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State of the Browns: Defensive Line

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

It has been a full week since our latest installment of our "State of the Browns" series. We had one more position group to do — defensive line — and it fell by the wayside the last seven days.

Not today. I present the final installment of the "State of the Browns." My apologies for the delay to those who were waiting with bated breath.

We are also not ignoring the Super Bowl. Everybody and their mother are weighing in with their predictions and No Logo Needed will not be left out. Later today, we will have our Super Bowl predictions for everyone to mock on Monday.

Also, we're excited to announce we will be participating in a live blog during the Super Bowl at Cleveland.com. So, feel free to stop by on Sunday and join in the conversation that will no doubt turn cynical and critical (especially toward the announcers and numerous shots of a confused Eli Manning).

2009 Roster

You'll notice a theme as you read along. The Browns defensive line was slightly above average and the grades are representative of that trait.

Kenyon Coleman — B
One of the players who came to Cleveland on the draft day trade that netted the Jets Mark Sanchez, Coleman took the starting spot away from Corey Williams and played in 13 games for the Browns. He had 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

C.J. Mosley — B-
Another former Jet, Mosley showed signs, at times, of his ability to be a disruptive force on the defensive line. Mosley only played in eight games before joining a large group on IR.

Shaun Rogers — B
When healthy, Rogers was a beast. But a broken ankle late in the season sidelined him for the remainder of 2009. When he was in there he showed he is one of the best NT in the game and a weapon in special teams (PAT block vs. Cincinnati to force OT). His injury allowed the emergence of…

Ahtyba Rubin — B+
Rubin played in 15 games for the Browns registering 23 tackles and showing not only can he be a serviceable backup for Rogers, but perhaps a starter. There was talk that next season Rubin would start at NT and Rogers would become a DE.

Brian Schaefering — C
He was on the team. Then cut. On another team. Then brought back. Placed on the Browns practice squad. Finally, he was promoted to the active roster and got a sack in the Browns win over Pittsburgh. At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, the dude's got potential.

Robaire Smith — B
Smith is getting up there in age, but he played in 14 games this season and had 1.5 sacks. Smith was like the rest of the defensive line, very serviceable. Still, at 32 years of age, you wonder how much he has left in the tank.

Corey Williams — B-
In his second season in Cleveland, Williams continued to struggle in the 3-4 defense before turning it on late in the season. Williams finished with four sacks, one in November and two in December. It was the Williams most Browns front office personnel, coaches and fans expected to see after coming over from Green Bay after the 2007 season.

2009 Summary

Two things stood out when it came to the Browns defensive line in 2009. They were vital in limiting opponents to under 100 yards rushing in some games and there were times they got to the quarterback and, yes, recorded a sack.

Both were huge accomplishments for the Browns defense that, in season's past, did not do much of either stopping the run or sacking the quarterback. For that, this group and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan should be commended.

Off-Season Goal

There isn't much to play with here. In the 3-4, the defensive line isn't the most important aspect (that's linebackers), but it needs to be serviceable. The Browns accomplished that in 2009.

As always, any kind of depth the Browns can add will be a bonus especially considering the amount of injures the d-line suffered.

Best Case Scenario

The top-tier free agent class is littered with older unrestricted free agents. Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh will be gone by the time the Browns pick at No. 7.

Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy is next highest rated DT. He is an option at No. 7, but if Joe Haden (CB, Florida) is available that might be the better selection. Throwing too much money at this position would not be wise considering the needs in other areas.

Landing a mid-level free agent or average money or selecting a mid-round defensive lineman in the draft would be the best course of action to build depth. Injuries played a big factor in the Browns D-line in 2009. Which players the Browns could target remains to be seen.

February 05, 2010 at 8:19 AM

Comments

Switch to the 4-3. Put wimbley and rogers at the ends. williams and rubin at the tackles.
draft a middle linebacker and place roth and
benard at the backers.

February 05, 2010 at 2:40 PM by Andre'

Rogers is NOT a 4-3 DE. That would be a terrible move. Guy was a Pro-Bowl 4-3 DT though. Browns would have to draft a DE to switch to the 4-3....we'd also have to draft two OLBs as we have none that are familiar with the 4-3 on this roster that are worth starting. This team is not set up well at all for a 4-3 transistion...this is probably why Holmgren (despite not liking the 3-4) is content with keeping it for now. I wouldn't rule out Jason Pierre-Paul at 7. Could play OLB in 2009 then if we decide to switch to the 4-3 could move back to end.

February 05, 2010 at 9:52 AM by Hermie13

State of the Browns: Defensive Line

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