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Below, we analyze the snap counts on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans.
Defensive Line
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
DL | Desmond Bryant | 44 |
55% |
3 quarterback hits. |
DL | Randy Starks |
43 |
54% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 quarterback hit, 1 fumble recovery. |
DL | Danny Shelton | 39 |
49% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). |
DL | John Hughes | 34 |
42% | 1 tackle, 3 assists (4 combined). 1.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 forced fumble. |
DL | Jamie Meder | 33 |
41% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit. |
The Browns' defensive front generated a much better push this week, taking advantage of the Titans' offensive line and the injury to Chance Warmack. Even a guy like Desmond Bryant, who didn't get a sack, had three quarterback hits on Marcus Mariota. John Hughes channeled his pass rushing side after being known as a run stopper in the past. Danny Shelton returned shortly after what seemed to be a shoulder injury.
Outside Linebacker
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
OLB | Paul Kruger | 73 |
91% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 0.5 sack, 1 tackle for loss. |
OLB | Armonty Bryant |
55 |
69% | 3 tackles, 3 assists (6 combined). 2.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 3 quarterback hits, 1 forced fumble. |
OLB | Barkevious Mingo | 22 |
28% | 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). |
OLB | Nate Orchard |
13 |
16% | No stats registered. |
Armonty Bryant continues to get the bulk of the work as a starting outside linebacker, and he had a big day with 2.5 sacks. I'll have to review the film to see who was responsible for Dexter McCluster's big runs to the outside -- was it one of the outside linebackers failing to set the edge? Nate Orchard played 13 snaps in his debut.
Inside Linebacker
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
ILB | Karlos Dansby | 80 |
100% | 5 tackles, 4 assists (9 combined). 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble. |
ILB | Craig Robertson | 34 |
42% | 4 tackles, 3 assists (7 combined). 1 pass defended. |
ILB | Christian Kirksey | 22 |
28% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery. |
Kudos to Karlos Dansby for popping the ball loose from Terrance West on his first carry of the game. I know Travis Benjamin will get my game ball this week, but the sweet justice of that play was so beautiful. Christian Kirksey sniffed out a screen pass during the game and Craig Robertson made a possible touchdown-saving-tackle from behind on one of McCluster's big runs.
Safety
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
S | Donte Whitner | 80 | 100% | 4 tackles, 4 assists (8 combined). 0.5 sack, 1 quarterback hit. |
S | Tashaun Gipson | 80 | 100% | 5 tackles, 3 assists (8 combined). |
S |
Jordan Poyer |
23 | 29% | No stats registered. |
The Titans' tight ends combined for 10 catches for 139 yards and were the source of several bailouts for Marcus Mariota. The Browns' safeties seemed to lose more battles than they won against Tennessee's tight ends on a day in which the cornerbacks did a good job holding the Titans' wide receivers to minimal stats.
Cornerback
Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
CB |
Joe Haden |
80 | 100% | 4 tackles, 2 assists (6 combined). 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery. |
CB | Tramon Williams | 77 | 96% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). 1 quarterback hit, 1 pass defended. |
CB |
K'Waun Williams |
47 | 59% | 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 forced fumble. |
CB |
Pierre Desir |
1 | 1% | No stats registered. |
The Titans' wide receivers combined for 6 catches for 73 yards and 1 touchdown, with the touchdown coming on a great fourth down catch by rookie Dorial Green-Beckham. We saw a much-more energized Joe Haden this week, K'Waun Williams looked like he did a year ago, and Tramon Williams seemed to offer good support both in coverage and against the run. The Browns seemed to run a 2-1-8 defense at one point in the game, so that might have been when Pierre Desir got his one snap.
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Amount of Defensive Plays, By the Week
- Week 1: 61 plays
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Week 2: 80 plays