Browns' Defensive Snap Counts and Stats vs. Titans

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 6 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Defensive Line

Break out the champagne -- we've got ourselves a good one in Danny Shelton, and Pro Football Focus knows it too, giving him one of the top ten performances of Week 6:

PFF had high hopes for Danny Shelton as a rookie given how impressive his college grading was, and while his first season was underwhelming, we are beginning to see that player emerge in Year 2. Going against the league’s best offensive line so far this season in the Titans, Shelton was dominant, recording five defensive stops in the run game and even recording himself a sack. He led the team in stops and tied for the lead in solo tackles, which for a nose tackle is impressive work. The Browns dropped to 0-6, but they have to be pleased with what they are seeing out of Shelton.

The line held DeMarco Murray in check on the afternoon. The one downside is the fact that Carl Nassib and Tyrone Holmes didn't generate enough pressure. Also, Holmes had a couple of penalties called against him despite limited playing time.

Outside Linebacker

Congrats to Emmanuel Ogbah for logging the first sack of his NFL career and ensuring he didn't let Marcus Mariota escape him. My suspicion that we'd see more playing time for the outside linebackers against the Tennessee style of offense was correct, although it was Cam Johnson who ended up out-snapping Joe Schobert.

Inside Linebacker

PFF gave Demario Davis a pretty stellar grade for his performance against the Titans. Both inside linebackers looked to make good decisions hitting the gap against the run. The only fault I have is that I think it was Christian Kirksey who got lost in coverage for one of the tight end touchdowns.

Safety

Overall, Ibraheim Campbell was an asset in defending the run, and that's where he should be 100% of the time -- closer to the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately, with Jordan Poyer suffering an awful hit on special teams, that forced Derrick Kindred into the deep safety role, and he proceeded to give up two plays.

Interestingly enough, usually you'll see the Browns' safeties each combine for 100% of the snaps. So, there should have been a minimum of 124 snaps for the group this week, and then some because the third safety typically sees some action too. The combined number of snaps at the safety position was just 87, though. I would guess that this means someone else -- like perhaps Tracy Howard, who had 34 snaps but I had listed as a cornerback, saw some work at safey.

Cornerback

Despite the absence of Joe Haden (groin), I came away impressed with the play of the cornerbacks again. I view our defense as having average play at cornerback, which means its not a priority compared to how bad the safety position has been. Every big play the past couple of weeks has seen a safety reacting poorly. Tramon Williams had a nice diving interception in his first game back.