Where does the Browns secondary rank in the NFL?: Hey Mary Kay! – cleveland.com
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@MaryKayCabot Hey Mary Kay- where do you rank the Browns Secondary against the best in the league? In theTop 5?
— Neillio (@neillio14) July 3, 2015
Hey Neillio: Right now I’d rank the Browns secondary tied for tops in the league with the Seahawks’. With three Pro Bowlers in Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner, the Browns can make a strong case for standing alone at No. 1 in the NFL. Last season, they finished second in the NFL with 21 interceptions, led the league in opposing quarterback passer rating (74.1) and with 99 passes defensed. With 2014 No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert supposedly back on track this season and Gipson recovered from his torn medial collateral ligament, the 2015 season promises to be another great one for this crew.
@MaryKayCabot how defensive TDs do you think the def scores this year? Over/under 6?
— Positive Browns Fan (@browns_fan_pos) July 2, 2015
Hey Positive: Great question! I’m going to say five. I think Tashaun Gipson can take two of his picks to the house, Joe Haden will score one and then there will be two fumble recoveries for touchdowns, including one by Craig Robertson. The defense will make Browns fans proud this year.
@MaryKayCabot will one running back be taking the load or is it going to be a 3 head monster thing again?
— KU®T SN❄️W (@HDKG) July 2, 2015
Hey Kurt: Ideally, one of these young running backs will step up and demand to carry the ball 20-25 times a game and produce a 1,000-yard plus season. But I believe they will spread it around at least in the early going to see who develops the hot hand. I think Isaiah Crowell might get the first crack at first and second down, with Duke Johnson serving as the third-down back. The good thing about the rotation is that guys will be fresh into the fourth quarter and late into the season. Terrance West will have to demonstrate that he’s matured if he wants to get consistent playing time. And don’t forget about Glen Winston, who looks powerful.
@MaryKayCabot / Do you believe the Browns will add another TE around the roster cut-downs to 53 guys?
— Joe Ribelli (@JoeRibelli) July 2, 2015
Hey Joe: I actually think the Browns are very happy with their tight ends right now, including Rob Housler, Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray. If free-agent pickup Housler can ease the loss of Jordan Cameron in the passing game, the Browns should be okay at the position. He’s looked good in practices so far. What’s more, I’ve had at least one NFL coach tell me that the Browns should use Terrelle Pryor as a pass-catching tight end instead of a receiver, so we’ll have to see if the Browns agree.
@MaryKayCabot hey Mary Kay! How has Pryor been looking at his new position? Any chance he makes the team in your opinion?
— Some Guy (@ZACharnas) July 2, 2015
Hey Some Guy: We haven’t had a chance to see Pryor practice yet because he was picked up after the mandatory minicamp and the team dispersed until training camp. But he’s working out hard with Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, Randy Moss and Plaxico Burress in his big to switch from quarterback to wide receiver. I actually think it’s a longshot for him to make the team as a wideout, but again, he might fare better as a tight end if the Browns decide to try him there. If he can make himself useful at one of those spots, the Browns might possibly consider him for the No. 3 quarterback job, but right now, that’s not in their thinking. First things first: can he catch the ball?
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