People can make snide comments all they want about the opponents having so little trouble running against the Browns that they don’t have to throw. But Cleveland still has the NFL’s No. 1-ranked pass defense through nine games, allowing 163.3 yards a game. The ranking may be a little misleading — the Browns don’t have the best secondary in the league — but it’s not a fluke.

Cornerback Joe Haden has played near a Pro Bowl level, despite a knee injury. Strong safety T.J. Ward was improving every week before a foot injury. Cornerback Sheldon Brown is better than given credit for, Dimitri Patterson is the best nickelback this town has seen in years and free safety Mike Adams has been around the ball a bunch.

Safety Usama Young, a free-agent pickup, had a rough first half, but played his best game yet last week while filling in for Ward.

• Grade: B+
• Bottom line: You can’t argue with the numbers.

See the full article here: http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2011/11/16/the-cts-scott-petrak-grades-the-browns/

Credit: Scott Petrak @ The Chronicle Online

Ask questions below in the comments! Sheldon will do his best to answer in the coming weeks.

Sheldon Brown is entering his tenth NFL season and despite playing 144 straight regular season games, the veteran cornerback continues to run with the Browns’ first-team defense.

Though they were on opposite sides of the football during their time together in Philadelphia, Shurmur knew he had a veteran leader in Brown.

“His preparation has been very good. I think he’s getting a lot out of this camp and he’s having a good camp,” Shurmur said. “From that standpoint, I’m pleased with what Sheldon is doing. He’s playing the position well and I really do feel, knowing him like I do, he lends leadership to that group, which is extremely important.”

Browns defensive back Sheldon Brown is living proof that with age comes wisdom.

With a rash of injuries impacting both the cornerback and safety positions during training camp and the preseason schedule, the 32-year old Brown has been a sturdy anchor in the Browns’ secondary.