Position Breakdown: Defensive Backs

Current Roster Makeup:

20 Adams, Mike DB 5-11 200; Elam, Abram DB 6-0 207; Francies, Coye DB 6-0 185 Lawson, Gerard DB 5-10 195; McDonald, Brandon DB 5-10 185; Pool, Brodney DB 6-2 210; Poteat, HankDB 5-10 195; Richardson, Matteral DB 6-0 205; Roberson, Chris DB 5-11 190; Robinson, Ramzee DB 5-10 190; Sorensen, Nick DB 6-3 210; Ventrone, Ray DB 5-10 200; Wright, Eric DB 5-10 190.

Breakdown:

Like the rest of the defense, the defensive backs had an up and down season. The unit improved significantly over the latter part of the season. Abe (Babraham) Elam was brought in to fill the void created when Sean Jones left for the Eagles via Free Agency last year. As you'll recall, Elam was a RFA after last season and the Jets matched our offer to Elam. However, Elam came to Cleveland as part of the draft day trade allowing the Browns to move down to get Center Alex Mack and allowing the Jets to move up and get... drawing a blank here, must not be very good. Anyway, Elam did not produce like Eric thought (Mangini) or hoped (Long) that he would. He did have 71 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He did not play terribly, but seemed to be a step late in making big plays. Brodney Pool was on pace for a break-out year before suffering yet another concussion just like Isuro Tanaka (the left fielder from the Giants... no not those giants). Brodney, in 11 games had 4 interceptions and looked like he was comfortable in Rob Ryan's defense. Mike Adams played some Safety and did a good job although he is probably more valuable at corner with the current make-up of this team. Also seeing significant time at Safety was Mike Furrey, who had previously played safety part time as a member of the St. Louis Rams. Furrey looks as if he knows what he is doing out there, but lacks big play ability. At Cornerback, Eric Wright ended the season playing the best football of his young career. He played more man coverage as the defense got more aggressive and responded well, recording 4 ints, 14 pass breakups and 57 tackles. While not an elite corner yet, Wright has turned himself into a very good corner in the NFL. Starting on the other side of the field for much of the season was Brandon McDonald. Unfortunately it does not look like B-Mac has what it takes to be a starting CB in the NFL. Speaking of not having what it takes, Hank Poteat is easily the biggest liability in the secondary. Week after week we saw opposing quarterbacks throw his way on third down and unless the WR dropped the ball, they almost always converted. Aside from his inability to cover, he goes and commits the single dumbest play in the history of the Lions game and tackles a wr in the endzone as time expires to lose the game. Coye Francise is a great mystery at this point. He had a great preseason and camp, but was inactive almost every week during the season. Its hard to understand how a talented rookie with a lot of potential is sitting on the bench watching Hank screw it up. Mike Adams looked good while playing CB and looks to be a solid nickel or dimeback.

Looking Forward:

The secondary needs both a starting Cornerback and a play making safety. Eric Wright looks like a great 2 at worst. Pairing him up with a shutdown corner would allow Rob Ryan to really open up the blitzing. Look for a new starter in 2010 with B-Mac moving to the slot as a 3 or 4. I'd like to see Francies get on the field and produce. Hopefully he challenges B-Mac as the teams 3rd corner. Let’s hope Brodney Pool comes back strong from his concussion. If healthy, look for him to pick up where he left off next year. Even if no players are brought in, things look to be improved as Hank Poteat is an UFA, and will likely not be resigned.

Free Agency:

I doubt that the Browns will look to add a number 1 Cornerback in Free agency, but could look at a guy like Daunte Robinson to come in and start. Expect the team to obtain help at this position in the draft. The top FA Safeties are Darren Sharper and Jermaine Phillips, but I'd be surprised if either ended up in Cleveland. Again, expect the team to go young and draft a safety, especially if Brodney Pool calls it quits.

Draft:

The opportunity the Browns have to secure some top notch talent in the secondary in this years draft is exciting. The most electrifying player in the draft may well be Eric Berry (Tennessee) but he is likely to be off the board well before the Browns draft at 7. Assuming Berry can't be had, look at Joe Haden (Florida) to be the Browns number 1 pick. Haden has the speed, ball skills and the physicality you'd like to see in a number 1 corner. Haden would solidify the starting CB situation in Cleveland for years to come. Other corners that may be available later in the draft include Pattrick Robinson from Florida State is a solid corner that will likely be picked in the first round. In round 2-3 look at Syd'Quan Thomspn (Cal) and Donovan Warren (Michigan).After Berry, the top safeties include Taylor Mays and Earl Thomas. Mays has a freakish size for a safety at 6-3 240 lbs and will likely go as a mid first round pick. Earl Thomas could slide to the 2nd round where the redshirt sophomore from Texas would be a great find. SUPERBOWL!!!!!