A look at the Browns' defensive backs headed into training camp...
OVERVIEW: Three of the four starters return, and Abram Elam is likely to replace the departed Sean Jones at safety next to Brodney Pool. Young and improving cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald return, and they have new company in the form of three new veterans (Rod Hood, Corey Ivy and Hank Poteat) and sixth-round rookies Don Carey and Coye Francies. The Browns feel they've upgraded their depth and talent at corner, and they insisted Elam be a part of the draft-day trade with the Jets after first trying to sign him as a restricted free agent. Some things will sort themselves out in training camp, but if this group stays healthy it should play at a high level and surpass the 18 interceptions the secondary recorded last season.
ON THE RISE: Both McDonald and Wright had their struggles last fall, but both also made plays and should be better for the experience. McDonald finished the season especially strong after his nightmare in the Denver game and subsequent (short-lived) benching; Wright has flashed top-shelf speed and shown a nose for the ball. Both should benefit from the presence of former NFL cornerback Jerome Henderson as their position coach and former secondary coach Eric Mangini providing insight as well. With the likes of Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and Lee Evans on the schedule in the first six weeks, the Browns' young corners will know right away just how much they've improved.
POOL-ING IT TOGETHER: It's Year Five for Brodney Pool, who's still just 25 but now has two years of starting experience and should be ready to take on a leadership role. He'll miss Jones on and off the field, but Elam is a proven playmaker who should just be hitting his stride, too, after two years as a part-time starter. Both are big and athletic enough to help the Browns improve the run defense, which might be the biggest key to success of all.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: The Browns re-signed Mike Adams because of his energy, experience and ability to play just about anywhere in a pinch. Hood started in last year's Super Bowl and should push the young starting cornerbacks to be better, while Ivy and Poteat bring plenty of experience and should provide an upgrade over last year's options in multiple DB packages. Nick Sorensen and Hamza Abdullah - who was with the team most of last season but not active on game days - bring experience to the safety position; Sorensen has been a very good special teams player for his entire 8-year career.
THE ROOKS: Carey had some impressive interceptions in the spring; he also got beat a few times, which happens to every young defensive back. His smarts and versatility are his ticket to earning a role as a rookie. In time, Francies could become the kind of tall, rangy corner teams covet. For now he'll be learning from his older position mates while trying to make the most of his chances in August. With all those big receivers on the schedule, could we see Francies sooner rather than later? Only time will tell. Undrafted rookie Bret Lockett missed some of the spring work because school was still in session at UCLA, but he'll get a chance to catch up and get noticed when the pads come on in two weeks. It'll be interesting to see how he matches up with the likes of Adams and Sorensen in the battle to win backup safety jobs.
LAST WORD: The early returns are good on Henderson's coaching, the young players' development and the energy of the group as a whole. The overall depth is better, which will mean better competition in camp and should lead to a better overall secondary.
