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Cleveland Browns: Surprises and disappointments at quarter mark of 2018

By Dan Justik

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Antonio Callaway #11, Rashard Higgins #81 and Damion Ratley #18 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate with fans after a 21-17 win over the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Antonio Callaway #11, Rashard Higgins #81 and Damion Ratley #18 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate with fans after a 21-17 win over the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 16: Larry Ogunjobi #65 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 16: Larry Ogunjobi #65 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Surprise: Larry Ogunjobi

For Larry Ogunjobi, 2018 was also seen as a breakout season for the second year defensive tackle. And so far, unlike Njoku, Ogunjobi is bursting onto the scene as a dominant interior defensive lineman.

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On the season, Ogunjobi has compiled 21 total tackles and three sacks. But even the stats do not show the type of presence that he has been up the middle. In all four games this season, Ogunjobi is creating pressure that has made it hard for quarterbacks to step up in the pocket.

With a lot of the offensive line’s blocking keys being focused on Myles Garrett, Ogunjobi has taken advantage of being lined up one-on-one with either guards or centers. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams moved Ogunjobi to the one-technique this season, and Ogunjobi has been able to abuse the slower interior offensive linemen.

Not only has Ogunjobi created problems for the offense’s passing game, but he has been a part of the group that has made it difficult for runners to burst through the middle. He and Trevon Coley are able to straighten out the offensive lineman, creating no push for the running back to find a lane up the middle.

As the season goes on, it would not be a surprise to see Ogunjobi’s stats balloon. With his continued pressure up the middle, it is only a matter of time until he is getting home on most of his pressures. But for only a second-year player, his rapid development has been one of the biggest surprises this season.

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