By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE
**PREVIOUS**
The Coaching Staff
The Running Backs
The Offensive & Defensive Line
The Quarterbacks
The Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
With the switch to the 4-3 defense, the Browns don't have to carry as many linebackers as they did years before. The Linebacker group is pretty solid going into the 2017 season, headlined by Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey. Both of whom signed long-term deals with the Browns in the off-season. Collins and Kirko will see the majority of the snaps on defense. Whether its in a base defense or in nickel and sub-packages because both excel in pass coverage.
Collins was brought over last season in a mid-season trade with New England. In eight games with the Browns last season, Collins recorded 69 tackles (nice), two sacks, and a forced fumble. Collins as a rare linebacker in the league that can play every single down, and can cover the best running backs and tight ends in the league. There is no question Collins is an integral part of the Browns defense going forward.
Kirksey is entering his fourth NFL season. Last year was Kirksey's breakout season, recording 148 tackles, two and a half sacks, and 10 stuffs. He is just like Collins, Kirko can play the pass extremely well and is basically an every down linebacker. The only difference with Kirksey and Collins this year is that they will be playing the "outside linebacker" position in the 4-3 defense.
At the start of camp the middle linebacker spot was up for grabs. The battle was between veteran Tank Carder and last year's fourth round pick Joe Schobert. Unfortunately, Carder suffered a season ending knee injury against the Giants, so Schobert is now the starter for 2017. Schobert came into camp around 20 pounds lighter in order to play middle linebacker and boy has it payed off (so far). Schobert has been flying around the field so far in the preseason. It gives the Browns some versatility in their base defense because of Schobert's natural ability to rush the passer, which we've seen at time during the preseason.
The backup linebacker position(s) are unknown right now. The Browns have a few guys who have shown flashes during camp and the preseason. Guys like Dominique Alexander, James Burgess, and Kenneth Olugode have played themselves into consideration to make the 53-man roster. It wouldn't be surprising though if the Browns added a linebacker after the cut down day, so keep an eye out for that.
Linebacker Overview: As long as the Browns stay healthy, the linebackers/ front 7 should be vastly improved this season. Collins and Kirksey are the key(s) to success for the Browns defense, and quite frankly that a pretty good duo to hang hopes on.
No comments:
Post a Comment