{mosimage}If anything has been a strength for the Browns since returning to the NFL in 1999, it has been the defense. While the offense is mired in mediocrity every year, the defense usually steps up to steal a few wins. Last year, however, the Browns ranked 15th against the pass and a dismal 29th against the run, allowing over 144 yards per game on the ground. In a division featuring run-first teams with top notch starting backs (Willis McGahee, Rudi Johnson, Willie Parker), this is a gigantic problem. The Browns didn't do much in the offseason to improve the defense, so they are taking a major risk that they could get run all over again in 2007. Here's a position by position breakdown of the Browns defense.

Defensive End - In the 3-4 defensive scheme, the lineman are there to take on blockers, plug running gaps, and let the linebackers clean up the rest. Elite pass rushing ability is not a pre-requisite to play DE in the 3-4, as that is a job mostly left to blitzers and pass rushing hybrid linebackers. The Browns top four defensive ends (Orpheus Roye, Shaun Smith, Simon Fraser, Robaire Smith) average 6'4, 320 pounds, and they are unspectacular. They will need to be more effective at stopping the run this year if the Browns' defense is going to get off the field. Fraser has bulked up enough that he is getting some looks at DT this preseason. He may come in for pass-rushing situations, or just to give big Ted Washington a breather at nose tackle.

Nose Tackle - Ted Washington is a very experienced and massive (370 punds) man, and he's a perfect fit to anchor the 3-4 scheme the Browns run. Still, he is 39 years old and is not an every down player anymore. Unfortunately for the Browns, when Ted comes out, there is little experience backing him up. Ethan Kelley, a 4th year man out of Baylor, is unproven, and Simon Fraser has been playing in this spot a little bit this preseason.

{mosimage}Outside Linebacker - This is a position of strength for the Browns. Last year's first round pick, OLB Kamerion Wimbley, was an instant hit. Wimbley posted 11 sacks playing the hybrid OLB/DE position, second most sacks by any rookie. He will have to continue to terrorize passers in order for the Browns to succeed on defense this year, as he is the only pure pass rusher on the roster. Playing opposite of Wimbley is old man Willie McGinest, who the Browns overpaid to lure him from the Patriots. While he provides valuable leadership and experience, he has no speed and has declined as a pass rusher (just 4 sacks in 14 games last season). Chaun Thompson has been playing OLB in camp and performing very well. Antwan Peek will need to make a contribution as well. Expect Thompson and Peek to take McGinest's job pretty quickly.Inside Linebacker - Starter Andra Davis is a tackling machine and has been one of the few constants on a Browns team whose roster is ever-changing. Starting beside him is second year man D'Qwell Jackson who racked up 60 tackles in 13 games last year. He and Davis will be the men in the middle responsible for cleaning up whatever backs get through the huge defensive line. Chaun Thompson may be asked to contribute at inside linebacker as well.

Cornerbacks - Top corner Gary Baxter tore patellar tendons in both knees last October, and his rehab continues. Whether or not he will see the field at all in 2007 is unclear. That leaves the job of shutting down the other team's top receiver to Leigh Bodden, an underrated cornerback who has been one of the secondary's most consistent performers. While he lacks elite speed, Bodden plays hard and gets the job done while flying under the radar of most NFL fans. The other starting corner at this point is veteran Kenny Wright. Rookie Eric Wright out of UNLV has first round talent, but with that comes character issues. Still, he will get a good amount of playing time this year, especially if Baxter doesn't play. Daven Holly is another guy who will get solid playing time in '07.

Safety - Sean Jones has emerged as a star for this defense at strong safety. He has speed and is a very good tackler. He also has a nose for the ball, picking off five passes last year and defending 13 others. Jones is arguably the best player on this defense and he will be charged with supporting the front seven against the run and cleaning up the mistakes the corners make. Brodney Pool tops the depth chart at free safety. Pool started eight games last season, putting up 54 tackles, 1 pick, and a sack. This should be one of the stronger areas of the Brown defense this year.

Synopsis - In the NFL, the name of the defensive game is stopping the run. The Browns didn't do that effectively, and it has historically been the Achilles' heel of this defense. In order to make the defensive jump needed to make this team a contender in the AFC North, Cleveland will need to get into the top 10 against the run. They have talent in the secondary and have performed fairly well against the pass the last few seasons, but without stopping the run, this defense will never be better than mediocre.

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