Report: Browns Expect Sheard To Start
Pittsburgh (KDKA)- Despite only being a rookie, the Cleveland Browns will expect alot of Pitt rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard.
The Browns and new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron are in the process of rebuilding their defense and that will benefit Sheard.
According to Cleveland Browns beat writer Tony Grossi, the Browns are expecting their top 2 draft picks (Sheard and 1st round pick Phil Taylor) to start immediately on the defensive line.
Sheard was the Browns 2nd round pick in last month's NFL Draft.
Cleveland was ranked 27th in run defense last season surrendering 129.4 yards per game on the ground. The Browns will switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense.
Sheard, the 2010 Big East Defensive Player of the year, finished third in the conference last season with nine sacks. He's not great against the run so he'll be expected to get to the quarterback.
After getting drafted Sheard told the Cleveland media that he's an aggressive player, comparing himself to Pittsburgh All-Pro linebacker James Harrison.
"I know how to get to the quarterback," he said. "I'm a hard worker and I'm going to get the job done.
"I want to (have) the hardest hit. I want to make that hit where the crowd goes 'Oooh' and then everybody just screams. When I talk to guys that played in the past, I want them to be like, 'Man, you were something else. I never want to play against you again.'"
