Cleveland Browns: How bad was the OL vs Buccaneers?

The second sack of the game came on a third-and-eleven on the Browns 28-yard line. The Browns had both Isaiah Crowell and Gary Barnidge on either side of Griffin in the shotgun. With five linemen and two backs there were three receivers running routes.

The Buccaneers loaded the box showing a double A gap blitz. At the snap of the ball, the Bucs ran a double Tackle-End switch. The defensive tackles slanted outside toward the offensive tackles while the defensive ends looped behind them toward the guards. The tackle-end switches were combined with a double A gap blitz.

The Browns picked up the blitz well. Crowell and Barnidge both picked up the A gap blitzing linebackers. The offensive line handled the tackle-end switches.

Once the rushers passed Griffin he fled the pocket. Jacquies Smith came off John Greco’s block to threaten Griffin. At that point, Griffin slid to avoid contact resulting in a one-yard loss.

Sack 2 is the result of the Buccaneers bringing pressure on yet another third-and-long situation. The “sack” was credited to Smith when Griffin slid one yard behind the line of scrimmage. The offensive line did a great job of picking up the blitz. The line protected Griffin who later protected himself by sliding resulting in a “sack” for a one-yard loss.

Next: Sack 3