Ted Washington turns 38 two weeks before the draft, so it would not be a
surprise if the Browns take another nose tackle in the first three rounds.
Chances are, though, the new guy will have to sit. In the first place, coach
Romeo Crennel does not play rookies quickly. Even if he did, Washington is not
going to let age slow him down.
"It's a tough position," Washington said. "You have guys coming at every
angle. You're taking on double and triple teams. The key to it is having some
linebackers that are going to back you. That's what made it easier for me
throughout my career.
"Back in my Buffalo days I was averaging over 100 tackles per season.
Nowadays linebackers and safeties and secondary guys come up and want to make
the plays before you get them. My goal is not to just plug up the middle. I'm
going to make plays too. Every opportunity I get, I'll be in on the tackle."
Washington had 47 tackles with the Raiders last season. The man he is
replacing with the Browns, Jason Fisk, actually had more. Fisk had 50 tackles.
There is no doubt, though, that general manager Phil Savage and Crennel consider
Washington an improvement. Fisk was released one day after Washington signed.
"This is an area we talked about constantly since we got here last year, and
that was to try to build a run defense," Savage said. "Ted Washington is one of
the all-time great nose tackles. He's been to the Pro Bowl four times. We are
very excited about having him on board with us."
Washington narrowed his choices between Cleveland and Baltimore before
signing with the Browns on March 13, the third day of free agency. He said he
first thought about playing for Crennel on Dec. 18 after the Browns beat the
Raiders 9-7 in Oakland.
As often happens, players and coaches renew old acquaintances after a game.
Washington played for the Patriots in 2003 when Crennel was the New England
defensive coordinator. That one year impressed Washington enough that he knew he
wanted to play for Crennel again. Crennel and Washington shook hands as they
went to their separate locker rooms in Oakland.
"I told him, 'Hey, I don't know if I'm going to be here (Oakland) next year.
Leave an opening there for me,'" Washington said. "We talked about it when we
were in New England that if he ever became a head coach and I was still around I
wanted to be a part of it."
Ethan Kelly would be Washington's backup if the Browns do not take a nose
tackle in the draft.