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Cleveland Browns: 3 disappointments after first quarter of 2020 season

By Clay Goodwin

Sep 17, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) jumps to make a catch in front of Cleveland Browns cornerback A.J. Green (38) and strong safety Andrew Sendejo (23) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Green dropped the pass. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) jumps to make a catch in front of Cleveland Browns cornerback A.J. Green (38) and strong safety Andrew Sendejo (23) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Green dropped the pass. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Sione Takitaki, linebacker

The Browns knew coming into the year they would have a young and inexperienced linebacking group after seeing veterans Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey depart for new teams in the offseason. The Browns had hoped Mack Wilson would be there to lead the group after he started 14 games last season. Wilson then hyperextended his knee in camp and has not been fully healthy since. Rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips also suffered an injury as he went down in the Week 1 matchup against the Ravens.

The injuries left the Browns with a depleted linebacking corps, and it has been obvious. The team and fans hoped Sione Takitaki would take a big step forward this season after being a third-round selection in the 2019 draft. To this point, he has not.

Takitaki has been a major liability in coverage and has been picked on weekly by opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. His play recognition in the passing game is poor and his instincts are not great. Even when he is in the right spot, he misses far too many tackles in the open field. He has not really provided the team with any spark or stability in the middle of the defense. The Browns have surrendered the third-most passing yards a game in the entire NFL, and a lot of that can be pinned on poor linebacking play.

Hopefully, Wilson and Phillips get up to 100 percent and can fly around the field because those two give the Browns the most athleticism and chance to succeed on defense.

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