Cleveland Browns: Is Joe Woods to blame for slow start on defense?

Confusion on the field

In Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, there were many times where Browns defenders seemed out of position or literally looked confused right before plays were called.

Several times in the first half the defense gave up big play after big play allowing the Texans to take the lead 14-7. Coverages seemed too soft again, and the Browns were allowing the Texans all sorts of time to throw the ball as well.

Where has the pass rush been and why hasn’t the defense been trying to blitz more?

Is some of this because the players aren’t doing their job, or is it again the playing calling? How many times have we seen our front four defensemen like Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney be allowed to push the offensive lineman back into the backfield but allowing the opposing quarterbacks to roam free and scamper for first downs?

In the game this past week, when the Texans were trying to score in the 4th quarter, the Browns had stopped them short of the goal line on the first two downs of the series. Coach Woods loves to switch like five or six players at a time for different downs in a series.

But on this specific play when he brought the mass switches, the Browns players in the game had their hands raised to each other and to the sideline as well and simply weren’t ready for the play. The Texans took advantage of this, and quickly hiked the ball and scored on a quick slant to score the touchdown and close the gap early in the 4th quarter.