Position preview: Defensive line

07.30.2009

OVERVIEW: The Browns added two former Jets to what was already a veteran defensive line in the offseason. The results, they hope, will be headaches for opposing quarterbacks and running backs. Shaun Rogers will look to build off his Pro Bowl season, while three other veteran returnees - Robaire Smith, Corey Williams and Shaun Smith - look to put last year's injury problems behind them. The Browns added C.J. Mosley in free agency and Kenyon Coleman in a draft-day trade in an effort to bolster overall depth and the run defense. There's also an intriguing blend of young and improving players on hand to push their veteran teammates. The Browns enter camp with 11 defensive linemen on the roster, and all but two have at least two years of prior NFL experience. That means this competition shapes up to be as good as any coming this month.

WHO STARTS? Good question. Rogers started all 16 games at nose tackle last year and Williams started all 16 at left end, but both Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith have past starting experience, as does Coleman with the Jets. Where they'll play is another question, as Eric Mangini has said he likes to move his defensive linemen around to exploit matchups. That makes versatility - especially for the guys trying to win roster spots as backups - even more important.

HIS NEIGHBORHOOD: Rogers was dominant last year, and with an upgraded supporting cast he could be even better. His ability to command (and beat) double and triple teams should help the "attack" philosophy the Browns have promised, and we saw last year how he can swat passes (and field goals) with relative ease.

GETTING BACK: It's too early to tell how healthy Robaire Smith is after missing the last 14 games of last season with an Achilles injury. If he can play, though, Smith is tough, versatile and proven, and his healthy return would be a big boost. Williams injured his shoulder early in camp and though he played through the pain, he was never fully healthy. Getting him at full speed would be a boost as well.

WHO ELSE? Coleman led all NFL defensive linemen in tackles in 2007. Mosley has quality, big-game experience and has shown some ability to get to the passer. That's important, because the defensive line generated 5.5 of the Browns' 17 sacks last year, and 4.5 of those came from Rogers. Shaun Smith had 2 sacks and 63 tackles in 2007; he had 48 tackles when he was limited to 11 games by injury last fall. And don't forget Louis Leonard, a midseason '07 pickup who played both nose and end in his second year last fall and started four games.

THE YOUNG GUYS: Ahtyba Rubin got 12 games of experience as a rookie and will have the chance to improve every day by playing alongside the Browns' veterans. If he's ready for a bigger role this year, the Browns will feel even better about the line's depth. Melila Purcell is back after spending most of the last two years on the practice squad, Santonio Thomas returns after playing in 11 games last year, and undrafted rookie Adam Hoppel is also trying to maximize his chances and learn from the guys in front of him.

LAST WORD: The pieces are in place. There will be plenty of energy with Rogers and Company working under position coach Bryan Cox in camp, and if this group finds the right mix they could prove to be a very solid foundation.