Instant reactions to Cleveland Browns Week 2 victory against the Jets

Christian Kirksey making plays all over the field

The Cleveland Browns defense had many issues last season, and a main part of that was because of the struggles of the linebackers. And a big reason for that was injuries to Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert, with Kirksey missing half of the season.

Kirksey is a leader for the Browns defense and is one of the top tacklers on the unit. But when he was on the field last season, he did not have the same type of impact.

That is not case in 2019, as Kirksey has been all over the field during the first two games of the season. Kirksey was flying around the football against New York and was making plays against both the run and the pass.

Kirksey was only credited with four tackles against the Jets, but the stat sheet did not show how Kirksey was in position to make several plays or helped another Browns defender make a play. He showed speed that he lacked in 2018, helping him fly sideline-to-sideline.

In Steve Wilks’ defensive scheme, every defender is able to play freer and fly to the football with less responsibility. After playing in an assignment-driven Gregg Williams defense, Kirksey is thriving in the aggressive, get up-field Wilks defense.

With Kirksey and Schobert in the middle of the field, the Browns defense is proving to be a tough unit to go up against. Now that both are healthy, especially Kirksey, both linebackers seem to be in line for a big 2019.