Cleveland Browns offense with no momentum and other notes from Tuesday
By Randy Gurzi
2. B.J. Goodson, Jacob Phillips ready for action
With Mack Wilson out due to a hyperextended knee, the Cleveland Browns needed some of their other linebackers to step up. So far, B.J. Goodson has been doing just that.
Earlier in camp, he had an impressive leaping interception on a pass meant for Austin Hooper. On Tuesday, he was once again all over the field as Dan Labbe referred to him as Disruptive.
"“When the offense struggles, it means good things for the defense. B.J. Goodson was disruptive as usual, including a nice pass breakup.” — Labbe, Cleveland.com"
Goodson is a four-year veteran who spent three seasons with the New York Giants before being traded to the Green Bay Packers in 2019. He’s started 29 games in his career with 52 total appearances and has always done a good job.
Overall, Goodson has 160 tackles, six pass defenses, and two picks. He might not be flashy but he was an underrated signing and gives them great veteran leadership.
He also wasn’t the only linebacker who stood out on Tuesday. Labbe also said that rookie Jacob Phillips had a nice pass breakup on a throw from Baker Mayfield meant for Austin Hooper. A third-round pick out of LSU, Phillips was a tackling machine at the collegiate level and could prove to be a solid starter for the Browns.
So while the offense is struggling to find consistency, the defense has been rising to the occasion. And surprisingly enough, the much-malinged linebackers are leading the way.