DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns new look defense

Not yet. Everybody watches tape and it is pretty obvious that we don't stay home.

When it gets up to over more than 1 or 2 a game I will take note.

At .50 reverses a game, I am not too worried about that....I am more concerned about the number of times teams cut back against the grain because we aren't staying at home and filling the gaps.

We agree in principal even if what makes us take note isn't the same.

Just as I said 3 weeks ago on the thread that got moved/slashed/hashed/hacked/deleted...Calling out GRANTHAM instead of Crennel...Now I'm reading where MUCH of this is in fact on Granthams head...

And that includes the lack of aggression...

Pay attention and see if Crennel don't jump deeper into the D than before especially since Chud has a firm grip on the Offense...

This bears watching...

It is funny that people have said how basic Rac's schemes are..now that is further from the truth..of course we knew he wasn't going to blitz more because he has top have reliable corners..
But now this lack of aggression should step up..

Typically, when a headcoach is taking a big part of the defense he is calling the plays, too. And we know RAC hasn't been doing that because we see TG doing the Salsa over on the sidelines. So TG calling the defense was the first clue that RAC wasn't the primary of the defense.

But doing a wardance(when things go wrong) and actually calling the right schemes(putting your guys in a position to win their battles) are two different things...
It looks like he's confusing his own players and getting irate when they aren't producing..but how can you produce if you're screwing up???


I think for those who can watch the Rams game , you should see something different..

Jumping into this a little late, but just got back from Disney with the family and have been out of the loop for awhile.

Is it just me, or does it seem like at least three or four times a game, we stop the RB or QB for a loss or small gain........only to see him come out of the pile for 8-12 yrd. run or pass?

I think that alot of this is just guys trying to lay a big hit and NOT wrapping up.

I don't know what's happened to our D since last yr., but I do remember several posters on here saying something to the effect of:

--our defense isn't as good as our stats might show, we were just out of the game so early that opposing offenses became very vanilla.--

Maybe those guys were spot on and now that our offense is clicking and scoring pionts, opposing teams have to open up their playbook and we are just seeing those affects.

My own personal opinion if anybody gives a damn,
we are extremely young in both our defensive backfield and linebacking corps, and our defensive line is way to old and slow.
I DO NOT think we are the WORST defense in the NFL as the stats show, but we have to improve our tackling and gain some experience.
I am beginning to have my doubts about Grantham as well.......

$.02

one thing about this years defense...

3rd and longs make me more nervous then 3rd and shorts...

That shouldn't be the case.. lol

Grantham: Defense needs to make plays
Saturday, October 27, 2007
By Steve Doerschuk
Repository sports writer


BEREA It was hard to tell at first if defense was a serious problem.

Sure, Pittsburgh pummeled the Browns, 34-7, but turnovers set up Steelers scoring drives of 22, 9 and 40 yards. It was hard to denigrate the "D."

The Steeler offense produced 365 yards, not a horrible number from a Cleveland perspective.

It's five games later. Since the Pittsburgh game, the Browns are allowing 418.6 yards a game.

The season average is 413.0, worst in the NFL - which is certifiably horrible.

The Browns have allowed 183 points in six games, more than twice as many as Pittsburgh's 78.

There's a problem.

It falls on Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham's shoulders to fix the side of the ball that figures to make or break the season.

Following is how Grantham approached some key points in a Friday conversation:

Issue: The Browns rank 30th in run defense (149.5 yards a game), 29th in pass defense (263.3) and 30th in sacks with six.

Grantham: "In the Baltimore game, we end up giving up one touchdown in the fourth quarter. In the New England game after that, with less than two minutes to go in the first half, we had held them to 13 points. Go to the Miami game. There's less than two minutes to go in the half, and the score is 24-3.

"In all of those games, there have been times that we've played well. We've got to develop more consistency. There have been times when we've played well. We have to play well the whole time."

n

Issue: Nose tackle Ted Washington, 39, is acting his age. Shaun Smith, who was supposed to help at nose, moved to end because Orpheus Roye is coming off knee surgery. Other members of the three-man line rotation aren't scaring anyone.

Grantham: "To be good on defense, you have to win at the line. When that doesn't happen, it affects the linebackers, how you call the game and basically everything you're doing.

