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

The coach makes the calls but the players make plays

So where does this put this Browns defense? Technically, not so bad in the grand scheme of things. The team is 1-1 and certainly, you would hope, improve as a unit as we enter Week 3 against their next opponent the Chicago Bears. There are eight new guys out there on defense that weren’t there a year ago so anything that is new in developing, like our defense, is going to take time to gel.

There already has been a key member of that defense, linebacker Anthony Walker who was helping call the plays that has been unfortunately sidelined due to injury. Getting him back in the mix will certainly help especially those younger players on defense.

However, the defense, as we stand today, is the link in the chain that’s not connected to this Browns team making it to a Super Bowl. This defense is designed to try and create turnovers and win games that way, allowing the Browns explosive offense to control the tempo of the game. Those turnovers haven’t occurred yet to the degree that’s needed to win consistently.

On this coming Sunday, I certainly hope to see less confusion by the players. That confusion, in my estimation, is all on the defensive play-calling and communicating in a productive way.

The other part of this debate has to do with these players simply not making plays when they need to.

The jury is still out on this defense and coach Woods, but I’d be watching things very closely over the next several games. If these players don’t make the plays and the coaching play calling continues to confuse the players at critical moments, then coach Woods should be on the hot seat.

If the Browns are serious about reaching for the ultimate prize in the Vince Lombardi Trophy then they must be willing to go a different path with their defensive coordinator.