Amid all the hand-wringing about the defensive line and its problems stopping the run or applying pressure on the QB, there is one name I completely forgot. Or rather, I would’ve forgotten had I not watched him notch a sack for Tampa Bay.
Javon Haye was a late summer pickup for the Browns a year ago, squeezing onto the 53-man roster at the expense of J’Vonne Parker after missing the Panthers’ final cutdown. The 285-pounder out of Vanderbilt was cut after the first game to make way for Daven Holly, but the Browns added him to the practice squad. In October, the Buccaneers signed him to their active roster. Now he’s a starter with a team-leading four sacks and the most tackles among their defensive linemen.
Meanwhile, the Bucs’ defense ranks 5th in points allowed per game (15.7) and 13th in yardage (309), while the Browns are 30th and dead last, respectively, with 30.5 points and 413 yards.
Think Phil and Romeo would’ve liked to have him in the rotation at defensive end about now?
