Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns Report Card: First quarter of the 2019 season

By Randy Gurzi

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Running Back Dontrell Hilliard #25 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Running Back Dontrell Hilliard #25 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: T.J. Carrie #38 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates his third quarter interception while playing the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: T.J. Carrie #38 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates his third quarter interception while playing the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Defense

When looking at the overall numbers for the Browns defense, not a whole lot stands out. They’re currently ranked 15th in points allowed with 22.8 per contest according to NFL.com. They’re also middle of the pack in total yards with 335 while landing 21st in rushing yards given up with 119.8.

However, what does stand out is the fact that they’re No. 7 in the league with 215.2 yards surrendered in the first four games. The reason that’s so impressive is the fact that they’ve spent the past two games against the Rams and Ravens without their starting corners in Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams as well as strong safety Morgan Burnett. They were also without free safety Damarious Randall against L.A.

With all those injuries, they gave up 268 yards to Jared Goff who has some real firepower with Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp, and Robert Woods. They then held the Ravens Lamar Jackson to 247 yards, with a huge chunk of that coming after the game was already over as he hit Willie Snead for a long touchdown to make it 40-25.

Helping the secondary so far has been the play of the defensive line. Myles Garrett already has six sacks whereas Larry Ogunjobi has added three more. Their newest pass-rushing addition, Olivier Vernon, only has one but he’s generated some decent pressure and has helped keep offensive lines from focusing too much on Garrett.

As good as all those players have been, Joe Schobert has been the leader thus far. The middle linebacker is coming off a 17-tackle performance and has one sack and a forced fumble. Rookie Mack Wilson has also been a huge plus as he’s stepped in for team captain Christian Kirksey, who is now on the IR, and the team hasn’t missed a beat.

Grade: A

General manager John Dorsey did a great job building depth for this defense. Even with all the injuries, they’ve remained the strength of this team, which clearly wasn’t expected heading into the season.

Home/Browns News