3 biggest Cleveland Browns disappointments heading into Week 16
By Greg Newland
No. 1 – Cleveland Browns Defensive struggles
It’s hard to drill down on the issues with this defensive unit for the Cleveland Browns. It’s not really one thing they are lacking. They struggle to stop the run up the middle, they have been decimated by injuries at linebacker, and the secondary has likely been the biggest disappointment on this roster.
It’s hard to call the play from the defensive tackles disappointing because most knew how bad the talent was at the position. The fact that Andrew Berry continues to fail to address it is what’s most concerning. Hopefully, a big guy will be taken or signed in free agency this offseason.
This secondary continues to struggle as well. They aren’t good tacklers, and we can’t forget the beginning of the season when they gave up at least one 60-yard play per game where the guy wasn’t even covered. Our starting corners thrive in man, and the safeties are better in a zone which makes it tough to be effective calling plays.
Finally, Joe Woods can’t go without being mentioned. I think he’s getting a bad rap because he’s really lacking leadership on that side of the ball, but I’m afraid it may cost him his job. This unit has not been great in the last three years, so Stefanski may need to make a move simply for optics.
