Browns Are Finally Getting Defensive In Cleveland.

Published: 21st Sep 11 10:59 pm
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Robert D. Cobb
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Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

American author Mark Twain famously stated that there are lies, damned lies and statistics, in the case of the 2011 Cleveland Browns, it appears that their bold move to address their defense was wise.

Thru the first two games on the 2011 season, the (1-1) Browns have the sixth best defense overall as they give up an average of 289.5 yards a game. Cleveland also has the second best passing defense in the league as they give up an average of 165.5 yards a game.

While these stats don’t quite measure up to the Browns “Dawgs” defense in the mid-to-late 80’s that featured Hanford Dixon, Frank Minnifeld, Sam Clancy and Clay Matthews, the Browns draft-day trade with the Atlanta Falcons looks smart in hindsight.

The Browns pass defense has only allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 52.1 percent of their passes for 331 yards and a QB rating of 78.0

Considering that the two quarterbacks that Cleveland has faced is rookie Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals and back-up quarterback Kerry Collins of the Indianapolis Colts, one may simply dismiss these numbers.

Make no mistake, stats do not lie.

Back in 2009, Cleveland had the 29th ranked defense in the NFL as they would allow 220.7 yards a game.  The Browns allowed the fourth most passing yards to quarterbacks with 3,915 yards and the fourth-worst QB rating of 90.6

Gaudy stats such as those led Cleveland to select cornerback Joe Haden out of Florida and safety T.J. Ward out of Oregon.

In 2010, Cleveland’s defense would improve up to have the 18th best passing defense in the NFL, Cleveland still had issues stopping the run—which is critical in the AFC North—which as running backs such as Baltimore’s Ray Rice, Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall and Cincinnati’s Cedric Benson.

Cleveland would allow the fifth-most number of yards a game rushing with 129.4

The Browns also had issues getting to the quarterback—which is also key in the AFC North—which has the likes of two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, up-and-coming quarterback Joe Flacco and Carson Palmer in Cincinnati.

Cleveland would have the seventh worst total of sacks on the NFL with only 29.0, which led to Cleveland drafting—and trading down with Atlanta, and then back up with Kansas City—for Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor and defensive end Jabaal Sheard out of Pitt.

The young rookie dou of Taylor at tackle and Sheard at end alongside defensive tackle Ahytba Rubin and defensive end Jayme Mitchell has already paid off for Cleveland.  Taylor is current tied for third in tackles by rookies with Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews in with 11. Taylor has seven tackles and four assists.

Sheard is tied for second with rookies, Ryan Kerrigan of the Washington Redskins, Von Miller of the Denver Broncos, Robert Quinn of the St Louis Rams, Karl Klug of the Tennessee Titans and Mason Foster from the Tampa Bay Buccanneers for rookie sacks with 1.0

While the season is still young and more will need to be seen, the selections of Sheard and Taylor validate the Browns decision of finally getting defensive and building a young defense that will help the Browns contend for years to come.

Taylor and Sheard’s production only proves once again that stats don’t lie.

Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_NFL

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