Cleveland Browns 2011 Season Preview: Defense

Who knew the Browns actually had a defense this year? All this talk about Colt McCoy and the West Coast offense has made this the forgotten unit, but no other part of the team has seen more turnover. Out with the old If you fell asleep in 2009 and just woke up, you won’t recognize this team. Former head coach and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Dick Jauron will replace coordinator Rob Ryan, who bolted for the Dallas Cowboys with his “organized chaos,” the 3-4 defense. Jauron will run the more conventional 4-3, which is four down lineman and three linebackers. Pretty much any defender affiliated with former head coach Eric Mangini is gone. That includes Eric Barton, David Bowens, Kenyon Coleman, Abe Elam, Blake Costanzo, Jason Trusnik, and Matt Roth. The Browns also parted ways with Shaun Rogers, Eric Wright, and Robaire Smith. The only key contributors second-year general manager Tom Heckert DID NOT bring in are lineman Ahtyba Rubin, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, and safety ...