State of the Browns: Secondary

Editor's note: No Logo Needed is addressing the different areas of the Browns offense, defense and special teams by looking back on the 2009 season and looking ahead to the 2010 offseason and beyond. Areas that have already been address are running backs, offensive line, quarterbacks, wide receivers,  linebackers and special teams.

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer

Only three teams defended the pass — in terms of yards allowed per game — worse than the Cleveland Browns at 244.7 yards in 2009: Seattle Seahawks (245.4), Tennessee Titans (258.7) and the Detroit Lions (265.6).

Recently, it has become poplar to describe the NFL as a "flag football" league, but that has merit. The no contact rule beyond five yards has put the defensive back at quite a disadvantage.

Our friends to the east, the Pittsburgh Steelers, also showed how important a run-stuffing safety can be. Although an improvement, the Browns still allowed an average of 144.6 yards rushing per game, which was down from the 151 allowed last year.

Still, the Browns defensive backs were not great, but, then again, they had to play behind the team's poor linebacking corps. 

2009 Roster

Mike Adams — B
Adams was a do-it-all player for the Browns. Adams played in all 16 games and, at times, started at safety and cornerback. In addition, he was seen making plays on special teams. He finished with 52 tackles and one sack.

Abram Elam — B
Elam did not turn into the all-world safety most expected. Was he a solid player? Yes. Perhaps Elam's biggest contribution in 2009 was OK-ing the draft day deal that sent him and a few teammates to Cleveland and in exchange the Jets received the Browns' No. 5 overall pick and selected quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Coye Francies — D-
Four games. One tackle. That's it for this sixth-round draft pick. The rookie didn't see the field, which became somewhat frustrating considering had Browns injuries and poor play in the secondary. Why not stick the rookie in there and see what he can do?

Brandon McDonald — D
Poor tackling. Poor coverage. Poor play. In fact, McDonald was benched during the season in favor of Adams. McDonald was in his third professional season, yet he did not show any signs of progress. Did I mention the poor tackling?

Brodney Pool — INC
Pool was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 2. He suffered a couple concussions in 2009 and it is a situation that is very serious. Pool has five years in the NFL, but his sixth season is in question. What is more important is Pool focuses on his health.

Hank Poteat — F
Throughout the season, Hank Poteat made Browns fans wish Terry Cousins was still on the team. Of course, Poteat's biggest mistake cost the Browns a win against the Lions. Poteat's pass interference on a hail mary pass set Detroit up at the 1-yard line with an untimed down. After the game, Poteat commented he thought it was OK to push the receiver out of bounds when the ball was in the air. All Browns fans hung their head in shame in unison.

Nick Sorensen — D-
Nick's hair is pretty, his play, well, not so much. Sorensen has been pretty much relegated to special teams during his time in Cleveland.

Eric Wright — B
Wright had his second consecutive season of playing in all 16 games for the Browns. No doubt, Wright is the Browns best cover corner. He finished 2009 with a career high four interceptions and has seven the past two seasons. He added 74 tackles, but appeared on one forgetable highlight. Week one against Minnesota, Adrian Peterson breaks a big gain by shoving Wright aside. It's been a play that has been featured throughout the season.

2009 Summary

Statistically speaking, the Browns secondary was poor, yet there was some solid play from some players who will help the Browns in the future. (Adams, Elam and Wright)

Off-Season Goal

Free agent cornerbacks are slim pickings while the free agent safety class is a little better. There is some talent in the draft. The Browns need to add safety depth and snag another starting corner opposite Wright.

Best Case Scenario

At No. 7, the Browns may have the ability to draft Florida's Joe Haden, USC's Taylor Mays or Tennessee's Eric Berry. Haden, a cornerback, could be paired with Wright. In the pass-happy NFL, having two solid corners would be a great advantage. You would think the AFC North would be a run-first league, but looking at what Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore can do, maybe a run-stuffing safety is not the answer? Still, Mays or Berry would be perfect fits.

Any one of those three would work. Free agency is not too appealing. Tampa Bay's Jermaine Philips is the highest rated UFA at safety and Houston's Dunta Robinson is the highest rated UFA at cornerback, according to Scout.com. But Phillips is an eight-year pro and Robinson has played six seasons.

Best case scenario would be the Browns drafting the best player available among Haden, Mays or Berry. Draft experts seem to think any one of those three players is a can't miss prospect.