Cleveland Browns: 5 big questions for preseason Week 3
By John Suchan
No. 3: Is there still an issue at defensive tackle?
Yes, there is still a big problem at the defensive tackle position. Cleveland has struggled in recent seasons at stopping the run. They’ve tried shoring up this part of the line but without much luck.
Third-year player Jordan Elliott has been projected by some as being able to step in and take a bigger role this year. But again, he hasn’t shown anything in his first two seasons to change my mind about his potential. Newly drafted Perrion Winfrey from Oklahoma came in with a lot of fanfare but has looked to be a ways off at this point.
The Browns do have the money to go out and make a trade or pick up an older more veteran defensive tackle. Livel Joseph, formally of the Los Angeles Chargers is still available as are Ndamukong Suh, who will potentially be in the Hall of Fame one day, and Malik Jackson who played with the Browns last season.
The interior of Cleveland’s front line was again exposed in this latest preseason game when they couldn’t stuff the run, especially in the early stages of the game.
I certainly hope they bring in a more capable veteran or two before kickoff on September 11th in Carolina. With the Browns having the cap space it will help the team out if they want to seriously compete for a spot in the playoffs.