Cleveland Browns: Joe Schobert’s strong season recognized by NFL
By Dan Justik
Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert has put together a great season, and his performance Week 12 helped him earn recognition from the NFL.
Much of the talk surrounding Joe Schobert this season has been about if the Cleveland Browns are going to sign him to a contract extension this season. But after his Week 12 performance against the Miami Dolphins, it is very clear the Browns should sign him to a deal as soon as possible.
Schobert made five combined tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defensed. Although it was not his biggest tackling performance of the season, Schobert made his presence known when in coverage.
His efforts against Miami helped him earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week, which the league announced on Wednesday. It is the first time in his career Schobert was named the Player of the Week.
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The linebacker shut down the middle of the field when in coverage, as he knocked away several pass attempts. And he found himself in the right place at the right time, as both of his interceptions came off deflected passes.
Schobert has been a model of consistency for the Browns this season, as he has been all over the field making plays. He remains one of the top linebackers in the league in coverage and he has also decreased the amount of missed tackles this season.
On the season, Schobert has made 97 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, and nine passes defensed. He is one of only three linebackers with more than 90 tackles and three interceptions, joining Jordan Hicks and Luke Kuechly.
Although Week 12 was the first game Schobert was named the Player of the Week, there have been several weeks where he should have been in the running. But because it was his first muli-interception game, it made it easy for the league to decide to name the best AFC defensive player in the league.
Next. Freddie Kitchens earning his stripes as head coach. dark
It may have only been one game, but Schobert continues to show why the Browns need to sign him to an extension. He is a play-maker for the Browns defense, and is making the splash plays needed to help him win AFC Defensive Player of the Week.