We are now three days removed from the beatdown 24-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals by the Cleveland Browns. Since then, the all-22 has been released so we can get a better picture of things like quarterback timing, defensive coverages, interior line play, and other things that are not obvious from the broadcast angle.
We will break down what stood out from the all-22 here.
Buy Browns TicketsThe defensive line has been talked about ad nauseam, so we will refrain from breaking down the obvious: the likes of Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Ogbo Okoronkwo were really good, and the Browns found ways to get them all on the field 60 percent of the time.
Here are five things that stood out when taking a second look at the game from the all-22 angle. I also discussed this with The OBR’s Jake Burns in my latest episode of Nothing Rhymes with Orange. The podcast can be found on Apple or Spotify.
The good and the bad from Deshaun Watson
The accuracy is an issue. But it was an issue for the other quarterback as well. You know, the one that is the highest-paid athlete in all of professional sports? Given the water weight of the ball, the condition of the field, and more, both quarterbacks get a pass in this game.
However, in terms of what Watson was seeing on the field and the timing that he played with: this is a reason for confidence moving forward. Head coach and playcaller Kevin Stefanski was dialed in here. Receivers were open, and Watson saw them. And he was generally on time.
Sure, there were times when he should have just found his check or tucked and ran to live for another down, but the two deep balls to Marquise Goodwin were on time even if they were underthrown. He’s overstriding, and his lower half is anxious; this is leading to throwing with all upper body instead of uncoiling through his hips. This needs to be cleaned up.
But it looks like big plays all over the field are at least being seen this season for the first time in three seasons, and that will translate down the line. Hopefully sooner than later.
There was bad in this game, but it was not all doom-and-gloom or nearly as putrid as it has been made out to be.
What to make of Jedrick Wills' performance
For better or for worse, Jedrick Wills was Jedrick Wills in this game. And Jedrick Wills is not as bad as people seem to think he is.
Again, he’s comparable to and in the same tier as Tytus Howard of the Houston Texans, Jawaan Taylor of the Kansas City Chiefs, D.J. Humphries of the Arizona Cardinals, and Cam Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars. And those players all make $17 million or more per year.
There are issues in pass protection that need to be cleaned up. Big time. Jake and I talk about it in the podcast. However, it looks like he’s setting well wide of his vertical plane and giving up the inside track far too often. In this one, Trey Hendrickson had no issues forcing Wills to overset and take back the inside track.
He needs to set more vertically and stay closer to the outside hip of Joel Bitonio. It is easier to continue to adjust wide rather than change directions and try to mirror back inside. Besides, with a quarterback like Watson, Wills needs to be okay with getting beat along the outside shoulder.
If Wills gets beat along the outside shoulder, he can still run the edge rusher along the loop and still give his quarterback a bubble to step into and through. If he gets beat inside, there is no alley for Watson to escape. These are drive killers.
This must be communicated between Wills and Watson how the quarterback wants him to set on three-step, five-step, different nuances per concept, and more. The foot speed is there, the traits are there. But Wills has still not put it all together.
Two reasons for hope, however: Wills played a much cleaner game in pass protection the second half, and had a strong game as a run blocker.
As far as run blocking goes, Wills was more than fine. He got to his spot, climbed to the second level with ease, and showed his athletic ability to get wide as the Browns fell back into their outside zone comfort zone as the elements took over.
Here are just a few clips of Wills doing his job and sealing off lanes and cutback avenues for running back Nick Chubb.
Play-side beauty
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 13, 2023
Strong run block by Jed Wills to get to the second level and seal off Logan Wilson
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 13, 2023
Well designed and well blocked QB counter. Wills, Bitonio, Teller, Cooper. Execution.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 13, 2023
The Browns OL, Nick Chubb, and the art of the backside cut on WZ
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 13, 2023
Dawand Jones looks ready to go
Ready or not, the Dawand Jones era has arrived after veteran Jack Conklin hits Injured Reserve with a season-ending injury. However, Jones was up for the task in this one against the Bengals. On 20 pass-blocking reps in this one, Jones was not credited with a single pressure. No hurries, no quarterback hits, no sacks, no nothing.
He had Sam Hubbard on lock all game long.
Snatch trap action! (He whooped Hubbard all game)
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 13, 2023
His set is clean, he plays with excellent spacing as he hugs the outside hip of right guard Wyatt Teller, and has shown the ability to reset his hands and win back inside position. While his comfort getting wide on outside zone looks is evident, the Browns should lean back into more inside zone and interior runs in a game where they aren’t just trying to manage the elements and a sizeable lead.
Strong rep from Dawand Jones. Love his spacing. Good feet, nice vertical, strong change of direction. Hand fighting here is fun too.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 13, 2023
Jones will be baptized by fire this week though, as former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt is up next for him on national television. If he steps up on Monday Night Football, the legend of Dawand Jones will gain traction and a massive fanbase quite quickly.
Jim Schwartz is trusting his cornerbacks to be elite
Line up and play. That is what defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz told and trusted his cornerbacks to do, and they did it against perhaps the best receiving corps in the NFL. Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, and Martin Emerson Jr. have a great reason to talk their talk this week.
The Greg Newsome II talk got way outta hand last year and this offseason. And I think he's keeping receipts. pic.twitter.com/aaSDqOUAYX
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
On multiple occasions, even in second and third and longs, Schwartz just told his cornerbacks to line up in Cover-1 with five down linemen and lock them up. All in all, the trio gave up just seven catches on 17 targets for 50 total yards.
More five down, Cover-1 on third and long. Another Delpit stop playing the sticks. https://t.co/R54aKzNjVp pic.twitter.com/4VYZmtOIdP
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
As they face the banged-up Steelers’ receivers, it will be a step down in competition with Diontae Johnson out. But the trio must remain locked in and stack weeks. If they do, they will have the attention of the nation.
Martin Emerson Jr. is such a smart football player. Third and long? pretty good idea to key the back-shoulder. phew. pic.twitter.com/2WOPbYVQuM
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
We could be in for a special season from Grant Delpit
20 snaps in the box, 20 reps over the top at the third level, and 15 plays in the slot. Fourth-year safety Grant Delpit was all over the field for the Browns on Sunday. He led all safeties in stop tackles (tackles resulting in a negative play) a year ago and already racked up five through one week and was not charted with a single missed tackle.
TWENTY TWO pic.twitter.com/KL5ZCagLEj
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
The Bengals tried throwing at him as well, targeting him seven times on the day. He gave up just 14 yards on four catches, including a dynamic pass breakup on a slot fade look to one of the best young receivers in football, Tee Higgins.
I could watch Delpit man up Tee Higgins on this slot fade all day pic.twitter.com/POfEBH76qI
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
If Delpit continues to stuff stat sheets from a variety of alignments, the Browns are looking at a special player. Without compensating for blown assignments from other safeties, Delpit is playing fast, loose, and free. And if he keeps it up, the Browns will have no choice but to pay him.
And that is a great problem to have.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
BONUS: Watch Wyatt Teller rack up a couple of pancakes
Wyatt Teller pancake tracker: 🥞🥞pic.twitter.com/NTNCXBX3kZ
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
