Expectations rising for Jackson

06.16.2008

It's easy to understand why the Browns have such high hopes for linebacker D'Qwell Jackson in 2008.

He's been a first-teamer since he was a rookie in '06. He has started 26 of his 27 career games in his first two years as a Brown. He was a second-round pick and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year at Maryland following his senior season.

He marked 115 tackles as a rookie and then led the team in the stat with114 in '07.

"He's started enough games, he's played enough games," his position coach Mike Haluchak said. "The defense hasn't changed. He knows the terminology and knows what's expected of him so his level of play and expectations rise."

At 6 feet and 240 pounds, Jackson is an undersized linebacker (he's five pounds lighter than Browns starting running back Jamal Lewis). But in Berea, whenever Jackson and the linebacker position become a topic of conversation, it isn't long before someone mentions another trait that Jackson has in his favor - instincts.

It's those instincts that allow him to read offenses, find and take down the ball carrier that not only have helped him make up for his smaller frame but also have guided him through the first couple years of his NFL career.

"He's not 6-3 or 250 pounds, so to compensate for it he has got that power and explosiveness that enables him to make plays," said Haluchak. "When he hits a ball carrier or blocker he has such explosive power than he can knock them back. He comes off blocks and gets separation. He's a very strong tackler."

This year, he should get even more separation due to a couple "big" moves the Browns made during the offseason.

In a pair of trades, the team acquired 320-pound Corey Williams and 340-pound Shaun Rogers to play on the defensive line with a pair of other capable 300-pounders in Robaire and Shaun Smith.

That's 1,000 pounds of meat in front of the young linebacker on any given play.

Without guys like Rogers and Williams in the trenches, Jackson was often forced to take on guards weighing 75 pounds more than him. The new big bodies should attract double teams and swallow up offensive linemen, allowing he and the team's other inside linebackers to run free and make tackles.

For someone like Jackson, it's exactly what he needs to take his game to the next level.

Through organized team activities and minicamp, he said the new players are fitting in well.

"Guys are communicating and when that happens you have a better defense," Jackson said. "Guys are playing faster. You can get down to instincts and play football."

Because of a new rule instituted by the NFL, organization and communication on the defensive side of the ball might be more important than ever. And to that end, Haluchak said that Jackson is one of a several players under considerationto wear the team's in-helmet radio this season, now allowed on the defensive side of the ball by the NFL for the first time, which would make him the signal-caller for the defense.

"When he was at Maryland he was their signal caller and defensive captain so he's used to being in that role," he said. "That's D'Qwell. He's a no-nonsense, meat and potatoes type of player."

But regardless of prior experience, that's a lot of responsibility for a 24-year-old guy playing with a group of athletes mostly older than him.

While young by age, Jackson is anything but a kid in terms of his maturity.

"He's a team player," Haluchak said. "That's his number one focal point. Everything is very team-oriented. He's a very unselfish player."

His attitude and personality has only been bettered by a close relationship with Browns veteran inside linebacker Andra Davis, one of the the Browns most respected players the team has had in their locker room since returning to the NFL in 1999.

Two Florida natives, Davis and Jackson have been nearly inseparable since the latter joined the team.

"He and Andra have a real good chemistry between them," Haluchak said. "They work very, very well together. Andra has taught him well."

"All the pieces are lined up from the coaches and the players," Jackson said. "The system is much better now. Things are good and we have to build on it and not get too big-headed because we have a big challenge come the regular season.

"It's a big year for everybody."