The 2011 season for the Cleveland Browns was yet another losing season. But unlike other years there was reason for hope coming into this offseason. The one resounding positive that was the big bright spot through a twelve loss season was the performance by the Browns’ Defense.

Despite no offseason program last year new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron not only managed to completely change the defensive philosophy from a 3-4 to a 4-3, but also managed to produce a top ten defensive performance throughout the year. And despite the success, coach Jauron is not taking things for granted.

He realizes that you need to take things one game at a time. And despite the success, he realizes that its winning that will be the true hallmark of a successful defense. “We’d like to take the ball away more than we did a year ago.” Jauron said showing he still thinks the defense has room to improve during an interview with Vic Carucci on Cleveland Browns Daily. “I think that will really help our team.” And Jauron knows that at the end of the day it’s winning that matters, and he is willing to trade away all of that success if it means winning.

When asked about the defense this year Jauron is confident that they are prepared to compete in 2012. “We got better. We got bigger. We got stronger. And we got tougher…..We can play in waves”

The injury to 2nd year defensive tackle Phil Taylor is a blow to the team but according to Jauron it’s not a deal breaker. He believes that with what the team has done in free agency adding players like Frostee Rucker, and Juqua Parker, along with talent added in the draft gives the team the depth that they lacked last year.

Jauron also realizes that last year’s success and the performance of the defense in 2012 all relies on middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson. “It all starts with that man.” Jauron said of Jackson. “He’s as good as it gets.”

The Browns defense proved that they can compete at a high level last year. This season they will only be better. Hopefully the catch-phrase given to Cleveland Browns stadium, “The Factory of Sadness” will become less of a commentary of the team’s performance, and hopefully will become the name given to Cleveland Browns Stadium by opponents who have to face off against Dick Jauron’s defense.