"The big emphasis to me, from the bye week to now, is securing those guys up front, talking about winning at the line of scrimmage, securing your gap, playing with your hands. With Orpheus, it's just a matter of getting healthy. He's done a good job of trying to get to where we need him. Moving forward off the bye, we might be able to get a few more snaps out of him."

n

Issue: Smith was signed on the thinking he eventually might replace Washington as the starting nose tackle. If Roye plays more at end, can Smith play more nose?

Grantham: "That's a possibility. We try to get our three best guys on the field. If that means moving a guy, then we'll do it."

n

Issue: Outside linebacker Antwan Peek says he was a much better player in the preseason than before suffering a foot injury in September. He was supposed to take pressure off the other outside backers, Kamerion Wimbley and Willie McGinest.

Grantham: "The bye week came at a really good time for Antwan. He is probably as healthy as he has been since the beginning of the season. I'm looking forward to him playing well from here on out."

n

Issue: Is anybody playing well?

Grantham: "Look at the New England game, and Eric Wright played Randy Moss pretty well. He's made plays, and he's improved throughout the year. Kamerion Wimbley has flashed some. I think as we get going and with Antwan being healthy, getting Willie back, I think maybe you'll see more production from him. D'Qwell Jackson has done a good job with commanding the huddle, making some calls he needs to make. Robaire Smith has played the most of anybody up front, and he is kind of the cornerstone right now."

n

Issue: Wimbley was in on a sack in seven of his last nine games in 2006. He has gone sackless in four of this year's six games. Opponents are using backs and tight ends to help linemen chip the former Round 1 pick. Quarterbacks are sliding to the side of the field opposite where Wimbley is rushing.

Grantham: "You keep on rushing, keep on fighting. Basically, it gets down to winning one-on-one matchups somewhere else."

n

Issue: Peek's injury has kept him from being that "somewhere else" threat. What happens if he gets well?

Grantham: "If (Peek) can beat the (blocker) on the edge, that gives you a counter-move to beat the guy inside."

n

Issue: Former Round 2 picks Sean Jones and Brodney Pool aim to be an elite safety tandem. So far, not so good.

Grantham: "We want to see the consistency between Brodney and Sean. I really think Brodney has improved. He's done a really good job doing the things that we are asking him to do. I expect him to be what we expected him to be."

n

Issue: The offense is scoring at a pace that could set a franchise record. Can the defense begin doing its part?

Grantham: "There's no question about that. The big thing for us is everybody being held accountable for their job. Everything else will take care of itself.

"Finishing games and finishing plays. ... If we do that, we can be the kind of defense we want to be."

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

Line leads Cleveland Browns' defense to last in NFL
Saturday, October 27, 2007



Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham acknowledged Friday that the team's defensive-line woes have impacted the whole unit, which is ranked 32nd - last in the NFL.

"The first thing you have to do to be successful is win the line of scrimmage," said Grantham. "When that doesn't happen, number one it affects the linebackers, it affects how you call the game and it affects basically everything that you're doing."

He said the bye-week emphasis was all about the D-line.

"We talked about securing your gap, about playing with your hands and doing the things you need to do to be successful and to be a productive defense," said Grantham. "You have a combination of trying to get some guys healthy, and you also have some new guys that are trying to still learn how to play a little bit. The combination of all that is a cumulative effect, and really each guy has their own set of things they're trying to work on. That's what we're doing right now."

The line has been hurt by the fact that Ted Washington hasn't been effective and has been replaced by Ethan Kelly, and Orpheus Roye has been struggling with knee injuries. That forced Shaun Smith out to left end instead of his natural position at nose tackle.

"I think I can do anything they need me to do this week," said Roye. "It was a nice little bye, and I feel I'm ready."

Grantham said of Roye, "As we move forward, we might be able to get a few more snaps out of him."

If so, Smith might get some reps inside.

"That's a possibility," said Grantham. "The big thing with those guys is flexibility. We're trying to get our best three guys on the field. If that means moving a guy, then we'll do it."

This might be a good week for the D-line to gain some confidence. The Rams' battered O-line is 28th in the NFL with 24 sacks allowed, including seven last week against Seattle.

