Cleveland Browns: How bad was the OL vs Buccaneers?
By Joel W. Cade
The fourth sack came two plays later on third-and-fifteen from the Browns 45-yard line. The Browns had the same formation as the previous sack, except Duke Johnson was in for Crowell.
At the snap of the ball the two defensive tackles ran a switch. Theoretically this switch could be handled by the guards and center in combination. The left defensive tackle crossed Erving’s face en route to Joel Bitonio. The right defensive tackle looped behind crossing Cam Erving’s face. Erving thought he had help on the other side and “passed” him off to Greco.
Greco, being the savvy veteran he is, saw the tackle slant toward Bitonio. Having nobody in his immediate area and knowing that Pasztor is struggling in pass protection, slid over to help Pasztor. It was a veteran move an experienced offensive lineman would make.
On the outside the defensive ends were rushing up field. In a designed move, both Barnidge and Johnson chipped the defensive ends before heading into flat routes. Right tackle Austin Pasztor was again off-balance. The chip from Barnidge and the help from Greco came at the same time resulting in a three-on-one block against Jacquies Smith. Left Tackle Dan France was in good position even though Johnson’s chip came before France engaged his man.
The result of Erving passing his man on the switch to Greco combined with Greco’s moving to help the struggling Pasztor resulted in a free runner to Griffin. By the time the free runner arrived, France had been beaten resulting in two hits on Griffin for a sack.
Miscommunication on the part of the guards and center resulted in this sack. The Browns need to communicate mid-play to handle switch stunts. This will develop over time and familiarity playing together. Regardless, Pasztor’s previous struggles contributed to Greco’s decision to slide off assignment.
Next: Sack 5