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Looking for solutions to the Browns defensive issues seemed impossible until the Browns coaches and GM were forced to make changes at the LB position due to injuries. The following story explains...

Position switch keys success for Sione Takitaki, Browns

With two middle linebackers out, Takitaki played an important role as the MIKE
By JaredMueller@JaredKMueller Nov 2, 2022, 7:17pm EDT
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I've watched the Browns defense all year, especially the LBs and Walker, the ML until he suffered a season ending injury in the 3rd game against the Steelers...he was all over the field and many times out of position to take care of stopping the run. He was not what I would call a traditional ML.

Phillips took over and he had issues taking bad angles putting himself out of position to tackle the runner at times...then he suffered a season ending pec injury. JOK had some of the same issues but watching video you could see that many times he was not reading the running back but simply "guessing", hoping to stop the RB by blitzing through a gap hoping he guessed right, but in many cases he would recover and end up chasing the play.

Takitaki actually played the position of ML the way it is supposed to be played. Good LBs usually have an general instinct about where a play is heading and taking the time to diagnose the play rather than guessing.

Hopefully the Browns management and coaching staff recognize the value of Taki's play against the Bengals and have the courage to name Taki the starting ML.Play your best players and don't play favorites...do what's best for the team.





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