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No remedy to be found in a bottle
Published on Thursday, Sep 27, 2007
BEREA: The Browns have returned to the days of ''gap integrity.''
That term was introduced to the populace in 1999 by Chris Palmer, coach of the expansion Browns.
''Gap integrity'' or lack thereof was the cause of the Browns' poor run defense in 1999, and apparently it is the cause of the defensive problems today. ''It's gap integrity,'' Orpheus Roye said.
Roye, a solid pro and a good player, has taken us back to the days of Darius Holland, Rahim Abdullah and Marquez Pope.
Such is the sorry state of the Browns' defense through three games of this 2007 season. This unit's problems are myriad, but they start with the team's one constant since 1999.
Well, OK, there are two constants: losing and the inability to stop the run.
Really now, Kaopectate does a better job.
This Browns team, in the third year of a regime and a system, is producing potentially historic numbers. The '99 team gave up 171 yards rushing per game, the worst figure in team history. The veteran team of '07 is giving up 176 yards.
Consistency is great, but only when produced by Kao . . . never mind.
Coach Romeo Crennel talked about a return to fundamentals in helping the defense, so it's appropriate to be fundamental here as well: The Browns have not been any good on defense these first three games.
The run defense doesn't exist. The pass rush depends on one guy. The secondary has had trouble covering. Linebackers aren't making tackles. And, oh, yeah, the Browns have given up 11 touchdown passes, by far the most in the league.
Other than that, the weather was fine in Johnstown, ladies and gentleman.
While the Browns ponder the metaphysical question of whether they can beat the Baltimore Ravens without Kellen Winslow ''subluxation'' became the word of the day in Berea they also spent Tuesday pondering what to do about the defense.
The answer: Not much.
''We have to play better,'' Crennel said.
There's no arguing that point, but isn't it also a bit like saying Britney Spears might want to behave better?
The Browns' problems on defense go beyond an aging defensive line with little depth. Everyone knew that area of the team could be a problem, and it has been.
The line's play affects the linebackers, who need to be free to roam to make tackles in the 3-4 system. D'Qwell Jackson and Andra Davis lead the Browns in tackles, but their presence has not been felt strongly.
The pass rush is being generated by one man: Kamerion Wimbley.
Because it does not take a genius to figure that out, opposing teams are ''scheming'' for Wimbley. (No doubt they came up with that notion in a ''skull session.'')
Wimbley said that he's noticed a ''significant'' increase in double-teams this season. He'll see them into the next millennium if the Browns don't find another way to get a pass rush.
Antwan Peek looked like a guy who could do that in preseason, but, well, that was preseason, and Peek has been playing with an injured foot. Willie McGinest remains sidelined after preseason back surgery.
Chaun Thompson could see more time in place of Peek. The Browns hope he helps.
Without a pass rush, the Browns' inexperienced secondary the four starters have 58 combined career starts has struggled. Much was made of rookie Eric Wright biting on a run fake and giving up a 41-yard touchdown in Oakland, but that is the nature of the position.
The Browns ran an all-out blitz on third-and-inches and left Wright alone. He got beat, but corners get beat. Wright is a rookie. Other teams have the technology to learn these things, so they will pick on him.
Why safeties Sean Jones and Brodney Pool are lost in coverage, though, is a mystery. Jones was turned around by a backup tight end in Oakland, and Pool flailed face-first at a receiver in the end zone.
The decision not to re-sign safety Brian Russell can be questioned fairly at this point. Russell was a good player who didn't want a ton of money. The coaches wanted to keep the brainy Russell, but the front office decided Pool, the guy they had drafted, was ready.
Now the secondary lacks a quarterback, and the results are evident.
Where can the Browns go for improvement? Gary Baxter is listed as second team, but he's not ready to play after tearing both patellar tendons last season. If he is ready this season, it would be a (pleasant) surprise.
The other backup safety is Mike Adams, who hardly engenders visions of Ronnie Lott.
Kenny Wright could move to safety, and rookie Brandon McDonald also is available. Not exactly reminiscent of the charge of the Light Brigade there.
So Crennel is left saying he'll do things like rotate more guys, especially on the defensive line.
Crennel said this will give the team a ''fresh, competitive edge.''
Sort of sounds like a deodorant ad. ''Our new stick gives you that fresh, competitive edge.''
In one sense, that helps, because the Browns defense has stunk.
But the ''fresh, competitive edge'' sounds more hopeful than anything. As in: Well, let's hope this works, because we don't have many more options.
Let's face it: It's not like the Browns can bring back the '99 defense or anything like that.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/.
BEREA: The Browns have returned to the days of ''gap integrity.''
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