clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

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

Looking at the defensive snap counts in the Browns' 33-14 loss to the Rams.

Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier today, we analyzed the snap counts for the Cleveland Browns offense in their third preseason game against the St. Louis Rams. Now, it's time to turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive Line

Pos Player Plays % Stats
DL Armonty Bryant 33
41%
2 tackles (2 combined). 1 quarterback hit.
DL Ahtyba Rubin 32
40%
1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). 1 pass defended.
DL Billy Winn 28
35%
1 assist (1 combined). 1 pass defended.
DL John Hughes 24
30%
No stats registered.
DL Phil Taylor 23
29%
1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined).
DL Calvin Barnett 19
24%
2 tackles, 3 assists (5 combined).
DL Ishmaa'ily Kitchen 19
24%
2 assists (2 combined).
DL Cam Henderson 18
22%
1 assist (1 combined).
DL Jacobbi McDaniel 15
19%
1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined).

It was another positive day for DE Armonty Bryant. Most of the playing time distributions remained the same here, except that DL Billy Winn saw more reps than DL Phil Taylor this time around.

Outside Linebacker

Pos Player Plays % Stats
OLB Jamaal Westerman 35
44%
1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 quarterback hit.
OLB Justin Staples 30
38%
2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined).
OLB Barkevious Mingo 29
36%
No stats registered.
OLB Paul Kruger 22
28%
2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 quarterback hit, 1 pass defended.
OLB Jabaal Sheard 20
25%
No stats registered.

It's hard to think about how invisible OLB Jabaal Sheard has been this preseason. Maybe once the scheming starts during the regular season, he'll have a greater impact.

Inside Linebacker

Pos Player Plays % Stats
ILB Chris Kirksey 37
46%
5 tackles, 2 assists (7 combined). 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended.
ILB Zac Diles 34
42%
3 tackles (3 combined).
ILB Karlos Dansby 34
42%
1 tackle (1 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit.
ILB Tank Carder 30
38%
1 tackle, 3 assists (4 combined).
ILB Craig Robertson 25
31%
1 tackle, 3 assists (4 combined).
ILB Caleb McSurdy
9
11%
1 assist (1 combined).

It's nice to see plays from ILB Chris Kirksey -- can Mike Pettine find a stud inside linebacker for the second year in a row? Things weren't so good for ILB Tank Carder.

Safety

Pos Player Plays % Stats
S Jordan Poyer 47
59%
2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined).
S Tashaun Gipson 42
52%
1 tackle (1 combined).
S Donte Whitner
40
50%
1 tackle (1 combined).
S Johnson Bademosi 34
42%
2 tackles (2 combined).
S Josh Aubrey 31
39%
1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined).
S Jim Leonhard 12
15%
No stats registered.

With the cornerback depth being so thin, the safeties failed to step up and have a greater impact. This isn't the type of homecoming that SS Donte Whitner was hoping for. I thought that S Jordan Poyer wasn't getting many reps, but looking at the snap counts, it did indeed play a lot.

Cornerback

Pos Player Plays % Stats
CB Leon McFadden 74
92%
2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined).
CB Justin Gilbert
50
62%
2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 pass defended.
CB Aaron Berry
27
34%
No stats registered.
CB Robert Nelson
5
6%
1 assist (1 combined).
CB Royce Adams 2
2%
No stats registered.

This is as close to a "start" as you can get in the preseason -- CB Leon McFadden playing 92% of the snaps, and not doing too bad. The player who struggled was rookie CB Justin Gilbert. This cornerback group will look a lot different in Week 1.