Cleveland Browns: Cannot Ignore Inside Linebacker Anymore

By Joe Russo | Feb 2, 2016

Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon Tate (19) runs the ball against Cleveland Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Cleveland 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Improvements need to be made on the Cleveland Browns defense and the inside linebacker position has to be a focus this offseason.

There has been plenty of attention being paid to the needs on offense, be it smurfish wide receivers or the revolving door of quarterbacks. While Johnny Manziel is too busy picking fights in Texas and wearing disguises, the Cleveland Browns defense has had just as many issues as the offense.

In fact, the Browns defense was the single highest paid unit in the NFL last season. For their investment, the Cleveland Browns finished 27th in total defense and 29th in scoring defense.

The run defense’s ranking was 30th, giving up 128.4 yards per game, which is barely ahead of the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles at the bottom of the standings. The Cleveland Browns spent a first-round pick on Danny Shelton, invested money on free agents (Desmond Bryant, Randy Starks) and other draft picks (Xavier Cooper, John Hughes) along the defensive line. Now it is finally time to give that same amount of attention to the linebacker spots.

Nate Orchard flashed at times this season, but he has a lot of room for improvement after an inconsistent rookie year. Paul Kruger had such a down year that fans are calling for his release despite the fact he is the best pass rusher on the roster. We have already spent an inordinate amount of time here at Factory of Sadness listing all of the many reasons Barkevious Mingo should be elsewhere next season.

Unfortunately for the Cleveland Browns, the upcoming free agent class of 3-4 outside linebackers is top-heavy to the point where those players will be outside of the team’s price range. Denver Broncos’ Von Miller and Kansas City Chiefs’ Tamba Hali top the list, but those players are not leaving their current teams. Neither is Baltimore Ravens’ Courtney Upshaw, Seattle Seahawks’ Bruce Irvin, or Green Bay Packers’ Nick Perry.

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The bigger need, however, is at the inside linebacker spots. All due respect to Karlos Dansby, but he is not getting any younger. It is time to look for long-term solutions. Craig Robertson and Tank Carder are free agents who should not be retained and Christian Kirksey is nothing more than a depth linebacker, at best.

It is easy to undervalue inside linebackers, as scouting services and draft talking heads have done so for years, the same way they have downgraded the running back position. But make no mistake, an impact middle linebacker can have a transformative effect on a defense.

Just ask the New England Patriots where Dont’a Hightower starts on the inside and Jamie Collins plays in yardage situations. How about the Carolina Panthers with star linebacker Luke Kuechly, who might be the best defensive player in the game. Kansas City (Derrick Johnson), Baltimore (C.J. Mosley), and Seattle (Bobby Wagner) also fits that mold.

The free agents on this list are much more attractive, with the likes of Denver Broncos’ Danny Trevathan and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Sean Spence being available. Even better, there are excellent draft prospects at the position. The Cleveland Browns need to learn from division rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh that spending high draft picks in the middle of the defense pay off.

Univeristy of Alabama’s Reggie Ragland and University of Arizona’s Scooby Wright are true impact linebackers that plays inside. It is also easy to forget about Temple University’s Tyler Matakevich, but the guy simply finds the ball and makes plays.

If the Cleveland Browns do not make a play in the first round, Ohio State’s Joshua Perry should absolutely be a target at least in the second round. He played on the outside in Columbus, but projects better as an inside linebacker that can run sideline to sideline.

At 6’4, 255 pounds, Perry’s unique blend of athleticism and size could make him a great fit in the Browns attacking 3-4 scheme. His experience as a longtime starter at Ohio State would help Perry make a difference right away as a rookie.

Ask yourself how many times a big run broke up the middle because there wasn’t anyone stepping up into the hole at the point of attack. Look back and see how many plays were not made because of missed tackles and poor reads.

Next: 10 Players Who Should Not Be Back In '16

Yes, the Cleveland Browns had issues setting the edge, but with players in place already on the outside that can make some kind of difference, the inside cannot be ignored.

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