/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47393198/GettyImages-492293806.0.jpg)
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.
---
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*