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Below, we analyze the snap counts on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 4 game against the San Diego Chargers.
Defensive Line
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| DL | Randy Starks | 45 | 69% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 tackle for loss. |
| DL | John Hughes | 36 | 55% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
| DL | Danny Shelton | 27 | 42% | No stats registered. |
| DL | Xavier Cooper | 27 | 42% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit. |
| DL | Jamie Meder | 25 | 38% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
Once again, I didn't think the defensive line did a terrible job clogging up the lanes on traditional runs up the middle, as RB Melvin Gordon was held to 3.2 YPC. However, this unit is really missing Desmond Bryant when it comes to being anything more than a pedestrian job.
Outside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| OLB | Paul Kruger | 52 | 80% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). |
| OLB |
Armonty Bryant |
26 | 40% | 1 quarterback hit. |
| OLB | Nate Orchard | 25 | 38% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
| OLB |
Barkevious Mingo |
18 | 28% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
If you want to feel sad, go back and re-watch Paul Kruger and our other outside pass rushers try to get around the edge time and time again with no productivity. Kruger's ineffectiveness is probably the most baffling defensive story for me this year, considering how good of a 2014 season he had and how lights out he looked this preseason. Barkevious Mingo showed off his speed when he chased down a receiver at the one yard line, but with the rotation of the other three guys besides Kruger, I get the feeling that Jim O'Neil is absolutely dying to get Scott Solomon back.
Inside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| ILB | Christian Kirksey | 65 | 100% | 4 tackles, 1 assist (5 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit. |
| ILB | Karlos Dansby | 62 | 95% | 4 tackles, 3 assists (7 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| ILB | Tank Carder | 3 | 5% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
With Craig Robertson out, the Browns decided not to include Tank Carder in a time share of duties with Christian Kirksey, as the second-year linebacker played every snap and appeared to be one of the bright spots of the afternoon, although he did let Danny Woodhead slip away on his big catch-and-run.
Safety
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| S | Donte Whitner | 65 | 100% | 7 tackles (7 combined). 2 tackles for loss. |
| S | Tashaun Gipson | 45 | 69% | 3 tackles (3 combined). |
| S |
Jordan Poyer |
20 | 31% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 quarterback hit. |
Donte Whitner had two nice run blitzes for losses in the backfield. What is absurd about the whole Whitner utilization is that when we signed him over T.J. Ward, the reason was supposed to be because of Whitner's ability to defend the pass. Now, we are basically using Whitner the same way the previous regime used Ward when he was here, and Ward's ability to defend the run was pretty darn good. Tashaun Gipson left the game with an injury.
Cornerback
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| CB |
Tramon Williams |
62 | 95% | 5 tackles (5 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| CB | Pierre Desir | 62 | 95% | 4 tackles, 1 assist (5 combined). 3 passes defended. |
| CB | Johnson Bademosi | 42 | 65% | 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| CB |
Justin Gilbert |
8 | 12% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
The Browns were without Joe Haden and K'Waun Williams, so Pierre Desir and Johnson Bademosi replaced them. Desir did a good job despite giving up a touchdown and committing a couple of penalties. Bademosi did better than one would expect him to, but I think it is a bit ridiculous that he saw work over Justin Gilbert. In a game where the Chargers were missing their receiver mid-way through the game and Cleveland needed a big play, if there is one thing that Gilbert is supposed to excel at, it's making a play on the football. Throw him in there and let him take a chance.
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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