5 indicators of a successful season for the Browns in 2022
By John Suchan
No. 2 big indicator: A top-ranked defense
The Cleveland defense got better last season, especially in the second half of the year. Defensive coordinator Joe Woods was criticized early on, but his players started getting a better grasp of the defensive play calling.
Now the team has another offseason to work out the kinks. One of the leaders on the defense, safety John Johnson III, recently shared how the team seems be communicating much better in this training camp and that could mean big things for the defense as well as the offense.
Last season I asked #Browns S John Johnson III what the communication looked like between the offense and the defense. He said it was pretty separate.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 6, 2022
I followed up with him today to see where things stand early into training camp. pic.twitter.com/zVtYTuoGTC
This defense was already talented, but this offseason they focused on adding depth. They drafted cornerback Martin Emerson in the third round out of Mississippi State and so far, indications are that he’s done well at training camp and making a name for himself. He could even land a job in the nickel defense.
But it won’t be easy for him to beat out AJ Green who’s filled in at a moment’s notice in the past and is also off to a good start at camp.
The other three cornerbacks including Greg Newsome, Greedy Williams, and Denzel Ward all will likely be starting regularly and locking down their opponents.
Then you move to the line and you’ve got veteran powerhouses in Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney bookending this group. You add in defensive tackles Jordan Elliott and rookie Perrion Winfrey, and you are starting to solidify a strong and talented squad.
Can Garrett break his own team record of 16 sacks from last season? Will Clowney continue his resurgence of a career and cross the 10 sacks mark this season? I expect we likely will see these types of achievements this season.
The linebackers got better too last season with the addition of Jeremiah- Owusu Koramoah out of Notre Dame. His quickness and knack for tracking the ball are some of the best on the team.
With this emerging top-ranked defense, there could be huge dividends paid out and that would get the Browns one step closer to the final big indicator the team had a successful 2022 season.