Daily Dawg Tags: Optimism running high for Browns defense

The Cleveland Browns have created a sense of optimism around the rebuilt defense. Can the unit make a big jump in 2017?

The Cleveland Browns have done considerable work in the offseason to fix a broken franchise.

And much of the heavy lifting has occurred on the defensive side of the ball. Consider that since the end of the 2016 season the Browns:

• Drafted defensive players Myles Garrett, Jabrill Peppers, Larry Ogunjobi, Howard Wilson and Caleb Brantley
• Resigned linebackers Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey
• Signed defensive back Jason McCourty
• Traded for safety Calvin Pryor
• Hired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams

The moves have energized a fan base that is ready for something to cheer about when it comes to the Browns.

A Top 10 defense this fall may be a bit too aspirational for a unit that finished at or near the bottom of every meaningful statistical category last season, but the arrow is definitely pointing in the right direction for the Browns.

One of the biggest things the Browns can do is stick with Williams as defensive coordinator for more than one season. It may sound fundamental, but when you realize that Danny Shelton is entering his third season in the NFL and he is working with this third different defensive coordinator, you can see the problem.

The 2017 season should be better than last season – it couldn’t be any worse than what happened under Horton – and if the Browns play this smart, then 2018 could really turn into something special for the defense.

Cleveland Browns news:

Top 5 pass rushers Browns will face in 2017

The Cleveland Browns will face several lethal pass rushers this upcoming season. The schedule includes several teams with outstanding pass rushers. Along with great individual players, there are several teams who can scheme pressure on the quarterback. Here are the five to most worry about.

Top 5 Week 17 starting QBs since 1999

The Cleveland Browns have made it a habit to experiment at the quarterback position during their meaningless Week 17 games. Which season finale starting quarterbacks have been most impressive?

Gregg Williams given every chance to mold Browns defense (ESPN)

"The influence of Gregg Williams on the fate of the 2017 Cleveland Browns shouldn’t be minimized. With his hiring as defensive coordinator, the Browns parted ways with the cerebral Ray Horton, opting to go with Williams’ in-your-face yet uber-confident defensive approach."

Gary Barnidge talks about his Browns past, NFL future (Dawgs By Nature)

"Former Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge was a guest on 92.3 The Fan’s Bull & Fox Show on Tuesday night. Though the interview was centered around Barnidge’s charity, American Football Without Barriers and his football camps, talk inevitably turned to his time with the Browns and what his future in the NFL may be."

NFL news:

How Patriots outsmart everyone on draft trades (The Ringer)

"How does New England keep outsmarting everyone in draft dealings? It both embraces the unknown and covets certainty."

The more Trubisky talks, the dumber the Bears look (Chicago Tribune)

"The more you listen to Mitch Trubisky, the dumber the Bears sound. Trubisky doesn’t mean to have it come out stupid. It just does. Because it always seems to come out that way when Bears get involved with quarterbacks."

Players’ union believes language in many rookie deals violates CBA (ESPN)

"The NFL Players Association has identified language in about 160 of this year’s rookie contracts that it believes violates the collective bargaining agreement and is considering filing grievances to have the deals voided."

Rule keeping McCaffrey from Panthers camp ‘antiquated’ (NFL.com)

"The displeasure with a rule that is keeping prized first-round pick Christian McCaffrey from joining the Panthers for organized team activities and minicamp has reached the team’s locker room."