NoLogoNeeded.com's All-Decade Best Team: Defense

This is the final installment of our look at the Browns' all-decade bust and best teams. Below is the Browns' all-decade defensive unit.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Shaun Rogers – In 2008, he made the Pro Bowl and led the team in sacks despite drawing constant double and triple team blocking.  Finally, the Browns found their anchor in the middle of their line.

Orpheus Roye – Roye was an underrated player on the Browns line for eight seasons.  For most of those seasons, he was the sole talented player on the defensive line.  His best season came in 2005 when he recorded 88 tackles and three sacks.

Kenard Lang – Lang was one of the Browns few pass rushing threats in his four seasons in Cleveland from 2002-05.  In his first three seasons, Lang recorded 5.5, 8.0, and 7.0 sacks, respectively, and forced five fumbles.

•Keith McKenzie – He played for the Browns in 2000 and 2001.  In his first season, he recorded 58 tackles and eight sacks.  His second season was marred by an ankle injury.

•Robarie Smith – Smith’s first season with the Browns was 2007.  He was one of the lone bright spots on defense and was an under appreciated player recording 54 tackles and four sacks.  He only managed to play two games in 2008 after suffering an Achilles’ tendon injury.

LINEBACKERS
Jamir Miller – He was the first Browns player since the team’s return in 1999 to earn a spot on a Pro Bowl roster.  He was the only consistent pass rusher the Browns have had  and can be argued that he is the best linebacker the team has had in the past decade.  In 1999, Miller recorded 117 tackles and 4.5 sacks followed by seasons of  86 tackles and five sacks in 2000 and 99 tackles, 13 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2001 earning him All-Pro status.

D’Qwell Jackson – While he is not a run stuffer, he makes plays all over the field.  In his third season (2008), he led the NFL in tackles with 154 and intercepted three passes.  At only 25 years old, Jackson’s future is bright. Fans should expect plant more to come.

Earl Holmes – Holmes only played one season for the Browns in 2002.  In that season he recorded 127 tackles and became the run stuffer the defense sorely needed.  Holmes was a leader on the only Browns defense that has been to the playoffs since 1999. That offseason, Browns cut Holmes in a salary cap move and to make room for their younger linebackers they drafted.  Consequently, the defense fell apart and so did the team’s record.

Dwayne Rudd – Rudd is infamous for his helmet toss at the end of the 2002 opener against the Chiefs.  However, anyone who questions the play of Rudd or Holmes needs to review the final drive against the Falcons in 2002 with the playoffs on the line.  Both were instrumental in keeping Atlanta out of the end zone. In 2001, Rudd recorded 99 tackles and 63 in his second.  Rudd was known for being reckless and not necessarily sticking to the defensive scheme, but sometimes a player like that is needed on defense.  He also was released with Holmes after the 2002 playoff season.

Honorable Mention   

•Andra Davis – Davis was not the big-hitting, run-stuffer the Browns have needed since losing Holmes, but he was a tackling machine.  He spent seven seasons in Cleveland from 2002-08.  In his second season, Davis recorded 136 tackles and five sacks.  In 2005, he recorded 149 tackles and two sacks. Davis was always team leader and all-around good guy, but he was never able to duplicate the type of production he had in 2003 and 2005.

•Willie McGinest – He played from 2006-08 for the Browns and was well past his prime during that tenure.  McGinest does not make this list for his seven sacks in his first two seasons with the team or even for his veteran leadership.  McGinest makes this list solely for his hit on arch nemesis QB #7 last season that knocked the Steelers quarterback out of the game.  The Steelers are supposed to be the Browns division rival.  If more Browns players made big plays like that against the Steelers, the Browns’ record and national perception might not be what it is today.

DEFENSIVE BACK
Anthony Henry – In his four seasons with the Browns from 2001-04, Henry was the ballhawk Percy Ellsworth wasn’t.  In his rookie season, he intercepted 10 passes.  While Henry never quite met that production again, he managed to pick off two, one, and four passes, respectively, during the next three seasons.  Henry was a solid corner against the run and recorded 54, 63, 54, and 76 tackles, respectively.  Losing Henry in free agency turned out to have a big impact. The Browns considered bringing him back this past season.

Leigh Bodden – Bodden spent five seasons with the Browns from 2003-07.  He was one of the team’s top cornerbacks, even though he had a knack for getting injured.  In an unusual event, opposing wide receiver, Chad Ochocinco, praised Bodden for his coverage abilities.  In his best season (2007), Bodden recorded 88 tackles and six interceptions.

Sean Jones – Jones played four seasons for the Browns from 2005-08.  In 2006, it appeared Jones could become an Ed Reed or Sean Taylor type of elite safety.  He recorded 111 tackles and intercepted five passes.  In 2007, he slightly regressed, but still managed 96 tackles and five interceptions.  He missed four games because of an injury in 2008, but still intercepted four passes.  From 2006-08, when the defense managed a big play or turnover, it usually came from Jones.

Brian Russell – Russell never was an amazing athlete or put up amazing stats, but he was the leader of the secondary in 2005 and 2006.  In 2005, the Browns ranked fourth against the pass and the next season they ranked tenth in interceptions with 18.  In 2005, Russell managed 70 tackles and three interceptions.  The players around Russell were always in position to make plays. It was evident by Sean Jones’ remarkable 2006 season.  After Russell’s departure, the secondary had a void in leadership and became susceptible to deep throws. 

•Eric Wright – In his two seasons with the Browns in 2007 and 2008, Wright has shown a knack for making the big play.  In his rookie year, Wright took over the starting position and managed 76 tackles and one interception.  Last season, he had 66 tackles and three interceptions, including a 94-yard return for a touchdown on Monday Night Football to seal a win over the Giants.

•Robert Griffith – Griffith spent three seasons in Cleveland from 2002-04.  He was susceptible to deep throws, but was a tackling machine.  Griffith could deliver the big hit and help out in run support.  In his final two seasons, he recorded 92 and 118 tackles, respectively. 

  July 02, 2009 at 11:50 PM

Comments

To think these names are the best that we can come up with over the last 10 years. Kind of sad to be honest.

  July 02, 2009 at 2:09 PM by Justin

Boy, if there ever was a list of 'who wasn't' this is it. And remember, these were supposedly the best(?).

  July 02, 2009 at 11:31 AM by WEG

mccutcheon actually covered better than all the above.

  July 02, 2009 at 1:53 PM by spidey

Brian Russell are u kidding this guy cannot possibly know what he is talking about

  July 02, 2009 at 6:57 PM by nellynell

This list is pretty sad when looked at on the whole. That being said, I agree with the assessment on D'Qwell Jackson. I think he is sorely underrated, even by Browns fans.

  July 02, 2009 at 9:21 PM by ATLBuckeye

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