5 Cleveland Browns who hold the keys to victory against the Seahawks
By Joel W. Cade
Mack Wilson needs to improve
The 49ers targeted Mack Wilson in the run game. They successfully took advantage of his inability to set an edge in the run game. In particular, their strategy was to use the old style pin and pull scheme. Wilson found himself on the wrong end of a guard or tackle hitting him at full speed.
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Not all the blame can be put on Mack. While at the University of Alabama, Mack was primarily an inside linebacker. He rarely had the responsibility of setting the edge in the running game.
Setting the edge is a term used by defenses when stopping the run. The “edge defender’s” responsibility is to align himself in the defense in such a way as to force all outside runs inside. If a running back runs an outside sweep, the edge defender’s job is to force the ball carrier back inside to the other defenders so they can make the tackle.
The 49ers attacked Wilson early and often en route to an obscene amount of rushing yards. You can bet that if I saw this, the Seahawks staff saw this. Expect more of the same on Sunday afternoon. The Seahawks will attack Wilson on the edge. If Wilson can set an edge, the Browns will be able to stop the run. If not, it could be another long day on the ground.