Browns’ defensive snap counts, stats, and PFF notes: Week 2

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Notes:

• The Browns were still able to get some penetration in the backfield, as the team registered an impressive 10 tackles for losses. Only two of those tackles came via defensive linemen, but a guy like Larry Ogunjobi was often the one who seemed to be setting other guys up with their disruption.
• Without DE Myles Garrett, the Browns are finding it difficult to generate pressure via their defensive ends:

• DT Trevon Coley scooped up a fumble and tried to return it, but was quickly stripped. Fortunately, a teammate got back on top of it to avoid ridicule.
• The distribution of reps was identical to Week 1 on the defensive line, except that Tyrone Holmes was removed from the group (cut).

Notes:

• Right after the game ended, I speculated that all three of the Browns’ starting linebackers I just praised leading up to the game would receive terrible grades from PFF. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened.
• Christian Kirksey received a 23.1 grade, Jamie Collins received a 38.7 grade, and Joe Schobert received a 40.7 grade. Where did they go wrong? Everywhere. All of their run defense grades were below 40.0, and they each missed a tackle and didn’t have those “finishing” type of plays I talked about a week ago.
• On top of that, PFF says that Joe Flacco was 17-of-17 for 159 yards and 1 touchdown when targeting the unit. Specifically, Kirskey gave up 9 catches on 9 attempts for 80 yards.
• The only statistical things of note in the positive column were that Kirksey and reserve James Burgess each notched a sack. Collins left early with a concussion.

Notes:

• At least the cornerbacks can hang their hat on something. Although CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun did get beat on a quick out by WR Jeremy Maclin before the end of the half, the Browns’ held Baltimore receivers to just 5 catches for 38 yards the entire game. Speaking of Boddy-Calhoun, he played significantly fewer snaps this week as Kindred was allowed to play the entire game. Baltimore doesn’t use many three-receiver sets.
• PFF graded Jason McCourty (87.8 grade) and Jamar Taylor (86.5 grade) as the Browns’ two highest-graded defenders on the afternoon. McCourty even got this graphic made up for him for not allowing a catch all game; he also forced two turnovers (one interception, one forced fumble) and defended the run well too.

Notes:

• This was an ugly game for rookie safety Jabrill Peppers in my opinion. The Ravens were well-prepared for his deep coverage, and they worked the space in front of him with the tight ends all game long. On top of that, Peppers took some more poor angles on running plays, including the one before the end of the first half. This is something that Ed Reynolds never failed at when he came aboard last season, but now Peppers has done it twice in two weeks, both of which led to touchdowns before the end of the first half.
• With all of that said, PFF graded Peppers a 77.7, which was the team’s fifth-highest ranked defender on the day. I’m trying to get more feedback on their grade. UPDATE: Brian Spoon tells me that the missed tackle was the biggest thing they dinged Peppers for, but that his coverage grade still out-weighed the negatives.
• Derrick Kindred (79.8 grade) registered three tackles for a loss. PFF credits him for being stout against the run, saying he had the best run stop percentage (stops that constitute a “loss” for the offense) among Week 2 safeties through Sunday evening (16.1%), recording 5 stops in 31 run snaps.

Thanks to Pro Football Focus for some of the neat stats they provided. You can follow their PFF Twitter account exclusively about the Browns @PFF_Cleveland.