5 Studs and Duds for the Cleveland Browns in Week 8 defeat
By Greg Newland
Dud: The Linebackers
Once again on Sunday, the Browns linebackers were exposed. In the past several weeks, teams have picked on them in zone pass coverage, this week the Raiders just ran it right through the browns the entire game. The defense didn’t give up a ton of combined yards or points, but it was a tough watch.
It felt like every time the Raiders ran the ball, they were getting 5-plus yards. Then the Browns would move an eighth defender into the box and get hit with a run-pass option or play-action pass for 10 plus yards. While it wasn’t huge chunk plays which have been an issue in the past, it was just as tough to watch on Sunday.
We have played the health card for half of the season now, it’s no longer valid. And the truth of the matter is the Browns linebackers are likely the worst group in the NFL. Mack Wilson continues to be slow to react and has been horrible on play-action coverage. Sione Takitaki and B.J. Goodson are what we expected. Below average NFL linebackers who struggle to make plays.
At a certain point, it isn’t fair to blame the players, and the attention must be turned to the front office. Yes, linebacker is a very undervalued position in the NFL, but general manager Andrew Berry has to do something if the team is going to have a chance to win games.