2009 Draft Class: Instant Impact Rookies on Defense

Combine, pro days, individual workouts, Draft Day, meet the public with your new team and rookie minicamps. That seems like a lot for a span of about three months, but that is what most every rookie prospect has to endure as the final steps to the NFL.

Here is a look at several rookie defenders that may be an instant impact for their new team in 2009.

(In no particular order.)

Cleveland Browns Fans: The Most Critical in The NFL?

(This is just one journalist’s opinion.)

Is Cleveland the most judgmental place to play in the NFL? I would have to say yes it is.

I read, watch, and listen to A LOT of NFL-oriented news, but I never hear or read anything about other teams’ fans (with the exception of maybe Eagles fans) being as scathing as the Cleveland Browns fans are.

Yes, I am one of those condemning Browns fans too, but any professional NFL player or NCAA football prospect should understand that playing in Cleveland has to be one of the hardest places to play in the entire league because the fans can be so hard on the team.

Here are some example of Cleveland Browns fans being extremely judgmental over the years:

1. Cleveland fans throwing anything they could get their hands on onto the field in the late 80s. (snowballs, batteries, dog bones/biscuts, etc.)

2. The Bill Cowher signs blanketing the stadium last year during home games.

3. Cheering for injuries to QBs Derek Anderson and Tim Couch.

4. Throwing plastic beer bottles onto the field during a game, a few years back, thus causing the Cleveland Browns front office to ban plastic bottles at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

5. Browns fans constantly chanting a backup player’s name when a starter does not perform.

6. ESPN analysts commenting on how Browns fans’ chanting controls team decisions (cough, cough, Trent Dilfer, cough).

7. A stadium that is almost completely empty before the end of a game during home loses.

Honorable Mention: The Bengals fans acting out during a game causing Sam Wyches’ “public service announcement” to Bengals fans in Cincy saying, “You don’t live in Cleveland…” (Because Bengals fans were throwing items on the field like Cleveland fans did.)

These are the few that I could think of off the top of my head.

In my opinion, there are no fans more passionate than the Browns fans, but unfortunately, we are also very critical of our team because all we want to do is win games, be competitive, and get to the playoffs.

If that’s a bad thing, then I guess I will be extremely nitpicky of my team year in and year out until we can consistently win in the NFL.

It’s just part of being a Cleveland Browns fan who loves his team and just wants a winner, and I accepted that a long time ago.

Can the Cleveland Browns Find Their Identity Under Eric Mangini?

Now that free agency and the NFL Draft is a thing of the past, what kind of team identity will the Cleveland Browns have in 2009?

In 2007, the Browns team identity was a high-flying, throw the ball deep to help set up the running game kind of team. This worked very well and led the team to finish the season 10-6, but miss the playoffs.

In 2008 it was a completely different story and all Browns fans still have that fresh in their memory so there is no reason to review it, but it is worth noting that there was no team identity at all.

Now it is 2009 and there is a brand new front office and coaching staff in place. What does this mean for the identity of the team? Will Coach Mangini run a playbook similar to the Jets of the last few seasons or will he adapt it to better fit in the AFC North?

There are many questions that are circling around the Browns training facility in Berea, OH. Specifically questions of team identity and how the offense and defense will look with all the new coaches, new players and new schemes.

The Browns offensive look is still up in the air mostly due to the quarterback position. Once a QB has been selected, the new look Browns will be stepping in the right direction to find their identity on offense.

If you look at Brady Quinn’s playing style, he is a ball control and short passes  type of QB. Quinn has also shown strong leadership skills not only on the sideline, but in the huddle in his three starts last year.

Derek Anderson is the complete opposite of Quinn. Anderson has a cannon for an arm, but he is not consistent with the shorter, touch passes.

Brett Ratliff is the biggest unknown between all three QBs, but he is here because he was drafted by Coach Mangini when he was with the Jets.

The information on these three quarterbacks are no mystery so let’s move on.

If you look at all the moves that have been made in the off season, the type of scheme Coach Mangini may want to run is somewhat obvious. The Browns want to compete in the tough and physical AFC North by becoming a ball control, possession passing and running between the tackles offense.

This is supported with the additions of offensive lineman Mack, St. Clair and Womack to hopefully sure up the right side of the line.

Also corroborating this theory is the complete overhaul of the WR position and bringing in players that are all possession style receivers.

