It’s the defense, defense, defense

It’s the defense, defense, defense

By STEVE KING

What am I most worried about as the Browns get ready to host the streaking Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium?

Pure and simple, it is their defense’s ability to control the scrambling and running of fast, quick and athletic Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, a clone of the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, whom the Brown have been unable to keep in check over the years.

In my mind, I can see Murray time and time again running for first downs on third-and-long plays, breaking the Browns’ backs. It gives me chills.

It’s not the banged-up offense, which may be missing a good number of its starters, that worries me — not in the least. I think that offense is talented enough to withstand some attrition and still come out kicking, as in going smoothly, not as in punting.

It’s the defense, especially with the way it performed last Sunday in the 47-42 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and the fact that some of those injured starters might still be missing. The defense must play well consistently, not bad to start out the year, then good for a couple games and finally back to being bad in Los Angeles. You’re not going to stop offenses completely in this day and age, but at least the Browns have to make teams work at it. And way too many times, the Chargers didn’t have to work at it, with receivers running scot-free.

But this game is at home, and at home, good teams are supposed to win, and when they’re banged up like the Browns are, they have to be able to find a way to win. The Browns were good last year at home, which was a big key in their run to a playoff berth for the first time in 18 years. And they need to be good again in front of those raucous home fans, who will pick them up when they get down.

Can the Browns do it?

Yes, if they get some help from their defense. It will come down to that.

Browns make roster moves

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have signed T Alex Taylor to the active roster from the practice squad. The club also elevated DT Sheldon Day and CB Herb Miller to the active roster. In addition, the team waived TE Connor Davis from injured reserve.

Taylor is 6-8, 301 pounds and is officially in his first NFL season out of South Carolina State. Originally signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Taylor appeared in one game with the Browns as a rookie and spent time on the club’s practice squad. He spent four weeks on the Bears’ practice squad this season before joining the Browns’ practice squad on Oct. 12. Taylor will wear No. 70.

Day is 6-1, 293 pounds and in his sixth NFL season out of Notre Dame. Originally a fourth-round pick by Jacksonville in 2016, Day has appeared in 60 career games with the Jaguars (2016-17), 49ers (2017-19) and Colts (2020). Day initially joined the Browns practice squad in Week 17 in 2020. He will wear No. 92.

Miller (6-1, 201) is a first-year player originally signed by Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has appeared in four career games, all with Tampa Bay in 2020. The Florida Atlantic product has spent time on the Browns’ and Buccaneers’ practice squads this season. Miller will wear No. 29.

A club can carry up to 55 players on its roster during a given week by elevating one or two players from its practice squad prior to the transaction deadline that precedes the game. The rule allows teams a larger pool from which to select their 47 or 48 game-day active players. Any player elevated from the practice squad for this purpose will immediately revert to his team’s practice squad the day following the game.

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It’s the defense, defense, defense