Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton beating unrealistic expectations

Cleveland Browns nose tackle Danny Shelton is facing unrealistic expectations, yet he is finding ways to beat expectations and excel in Ray Horton’s defense.

Cleveland Browns second-year defensive lineman Danny Shelton faces a daunting task. He must overcome unrealistic fan and media expectations. To his credit, Shelton is not playing to others’ expectations. He is playing his role in Ray Horton’s defense.

Danny Shelton, much like Cam Erving, is on the wrong side of nitpicking from the media and fans this preseason. As a first-round pick, Shelton will be more scrutinized than other players on the roster. However, in Shelton’s case, he has the added pressure of being drafted for one system and now learning to play in another.

Part of the perception problem lies in the ever-changing defensive scheme the Browns have employed over the years. It seems every year players are drafted to run one particular scheme only to have that coach fired. This process has left the Browns with a lot of young players. But few of those players fit the scheme the Browns now run.

Rebuilding the Browns is like playing the part of King Sisyphus. General Managers push the boulder up the mountain only to get fired, leaving Browns fans to watch it roll all the way back down and start over – repeat eternally.

Part of Ray Farmer’s journey up the mountain was drafting Danny Shelton. Now as Sashi Brown starts his long journey up the mountain, the Cleveland Browns must figure out if Danny Shelton can succeed in Ray Horton’s defense and, if so, how?

Next: Why Shelton was drafted