Cleveland Browns Free Agent Review: LB Jason Trusnik

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 19, 2011 10:07 PM EDT in General News

We are currently in process of doing brief reviews of all of the free agents on the Cleveland Browns. Today, we take a look at a utility linebacker who didn't receive as much playing time last year.

LB Jason Trusnik

How and When He Joined the Browns: When Eric Mangini traded Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets in 2009, Jason Trusnik was one of the players who was sent to Cleveland. Trusnik had not played very much for Mangini when the two were together in New York, but Mangini must have seen enough to believe Trusnik would help shore up the team's run defense and ability to pass rush a little bit.

Productivity Level Last Season: Trusnik played in all 16 games last season, but his production went down from his first season in Cleveland. Trusnik had 24 tackles last season, with 8 of those coming on special teams. On special teams, that put him in a tie for fourth on the team. He also registered one sack. His production went down because he wasn't in the rotation in much. After starting 10 games in 2009, he only started 5 games in 2010. That was due to the addition of Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong, and committing to Matt Roth as a starter.

Why Keeping Him Could Make Sense: Versatility. He might be a slightly underrated pass rusher, and I wonder if he would be effective at all as a defensive end. It seemed like he was a quick study of the Browns' defense when he first arrived on the scene in 2009, so I don't think he'd have a lot of difficulty understanding his role in the 4-3 defense.

What the Browns Should Do: I just don't know what to do with Trusnik. I've always seen him as an ideal player for depth. I don't feel like our defense was lost whenever he needed to make a spot start, and he was a good contributor on special teams. He was versatile in the 3-4 defense, but does he work in the 4-3 defense? Trusnik is probably better suited to find a team running the 3-4 defense next season; maybe he could even join Rob Ryan in Dallas. I'll pass on Trusnik, but it's not because I don't like him.

Now it's your turn -- vote in the poll below on whether or not the team should try to re-sign Jason Trusnik!

Poll

Should the Cleveland Browns re-sign free agent LB Jason Trusnik?

Yes

247 votes

No

153 votes

400 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Bring him back. We desperately need depth, especially at linebacker.

by acousticswk on Jul 19, 2011 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

i would say maybe keep him around through training camp to see if he can pick up the 4-3 and actually become a suitable back-up. we’ll likely cut him though because we aren’t really that desperate for linebacker depth. including Trusnik, we have 13 other LBs on our current roster. well make it 12 since we all know Roth isn’t sticking around.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 20, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

This was my thought, and he wouldn’t command an expensive contract.

I would bring in as much competition as I could, is there a limit to how many FA you can bring to camp?

by athensdawg on Jul 20, 2011 6:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i believe 90, although i’m not sure if that’s the ceiling or the floor.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 21, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was 75 but that may be at the start of the preseason.

(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)

by North Coast Flea on Jul 21, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

The guys in the middle on kickoff and in the front row on kickoff return, we rule it with these four d-line/LB hybrids: Matt Roth, Chris Gocong, Jason Trusnik and Scott Paxson. If we can retain them, and pay them more than just food.

by mooncamping on Jul 20, 2011 5:52 AM EDT reply actions

Also, the average weight of a defensive linemen on the Elway´s Broncos was somewhere between 250 and 260 lbs.

by mooncamping on Jul 20, 2011 5:54 AM EDT up reply actions

That was also 15 – 20 years ago, or more. Guys are just bigger now. Not to say guys that size can’t be good, just that the odds are lower for them now.

But I voted to keep him, we need depth.

Resident Tim Couch Apologist.

by Dawg Nuts on Jul 20, 2011 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions