Cleveland Browns: 3 improvements needed Thursday night vs. Bengals

More defensive snaps for young safeties

Again, there were bright spots on the defensive side of the ball, specifically the defensive front. However on glaring void on Woods’ defensive unit was veteran safety Andrew Sendejo. After signing a one-year deal with the Browns this offseason, the team more than likely wanted to use him as a veteran presence, but were forced to play him more than planned after the Grant Delpit injury.

What was baffling, however, was how the young safeties behind Sendejo were used. While it is understandable that newly acquired Ronnie Harrison would not be ready to play as he is still getting up to speed in this defensive scheme, there is no excuse for second-year player Sheldrick Redwine seeing zero defensive snaps on Sunday.

At the end of the year Redwine showed massive strides as the third level of the defense saw injuries a year ago. Seemingly having a good camp and hearing how much of an affinity Woods has for safeties, especially against Jackson, it is shocking that Redwine could not get even one snap in place or to compliment the struggling Sendejo.

As Thursday night rolls closer, there is a great hope Harrison is ready to roll and take over for Sendejo. Even if he is not quite there in his understanding in this scheme, the Browns must supplement some (or the majority) of the aging vet Sendejo with both Harrison and Redwine in order to see an improvement to the third level of their defense.