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Joined: Apr 2007
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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.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Hall of Famer
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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.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Legend
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Legend
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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.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 79,271 |
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.
#gmstrong
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,396
Legend
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Legend
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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.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 784
All Pro
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All Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 784 |
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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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,396
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,396 |
His reputation is that he is all in. A fiery type guy with lots of energy.
Schwartz is not easy to follow because of his vast experience and leadership qualities.
The defense is experienced. We have a strong core of guys.
I am starting to feel football urges again mostly because we have so many fresh faces.
Interesting story lines.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,337
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I heard really good things about our safety pick Emmanuel McNeil-Warren including steel of the draft. That wont hurt !
Joe Thomas #73
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Yeah BADdog, we need to hit on about 4 draft picks to make the needle move from last year. Hit on the right ones and this could turn into a special year. That defense from a year ago was elite with Schwartz. Now the hope is it was 80% the players 20% scheme/coach. If the pendulum swings the other direction, we could be picking in the top 5 again. I hope Rutenberg is the real deal and he can at least mimic the schemes from last year.
Then, with the addition of EMW, IF he can improve the defensive backfield, we will be in business and the turn around will truly be about how the offense improved this off season.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,396
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,396 |
This season should be at least interesting to watch.
The great rookie class from 2025 will be starting their second year which usually brings a bump in production.
The free agents and draft of this season should bring improvement.
The woolly mammoth in the room is of course the quarterback. Whoever that may be.
Shedeur now beginning his second year with seven games under his belt should improve.
Last year made it difficult to actually judge him because of what was around him. Not much in the way of talent at receiver, OL and the running game because Judkins was injured.
DW actually playing well is hard for me to imagine honestly. For DW to resurrect a career after what he has been through is highly unlikely.
Sheduer is a "still don't know."
I like what has been done in free agency and the draft but until we have a man we can trust at quarterback.
Everything goes on to the wait and see burner.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 27,796
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 27,796 |
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 holding my breath on him. NOT sold on him yet. https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/coaches-roster/mike-rutenberg
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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