What’s a blogger fan to do when the defensive line is even more of a liability than the much-discussed quarterback position? I actually hold out more hope for injured Orpheus Roye than I do for Mt. Washington, the oldest and heaviest defender in Browns history. The newcomer Smiths might be halfway solid, but looking at the depth chart, they darn well better be.
Creative blitzing, aggressive fills from the linebacking corps, and a ball-hawking secondary will be required to get this defense off the field. Forcing turnovers will be absolutely essential. The absence of an experienced punt returner won’t even be an issue, because I don’t see this team prompting many three-and-outs on the opponents’ side of the field.
So, I repeat, what’s a blogger to do? Conjure up the past, I suppose. Happy birthday today to this trio, all fine defensive linemen from Browns teams of yore:
- Rob Burnett, 40. No Browns defensive end has been any better since this fifth-rounder from Syracuse wore the brown and orange from 1990-95 and amassed 40.5 sacks.
- Michael Dean Perry, 42. Five-time Pro Bowler, 47.5 sacks as a Brown, by far a better player than his more famous big brother.
- Derrell Palmer, 85. I did a few quick checks, so I’m hoping and assuming that he’s still kicking. The TCU All-American was a starting tackle on some dominant championship defenses from 1949-53.
