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Terry Pluto's Talkin'


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Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' revamped defense

 

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

 

As the Browns consider Ahtyba Rubin as their only certain starter on the defensive line in 2011, it made it easier for the front office to begin the housecleaning of the line during the past week, says Terry Pluto.

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The football season is over and no one knows whether there will be a 2011 campaign, but that doesn't mean that Terry isn't talkin' ...

 

About the Browns...

1. It appears the Browns were determined not only to switch to the West Coast offense, but team president Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert also wanted to bring in a 4-3 defense. Heckert's nine seasons with Andy Reid in Philadelphia were spent finding players for the 4-3, as opposed to the 3-4 played by former coaches Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini.

 

2. The Browns were very concerned about the condition and age of the defensive line. No matter what defense was played, the need for more and younger linemen is critical. That made it easy to change defenses. At the moment, the only certain starter on the line is Ahtyba Rubin, who will play one of the tackle spots. The front office and new coaches love his tenacity as much as Mangini did. They do think Brian Schaefering and Jayme Mitchell can help on the line.

 

3. When the Browns cut nose tackle Shaun Rogers, they saw a soon-to-be 32-year-old who was breaking down physically and under contract for $5.5 million (not guaranteed) in 2011. The high price made him untradeable. He played only 39 percent of the snaps last season. Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron had Rogers in Detroit, and those were not great times for "Big Baby." While Rogers did have some productive games, the Browns considered him too expensive and too injury prone.

 

4. Also cut were linebackers David Bowens (33) and Eric Barton (33). Age, price, physical condition and the fact that they aren't the ideal 4-3 linebackers led to them being cut. The Browns believe Chris Gocong can play middle linebacker -- he did so for Heckert in Philadelphia. They like Scott Fujita as a strongside linebacker, which he played in New Orleans. Marcus Benard may stick around as a pass rusher, either at linebacker or defensive end.

 

5. The Browns will need plenty of linemen and linebackers. Matt Roth was effective as a run-stopping outside linebacker in the 3-4. He'd have to play defensive end in the 4-3. Roth is now a free agent, and the Browns will have to decide if it makes sense to sign Roth and change his position -- or go find a true defensive end.

 

6. The Browns want the two defensive ends to be pass rushers. That's why they cut Kenyon Coleman (31). He is good against the run in the 3-4, but he projects as a defensive end in the 4-3 -- and the Browns don't like him as a pass rusher.

 

7. The Browns believe the offensive line needs one more veteran to play right tackle (replacing John St. Clair). They are pleased with Joe Thomas (LT), Eric Steinbach (LG) and Alex Mack ©. They think Shawn Lauvao is ready to take over at right guard. They do have Tony Pashos for right tackle and like him, but the but the 30-year-old Pashos has played only 11 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. Look for them to draft a young lineman, and sign a veteran.

 

8. While Steinbach will be 30 and is under a hefty contract at $6 million, the Browns (at least as of now) believe he is worth keeping. They also think there is real value in having Thomas, Steinbach and Mack all play together for a third consecutive season on the left side.

 

9. In case you were wondering, St. Clair led the Browns with eight penalties. Then came Rogers (7), Roth (6) and Mohammed Massaquoi (5).

 

10. Despite all the talk about the West Coast offense, the real story of the switch to the 4-3 is it's the defense that will have more new faces. The only certain starters are Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Fujita, Gocong and Rubin. Starting safety Abe Elam is a free agent, and he is viewed ideally as a backup by most teams. Heckert's experience has been finding players for a 4-3, and believes it's a little easier to do so than for the 3-4.

 

About the coaching staff...

New Browns head coach Pat Shurmur (center) was hired by Mike Holmgren (left) and Tom Heckert with the understanding that Shurmur would be calling the offensive plays in 2011.

 

1. Part of the reason Pat Shurmur was hired is they wanted him to call the plays on offense. Holmgren did it in Green Bay and Seattle. Heckert worked for Andy Reid, who called the plays in Philadelphia. The Browns point out that in the last two Super Bowls, the winning head coaches called their own plays -- Sean Peyton with New Orleans and Mike McCarthy of Green Bay. They believe Shurmur as a play caller will make the Browns better. This is the approach of this front office to offense.

 

2. No matter who has the title, the guy calling the plays is the offensive coordinator. Rather than pretend otherwise, the Browns decided just make Mark Whipple the quarterback coach. He will work closely with Colt McCoy, and he will help formulate game plans with Shurmur.

 

3. Not much has been said about new receivers coach Mike Wilson, but the Browns believe he is a key hire. Wilson was a receiver for 10 years with the San Francisco 49ers. He had been a receivers coach at USC, Oakland and the Arizona Cardinals. His last stop was Las Vegas of the UFL. While he has not been in the NFL lately, the Browns believe his experience as a pro receiver and coach can make an impact on a weak area. Keep in mind that I am giving you the Browns' view of how they assembled their coaches.

 

4. The Browns kept offensive line coach George Warhop, who is highly regarded. To help with the adjustment to the 4-3, they brought in 20-year veteran defensive line coach Dwaine Board. His last stop was Oakland, but he was with Holmgren in Seattle before that.

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