Tucker likes new pieces

03.03.2008

As a first-year NFL defensive coordinator, Mel Tucker doesn't have another day to compare with last Friday.

But another day -- Christmas -- certainly comes to mind.

Tucker's gifts came in the rather large form of two talented defensive linemen acquired via trade, Corey Williams from the Packers and Shaun Rogers from the Lions. Both should figure prominently in Tucker's plans to fix the Browns' run defense and upgrade the defense as a whole.

"I've said before that coaches, we just coach," Tucker said. "Phil (Savage) and his staff, they do an outstanding job evaluating players and doing everything they can to get us players we need to be successful.

"No question, we are better (with Williams and Rogers). This is another example of the personnel staff helping us. I'm excited."

Plugging Williams and Rogers into the defensive line along with '07 free agent pickups Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith makes the Browns better against the run and against the pass, too; Williams and Rogers each posted 7 sacks in 2007.

Exactly where they'll fit at first with the Browns remains to be seen, but Tucker said both are versatile enough to play either end or nose in the Browns' base 3-4 defense and play inside when the Browns go to a four-man front in their nickel defensive packages.

"If it was first down right now, it's too early to say who would be where," Tucker said. "But we'll always play the best players. We'll let them compete. We want to put guys in a position to be the most productive they can be."

Tucker said one of the best compliments he can pay Williams is that "he's a guy that people are going to be excited about coming to see play. And when you look at the defensive side of that ball, that's what you want to see.

"You want to see guys who are productive and dynamic when they make plays. He's a high character guy. He has a passion for the game. He's always looking for ways to get better. And physically he's an ascending player. He been very, very productive thus far and I think his best ball is ahead of him."

Both Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel hinted that the Browns aren't done at least exploring moves that would add help at linebacker or in the secondary, especially since the Browns had to give up Leigh Bodden in the package to get Rogers.

So regardless if the Browns can add a pass rusher, a cornerback or another versatile veteran in free agency or via another trade, there's little doubt they've taken a big step towards fixing one of their biggest defensive issues.

"These are good steps," Tucker said. "Phil has talked about bolstering the front -- getting bigger, getting younger, getting better. We're getting there."