Browns Base Defense: Why Bother Asking?

Too much is being made of 3-4 vs 4-3.  Gregg Williams is very much like Ray Horton in terms of adaptability, and once again:

In today's NFL, the nickel package is the real base defense for every NFL team.  This even applies to 12 (one back, two tight end) sets.

But there must be a nominal base defense, as a learning foundation for all the very young players to build around.

It's not, however, as complicated as the punditry seems to think it is.  An Ogbah, in the exact same position, standing up, turns a 4-3 into a 3-4.  It gets silly after awhile.  If you take a snapshot at the snap, in 2016 the Browns often had six guys in the tackle box and on the line of scrimmage.

Gregg Williams will look at his personnel first.  Given his druthers, he does want four down linemen.  That simplifies things a lot, and provides both a built-in pass rush and run defense.

In this situation, he can probably go this way.  Rumors of Carl Nassib's demise are greatly exaggerated (and spasticly premature).  Shelton, as I've said, would be more disruptive as a defensive tackle than on the nose.  Ogbah should do well at right defensive end, and under Horton lined up outside the left tackle sometimes anyway. Meder's best position is defensive tackle.  Des Bryant, should he be retained (I doubt it) would definitely start at tackle.  (I love the guy, but not his age or salary). X Cooper is a penetrating tackle.

Nate Orchard and Cam Johnson are actually passrushing defensive ends anyway.  Collins, Shobert, Kirksey, and Taylor are true linebackers who can be much better if those pesky offensive linemen aren't in their faces.

We're coming up on free agency with a piggy bank ready to burst, and a draft with a projected 13 picks.

Current personnel indicates a 4-3 base as it is.  The Browns can add the last few bricks immediately, with Williams himself lobbying for specific players for specific spots.  It will be a 4-3.  Isn't that obvious?

Aside from bigger cornerbacks, the guys Gregg will want will be a disruptive defensive tackle and a big enforcer-type safety who can play linebacker too.

Reaching into the cornfield, I need to remind fans of Derrick Kindred's continued existance, and his potential to fill that role.  In his second NFL season.  And Williams will bring Ibraheim Campbell back from the cornfield for a test-drive, as well.  He's not quite washed up yet either.

The top need, really, is for bigger cornerbacks who can cover AND tackle.  Williams cornerbacks have to be sure tacklers, or he's dead.

But I digress: Obviously the base defense will be a 4-3, and the 4 man front will remain in place in most nickels and even some dimes.

Next question?