Browns New Defense and Jabaal Sheard

By buckfan38 -14 March 2013
22 Comments
- Football

This is mainly towards Browns fans but anyone can answer. All the sites say that Jabaal Sheard is an outside linebacker in the 3-4 but couldnt he play d-end if he bulked up some? He is already 255 so couldnt he play d-end in a 3-4?

tottenOSU15 on 14 Mar 2013 - 8:38pm #

He's only 6 ft 2 in, little short to be 3-4 DE and would have to put on a lot of weight too.

buckfan38 on 14 Mar 2013 - 8:41pm #

I didn't think bout the height thing but wouldnt like 280-290 be big enough.

tottenOSU15 on 14 Mar 2013 - 8:45pm #

I don't think he has the frame to put on that kind of weight.

buckfan38 on 14 Mar 2013 - 10:48pm #

I see what your saying a 6-2 280-290 pounder would probably more fat than muscle

BuckeyeBoyer85 on 14 Mar 2013 - 8:50pm #

Playing OLB in a 3-4 will for sure create some issues for him, but I think he can make the switch. His strength is his speed rush, his weakness would most definitely be pass coverage. Hopefully with the way it sounds, we plan on using a heavy rotation in the front 7, similar to how Horton ran his defense in Arizona. I'm for one happy about the depth on the line, although we could use another LB.

Wayne Woodrow Hayes

703Buckeye on 14 Mar 2013 - 10:31pm #

I have a good feeling LB will be addressed in the draft. I will be satisfied with free-agency if we can pick up a guard who is worth a damn, I can't take anymore of Lauvao.

"Attack the Strong, Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead!"
-Former OSU S&C Coach Lichter

otrain2416 on 14 Mar 2013 - 8:51pm #

unfortunately he's gonna be switched to an OLB which is not his natural position. We should have never switched to a 3-4 defense to begin with. We have 4 solid DT in Taylor, Rubin, Hughes, and Winn and 2 good DE. Were really lacking in the LB position the last few years and all of a sudden were gonna put 4 on the field although Kruger and that other guy we signed should help out. Random question to any Browns fans thoughts on Jackson at MLB??? I had an argument with a friend about him he thought he was one of the best player on our defense I think he's mediocre at best. I'd love to hear other input

BuckeyeBoyer85 on 14 Mar 2013 - 9:11pm #

Jackson piles up tackle numbers and makes the occasional zone drop INT, but he really sucks covering TEs and backs.

Wayne Woodrow Hayes

bgohio22 on 14 Mar 2013 - 9:12pm #

My thoughts on DQ parallel why I think the switch to the 3-4 is solid. DQ is a perfectly average player. He's a little small, not too fast or explosive, doesn't really have a nose for the ball, but he's alright.

The only reason to keep the 4-3 is if DQ is a long-term impact player. He's not . . . but he's decent. DQ is a lot like Cribbs. Since he's good Cleveland fans adore him, but he's no better than OK. On any other team he's just another dude.

Instead the Browns have positioned themselves to have what the Giants have proved a necessity in the current NFL, depth and variety on the defensive line, potentially freeing up DQ to make plays in the backfield instead of 8 yards downfield.

From memory Pro Football Focus had Browns at like 27th in defense. Clearly the 4-3 and the starters replaced by Kruger and Bryant weren't getting it done.

b_pbucksfans on 15 Mar 2013 - 6:59am #

DQ doesn't have a nose for the ball? 286 tackles in 2 years seems like he does....

otrain2416 on 14 Mar 2013 - 10:11pm #

Really glad I'm not the only one who felt this way about DQ. I really hope our depth at D line and being able to rotate fresh guys in helps us in the long run with this 3-4.

Putter on 14 Mar 2013 - 9:23pm #

The Browns have plenty of Defensive Lineman (6) for their system. Many Draft sites had Sheard as a 3-4 OLB going into the draft so I would expect him to play opposite Kruger with Groves backing him up.

buckfan38 on 14 Mar 2013 - 10:47pm #

ok then who should we draft? A Corner, guard, OLB?

abrahajc on 14 Mar 2013 - 11:06pm #

Milliner if available. If not then trade down and try to get a mid-late 1st round and possibly 2nd round. Then I could see the browns using their first round pick (15-20 maybe) on a "second tier" DE/OLB. That could be someone like Mingo, Werner, Jones etc. depending on who has fallen on draft day. Or they could possibly take a CB like Xavier Rhodes with that pick.

Then in the 2nd round we would take whichever position we did not choose in the first, or possibly a guard.

As a fan this would be my dream scenario because we can get a 2nd round pick and address needs by getting 2 starters in the draft. Of course this all assumes they can find a partner that really wants that 6th overall pick.

Putter on 14 Mar 2013 - 11:04pm #

If they can get a corner they feel comfortable starting opposite Haden I would love to see them get Womack at guard. Would give them one of the best O-Lines in the NFL.

Citrus on 14 Mar 2013 - 11:41pm #

I would love to see "needs" taken care of via FA and then just drafting the best available player. Funny how the O isn't getting much attention. Really there aren't that many holes on O since Gordon played so well and Little improved. If Weeden improves a bit, the offense will probably be pretty good.

Citrus on 15 Mar 2013 - 12:29am #

Sheard was originally projected to be a OLB at the next level. This is a pretty good profile of him coming out of college. He has ran as fast as a 4.62. I would imagine he drops 10 lbs. I think he might be pretty good as a OLB. with the D line we have and Kruger on the other side he is set up to have a pretty good transition.

With his speed, I think he may be a waste as a 3-4 end. Not to mention we have plenty of big bodies that will fill the role better.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/videos/videos/NFL-Network-2011-Draft-Prof...

House804 on 15 Mar 2013 - 9:17am #

It's hard to know exactly, but I would project the new 3-4 as:

Rubin Taylor Bryant

Kruger Jackson Michael-Johnson Sheard

Haden ????

Ward Young

It really is coming together, with Wynn and Hughes also seeing significant time on the Line and Groves as the 3rd Rush Linebacker. Really would like to see them grab a CB and upgrade the other S spot. If Milliner doesn't fall to 6 they need to trade down. Tons of S help in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of this draft. As always, waiting for next year....

NC Buckeye.

Citrus on 15 Mar 2013 - 9:36am #

I agree with this except I think Chris Gocong may come back from injury and win the other ILB spot. Though Michael-Johnson was pretty darn good last year, esp in coverage so maybe he keeps that spot.

Would like to see a FS and CB picked up before the draft. By the looks of it we could use 2 CBs anyway. Let Milner play nickel for a while (ala Joe Hayden). As of this moment, Buster Skrine is our second corner. He should be our fourth corner.

Also, why not bring in Ginn. We have Benjamin, but it would be nice to have two guys that can take the top of the D. Say what you will about Weeden but he can chuck it. Will be nice to see some throws down the field.

House804 on 15 Mar 2013 - 10:25am #

Yeah, I can't imagine a scenario in which they go into the draft without a #2 CB. As you said, Skrine is not a #2, much less a #3. I think they can get a starting safety with that 3rd rounder. I would love for them to grab recently cut S Michael Huff of the Raiders. I would always be for having Ginn on the Browns in any capacity.

NC Buckeye.