Calling for Grady Jackson: We Need You

Around a month or so ago, there were some grumblings that the Browns should have signed defensive tackle Tank Johnson, whose suspension will be ending soon. Instead, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys. With all of the Browns' struggles on the defensive line, I was against acquiring Johnson because I didn't have a fair gauge on whether or not we would be contending at the time, and I obviously wasn't too fond of his history.

Yesterday, out of no where, the Atlanta Falcons waived starting defensive tackle Grady Jackson. I often don't jump the gun and call for the Browns to sign somebody, but this would seem like a monumental acquisition potentially for our defense, at least compared to what we've seen over the first six weeks of the season.

Jackson, an 11-year veteran at 6-foot-2 and 350 pounds, is known to excel at stopping the run. Last season, he led the NFL with 13 tackles for a loss. He wasn't showing many signs of wearing down this season, as he already had 21 tackles, 5 1/2 of them for a loss, and one sack. Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino hasn't addressed exactly why the team let him go after he had started 22 of the team's past 23 games.

I am urging the Browns to bring Jackson in and do everything they can to get him signed to fill Gary Baxter's roster spot. It wouldn't be a long-term answer, but in a season in which we're actually contending, this is the type of move Savage needs to make.