Browns vs. Jaguars: Analyzing the Snap Counts (Defense)

The Browns' defense didn't stop the run too well against Jacksonville, but they didn't let Blake Bortles get going and kept forcing the Jaguars to punt after maybe one or two first down pickups. The snap count distributions for the Browns' defenders against the Jaguars are listed below. [Week 7 offensive snap counts for Cleveland can be found here]

Defensive Line
Desmond Bryant	John Hughes	Ishmaa'ily Kitchen	Jacobbi McDaniel	Sione Fua
73% 53/73 plays	70% 51/73 plays	49% 36/73 plays	29% 21/73 plays	10% 7/73 plays

Desmond Bryant: 0 tackles, 2 assists (2 combined).
John Hughes: 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined).
Ish'maaily Kitchen: 5 tackles (5 combined).
Jacobbi McDaniel: 1 pass defended.
Sione Fua: No stats registered.

Thoughts: Without critiquing individual play, it's not a good sign that Denard Robinson, a converted college quarterback, was able to pick his way through 137 yards on 22 carries on the ground. As suspected, the Browns couldn't contain QB Blake Bortles' running either. Two players, Jacobbi McDaniel and Sione Fua, saw instant reps. McDaniel had one pass batted down. Ahtyba Rubin, Billy Winn, and Phil Taylor all missed the game, but Rubin seems closest to returning.

Inside Linebacker
Karlos Dansby	Chris Kirksey	Craig Robertson
99% 72/73 plays	56% 41/73 plays	45% 33/73 plays

Karlos Dansby: 3 tackles, 3 assists (6 combined). 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit.
Chris Kirksey: 5 tackles, 2 assists (7 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit.
Craig Robertson: 3 tackles (3 combined).

Thoughts: Both starting inside linebackers notched a sack, the only two of the game. Although I'm guessing the run support could have been better, it seemed like a good day overall for this unit.

Outside Linebacker
Paul Kruger	Jabaal Sheard	Barkevious Mingo	Eric Martin
82% 60/73 plays	73% 53/73 plays	36% 26/73 plays	10% 7/73 plays

Paul Kruger: 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 tackle for loss.
Jabaal Sheard: 2 tackles (3 combined). 1 quarterback hit.
Barkevious Mingo: 3 tackles (3 combined).
Eric Martin: No stats registered.

Thoughts: On the first interception thrown by Blake Bortles, the credit partially goes to Jabaal Sheard, who hit Bortles as he tried to throw a pass downfield. Paul Kruger is fading, much like he did after a couple of games last year.

Cornerback
Joe Haden	Buster Skrine	Justin Gilbert
100% 73/73 plays	100% 73/73 plays	62% 45/73 plays

Joe Haden: 4 tackles (4 combined).
Buster Skrine: 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 interception, 2 passes defended.
Justin Gilbert: 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 quarterback hit, 1 pass defended.

Thoughts: It seemed like the Jaguars didn't bother trying to go toward Joe Haden. Buster Skrine had an up-and-down day, with the lowlight being the missed tackle that led to a touchdown, and the highlight being an interception. Justin Gilbert probably had his best game, but it came against an inexperienced quarterback.

Safety
Tashaun Gipson	Donte Whitner	Jim Leonhard
100% 73/73 plays	100% 73/73 plays	10% 7/73 plays

Tashaun Gipson: 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). 2 interceptions, 2 passes defended.
Donte Whitner: 4 tackles (4 combined).
Jim Leonhard: No stats registered.

Thoughts: This was a great game for safety Tashaun Gipson, who had two interceptions that set the Browns up with great field position. Sadly, the Browns only ended up with three total points off of those turnovers. Donte Whitner also missed a tackle on the Jaguars' first half touchdown.