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#2137837 05/11/26 08:29 AM
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The off season has been a focus on offense.

They signed free agents and then invested in the draft on offense.

It was obvious that things had to change. The OL and receivers needed a major overhaul.

In 2025 the Browns defense was ranked as the league's 4th best defense in overall EPA per play. The defense allowed the 4th fewest total yards per game and the 3rd fewest passing yards per game (167.2) in the entire NFL.

We have the best defensive player in the NFL. And we had DROY.

In the draft we added EMW a highly ranked safety and Justin Jefferson a linebacker and special team player.

The big change is that Jim Schwartz is gone.

If the Browns are going to compete for anything it will the defense that has to lead the way.

Myles, Carson and Denzel are key players. We may have another in EMW a Big safety.

If he comes as advertised he will be that third layer guy to the defense that hopefully will impact coverage and add to run defense.

EMW will be an interesting guy to follow in Camp. Last year Carson made his presence known early.

Man it would be very cool if this guy could equal what Carson did.

bonefish #2137842 05/11/26 10:26 AM
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I agree about EMW. I think some undrafted FAs we signed could be good for us like Logan Fano, Tyreak Sapp, Zion Washington and Michael Coates. They could be solid depth and be used in rotation.

bonefish #2137846 05/11/26 11:05 AM
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I don't know much about Mike Rutenberg.

I read what he has coached in the NFL. He rose up the ranks as a defensive position coach etc.

Schwartz was very popular. The players loved and respected him.

He is a hard act to follow.

Rutenberg has to carve his own identity. The team was made to run the defense we have run under Schwartz.

The players fit a defense that can man up and play straight man on man. The line moves with stunts and loops by it is based upon "get upfield and apply pressure. The back end plays some zone but we played a lot of man coverage.

Because the Browns have a new staff Camp will be new. I am curious how Monken will run it. Based upon his personality I have some expectations.






bonefish #2137849 05/11/26 11:24 AM
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I was actually surprised to see how much zone they played in 2025. You are certainly correct that they are built in a manner that allows them to match up well in man coverage. But they played zone coverage in 52.9% of their plays.

https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/stats-nfl/nfl-coverage-schemes/

And something that took me off guard when they played the Dolphins......................

Browns did something vs Dolphins they’ve never done under Jim Schwartz

the Browns ran zone coverage 86 percent of the time in Week 7, the highest rate since Schwartz took over.

https://dawgpounddaily.com/browns-did-something-vs-dolphins-theyve-never-done-under-jim-schwartz-


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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bonefish #2137851 05/11/26 12:12 PM
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I am super curious about where we go from here?

Monken made a comment early on that was "kind of don't fix what works."

As Camp unfolds we will learn more.

Carson was a big piece and he is now entering his second season. I expect even more.

E-man is already getting attention. He is going to get attention because big guys like him stand out.

I am looking forward to the season because there are many new parts.

Monken will be different than KS. Because of all the new pieces both players and coaches. I think Monken will want to establish his first string early on.

The offense will be completely different. The OL will need lots of work to get ready. Calling coverages learning how each guy fits. The OL is a unit and needs coordination. Monken wants to know who the QB is because he needs to be ready and there is a lot to learn.

Listening to Monken his pet peeve is sloppy football. It points a finger at the coaching staff for not getting the team ready.

IMO first string offensive guys are going to play more in Camp. Vets like Myles will be given some slack.

But Monken wants to win badly and he is going to play the guys who perform the best.

bonefish #2137852 05/11/26 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by bonefish
I don't know much about Mike Rutenberg.

I read what he has coached in the NFL. He rose up the ranks as a defensive position coach etc.

Schwartz was very popular. The players loved and respected him.

He is a hard act to follow.

Rutenberg has to carve his own identity. The team was made to run the defense we have run under Schwartz.

The players fit a defense that can man up and play straight man on man. The line moves with stunts and loops by it is based upon "get upfield and apply pressure. The back end plays some zone but we played a lot of man coverage.

Because the Browns have a new staff Camp will be new. I am curious how Monken will run it. Based upon his personality I have some expectations.

I'm with you Bone. I don't know enough about Rutenberg. He is a wild unknown. He must have come recommended, then hit it in the interview. He was only interviewed by us and the Titans.

I haven't heard enough about the Vets and how they feel about changing coaches after a top 5 finish in the league. I'm glad they have kept it to themselves, hopefully that means they are going to give Rutenberg a chance.

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