Defensive tackle Scott Paxson set as Taylor Replacement?

It's looking more likely than ever that third-year defensive tackle Scott Paxson will hold down the fort as the starter until Phil Taylor (pectoral surgery) returns around midseason. That comes as a bit of a surprise to those anticipating that rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn battling for the spot.

Paxson had taken all the reps with the first time. That has allowed coach Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to chart the progress of the two rookies together on the second team. It remains possible that Hughes or Winn will emerge in preseason games as a possible starter, but Shurmur sees both as incomplete players at this time.

"Hughes has flashed in run situations and Winn has flashed quickness in the pass rush," Shurmur said. "I don't want to pigeon-hole them, but those are my initial thoughts."

And Paxson?

"He's a tough, gritty guy," Shurmur said. "He rattles around and plays well against the run."

The Browns are more in need of run-stoppers than pass-rushers inside. They finished 30th in the NFL against the run in 2011.

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