BEREA - Darren Hambrick will play a bigger role than expected in the Browns’ defense.
Hambrick will have the chance to play on third downs in the nickel package. For most of his career, Hambrick has been used as a two-down linebacker.
“I never played on third down in Dallas,” said Hambrick. “I did it a few times when I was with Carolina last year ... I always wanted to play on third down in Dallas. When they’d take me out, you’d usually see me on the sidelines kicking things saying ‘man, why am I not in there.”
Brant Boyer was a fixture in the nickel last year. Now Hambrick and Dwayne Rudd will be the linebackers in the nickel package. The thought is that Hambrick and Rudd will give the unit more speed.