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Cleveland Browns: Grading the first quarter of the 2018 season

By Joel W. Cade

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 16: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball as Kurt Coleman #29 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 16: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball as Kurt Coleman #29 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Damarious Randall #23 of the Cleveland Browns (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Damarious Randall #23 of the Cleveland Browns (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Defense wins Championships

Defense wins championships. But it does not win football games. The Browns need an offense to win games. But if the defense could win games, the Browns would be 3-1. The defense has been outstanding this season. The only exception being the Raiders debacle.

Gregg Williams is leaving his mark on the defense. This defense looks like a Gregg Williams defense. They rush the passer with ferocity. They plan stifling man to man coverage (at least when Terrance Mitchell playing). The result is a very good defense.

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This quarter of games saw the emergence of Larry Ogunjobi. Ogunjobi spent the offseason working with fellow AFC North defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Atkins is a great player for Ogunjobi to work with. Their style of play is very similar. Both are quick single gap defenders. But this year Ogunjobi has learned a great deal about using his hands from Atkins. The improvement is obvious as Ogunjobi has become a real force in the middle.

The most significant improvement on the defense has been the secondary. Denzel Ward was a steal at the No. 4 in the draft. It is hard to say someone is a steal at No. 4. But he has played like it. The best off season move was trading turn over machine Kizer to the Green Bay Packers for Damarious Randall.

Randall has resolved the free safety black hole that plagued this defense last season. His presence has freed up Peppers to play strong safety where is playing better than expected.

Myles Garrett has become the Myles Garrett everyone expected. He is currently fifth in the league with 4.5 sacks. This puts him one sack away from the leader. He is disruptive in the run game forcing plays inside. This has allowed Joe Schobert to be a league leader in tackles and assists.

The defense has played well. They look dominant. The Raiders game was a hang up. It will be interesting to see how the defense bounces back.

Grade: A-

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