A little "sunshine" from Football Outsiders' Film Room... The DL

[Tour2ma]

Here's the opening...

30 Nov 2017

Film Room: Browns Defense

by Charles McDonald

There's no need to sugarcoat this simple fact: the Cleveland Browns have been the laughingstock of the league since the Jurassic Period. Outside of stalwart left tackle Joe Thomas, Cleveland's roster (especially the quarterback position) has been a revolving door of sadness, misery, and despair.

At the start of the 2016 offseason, the Browns committed themselves to a different approach in hopes of dragging themselves out of the gutter. Paul DePodesta, Sashi Brown, and Hue Jackson have spearheaded a "Moneyball" campaign in hopes of exploiting market inefficiencies to build a complete juggernaut team that is set up for years of good cap health, kind of like the New England Patriots.

It's easy to make fun of the Browns' on-field results (hell, I do it all the time), but reality shows that they are starting to build a semblance of a winning roster, despite the team's 1-26 record since the start of the 2016 season. The first position group that's really starting to blossom is along the defensive line.

When defensive linemen hit free agency, they tend to break the bank. It's imperative to get early production from these types of players before they get to their second contract in order to maximize the value they bring to a team. In the past two years the Browns have added Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Carl Nassib in the draft, and for the most part they've all been positive contributors. Cleveland has also done a marvelous job carving out a role for former first-round pick Danny Shelton and allowing him to become the anchor for their No. 2 run defense according to DVOA.

 

And the closing paragraph...

Emmanuel Ogbah, Myles Garrett, Danny Shelton, and Larry Ogunjobi all have one thing in common: they routinely make plays that players of their stature shouldn't make. Building a dominant defensive line is usually the first step towards building a dominant defense. With these four guys still under their rookie contracts, the Browns will have a chance to build a terrifying defense before they have to break the bank on their young, talented, and productive defensive linemen. The Moneyball strategy is starting to take form, Browns fans (and media) just need to be patient.

 

There's a whole lot more, including multiple gifs here: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/film-room/2017/film-room-browns-defense

 

[Nero]

OK Theo 

[wargograw]

11 hours ago, Tour2ma said:

It's easy to make fun of the Browns' on-field results (hell, I do it all the time), but reality shows that they are starting to build a semblance of a winning roster, despite the team's 1-26 record since the start of the 2016 season.

Yep.

[Richiswhere]

As long as Williams is the DC nothing will be legit about this defense

[Tour2ma]

8 hours ago, boo fagley said:

The Browns defense is legit and not the problem.

Which is basically a restatement of the article.

[nickers]

I'm still concerned about the encroachment calls and over aggressiveness (young players emotionally out of control) And Williams stubborness to play  Peppers 40 yards off the 2nd level. But here's some sunshine for you all...

[Tour2ma]

That's groovy, man...

[Flyin J]

I think this is masked a lot by the very short fields we present our opponents with, and their ability to throw with ease against us.  I do believe we have a top half run defense but in no way are they the second best.

[nickers]

Special teams and Offense are as much to blame for our woe's on defense too... As someone mentioned,, Field position and TOP (Or lack there of) tires on a defense too...

[TexasAg1969]

31 minutes ago, boo fagley said:

Ive been saying it all season way before this article.

Browns QB play and HC gameday management are killing the defense. This is at least and 8 - 8 team.

FIFY!