Larry Ogunjobi also believes Cleveland Browns defense has more freedom
By Dan Justik
With Gregg Williams no longer calling the Cleveland Browns defense, Larry Ogunjobi believes the defense will have more freedom in 2019.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett made headlines during the offseason after saying he was limited by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi echoed those comments Friday, just not to the extent of Garrett.
Garrett said he was told by Williams to only use two pass rush moves, which Garrett believed made him too predictable when pass rushing. With Steve Wilks as the new defensive coordinator, Garrett felt he would have more freedom in the 2019 defense.
In an interview on The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima on 92.3 The Fan, Ogunjobi also said he feels they will have more freedom in Wilks’ defense compared to Williams’ defense.
#Browns DT @Mr_Ogunjobi on if he backs up @MylesLGarrett's comments on former DC Gregg Williams "We had certain things we had to do within the framework of the defense, just because that's what they wanted us to do but now I feel like have a lot more freedom & now we're older."
— The Ken Carman Show w/ Anthony Lima (@KenCarmanShow) August 2, 2019
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Williams’ defense drew criticism from many, with the most notable complaint being how far off the ball the safety would be lined up. Cleveland’s free safety was often lined up around 20+ yards off the line of scrimmage, virtually taking them out of most plays.
As Ogunjobi pointed out in his interview, the reasoning why the defense did not have much freedom was because they have been a unit comprised of many young players. But with most of the group being in the league for multiple years now, they should be able to handle their responsibilities on each play, but still do whatever they need to make a play.
Even if they were limited to only a few pass rush moves, both Garrett and Ogunjobi managed to put together good sophomore seasons. Garrett made 12 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, while Ogunjobi made 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during the 2018 season.
One of the hopes for the entire Browns defense under Steve Wilks is because the players will have more freedom in his scheme, they can play looser and faster, creating more chances for them to make plays. It is not only the defensive linemen who are expected to have improved performance, but even Joe Schobert and the linebackers.
Next. Takeaways from Day 7 of Browns camp. dark
Since Williams left the Browns and became the New York Jets defensive coordinator this offseason, some members of the Browns defense have not been shy about their issues in his defense. Perhaps with a new scheme, the entire defense will improve and become a dominant unit in 2019.