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Browns' Week 5 Defensive Snap Counts vs. Ravens

Looking at the defensive snap counts in the Browns' 33-30 victory over the Ravens.

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Below, we analyze the snap counts on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Defensive Line

Pos Player Plays % Stats
DL Randy Starks 44 63% 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined).
DL Danny Shelton 31 44% 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 tackle for loss.
DL Desmond Bryant 29 41% 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 tackle for loss.
DL John Hughes 29 41% 1 assist (1 combined).
DL Jamie Meder 26 37% 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 tackle for loss.
DL Xavier Cooper 23 33% No stats registered.

I thought the defensive line rotation would tighten a bit with the return of Desmond Bryant, but the team still rotated six defensive linemen in rather than taking Xavier Cooper out of the equation. Bryant had a nice impact right off the bat. Danny Shelton had a couple of plays that stood out, but was also charged with two 15-yard penalties.

Outside Linebacker

Pos Player Plays % Stats
OLB Nate Orchard 43 61% 4 tackles, 1 assist (5 combined). 1 pass defended.
OLB Armonty Bryant 37 53% 2 tackles, 3 assists (5 combined). 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit.
OLB Scott Solomon
31 44% No stats registered.
OLB Paul Kruger
28 40% No stats registered.
OLB Barkevious Mingo
4 6% 1 pass defended.

Whoa, what happened here? The return of Scott Solomon shook up the lineup, apparently. Paul Kruger, who typically leads the outside linebackers in reps by a long shot, received the fourth most reps. Rookie Nate Orchard led the way, followed by Armonty Bryant. Barkevious Mingo only played four snaps, one of which was a tipped pass at the goal line. Solomon suffered a knee injury, so his status is in question again.

Inside Linebacker

Pos Player Plays % Stats
ILB Karlos Dansby 70 100% 3 tackles, 7 assists (10 combined).
ILB Tank Carder 42 60% 2 tackles, 1 assists (3 combined).
ILB Christian Kirksey 32 46% 2 assists (2 combined).

Where did this come from? After the coaching staff trusted Christian Kirksey for a full workload last week, they decided to let Tank Carder take on more of the "Craig Robertson" role this week. Karlos Dansby led the team with 10 tackles.

Safety

Pos Player Plays % Stats
S Donte Whitner 70 100% 5 tackles, 4 assists (9 combined). 1 pass defended.
S Jordan Poyer 66 94% 5 tackles, 3 assists (8 combined).

Cleveland usually goes with a third safety in half of their snaps, but with Tashaun Gipson out, they decided not to include rookie Ibraheim Campbell in the mix. Donte Whitner got a nice clean hit in during the game, and was also the guy who spun Justin Forsett around late, forcing him to leave the game with an ankle injury.

Cornerback

Pos Player Plays % Stats
CB Tramon Williams
67 96% 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined).
CB Joe Haden 42 60% 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 pass defended.
CB K'Waun Williams 32 46% 2 assists (2 combined).
CB Pierre Desir 24 34% 2 assists (2 combined).

Tramon Williams gave up a deep ball early. Joe Haden was attacked on the Ravens' first couple of pass plays, but later nearly intercepted a deep pass. He left the game with a concussion as he tried to help break up a screen pass, but got up-ended and flipped onto his head. Pierre Desir filled in for Haden after his departure. Desir was beat once on a deep ball, but Joe Flacco overthrew his receiver. A bogus 15-yard penalty was called on K'Waun Williams on the Ravens' final drive of regulation, otherwise Cleveland might have won without needing overtime.

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Amount of Defensive Plays, By the Week

  • Week 1: 61 plays
  • Week 2: 80 plays
  • Week 3: 71 plays
  • Week 4: 65 plays
  • Week 5: 70 plays*