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Cleveland Browns: Grades from 28-7 loss to Ravens

By Jonathan Goehring

Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs as Cleveland Browns cornerback Tramon Williams (22) chases during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs as Cleveland Browns cornerback Tramon Williams (22) chases during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) rushes during the third fourth against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Cleveland Browns 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) rushes during the third fourth against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Cleveland Browns 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers: F

It is painful to assess the play of the linebackers in this game. Missed tackle after missed tackle plagued this group, as they could not handle either power or speed. West ran them over, and receiver Mike Wallace blew right by them. There was no winning.

Statistically, Christian Kirksey came away with the most tackles, giving the Browns 13. It is worth noting though that the former Iowa Hawkeye still can not cover a tight end or a receiver, one of the most important roles of a linebacker.

Demario Davis and Cam Johnson also chipped in to the effort of stopping running backs before they rattled off another 20 yards, an effort that was completely in vain.

The one positive to take away from this group was the play of Jamie Collins, recently brought over from the New England Patriots. In just his second game with Cleveland, he performed explosively, attacking the offensive line head on and making the fundamental plays. The 27-year-old even contributed a sack and two tackles for loss. Unfortunately, Collins could not inspire his teammates to follow his lead.

Linebackers were all over the field, but couldn’t make one-on-one tackles. The small amounts of extra yardage gained by Baltimore added up over the course of the game, to the tune    of 396 total yards. Gang tackling is encouraging, as the Browns are hustling. But the fact that Cleveland’s linebackers are unable to make fundamental tackles at the NFL level further indicates that the group is not physically capable of a solid outing.

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