Browns cornerback Skrine ready for homecoming

After a stellar high school career, Skrine went on to star at Tennessee-Chattanooga in the Southern Conference.

“I think it was my size,” Skrine said. “I was 5-7 and 145 pounds when I graduated my senior year. Me and my friend Chris Lewis-Harris were the only two people that made the All-state Georgia team and didn’t go to (an FBS school). I put a lot of that on my size, but I’m glad that I went to UT-Chattanooga. I learned a lot there.”

(Lewis-Harris is a cornerback with the Bengals from Smyrna who went undrafted.)

Skrine hit a growth spurt and shot up to 5-foot-10 and added on 40 pounds, but didn’t lose any of his speed or ball skills. The Browns selected Skrine in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

He has played in all 58 games since and made 31 starts. He’s part of Browns’ defense that is leading a revival in Cleveland.

“He plays their nickel corner,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I think he’s like fourth in the league in interceptions, so he’s made some plays when the ball’s been thrown his way. … He’s done some really good things. He’s attacked the ball and made some plays.”

Skrine broke his right thumb Aug. 15 and had surgery Aug. 18. However, he was ready to answer the bell when the season opened.

He has played 718 snaps for the Browns, and opposing quarterbacks have an 86.4 passer rating when venturing into his coverage area, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Browns had won five of their past six games before losing to Houston last week. While most of the national talk about the Browns has been about their backup quarterback Johnny Manziel, they have won with defense under first-year coach Mike Pettine.

“As a defense, we’ve been working hard and trying to be consistent every day,” Skrine said. “We have put a lot of consistent performances together.”

Skrine has survived two coaching changes since he was drafted during team president Mike Holmgren’s regime. If he couldn’t play, they would have cut him. But he’s proved himself under coaches Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski and now Pettine.

“I really think that my work ethic has taken me a long way,” Skrine said. “I’m always trying to learn. I can say that ever since I’ve been in the league, I’ve gotten better every year.”

This season he had to beat out Justin Gilbert, the eighth overall pick in the 2014 draft. He’s now entrenched as the No. 2 corner, and K’Waun Williams, a former undrafted player, has come on behind him. Joe Haden is Cleveland’s top cornerback.

Skrine has 46 tackles and four interceptions.

“This year, I’m off to a fast start,” Skrine said. “I’m just trying to be consistent when I go out there to play.”

Skrine credits Dick Jauron, his first NFL defensive coordinator, with helping him transition into the league.

“Coach Jauron was a really good coach,” Skrine said. “He did a lot of good things to help our team get in position on defense. I think that year we were ranked No. 1 in pass defense. He was a great defensive coordinator and I liked playing under him.”

Skrine and the Browns’ defense has yielded yards this season. They are giving up 372.3 per game, which ranks 22nd in the league. But they have created 18 turnovers (14 interceptions and four fumbles) and have a plus-8 turnover differential, which ranks fifth in the league.

“It took a little time to get into a rhythm, but once we got it we have caused more turnovers than anybody in the league the last four games,” Skrine said. “I think we are second in interceptions (actually third with 14).”

Skrine plans to put his thoughts about the Falcons off to the side for this one. He knows the Falcons’ wide receiver corps is the strength of their offense.

“Julio is an explosive receiver,” Skrine said. “He’s good at all aspects of the game. Roddy (White) is still good. He’s a really complete player and has a lot of skills. It’s a solid corps over all. We know that it’s going to be challenge going into the game, but we feel confident.”