Cleveland Browns: Top 5 pass rushers Browns will face in 2017
By Joel W. Cade
2. Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan and Jurrell Casey
The Tennessee Titans currently employ the man who invented the Steelers defense – Dick LeBeau. It is safe to say the Browns will see the zone blitz scheme when they face the Titans in October.
Over the past two offseasons, the Titans have been adding talent to their defense. One major addition was outside linebacker Brian Orakpo. Orakpo has delivered on his four-year deal. He immediately became captain of the defense. Last season he had 10.5 sacks, 46 tackles and four passes defensed. His presence has helped transform this defense.
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Playing outside linebacker opposite Orakpo is little celebrated Derrick Morgan. Morgan recorded 9.0 sacks, 33 tackles with 1 pass defensed. The underrated part of Morgan’s game is the hurries and pressures he creates on the quarterback. With Orakpo on the other side, Morgan has been productive beating one-on-one blocks to cause disruption.
The presence of Jurrell Casey in the middle is the icing on the pass rushing cake. He can collapse the pocket from the top down. Casey is able to complement Orakpo and Morgan’s edge rushing with pressure up the middle.
The Browns has seen this scheme and should be prepared for the challenge. The additions at the interior line positions will help greatly when it comes to the zone blitz scheme.