. It would be further expected that both Schaefering and Robinson, each formerly listed at 6-4 295, might elect (and/or be instructed) to drop 10-15 pounds so as to increase their mobility, quickness, agility and flexibility. Unless he’s being thought of outside at DE, Sanford, on the other hand, may add weight.
The aforementioned 3-DT must be his team’s primary interior disruptor, a backfield penetrator who can snuff the rush with quickness and threaten the passer with an in-his-face immediacy. Warren Sapp, John Randle and Michael Dean Perry are models of the type. This is what must be shown from either Sanford (6-2 280) or Schaefering so as to liberate the Browns from having also to highly-draft such a prospect in addition to that must-have edge-rusher.
It would be reasonable to wonder how Schaefering can be so necessary at two DL spots, seemingly simultaneously. His situation is such because he is the club’s most versatile DL, one who can figure at either of the two posts. And because so little can be resolved during this uncommon NFL off-season.
Complicating projections is how little is known of Jayme Mitchell (Oct. 6), Scott Paxson (post-season) and Ko Quaye (Dec. 23), each an asset who joined too late to appear in any pre-season contests.
Mitchell (6-6 285) was acquired via trade from Minnesota, for whom he worked at LDE, testimony to his abilities versus the run as well as the pass. That he was dealt-for despite never having played in (nor been particularly suited for) Cleveland’s version of the 3-4 suggests a transition to the 4-3 was already being entertained by GM Tom Heckert. Mitchell never played a down for the Browns last year under then-Head Coach Eric Mangini. (Neither did Sanford, a player probably carried on the 53-man simply to prevent his being stolen by another organization.)
All of this hints that Mitchell will be retained regardless of how his free-agency status is defined and that Heckert is a fan of his abilities. His emergence in the new 4-3 may enable Schaefering to focus, then, on becoming Sanford’s competition as the DT to complement Rubin.
It must be remembered that Schaefering was often used as the only DL in those plasma sets that surrounded him with multiple LBs and DBs. On those occasions, Schaefering would align opposite the center, suggesting he is both physical and explosive enough to distinguish himself above all other DL candidates for that job—a population that then included Shaun Rogers, Kenyon Coleman, Robaire Smith, Rubin, Ivey and Mitchell.
Paxson (6-4 295) and Quaye (6-1 307) have never been seen perform by these eyes, so it is upon body type and speculation they are cast in the above depth chart. Ivey (6-4 325), who joined Sept. 5, and Titus Adams (6-4 310), who was stashed all of last year on IR, seem safely cast as Rubin’s understudies.
Admittedly, this is a very long way of arriving at two significant conclusions about the present Cleveland front line. One is that virtually nothing exists in-house at RDE. The second is that much is anticipated from Sanford and Schaefering, identifying them as most key to whatever success the club can have this upcoming season. Mitchell would help a lot if he could lock-down that front-line slot at LDE.
When all is said and done, others around the sport will materialize as potential positional solutions for the organization. Oft-injured and knee-afflicted DT Tommie Harris (released by Chicago) is such a sort as a 3-technique DT alternative. Ray Edwards (Minn) is a free agent who could conceivably start opposite Mitchell as the coveted blindside rusher. Aaron Maybin (Bills), Manny Lawson (SF) and Aaron Carter (Wash) are expected to hit the bricks as RDE options, each mis-cast recently by 3-4 outfits. Vernon Gholston has already been liberated from such an unfortunate scenario. And there is always the possibility Alex Hall will follow OLT Phil Trautwein, ORT Branndon Braxton, CB Ramzee Robinson and Austin English in returning to a team that had once dispatched them.
What would seem less likely is that the club will invest further in free-agent Robaire Smith, though he’s a quality professional, seasoned in the 4-3, played for Shurmur at Michigan State, is reportedly eager to return and would bring helpful experience to what would otherwise be a very young Browns’ DL. This is because the team is expected to prioritize improving team speed while becoming younger. These objectives figure to best be realized through the addition of athletes able to play on their feet and in space; in other words, standup DEs instead of in-the-dirt DTs.
In closing, it is completely justifiable and comprehensible that many have identified the DL as the Browns’ primary area of need. It is at the very least its least certain positional unit, one that most suffers from the abbreviation of off-season possibilities. What unfolds there will greatly influence club prospects in the upcoming 2011 campaign.
(Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
4 Comments
If the Browns have to “give up on this year” due to the lockout so be it. I’m not in favor of changing your entire plan because there is not enough time to get ready for this particular season.
I guess what I really mean is I would still take Peterson over D line if he is still available.
Peterson.
When I see the name Ko Quaye I can’t help but think of the scene in Major League when Jake Taylor is trying to say “Queequeg’s coffin”
I do not think at all that Heckert will break character and draft out of need and not BPA. If Peterson is there its gotta be him.
As for our DL, I think you have overlooked some other guys, namely Matt Roth and Marcus Bernard. I believe they have talked about Bernard being a 3rd down pass rush specialist and Roth, if resigned, played DE in college and it would be reasonable to suggest he can in the NFL, esp. if hes out putting on a bit of weight right now. I think many of the guys you mentioned wont be with the team though. I agree that Mitchell is probably a target to keep and perhaps he rotates with Roth or Bernard at DE. Schaefering could be kept as a backup, probably another open spot for 1 of the other 3-4 guys mentioned. Im sure there will be a DL drafted, depending on where who knows, but I would say he has a spot and then 1 or 2 FAs once the lockout finally ends.