Cleveland Browns: Breaking down the positives of signing Jason McCourty
By Shane Carter
The Cleveland Browns recently signed defensive back Jason McCourty, adding some experience to the secondary for the 2017 season.
Remember in the film Moneyball when the team needed a replacement for Jason Giambi, so they went and signed his brother Jeremy? Or how about in Little Giants where all their lives, the entire town is infatuated with Kevin O’Shea, while little brother Danny watches from the sidelines?
Well, when the name “McCourty” became linked to the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland fans rejoiced…until they realized it wasn’t Devin, but rather his twin brother, Jason. But fear not Browns fans!
The Beginning
Despite being a sixth-round pick out of Rutgers in 2009, Jason McCourty has been able to have a stable career, playing the entire time in Tennessee. During his tenure with the Titans, he totaled 13 career interceptions and 73 passes deflected, and once you consider his limited playing time his rookie year, and the fact he missed 12 games in 2015 due to injury, those stats look even better.
The Need
The Cleveland Browns defense ranked 21st in passing yards in 2016, despite good efforts from starting cornerbacks Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor. The team hoped for improvement at corner by adding University of Houston’s Howard Wilson. However, a knee injury is going to sideline him for an unknown period of time.
The addition of McCourty gives the team improved depth at corner that this team sorely needs because outside of the starters (Haden and Taylor), it doesn’t look good.
Consider that in 2016, the Browns only were able to gather 10 total interceptions: Joe Haden (3), Jamar Taylor (3), Briean Boddy-Calhoun (3), and Tramon Williams (1). The team needs people who can make plays on the ball, knock the ball away and cause turnovers. Jason McCourty has shown he can do all three.
The Fit
Don’t expect McCourty to walk in as the starter on the outside. His biggest attribute will be covering the slot and providing additional outside assistance when needed to. The timing of him arriving in Cleveland, during a coaching change on defense and new scheme, is ironic.
New Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams primarily runs a 4-3 scheme with outside man coverage, the same system McCourty played during his time as a Titan, and his numbers show his effectiveness under it.
The deal is for two-years and $6 million, so it is a low-risk, high-reward that could pay dividends for the team. Money isn’t an issue, after having the most amount of cap room in the league, and McCourty simply gives them a cheap option, and a nice fit.
Overview
This offseason has had its problems. Losing Howard Wilson is a terrible blow for a potentially improved defense and hurts the cornerback position. Even though he isn’t Devin, Jason McCourty at the very least gives the team some much needed help and depth that could put minds at ease for a bit.
Next: Howard Wilson's injury reportedly not too serious
He isn’t a world breaker, so don’t expect some sort of herculean production, but he should fit in nicely with this secondary and this team.