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Below, we analyze the snap counts on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Defensive Line
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| DL | Desmond Bryant | 45 | 56% | 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 3 quarterback hits. |
| DL | Danny Shelton | 37 | 46% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). 1 tackle for loss. |
| DL | John Hughes | 34 | 42% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
| DL | Jamie Meder | 34 | 42% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
| DL | Xavier Cooper | 32 | 40% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
| DL | Randy Starks | 29 | 36% | 3 assists (3 combined). |
Desmond Bryant logged his second sack in as many weeks and got three quarterback hits on Carson Palmer. Danny Shelton made a couple of disruptive plays. The run defense actually held Arizona to 3.1 yards per carry on 38 touches this week, which is an improvement in that area.
Outside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| OLB | Armonty Bryant | 47 | 58% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 quarterback hit, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. |
| OLB | Paul Kruger | 45 | 56% | No stats registered. |
| OLB |
Nate Orchard |
37 | 46% | 3 tackles, 2 assists (5 combined). |
| OLB |
Barkevious Mingo |
18 | 22% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
Armonty Bryant showed off his wheels on a fumble recovery in the first quarter and then forced a fumble in the second half that seemed like it could give the Browns a chance to re-take the lead. Paul Kruger didn't record a single stat -- what the hell has happened to him this year? Barkevious Mingo played some early snaps and made some plays against the run, but his utilization the rest of the game was pretty low.
Inside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| ILB | Karlos Dansby | 79 | 98% | 5 tackles, 2 assists (7 combined). 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 forced fumble. |
| ILB | Craig Robertson | 56 | 69% | 2 tackles, 3 assists (5 combined). 1 quarterback hit. |
| ILB | Christian Kirksey | 28 | 35% | 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 quarterback hit. |
Craig Robertson made his return and might have contributed to the improved run defense. Really, the big problem this week came in the secondary, where Carson Palmer just aired it out deep with regular success.
Safety
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| S | Tashaun Gipson | 81 | 100% | 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 interception, 1 pass defended. |
| S | Donte Whitner | 44 | 54% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). |
| CB | Ibraheim Campbell | 36 | 44% | 5 tackles (5 combined). |
Donte Whitner suffered a concussion in the third quarter, and with Jordan Poyer already out, rookie Ibraheim Campbell saw his first defensive reps of the season. Tashaun Gipson had an interception in his first game back; I'm sure he'll use that in his contract negotiations at the end of the year.
Cornerback
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| CB |
Tramon Williams |
80 | 99% | 6 tackles, 3 assists (9 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| CB | Joe Haden | 43 | 53% | 3 tackles (3 combined). |
| CB |
Johnson Bademosi |
43 | 53% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). 1 fumble recovery. |
| CB | K'Waun Williams | 42 | 52% | 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 pass defended, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. |
| CB | Pierre Desir | 1 | 1% | No stats registered. |
If I had to do a power rankings chart of the Browns' best defenders this year, K'Waun Williams would probably be right at the top. If there is one defender who still looks like the solid, 2014-version of himself, it's been him. He forced two fumbles against the Cardinals, including an awesome "steal" from Larry Fitzgerald. Joe Haden did not look sharp in his first game back from a concussion, and then he suffered another concussion on the play in which he was burned for a 60-yard score. Johnson Bademosi, not Pierre Desir, replaced Haden. I'm sure the coaching staff will say that Desir practiced as the backup nickelback this week, and that's why Bademosi went in for Haden.
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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*
- Week 6: 84 plays*
- Week 7: 53 plays
- Week 8: 81 plays