The Browns entered the mini-bye after their Thursday night victory. What are the key areas the Browns need to improve before heading to Atlanta?
The Cleveland Browns need to fix several concerning issues if they want to win this upcoming Sunday in Atlanta. The communication on defense needs addressed. Punt and kick return need an overhaul. Leadership on the defensive side of the ball needs to be sorted out.
Let’s dive into each topic and see what’s gone wrong and what they can do about it.
Areas Browns need to improve before Week 4
3. Communication
Defensive communication has already cost the Browns one game. It almost cost them another. With the injury to Anthony Walker, the defensive signal caller, the Browns may have more communication issues come next week.
The loss of Walker means that John Johnson will probably take over play-calling duties. He fulfilled this role during his time with the Los Angeles Rams. He is capable to be the one calling the signals from the sideline.
But the communication issues are less about sideline-to-player communication and more about player-to-player communication when audibling on defense. Adjusting to a shift or motion by the offense is what is confusing this defense. Expect the Atlanta Falcons to continue doing the same this upcoming Sunday.
The solution?
On Thursday night, the Browns simplified their audibles for the secondary. The simplification reduced the need for communication between corners and safeties after shifts and motions. The plan worked with the defense putting on a masterful display in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.
But simplifying the backend calls only delays the problems. This defense needs to be able to play its style of complex defense. Being able to audible creates defensive pre-snap reads that look like one defense when they are actually playing another. The ability to disguise causes serious issues forcing quarterbacks to make difficult post-snap reads.
This cat-and-mouse game of defense is lost when player-to-player communication is simplified. Without it, the offense will always be the cat with the defense the mouse. To level the playing field in a game that heavily favors the offense, the Browns will need to be complex and confusing for opponents.
If the Browns want to seriously challenge for a division title or playoffs this year, the backend communication will need to be fixed. If not, the Browns can expect to continue struggling late in games.
2. Return Game
Cleveland’s kick return game is hurting the team. Football is a field position game and the Browns kick return unit is putting them in a serious field position deficit. It’s time to address the concern.
If ever there was a time to recall former Browns head coach Mike Pettine’s wisdom, it is now. Back in 2014, the punt return unit was so bad that Pettine decided to employ then-safety Jim Leonhard as the “designated punt catcher.”
His job was exactly that, to catch punts. Don’t try to return them. Don’t try to determine whether or not to let it go over his head. Just catch the (explicative) punts.
Cleveland’s punt returners have not been good this season. Every time the ball is punted, Browns fans hold their collective breaths wondering if the punt will be caught, dropped, or muffed. These games are supposed to be exciting, but they need to be less dramatic in this area.
Things are not that much better on the kick-off return side. Although this part of the kick return game has been relatively quiet, last week rookie running back Jerome Ford brought a kick out of the end zone and attempted to make a play. He failed to reach the 25-yard line.
To be fair, the Browns attempted to address the return game this offseason by signing All-Pro kick returner Jakeem Grant. However, Grant injured his Achilles tendon during training camp ending his season.
If Cleveland doesn’t address the kick return game, it just might end their season. The Browns have an important stretch of games coming up that will have a significant impact on their playoff chances. It is time to put the “designated punt catcher” back out there. Is Jim Leonhard available?
1. Leadership
Winning solves everything. Well, not everything.
Leadership has emerged as a major issue for the Browns’ defense. Not simply in terms of communication on the field, but primarily in what’s being said off the field.
The defense is fragmented with players blaming each other and defending their statistics in press conferences. This defensive in-fighting that’s being played out in the media is the result of all the communication issues on the field.
But instead of doing what most teams do, leave the issues in-house, Browns players have decided they need to defend themselves and their play to the media. When has taking one’s case to the media ever really helped their cause?
The fact that these issues are occurring indicates there is a leadership vacuum in the clubhouse. Coaches and players point to Anthony Walker as the defensive leader. But his injury now leaves an even bigger vacuum on a team in desperate need of focus and a rallying point.
Now is the time for John Johnson or Myles Garrett to step up and be the leader. Lead not by calling out coaches or teammates in the media. That’s not leadership, that is drama. The Browns have enough drama with their kick return unit. They don’t need more on defense.
No, instead, lead by getting everyone on the same page. Help heal the wounds. Facilitate getting the communication issues fixed. Step up and be the man that rallies the team together gets them focused on the challenges ahead. Challenges like beating the Falcons.