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Browns’ defensive snap counts, stats, and notes: Week 13

The Browns’ defensive line plays thin again, and the cornerbacks perform poorly.

By Chris Pokorny
Cleveland Browns v Pittsburgh Steelers Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 13 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive Line

Pos Player Plays % Stats
Pos Player Plays % Stats
DL Sheldon Richardson 56 90% 1 tackle, 4 assists (5 combined). 1 QH.
DL Larry Ogunjobi 55 89% 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined).
DL Eli Ankou 38 61% 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined).
DL Porter Gustin 37 60% 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined).
DL Chad Thomas 24 39% 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH.
DL Bryan Cox Jr. 23 37% 1 QH.
DL Olivier Vernon 12 19% 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 QH.
DL Brandin Bryant 5 8% 1 tackle (1 combined).
  • The Browns’ defense showed some pass rush early on in the game, but then Olivier Vernon appeared to re-aggravate his injury. It’s easy to always say, “I wish so-and-so could come back this week,” but when you see what can happen, it’s a reminder as to why teams are extra-careful sometimes with players.
  • Chad Thomas had a sack on the first drive, but ultimately only played 39% of the snaps. He was injured in the second quarter and did return, but based on the low snap count usage, I have to imagine he was limited the rest of the way.
  • While Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi played a full workload, the other two linemen the rest of the game were practically practice squad players recently. While they held up ok, there was never a point where Cleveland dominated the point of attack.
  • Richardson’s offsides jump in the first half gave the first sign of life and confidence to Devlin Hodges, something the quarterback admitted as such after the game.

Linebacker

Pos Player Plays % Stats
Pos Player Plays % Stats
LB Joe Schobert 62 100% 3 tackles, 4 assists (7 combined).
LB Mack Wilson 60 97% 6 tackles, 2 assists (8 combined). 1 FF.
LB Sione Takitaki 21 34% 3 tackles (3 combined).
LB Adarius Taylor 1 1% No stats registered.
  • Joe Schobert made a couple of solid tackles early on, and the play of Mack Wilson continues to leave me intrigued.
  • Sione Takitaki continues to gain reps, as opposed to the Browns running a 4-2-5.

Cornerback

Pos Player Plays % Stats
Pos Player Plays % Stats
CB Denzel Ward 61 98% 3 tackles (3 combined).
CB T.J. Carrie 43 69% 2 tackles, 3 assists (5 combined).
CB Greedy Williams 38 61% 3 tackles (3 combined).
CB Terrance Mitchell 7 11% 1 INT, 1 pass defended.
  • Pre-game, both Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams had interviews in which they acknowledged wanting to take the challenge to make some more plays. That didn’t happen, as both defensive backs seem to refuse to turn around to locate the football. This was the worst game for the cornerbacks all season for me, including T.J. Carrie, who hacked James Washington before he caught his touchdown.
  • Terrance Mitchell stepped in for an injured Williams and immediately had an interception. I know Williams is being developed, but I’d rather have Mitchell starting alongside Ward.

Safety

Pos Player Plays % Stats
Pos Player Plays % Stats
S Juston Burris 62 100% 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). 1 TFL.
S Sheldrick Redwine 61 98% 4 tackles, 2 assists (6 combined). 1 pass defended.
S JT Hassell 16 26% 2 tackles (2 combined).
  • With Damarious Randall out, Sheldrick Redwine got the start, and wouldn’t you know it — he was the Browns’ highest-graded defensive player against Pittsburgh:

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