Cleveland Browns: Review Pt. 3 Defense, ST, and More
Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
LINEBACKERS
When you think defense, you might think linebackers. Why do I say that you say? Well linebackers are often the glory position for the defense.
If you’re looking for the stat stuffers, the guys who are in on almost every tackle, and the ones who give your defense it’s identity, you’re probably able to name a few linebackers. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens had Ray Lewis, the Chicago Bears had Brian Urlacher, and the Patriots had Tedy Bruschi for example.
These are all guys who recorded 100 tackles every year, might get you 5-10 sacks, and a couple of interceptions. So do the Cleveland Browns have any players to this level? No, not really, but the Browns do have a pretty solid group of guys with various areas of the game they excel.
Perhaps the Cleveland Browns best pass rushing linebacker, Paul Kruger is a former Baltimore Raven. He rebounded from a mediocre 2013 debut season with the Browns to deliver 53 tackles last season and 11 sacks. Kruger set career highs in both categories and looks to build on the success he found in 2014. Along with fellow linebacker Karlos Dansby, Kruger is expected to be the voice and the veteran leader of the defense.
With so many young guys, Kruger has a chance to really establish himself as one of the leagues premier pass rushers. He didn’t have to do much in the preseason to keep his job, but Pettine and O’Neill know what to expect from the veteran. As long he’s putting pressure on QBs that’s all they ask.
The consummate veteran. Karlos Dansby is the voice and the leader of the defense. Manning the middle linebacker position, Dansby is just the all-around solid linebacker that takes a defense to the next level.
After the Browns released D’Qwell Jackson prior to the 2014 season, they signed Dansby from the Arizona Cardinals to strengthen the defense against the run. Jackson’s forte was not run stuffing, and Dansby was looked at to be an upgrade.
Well, one year later we’re still talking about the inability of the Browns to stop the run, but it’s not the fault of Dansby. He’s has provided the team with a steady and reliable presence across the middle of the field, often taking on TEs and WRs coming across on slants and even dropping into coverage where needed. He’s good for 90-100 tackles, a couple of sacks, and guaranteed to lay some big hits.
Nate Orchard
Farmer seems to like drafting linebackers early in the draft. Last year it was Christian Kirksey in the third round and this year it’s Nate Orchard. Like Kirksey, Orchard is another LB with good pass coverage skills.
He’s not much of a run stuffer, but in a league with tight ends like Rob Gronkowski, having LBs that can provide coverage across the middle of the field helps. While Orchard has to establish himself in the way Kirksey did last preseason, he played fairly well in the preseason but had suffered from some nagging injuries.
Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Look for Orchard to get a lot of playing time on obvious passing downs, third downs, and offensive sets where opposing teams are using three tight ends.
He did have 18.5 sacks in his senior year at Utah too, so Pettine and O’Neill will find a way to use those pass rushing skills as well. Kruger might have a young protege whose career could follow a similar path.
Christian Kirksey
The starter at weak-side linebacker, Christian Kirksey might be known better nationally for his Madden 2015 glitch where his player randomly became gnome sized. However here in Cleveland, he was a player who got a lot of hype coming out of training camp in 2014.
While he got off to a slow start to his 2014 season, Kirksey ended up playing in all 16 games, starting 8, and dropping 81 tackles with 2 sacks.Kirksey is solid coverage linebacker. He’s not gonna make the big flashy hit or make the big sack, but he like Dansby will get the job of covering guys downfield.
While his name hasn’t had the following it did coming out of last year’s preseason, expect a lot from Kirksey in 2015. He may settle into 100-plus tackles this season and snare a few INT’s. The hype of Kirksey wasn’t a lie. The kid has talent, so let’s see how he expands on a very solid rookie season.
Often the forgotten man among the Browns linebackers, Craig Robertson is a guy who just has a motor for days. He can cover the pass and defend the run, he also fills in at any linebacker position which can help give guys rest as the games go on and the length of the season takes its toll.
I’d love to tell you a great story about Robertson or point out his greatest skill, but the only thing I can say is that he had 99 tackles least year. The guy is just around when plays happen.
Next: Back Ups At Linebacker Should Not Be Overlooked