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This is a pretty good article about what Tomlinson can bring to the Browns. It's best to go directly toward the link because there are a lot of pictures w/arrows and the like...


How Dalvin Tomlinson can fill the gap in the Browns defensive line: Film Review
Updated: Mar. 18, 2023, 9:45 a.m.|Published: Mar. 18, 2023, 5:30 a.m.

Browns’ Dalvin Tomlinson on his attacking run defense


By Lance Reisland | special to cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — In order to be successful, teams must run the football on offense and stop the run on defense. Even teams with elite quarterbacks will need to rely on the run in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

The Browns defense certainly knows this.

Last year, the defense found itself in too many second-and-short scenarios. These situations open up the entire playbook for an offensive coordinator, minimizing the effectiveness of Myles Garrett and the Cleveland secondary.


At an impressive 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, Dalvin Tomlinson, who signed as a free agent this week, is the anchor the Browns need to help stop the run.


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With Cleveland’s undersized linebackers, Tomlinson’s ability to occupy blockers will keep the explosive Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and others “clean” to make tackles. Stopping the run on first and second down will be the sole purpose for the former Viking defensive tackle.

However, if the Browns defense does find itself in a passing situation, Tomlinson will do a great job of collapsing the pocket with a consistent, heavy-handed bull rush.

Besides his physical tools, Tomlinson seems to have fantastic football IQ. He understands who is trying to reach him on zone schemes, where the double teams are coming on the gap schemes, and that a screen is coming when no one is blocking him. He rarely puts his teammates in bad situations and understands and accepts his limitations.

Here are two reasons Tomlinson will be a great run defender in a Jim Schwartz defense:

1. Pushing the line backward
Regardless of the scheme he is seeing, Tomlinson does an incredible job of moving the linemen in front of him backward. In doing this, he disrupts most run schemes that he sees, altering the path of the running back. This vertical movement backward also allows Tomlinson to create a great push in the pocket on passing plays. Though he does not get tons of sacks, his inside pressure and push will be a problem because it interrupts the quarterback’s line of vision.

Below is a great look at Tomlinson recreating the line of scrimmage against the Lions. Tomlinson will drive the right guard back three yards into the backfield and force the running back to cut back inside. This allows his teammates to make the tackle for a very short gain.

Recreating the line of scrimmage.
Pushing the line of scrimmage backward.


Recreating the line of scrimmage.
Pushing the line of scrimmage backward.

2. Anchoring in a gap
Whether it is a zone scheme or a gap scheme, Tomlinson understands he must maintain his gap at all costs. This gap integrity will allow him or his teammates to make the play. His ability to anchor and not get moved is especially crucial against double teams. By not getting moved or vertically displaced, the double team will stay with him and allow the second level to run free to make the tackle. This is really important for the aggressive, but undersized, Cleveland linebackers.


Below, Tomlinson will control the right guard and create great extension with his arms.

This extension allows him to get his eyes on the running back. The Vikings play very good gap control defense and hold Packers running back A.J. Dillon to a very short gain. The linebacker makes the tackle in A-gap because Tomlinson does not allow him in B-gap.

Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.


Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.

Below is another look at Tomlinson controlling his B-gap against the Lions.

He is lined up in a wide-3 on the guard. As he takes his first step at the guard, he will immediately take control with his strong, violent hands. He will extend the guard backward and locate the football with his eyes. The key, at this point, is that his eyes are in the gap of which he is in charge.


Once the running back commits to not running in his gap, he will throw the guard away and make the tackle for a short gain. This is a great example of having solid gap integrity from the Vikings. Tomlinson will look to bring this gap control idea to the Browns, who struggled to hold up against power run teams last season.

Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.

Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.


Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.

Below is a look at Tomlinson controlling his gap against a powerful double team from the packers.

Green Bay is going to run a 1-back power variation to the tight end. As the play starts, the right guard and right tackle will “deuce” double team Tomlinson. Tomlinson, who is in charge of the B-gap does a great job of attacking the guard first and does not get moved.

As he attacks the guard, he will turn his shoulder and hip, reducing the surface area to block for the right tackle. This lack of vertical displacement forces the guard and tackle to stay on the double team and not chip off to the number two linebacker. The free linebacker makes the play for a 1-yard gain for Dillon.


Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.

Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.




Anchoring the gap.
Anchoring the gap.

What we learned
Tomlinson is not a guy who is going to fill the stat sheet or make tons of splash plays. What he will do is control his gap and not get moved. His size and leverage allow him to anchor in and allows the linebackers to make tackles. He is a two-down defensive lineman who will help get opposing offenses into second- and third-and-long situations.


https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...e-browns-defensive-line-film-review.html

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Had to have it. Any solid starter would have been an upgrade over what was a horrible unit last season.

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True and the saddest part about it is we as fans all knew how bad our D-line was going to be in June. Our FO did nothing to improve it before the season started. We probably could have made the playoffs with a good D-line.

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This move is tied directly to Schwartz. The style of defense played relies on the DL to get pressure and be disruptive.

Woods did not place a value on the DL to the same degree as Schwartz. Hence the dumpster hunting and it showed.

I tend to agree with the new sheriffs approach.


There will be no playoffs. Can’t play with who we have out there and compounding it with garbage playcalling and worse execution. We don’t have good skill players on offense period. Browns 20 - Bears 17.

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I don't know that Woods did not value the interior of the DL. What I do know is that Schwartz decided to come to the Browns and he is a very proven DC. The Browns needed that. I would say it's just as valid to consider that Schwartz may have made demands on upgrades as a requirement of his hire. I mean what highly respected coach would take on that job without demanding some upgrades? Why would you take such a job knowing with the current personnel it would only make you look bad and harm your career?


Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.

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