The Cleveland Browns are dealing with a rash of injuries to their front seven, and it has made defensive coordinator Dick Jauron's task of improving the team's dismal run defense even more difficult. The big blow to the front seven came when defensive tackle Phil Taylor tore his pectoral muscle, but starters Chris Gocong, Scott Fujita, D'Qwell Jackson and Frostee Rucker are all currently sidelined with injuries.
Stepping up along the defensive line are tackles John Huges and Billy Winn. Hughes was a third-round pick this year out of the University of Cincinnati, while Winn— who was on the receiving end of LeGarrette Blount's infamous punch— was a sixth-round pick out of Boise State. Jauron is hoping that the two will gain enough experience in practice to be significant contributors once the regular season rolls around.
"In their cases, they are getting a lot of valuable reps now in practice and in games," Jauron said. "Hopefully it accelerates their development because we are counting on them to perform for us and so far they have. They have not disappointed.
(via Ohio.com)
Individually, Jauron went on to praise Hughes' stoutness and Winn's quickness and ability to make plays.
For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out their SB Nation blog at Dawgs By Nature. More news and analysis on the NFL as preseason begins can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.
Stepping up along the defensive line are tackles John Huges and Billy Winn. Hughes was a third-round pick this year out of the University of Cincinnati, while Winn— who was on the receiving end of LeGarrette Blount's infamous punch— was a sixth-round pick out of Boise State. Jauron is hoping that the two will gain enough experience in practice to be significant contributors once the regular season rolls around.
(via Ohio.com)
Individually, Jauron went on to praise Hughes' stoutness and Winn's quickness and ability to make plays.
For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out their SB Nation blog at Dawgs By Nature. More news and analysis on the NFL as preseason begins can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.