DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Dispatch: Defense better after hitting rock bottom?

The article does present some interesting viewpoints, and my comment towards McDonald saying the defense is tired of people calling them the weak link.. well buddy, there is a way to change that. Play better. I will say that I am looking forward to seeing what Savage can do with the defense.. FA in particular.

Linkadoo

Browns: Defense rises after hitting rock bottom
Browns are up notch from last in ratings
Friday, December 28, 2007 2:57 AM
By James Walker


BEREA, Ohio -- In the past three games, the Cleveland Browns have allowed fewer points than Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Dallas and Green Bay.

Lost in Cleveland's costly 19-14 loss on Sunday in Cincinnati was the steady improvement by the defense, which is ranked No. 31 in the NFL. Until their recent run, the Browns were ranked last at No. 32 for nine consecutive weeks.

"I think most of us were tired of people saying the defense was the weak part of this team," rookie cornerback Brandon McDonald said. "But we try not to get too worked up on that."

The Browns allowed just three touchdowns and 37 points in games against the New York Jets, Buffalo and Cincinnati. Inclement weather and ineffective offenses played a part, but Cleveland also forced five turnovers (four interceptions, one fumble).

The Browns went 2-1 in those games, and both touchdowns allowed against the Bengals were the result of Derek Anderson interceptions deep in Cleveland territory before halftime.

Cleveland held Cincinnati scoreless for the remainder of the game, shut out Buffalo the previous week and held New York to six points until a wild fourth-quarter rally.

"I think any time you hold people to low numbers it brings confidence," Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. "Having a shutout was really good for our defense with the way they have worked through the course of the year. I just think we (have to) continue to move forward, try to improve and progress in areas that we need to and just keep working, and not forget what has gotten us to where we are right now."

The momentum could carry over into the playoffs next week or become a building block for next season. The Browns (9-6) need the Tennessee Titans (9-6) to lose in Indianapolis on Sunday night to claim the final AFC wild-card spot.

Although the Browns still struggle against the run, they held Kellen Clemens (Jets), Trent Edwards (Bills) and Carson Palmer (Bengals) to a combined 51.7 passer rating and those opponents to a 22.2 percent conversion rate on third down (10 of 45), 15 percentage points below their season average.

The Browns also have the third-fewest defensive penalties in the NFL, so they don't beat themselves.

"We're making teams work for the plays that they get as opposed to giving up big plays," coach Romeo Crennel said.

With the key pieces on offense already in place, the Browns will spend most of their resources in the offseason addressing the defense. They need to upgrade the front seven, particularly an aging defensive line. They also could use a pass-rushing linebacker to complement second-year linebacker Kam-erion Wimbley, who has been neutralized by double teams this season.

The Browns do not own a first-round draft pick in 2008, but they have enough cap space to upgrade in free agency.

"We're just trying to keep building and building," defensive lineman Shaun Smith said. "The only way we can go is up, not down."

jwalker@dispatch.com

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The Browns allowed just three touchdowns and 37 points in games against the New York Jets, Buffalo and Cincinnati. Inclement weather and ineffective offenses played a part, but Cleveland also forced five turnovers (four interceptions, one fumble).

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Let's get real here. The reason why the offenses struggled, both the opponents and ours, is mainly due to the weather. The abilities of the defenses were not much of a factor.

Our defense is really bad. Don't let a couple of weather games fool you. We need to upgrade the unit and I am fairly confident that Savage will do just that.

Heh.. Oh, I'm notta fooled.. I think the defense stinks. Like I said, I wanna see what Savage does.

.." They also could use a pass-rushing linebacker to complement second-year linebacker Kam-erion Wimbley, who has been neutralized by double teams this season... "


Time for new glass's .. I just don't see that happening all that much ..

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Let's get real here. The reason why the offenses struggled, both the opponents and ours, is mainly due to the weather. The abilities of the defenses were not much of a factor.

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I disagree. Our defense played 3 quarters of pretty good football against the Steelers, the Ravens, the Jets... and played some pretty decent football against the Cardinals.. Our defense in that respect is very much like our offense, they don't seem to know how to play for 60 minutes.

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Our defense is really bad. Don't let a couple of weather games fool you.

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I'm not. I know what I saw before the weather games and our defense has improved dramatically from the beginning of the season..

A DB says this:

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"I think most of us were tired of people saying the defense was the weak part of this team," rookie cornerback Brandon McDonald said. "

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A DL says this:

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defensive lineman Shaun Smith said. "The only way we can go is up, not down."

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I think EVERYBODY is well aware of where our D problems lay..lol

I think Savage will make a run at Terrell Suggs (Baltimore) to man that OLB position opposite of Wimbley. He has familiarity with the guy and the Rats aren't in a favorable cap position to re-sign him.

Opinion .. We are in need of two LB'ers .. On in the middle ( a real BIG run stuffer ) and one on the outside .. how ever non will play to their potential unless the guys in front of them are for Real ..

You are correct sir.... the D sucks.. But it did improve over the last 6 or so games... statiscally anyway..

But truely, I don't care about that.. what I care about is like Saint says,, Let's see what Savage does now.. Man, if he can work his magic on the D like he did last year on the O,,,, Woo Hoo.. we are in for some real fun next season....

Give me one stud DE..one NT..and one stud MLB and we're set..

Give me three GOOD D-lineman, and another GOOD backup, and the D will look a lot better.

Give me eleven pro-bowlers and I can have this D running like clockwork.

Give me Albert Hanesworth and Terrell Suggs and I'll be one happy man.

no julius peppers anymore? lol

Give me Haynesworth, Suggs another cornerback and Michael Turner and I will be one happy Browns fan.

I remember saying the defense turned a corner, and got flamed for it.. This team grew by giant steps in the recent 5 week, and Mr. Anderson didn't.. If Anderson WOULD HAVE, we would have playoffs locked down..

If by any chance we do make it, the defense is ready for the task. It's up to Anderson to come out and play, like he has before.. Lets the playmakers make the catches, just get them the darn ball already, geeesh..



GO COLTS

I'd be stunned if Haynesworth will make the open market. I want him too but, in his best Roger Brown voice, "word is" Haynesworth will be franchised or re-signed. The Titans have more cap money than we do. Suggs, on the other hand, I could see wearing Orange & Brown in 2008.

I don't want Haynesworth.

Contract year. Underacheiver before. Bad Character guy. Doesn't fit our 3-4 defense.

I could go on and on but there is ZERO chance the Browns even pursue this guy.

Look for Lance Briggs to be a Brown next year. He is their #1 priority right now.

I don't necessarily agree that he's the guy but apparently he's the one the FO is gunning for.

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He is their #1 priority right now.

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but apparently he's the one the FO is gunning for.

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Whats the source?

Hayneworth reminds me of Gerrard Warren. Plays great when he wants to. I could see him hitting the open market if they dont franchise tag him because he is all about the money, least it seems that way as its a contract year and he decided to play to his ability.