The final evidence may be Coach Mangini sticking with RB Jamal Lewis as his work horse. Even though Lewis will be 30 years old when the season starts, he still has some mileage left in his powerful legs and he will benefit from the new and revamped offensive line.

Bringing in rookie RB James Davis will also help Lewis get an extra couple of breathers during the game since Davis likes to run inside of the tackles too.

On the defensive side of the ball in 2008, the Browns had depth issues and problems getting to the opposing teams quarterbacks.

In the five months since Mangini became head coach he has brought over many of his former Jets defenders to fill the depth needs that were on the Browns defense. One of the most important needs for depth in 2008 was in the defensive backfield, but with the additions of Hank Poteat and Abram Elam.

Throw Corey Ivy, from the Ravens, into the mix and all of a sudden there is depth for the DBs.

Poteat and Ivy will most likely compete to be the nickel back and Elam should step right into the starting lineup as a safety. Watch for Elam to take control of the backfield and he could have a huge breakout season as a full time starter.

Coach Mangini bringing his former Jets defenders will help the holdover Browns players from last year not only learn the new system, but adapt to it quickly.

Since the 3-4 defense will carry over from last year with new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. He will be looking to get more production out of the D-Line and LBs. The Browns need to get to the quarterback and create more pressure in the pocket. This should also help create more turnovers.

Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald should have a better year than last, when each had their own hot and cold streaks. They both did finish the year strong with tighter coverage on their opponents and showing a nose for the ball by creating turnovers.

To sum it up, the offense will concentrate on ball control and run the ball to set up the pass, and the defensive scheme will probably be similar to last year, but look for more pressure on the QB with the help of a deep DL and LB corps to keep guys fresh.

Will the Browns Be Able to Break Through in the Tough AFC North?

The Cleveland Browns are going to have a tough time getting out of the bottom half of the AFC North because there is a lock-down in the top half of the division.

 

In 2007, the Cleveland Browns were a hot, upstart 10-6 team that barely missed the playoffs. 2008 was a much different story finishing 4-12. Many things aided in the Browns falling apart in 2008 like injuries, player distractions and coaching/management issues.

 

One thing that does not help the Browns is the fact that they play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. Others may say that divisions like the AFC East or NFC East are tougher, but as far as teams that are extremely physical and games are won in the trenches go, then you have to include the AFC North with those other two divisions.

 

Here’s a quick look at teams’ strengths and weaknesses in the AFC North.

 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

 

First up is the Super Bowl champs. The Steelers are now the most decorated franchise in the Super Bowl era. Having won two of the last four Super Bowls, the Steelers are the team to beat in the division.

 

The team does not make fancy and flashy off-season moves in free agency, and they stick to their plan of building through the NFL Draft and grooming younger players to step in and perform when the veterans move on.

 

Greatest Strength:

 

The biggest strength of the Steelers has to be their quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. He is a force behind center. Big Ben is a tough guy for defenders to get on the ground, and the guy just makes plays game in and game out.

 

Big Ben is up there in the league when it comes to QBs that you want to have the ball when the game is on the line along with guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

 

Greatest Weakness:

 

With Big Ben being the Steelers major strength, the offense line is coincidentally their major weakness. When Big Ben does get brought to the ground, he goes down hard as evident in their meeting with the Browns when he left the game on a stretcher.

 

The Steelers need to protect their franchise QB; otherwise, Big Ben’s career will be a short one. The offensive line HAS to step it up this upcoming season.

 

Team Analysis:

 

The Steelers are the team to beat, especially since they are the reigning champs.

 

 

 

BALTIMORE RAVENS

 

The Ravens surprised a lot of people around the NFL last year. Going from a 5-11 team in 2007, to a 11-5 team that made a deep playoff run in 2008. No one would have ever guessed that Joe Flacco would have been as good as he was in his rookie year. Will he have a sophomore slump?

 

Will opposing teams now have a better game plan against him since there are 16 games worth of tape on him? Only the most innovative defensive minded coaches will be able to break the Ravens huge O-Line to get to Flacco.

 

Greatest Strength:

 

Even though the Ravens lost Bart Scott to the Jets, their defense is still their strongest part of the team. There are superstars on each level of the defense starting with Haloti Ngata on the D-Line, to Ray Lewis in the LB core finally to Ed Reed in the defensive backfield.

