Now the Browns have injury as a crutch.
Inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is done for the season with a shoulder/pectoral tendon problem. Either way he needs surgery.
This is a shame for Jackson, who had grown into a team leader and overall very good guy. I used to think he made too many tackles down the field, but too many people told me Jackson is a flat-out good football player. So I accept that reality.
However, with Jackson playing all but one half the Browns run defense ranked 30th in the NFL. That’s third-to-last.
Losing him will not help the cause, and it’s a shame. But the team’s issues run deeper than the loss of one talented player.
i like D'Qwell. His TFL totals (or lack thereof) aren't his fault; he is a victim of the scheme: Stay home while OLB's and the other ILB run/pass blitz, and clean up anyone that gets through the line (which is most everyone).
DJ is definitely NOT an issue on this team.
After Cribbs and Rogers, he's probably the most valuable guy on the team. It sucks that's he's hurt, but I hope he takes the time and recovers properly.
"I used to think he made too many tackles down the field"
Since I haven't had the benefit of those "too many people" you have talked to, I still think he made too many tackles down the field, but I agree he'll be missed.
Your caving in to what others told you vs. what you've seen from the press box reminds me of Eddie Murphy's line from a stand up performance when caught cheating — "Who you gonna believe? Me, or those lying eyes of yours?"