Giving thanks to you, While We’re Waiting
November 25, 2014Pettine says Johnny Manziel could play Sunday
November 25, 2014The Cleveland Browns have had many injuries on the defensive side of the ball this season, but none may be bigger than the loss of free safety Tashaun Gipson. Amidst this Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, Gipson injured his MCL and possibly the PCL, according to head coach Mike Pettine. The injury occurred early in the fourth quarter when Gipson collided with teammate Joe Haden defending a pass to wide receiver Julio Jones, leading to a penalty on Haden and salt in the wounds with Gipson as he was carted off of the field.
“I didn’t see him until we hit,” Haden would say of his collision with Gipson. “We were both just making a great play on the ball.”
Pettine announced on Monday that Gipson’s recovery timetable to return from the injury will last close to or at the end of the regular season. This timetable is making the team weigh whether or not to place the safety on the IR ending his season as he could potentially return for the playoffs. But for the foreseeable future, the Browns will be without one of their best defenders.
This injury is a huge blow to the Browns’ defense. Tashaun Gipson has played at a Pro Bowl level this season and really has emerged as one of the best safeties in the league. Gipson is the league leader in interceptions this season with six interceptions. He has been a true ballhawk for the Browns secondary. According to ProFootballFocus, Gipson has graded out so far this season as the best Browns defensive player (+10.3). He is also graded as the best Browns defensive player in pass coverage (+8.5).
Tashaun Gipson is oftentimes in charge of the deep safety duties, covering the backend of Browns defense, posing as the team’s center fielder. His assignment as the deep safety is to read the offense and be in the right position to help his fellow corners in coverage. His loss will put more pressure on the Browns cornerbacks to stay with their man, something that has proven to be an issue during times where the defensive front has lacked penetration. Alas, the team may need to adjust their defensive play calling because of Gipson’s absence.
The player who will need to step up the most with Gipson out is his fellow safety Donte Whitner. Whitner has played well this season, but he has not made the big plays like Gipson has. He could be called to help more in coverage because of this injury.
So far this season, Whitner has lined up as the strong safety and been more involved in the run defense rather than the coverage down field. The Cleveland native may be called on to be more of a ballhawk and make plays for the Browns defense in the pass defense. Though because of the struggling run defense, the team may choose to leave Whitner in his same role to help out the struggling run defense and count on the next man stepping up in Gipson’s absence.
In replace of Gipson, the Browns will most likely use a combination of safeties Jordan Poyer and Jim Leonhard. Leonhard may get more snaps because of his experience and familiarity of Pettine’s defensive system. He has played limited snaps for the Browns so far this season as the third safety. Poyer is a younger option for the Browns and someone who has shown promise in playing time during the preseason. But even with these two players, the Browns will not be able to match the level of play that Tashaun Gipson has played at this season.
Can they fill the void left by No. 39? They certainly have big cleats to fill.
17 Comments
I ask this seriously wanting an answer: has any other team suffered as many injuries to KEY players as us? Mack, Dansby, Gipson… I know every team deals with injuries to some extent, I’m just curious to know if any team has lost this many GOOD players. Like I know GB lost their starting center at the beginning of the year, but I’m assuming he was no Alex Mack. But did they also lose their best defensive player and captain?
Don’t forget about our best red zone receiver and a true receiving threat – Jordan Cameron. I think you may be right, I’m not sure another team has suffered as many injuries to their best players.
Leonard obviously isn’t as good as Gipson (otherwise he’d be starting) but he’s not awful. For a back up, I’m okay with him being there. Gipson being hurt isn’t good, but at least the cupboard isn’t entirely bare.
I agree, he is at least competent. BTW, as a true Leonard, I do not accept the spelling of Jim Leonhard’s name. Brutal spelling.
Wow, I never noticed. I assumed he spelled it like the rest of America. He must be a commie spy.
Photo of Jim Leonhard when not in uniform.
http://blog.nomadicagency.com/wp-content%5Cuploads/2014/03/Constantine_Wanted.jpg
Arizona
Well this sucks. I’ve absolutely loved watching this man play and develop into a really good player the last couple of years. I hope he recovers quickly and that he’s a Brown for a long time.
I know Palmer is out for the second time/season, and Fitz was out this past week and maybe longer, but who else? I don’t follow them really.
Darnell Dockett has been out for the whole season with an ACL tear. And they lost John Abraham after one or two games.
Weird thing is they’re now missing key players from every part of the defense: Line, LBs and secondary.
Good news: Hughes didn’t need surgery, Dansby didn’t need surgery, Gipson didn’t need surgery. Means if they might be ready to return by end of year they’ll certainly be fully recovered by summer camp.
Bad news: Leonhard may be smart, may know where to be, but doesn’t look like he’s physically capable of making too many plays as opposed to just getting in the receiver’s way. But who knows, maybe Poyer will get some valuable experience and be ready to add real depth next year.
[Also, where’s the draft talk? Don’t you guys know it’s almost December, or that this weekend’s Buffalo game is the Draft Slot Bowl? I’m thinking right tackle, boys, a safety and maybe another fast TE with hands].
maybe Jim Leonhard can fill in as an “interception catcher”. no return after the pick, though. fall down immediately.
Also Phil Taylor. Him being back in the Cincy game made the defense a completely different animal up front.
I was thinking best RT and best ILB with our two 1sts. Dansby is not a young man.
Strangely, I was so relieved that we didn’t lose both Gipson and Haden on that play (both were down for a while), that without thinking about it directly, I guess I hadn’t really considered the true impact of losing Gipsoin. Now I have, and it makes me sad. Thanks, Joe Gilbert.
I’d have zero problem with that – Robertson to me looks too light to be an every down ILB. And it’s just as obvious Farmer will have to use a high pick for a tackle as he had to take a receiver last draft. So, book it.
Right, he’d have to fair catch it.