3 reasons Cleveland Browns defense will be greatly improved in 2021
By Josh Brown
The Cleveland Browns defense will be better in 2021 and here are three reasons to confidently believe that
Andrew Berry knew he needed to improve the Cleveland Browns defense, and he has made sure to do everything possible.
It’s now up to defensive coordinator Joe Woods to make it all work.
Everything points to the Browns improving defensively, and here are three reasons why.
3. Another year in the system
Even with many new players, continuity within a system should decrease thinking and increase reacting for players here last season. It should also allow new players to integrate quickly. Well, that is the hope anyway in year two for DC Joe Woods.
At this point, Woods should be on the hot seat as defensive coordinator. Last year the defense had a hard time stopping teams from putting up points. If you don’t believe me check the stats.
The Browns gave up 47 touchdowns, with 31 of them coming through the air. They gave up an average of 26.2 points per game, ninth-worst in the NFL. The total points given up of 419 in 2020 was the fifth-worst in franchise history. Thank goodness the offense scored the fourth most point in Cleveland Browns’ history at 409, or it could have been a long season.
All of this certainly does not fall on Woods as the defensive roster wasn’t top shelf, to begin with, and injuries did not help. Before the season even started, the Browns were down to starters in the secondary in second-round pick and LSU star Grant Delpit and another LSU alum in Greedy Williams.
Mack Wilson missed time with a knee injury and looked lost after getting healthy. Myles Garrett was on a defensive player of the year pace till hit with Covid. Players in roles they were not meant to be in because of injuries combined with a new scheme certainly helped Woods to a second season at the helm of the defense.
Woods now has players that fit what he wants to do. At the same time, we should not expect a huge jump right away with so many changes. Real expectations would be to see this defense improve significantly as the year goes on and the players begin to gel together. I expect that is what we will see in 2021.