By Zac Jackson, Staff Writer
July 31, 2006


Todd Grantham Press Conference 7-30-06



Todd Grantham


Photo By John H. Reid III


The rebuilt Browns defense could have as many as six new starters.

All the new faces are expected to make an impact and help the Browns
defenses improve on some of last year's problem areas. For a team
that finished last in the league in sacks, change is good.

But defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is excited about what hasn't
changed as well.

His 3-4 system, a foreign concept to most players a year ago, will
now come more naturally to them. They've had time to learn and
adjust, the team's personnel department has had time to add players
with 3-4 experience, and all that should lead to better results and
more flexibility for Grantham in making his calls.

Two big – make that very big – and experienced additions who know the
3-4 well should help, too, as the Browns added mammoth nose tackle
Ted Washington and outside linebacker Willie McGinest in free agency.

The Browns started the draft by selecting two linebackers, Kamerion
Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson, and both will play as rookies. Wimbley
will learn from and at times rush the passer opposite McGinest, while
Jackson is trying to fit in the 3-4 as an inside linebacker opposite
Andra Davis.

Jackson's top competition there is Chaun Thompson, who played outside
last year. Thompson is probably the best example of the balance of
old and new that Grantham has to work with in this training camp.

The good and the bad of last year are over, and all signs to point to
bigger and better things in 2006. There's better talent and better
competition for jobs, and the ultimate expectation is better results.

"I think we're further ahead than we were last year," Grantham
said. "I think we've improved in learning the system. We've improved
on paper athletically. They have done a good job in practice to this
date and they have shown improvement."

Added athleticism comes from Wimbley, Jackson, from a bigger role for
Thompson, from the winner of the safety battle between Sean Jones and
Brodney Pool and from a stabilized situation at cornerback, where
Gary Baxter returns after missing the last 11 games and Leigh Bodden
is as confident as ever after playing well in Baxter's place. Bodden
is battling Daylon McCutcheon for the starting job at left
cornerback.

Plus, with Washington expected to plug the middle against the run,
Davis should be more free in the middle of the field, not only to
make more tackles but also to stay fresh over the course of the
season.

It all sounds great on paper, doesn't it?

"We still have a ways to go," Grantham said. "I think we have to
continue to improve in training camp. We're ahead of last year with
practice and what we are putting in. At the same time, we have to
continue to work."

If all goes well, Grantham said Washington will be a two-down player
and he'll be able to use several different combinations at
linebacker. Matt Stewart can play both left and right outside,
Wimbley should continue to grow into his role, and David McMillan
could get a chance to show some of his pass-rush ability as well.

"Anytime you can add speed off the corner, you are going to improve
your pass rush," Grantham said. "That's one of the two areas we
looked at last year. We wanted to stop the run and increase our
ability to rush the passer. By adding Willie and Kamerion, I think we
have improved our ability to rush the passer off the edge. In turn, I
think we'll have more production.

"Generally speaking, your playmakers are going to be outside
linebackers because those are the guys who are going to rush on third
down. Those guys are very hard to find. Anytime you can get guys that
make plays and help you win games, you are doing well."

Grantham on the best playing-time battles in camp…

Cornerback: McCutcheon vs. Bodden

"I think both of those guys make each other better, which in turn,
makes us a better team. Right now, both are competing, they are neck
and neck and they are doing a good job.

"Daylon is probably a little quicker in the short area. Leigh is a
little bit longer. He gets his hands on guys because of his height
and stuff like that. Leigh is a little faster down the field and he
shows excellent ball skills as far as playing the ball when it's
thrown like that. Both have shown the ability to play in the NFL.
Both of them will help us."

Safety: Jones vs. Pool

"I would say they are neck and neck. Both of them have improved over
last year - they both do good things in practice and they both do
things that we try to correct. I think that will be a very good
competition as we move forward. We'll look for consistency and
performance as we move forward through training camp. We've done it
for a few days now, but as we move into weeks two, three and four, we
want them to be consistent as they are now. Both have improved and
it's going to be a good battle."

Linebacker: Thompson vs. Jackson

"Right now, Chaun has the edge because he's been here for a year and
he knows the system. He's done a good job inside. D'Qwell is a guy
who improves everyday. He's a rookie in our system and he takes what
he sees on tape and improves it on the field the next time out. It
will be very important that both of those guys continue to be
consistent."