Tag Archives: Adrian Clayborn

Defensive end huge need for Browns

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The Cleveland Browns now must address the defensive line through free agency and the draft.

The defensive line was already going to be an area that the Cleveland Browns addressed this offseason. Add in the recent release of Adrian Clayborn and the level of urgency is just a bit higher.

Cleveland recently tendered Porter Gustin a contract so it is expected he will be on the roster next season. The Browns still have Myles Garrett as one of their starting defensive ends so they are more than set there. It is about finding someone to play on the opposite side of the line to pair with Garrett that they need.

The Browns still have to decide whether or not they want to bring back Olivier Vernon. There has not been anything connecting the two sides so it does not appear a reunion is in the works, although that could change. In a hypothetical world where Cleveland brings back Vernon, they would still need to add a starter since Vernon’s injury is expected to keep him out at the start of the year.

Approaches to fix the line

This is where Andrew Berry and his method he used to fix positions of need on offense comes into play. Last season Berry identified that the Browns needed help at tight end and at tackle. The Browns signed Austin Hooper and Jack Conklin in free agency while drafting Jedrick Wills Jr. and Harrison Bryant. Using that same philosophy could help them out tremendously.

Cleveland will have a little bit of cap room to play with, but they must still be careful when making free agent signings. A repeat of the deal given to Hooper simply cannot happen. The team must make additions that help their defense while being economically smart, something this front office should be capable of. After free agency they must couple their signings with a draft pick in order to attack their positions of need from both angles. This strategy also applies to defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback and safety.

If for some reason the Browns duplicate their plan from last season when it comes to defensive it would be a disaster. Cleveland made a lot of short term signings and whiffed on most. There’s a way to capitalize on short term contention window while securing the future and this front office is more than capable of accomplishing that.

Browns release Adrian Clayborn

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The Cleveland Browns are releasing the 10-year veteran defensive end after just one year with the team.

After just one season the Cleveland Browns have decided to move on from Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn signed a two-year deal worth just over $5.7 million prior to last season to join the team in a rotational role. Now the Browns are saving $3 million by releasing the veteran defensive end.

Adrian Clayborn played admirably last season, finishing with 12 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 15 games played. Clayborn was able to contribute while Cleveland saw Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon miss time.

Cleveland previously tendered a contract to Porter Gustin so it is possible they view him in the role that Adrian Clayborn previously occupied. Either way, the team needs to find a legitimate starter either through free agency or the draft. Releasing Clayborn now gives the team a little bit more money to work with when it comes to finding someone to start opposite Myles Garrett.

Browns: Karl Joseph, Adrian Clayborn questionable

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The Cleveland Browns may be down additional defenders as safety Karl Joseph and defensive end Adrian Clayborn are listed as questionable.

There are already multiple defensive players for the Cleveland Browns who will be out Sunday and there is the possibility for more. Karl Joseph and Adrian Clayborn are listed as questionable for Cleveland as they are set to take on the Indianapolis Colts.

The Browns are down two starters in Larry Ogunjobi and Greedy Williams and could be down another and a key role player. While Joseph is not the greatest safety in the league he is significantly better than the alternatives in the Browns secondary (cough, cough, Andrew Sendejo). Clayborn has been a key addition to the defensive line who has been incredibly productive in his backup role. Being without these two players in addition to the others would be a huge blow to a porous Cleveland defense.

Browns: Williams, Clayborn, and Davis all out Sunday

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The Cleveland Browns have listed cornerback Greedy Williams, defensive end Adrian Clayborn, and linebacker Tae Davis as out vs. Dallas.

The Cleveland Browns defense is going to be put to the test this Sunday when they take on the Dallas Cowboys. Cleveland will be without Greedy Williams, Adrian Clayborn, and Tae Davis as they are listed as out.

Greedy Williams is yet to appear in a game for the Browns this season, this comes after missing four games for a rookie. While there were some moments that Greedy looked like an NFL caliber corner, he was pretty inconsistent. Combine the inconsistency with the injury problems and that doesn’t necessarily bode well for his future.

This will be the first game missed for Adrian Clayborn this season. Clayborn has played less snaps in each subsequent game this season (32, 18, 16). The Browns do have some depth on their defensive line, but they would be better off with Clayborn being available to play.

Tae Davis has played 11 total snaps this season, 10 in Week 1 and just 1 in Week 2. The absence of Davis will not have a huge impact for the Browns on Sunday.

Browns: Vernon, Adrian Clayborn not practicing

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Cleveland Browns defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Adrian Clayborn will be working on the side, but still not practicing on Thursday.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski provided an injury update in regards to defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Adrian Clayborn. Stefanski stated that they will work on the side, but not practice Thursday.

This is about the same information for the Browns as Wednesday. If for some reason Vernon and Clayborn are unable to play on Sunday, Porter Gustin could get some more playing time to build upon his Week 2 performance. Gustin stepped in for Clayborn after he left with an injury and played admirably, finishing with 4 total tackles. 2 of Gustin’s tackles were solo, 1 was for a loss, and he even registered a QB hit. It’s a small sample size, but Porter Gustin seems like a good fill-in player for the time being. In time this could grow to a larger role.

3 key Browns defenders did not practice Wednesday

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Three key defenders for the Cleveland Browns Olivier Vernon, Adrian Clayborn, and Jacob Phillips did not participate in practice Wednesday.

This will be something to monitor going forward, but three defensive players for the Cleveland Browns did not participate in practice Wednesday. Olivier Vernon, Adrian Clayborn, and Jacob Phillips worked out, but did not practice.

Olivier Vernon and Jacob Phillips were absent from last Thursday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals, while Adrian Clayborn exited with an injury. The Browns will need to have all three players available to them when they take on the Washington Football Team Sunday. Cleveland’s defense has not been spectacular through the first two games and they really need all the help they can get. If not, it could be another high scoring game and their offense is not guaranteed to keep up.

Adrian Clayborn agrees to two-year deal with Browns

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The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

One area of need for the Cleveland Browns was depth on the defensive line. Cleveland is now one step closer to having enough depth on their defensive line with the signing of Adrian Clayborn.

Adrian Clayborn is signing a two-year deal with Cleveland worth up to $7 million with incentives per reports. Clayborn was drafted by Tampa Bay with the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. After four years in Tampa, Clayborn spent three in Atlanta, followed by one in New England, and one final year with the Falcons last season. The 31-year old edge rusher had a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2017. Clayborn only managed 6.5 sacks in the last two seasons combined.

The last time Clayborn started in the majority of the games he appeared in was back in 2016 with Atlanta, starting seven of the 13 games he appeared in. Adrian Clayborn should slide in nicely with the Browns rotation on the defensive line. Working with Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon to put together a competent pass rush.

Ideally the signing of Clayborn does not impact the roster status of Olivier Vernon. Vernon is someone who has essentially had a target on his back for quite some time and many expected the Browns to go in a different direction. If Vernon stays this signing is great. If Vernon goes and Clayborn is expected to replace him as a starter, that would be a problem.