 

Somehow, GM Ozzie Newsome just has a knack for finding the perfect defender to plug right into the scheme and perform at a top level. Time will tell if Rex Ryan leaving for the Jets will have an impact on the Ravens defense.

 

Greatest Weakness:

 

The Ravens have their quarterback of the future, now they just need some more receivers for him to throw the ball to. Draft analysts predicted that the Ravens would pick a WR with their first round pick in the draft, but the draft was very unpredictable as usual and the WR the Ravens coveted was not their when they picked.

 

Getting Flacco some targets is a must, but the pick up of TE L.J. Smith will help in Flacco’s growth. Like they always say, “A young quarterback’s best friend is his tight end.”

 

Team Analysis:

 

Without a solid No. 1 wide receiver on the team, look for Flacco to possibly struggle more than he did in his rookie season with opposing teams ready for him this time around. The Ravens are still one of the top two teams in the AFC North.

 

 

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS

 

The good old Bengals. What a very confusing team this is. Knowing you having many players with off-field issues, what do the Bengals go and do in the off-season? Draft more players with questionable character.

 

Yes they pick OT Andre Brown and ILB Rey Maualuga, respectively, but is the risk worth the reward? This question will probably be answered sooner than later.

 

Greatest Strength:

 

After a strong draft where Head Coach Marvin Lewis focused his first two of three picks on defense, the Bengals are going to be much improved on defense. The strength of this team really lies in the health of their QB Carson Palmer.

 

When Palmer is healthy he is one of the best QBs in the NFL. Palmer did lose his favorite target in TJ Housh (who left for Seattle), but the addition of Laveranues Coles will help.

 

Chad Ocho Cinco will have to step up and get back to his show-boating, Pro Bowl form for Palmer and the Bengals to have any success in the division.

 

Greatest Weakness:

 

The biggest weakness for the Bengals can also be a strength depending on how well Palmer recovers from his injury. Wide receiver is questionable at this point due to the loss of Housh. Will Ocho Cinco be able to regain his old form?

 

Will Coles be able to step into Housh’s shoes? Will Chris Henry put all of his troubled past away in the past?

 

All of the questions are very important and will be watched closely by the other AFC North teams. Another weakness of the team is its players. Will the Bengals players stay out of trouble during the 2009 season?

 

Team Analysis:

 

Even if Palmer and Ocho Cinco return to their Pro Bowl forms, the Steelers and Ravens are still above and beyond the Bengals, who are still a few years away from being a consistent winner.

 

 

 

CLEVELAND BROWNS

 

So much to say, so many questions that need answered, so little information provided by Coach Mangini.

 

The Browns are under this “shadow of secrecy” that leads to all these rumors that have surrounded the team recently, because no information is leaked out of the Berea complex under Coach Mangini’s watchful eyes and ears.

 

Greatest Strength:

 

The offensive line period. With the addition of Alex Mack at center to Pro Bowler Joe Thomas and LG Eric Steinbach, the entire left side of the Brown O-Line will be virtually impenetrable and one of the best left side lines in the NFL. Improvement has also been made to the right side of the line, but the left side is way more stronger.

 

Greatest Weakness:

 

The biggest weakness of the Browns has got to be the quarterback and wide receiver positions. Once Coach Mangini selects his starting QB then that’s one weakness that will hopefully be resolved and become stronger.

 

As far as the WRs are concerned, not only will the starting QB play a big role, but with rookies Robiskie and Massaquoi, there are no guarantees that one, both, or either of these guys will work out. Both rookies are in for a long, hard road ahead of them to attain success in the NFL.

 

Team Analysis:

 

Coach Mangini is obviously re-building and this may take a couple of years to come to fruition. Patience and time will play a big part in the success of the Browns.

 

As of right now, there is slim to no chance that the Browns will be able to contend with the Steelers and Ravens, but don’t quote this statement, because there is a reason Coach Mangini was called “Man-Genuis” after his first year as Head Coach of the Jets.

 

Bottom line, the Browns have a very slim chance of taking over the AFC North, and an even slimmer chance to make the NFL playoffs. (Again, don’t quote this statement.)

 

Always remember that on any given Sunday any NFL team can out play their opponent no matter what the win-loss record says.

 

Hard work, studying, research and the proper game plan can help the biggest underdog come out as winners. This has been proven in the past, and this will continue to be proven for years to come.

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