"Every week is a good week to look good," said Robaire Smith, the Browns' best defensive lineman this season.

On Jones:

Grantham didn't mince words when asked about Sean Jones giving up TDs to tight ends.

"When the ball is thrown, you have to win," said Grantham. "It's that simple. It doesn't matter if you're in man [coverage] or zone. If the ball is thrown in your area, you have to make a play on the ball. You have to be able to win one-on-one matchups, whether it's up front or in the back."

Davis' role:

Grantham said Andra Davis hasn't lost his starting job to Leon Williams. Instead, Davis is playing in the regular defense and Williams in sub-defenses. Williams sometimes starts when an opponent opens in a three-receiver set.

"With Andra's foot condition coming out of camp, he could play in the regular [defense] for us, and it was fine," said Grantham. "But to give him a breather, I felt the best thing to do is play Leon in sub.

"Leon is a young player with a bright future and can help us down the road. Andra has been a good leader for us. He takes command of the huddle. He's a guy that I expect, from here on out, to be a positive guy for us in our locker room as well as in our meetings."

Peek to peak?

Grantham said he expects a better Antwan Peek down the stretch now that he's had time to rest his sprained foot and ankle.

"I think the bye week came at a really good time for Antwan," said Grantham. "He's a tough guy that will fight through trying to play, and he's done that the last few weeks. Right now, he's probably as healthy as he has been since the beginning of the season. I'm looking forward to him playing well from here on out."

Injuries:

Jamal Lewis (foot) and Darnell Dinkins (hand) are questionable. Both were limited. Joe Jurevicius (knee) practiced full-go and is probable. . . . Cornerback Kenny Wright was excused Friday for a personal reason. . . . Rams running back Steven Jackson (groin) is probable.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

Quote:

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Grantham: "We want to see the consistency between Brodney and Sean. I really think Brodney has improved. He's done a really good job doing the things that we are asking him to do. I expect him to be what we expected him to be."

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I believe he is in the 3rd year of a 4 year contract. He needs to step up now.

Another slam on Pool...again I just don't see what you guys see - I swear you've been hypnotized...lol

"I really think Brodney has improved. He's done a really good job doing the things that we are asking him to do. I expect him to be what we expected him to be."

And Gratham sees what I have seen - a steadily improving and growing Pool...now he sort of praises one of the tandem...who do you think is underachieving...ya right Pool

When will ya learn...

JMHO

Quote:

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I expect him to be what we expected him to be."

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This means he is not there yet. He is in the third year of a four year contract. We really can't wait much longer.

Read the entire quote...that means he started out shaky IN HIS FIRST SEASON STARTING...but has improved with each game so that we expect him to be what we expected...meaning he is ON TRACK. How you come up with a negative out of that is further proof you are HYPNOTIZED into thinking he's garbage...but keep on saying that...its year 3 and we can't wait much longer.

Yeah the contract runs out...well that would mean something actually if he was playing Pro-Bowl level currently as there would be a big competition for his services. We are allowed to sign him to a 2nd contract so I don't understand what is the problem...but keep saying that it sounds good

Quote:

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Yeah the contract runs out...well that would mean something actually if he was playing Pro-Bowl level currently as there would be a big competition for his services. We are allowed to sign him to a 2nd contract so I don't understand what is the problem..

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The problem is he is not playing at a consistent level and needs to be replaced with someone who can, as opposed to hanging on to him because he is "getting better."

DBs should be able to make an impact soon after coming out of college.........

Even after reading these articles of Grantham speak he really hasn't said anything revolutionary...
He just mutters about winning battles...not much about schemes and blitz packages and the like..think I'll start to call him mumbles

WOW: We dont have this or we dont have that on "D". Maybe the problem is that we dont have "This or That on"D".

Ballpeen: I watched the game, not so sure u did. Kelly had one good rush and that was it. Sooooooo, whats ur coment on the "D" of that game????

I watch them all.

My comment on the D is the same as it has been in a few other threads.....it sucks.

Agree, Ballpeen, Just want a decent "D", thats all. Considering whats going on now. Really, dont expect a lot this year with this "D". Wish ii was dif. DAWG