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Browns: Seeing who’s the better squad, 2007 or 2020

By Chad Porto

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter in the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter in the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 14: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns watches play during the second quarter in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 14: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns watches play during the second quarter in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Shaun Smith, Ethan Kelley, Robaire Smith, Orpheus Roye vs. Myles Garrett, Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, Olivier Vernon

This is a bit uneven for the most part, due to the Browns running a base 3-4 defense in 2007 and a 4-3 base in 2020. In 2007 your starters were Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith at the ends, with Ethan Kelley at nose tackle. Orpheus Roye, a forgotten gem, played multiple positions as part of the rotation. In 2020 you have Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon at the ends, with Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi at the tackles. It’s not even close, the 2020 line is absolutely better.

Winners: 2020 defensive line

Linebackers

Willie McGinest, Andra Davis, D’Qwell Jackson, Kamerion Wimbley vs. Sione Takitaki, B.J. Goodson, Mack Wilson

The strength of the 2007 defense was their linebackers. Andra Davis and D’Qwell Jackson were the heart and soul of this team. Both men had multiple seasons of 100+ tackles for the Browns before and after the season. Kamerion Wimbley was coming off of 11 sacks as a rookie, a number he’d never hit again, and Willie McGinest was a good defensive end for Bill Belichick but his time as a linebacker was never as productive. The 2020 Browns have the worst linebackers imaginable. Made worse by the fact that they cut their two best ones, and didn’t bother replacing them to any real degree.

Winners: 2007 linebackers

Secondary

Eric Wright, Leigh Bodden, Sean Jones, Brodney Pool, vs. Terrence Mitchell, Ronnie Harrison, Andrew Sendejo, Denzel Ward

The 2007 secondary should win in the eyes of many, but Eric Wright and Leigh Bodden were never the cornerbacks that many believed them to be. On a better unit, they were arguably the weakest links. They aren’t half as good as Denzel Ward. Ronnie Harrison and Andrew Sendejo are better tacklers than either of the 2007 safety’s as well but none of the four are great in coverage. Neither safety from 2007 was on the team two years later, so you have to take the upside of Ward any day over the unit from 2007.

Winners: 2020 secondary

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