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Zach Brown Signing: Brown Gets One Year Deal From Washington Redskins

By Jacob Camenker

Jan 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC running back Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys (21) runs with the ball as AFC inside linebacker Zach Brown of the Buffalo Bills (53) tackles during the first quarter at Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC running back Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys (21) runs with the ball as AFC inside linebacker Zach Brown of the Buffalo Bills (53) tackles during the first quarter at Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan leaves the field after losing in overtime to the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. The Dolphins beat the Bills 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan leaves the field after losing in overtime to the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. The Dolphins beat the Bills 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

However, There Are Still Risks

The Brown signing does not come without risks. The first risk is a pretty obvious one. What if he does not play at the level he did in 2016?

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In four years with the Tennessee Titans, Brown did little to impress his coaching staffs. After starting for a couple of seasons at the beginning of his career, Brown came back as a backup and really had very little impact on the team. He always had great athletic ability, but he was never able to put it together and have a great season. Some question if he cared about football, and that is always a concern in the NFL.

Elsewhere, it is fair to wonder if Rex Ryan’s defensive scheme was what allowed Brown to have such success. Though Ryan was never a terrific head coach, he was an excellent defensive mind and was able to help a lot of his players to develop. Brown could be one on a laundry list of veterans that Ryan has shaped into a producer over the course of his career. Greg Manusky may have trouble getting the same production if he plays Brown in an unfamiliar role.

The final concern is that Brown may not be able to call the defensive plays for the Redskins. He has struggled to do that in the past, so it may be difficult to justify starting him over Will Compton if that is true. It would make most sense for Brown to be a three down linebacker with Compton coming in during coverage situations, but that may not work out for the team as they are currently constructed.

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