Panda, Headley, Gio, and the Hot Stove: While We’re Waiting…
November 26, 2014Cavs have pinpointed the problem, but can they fix it?
November 26, 2014The Cleveland Browns bounced back after a tough loss to the Houston Texans by coming from behind to beat the Atlanta Falcons on a last-second field goal. It was a sloppy game for the Browns, but the team remained calm and came back to win the game with just under a minute to go. The Browns defense was able to slow down the high-powered Falcon offense, allowing just 24 points. The defense held Matt Ryan and the Falcons to just 315 yards of offense in the game. It was another solid performance by the Browns defense, improving in multiple facets from last week’s subpar game versus the Texans. So in this week’s film room, I am going to focus on the solid run defense versus the Falcons, the continuing impressive pass coverage, and the play of the game by Joel Bitonio.
Take a seat and enjoy this week’s defensive film room. After you have read through my thoughts on this week’s game, let me know what you saw from the Browns defense this week. Roll the tape!
Solid Run Defense
The Browns have struggled defending against the run for pretty much all season. As I wrote in last week’s film room, the Browns defense has been deficient in many aspects causing the below average run defense. Two of those biggest aspects I illustrated last week were the lack of containment and the inability of the defensive line to penetrate to the backfield. But in this week’s win, the Browns showed glimpses of improvement in both of these areas. The improvement was key in the Browns holding the Falcons to only 63 yards rushing. Here are some examples of the improvements.
Improved Contain
Keeping contain is key to defending against rushes toward outside. In the Browns defense, the assignment of keeping contain on the end of the line is most often placed on the outside linebackers. Many times this year, the players in charge of the keeping contain have been too aggressive and shot down the line losing the edge allowing rushers to go outside. In the Falcons game on Sunday, the Browns were much better at containing the Falcons running backs, allowing just 23 yards on 12 carries toward the outside of the offensive tackles. Here is an example of the improved contain.
This play was a 1st-and-10 situation midway through the second quarter. Here is how the Browns tackled running back Devonta Freeman for a four-yard loss.
The Falcons are lined up in a single back set with two receivers out wide to the left. The Falcons have an extra lineman and a tight end lined up on the right end of the line. It is a designed run to the right end of the line. The Browns have three defensive linemen down with an outside linebacker rushing on the end of either side of the line. The Browns have two inside linebackers in the box, too.
As you can see here, outside linebacker Paul Kruger does an excellent job to seal off the edge, forcing Freeman to kick out wide. Kruger is key in making Freeman go sideways rather than up field.
Kruger’s excellent push up field shut off the edge for Freeman, forcing him to keep running sideways. This gives the rest of the defense time to get to Freeman and tackle him for the loss. One player sticking to his assignment was the key to stopping the run for a loss. Containing is all about knowing your assignment and not being overly aggressive to get out of position. This is something the Browns can fix without a change in personnel or scheme.
Improved Defensive Line Penetration
The Browns defensive line has been very shaky throughout the season. Injuries up front have had a role in this below average play, but the players who have played have not been able to put pressure in the backfield to disrupt the play. The defensive line has not been able to get push or penetration to the backfield and have for the most part been very weak in staying stout to clog up the running lanes. But in this week’s game, the Browns defensive line showed glimpses of stout play even getting penetration to the backfield. Here is an example of this.
This play was a 1st-and-10 situation early in the fourth quarter. Here is how the Browns stopped running back Devonta Freeman for no gain.
The Falcons are lined up in a single back set with three receivers in a bunch in the right slot. The Falcons also have a receiver out wide to the left. The Browns have two defensive linemen in the middle of the line with an outside linebacker on the end of either side of the line. The Browns also have an inside linebacker and a safety in the box.
The penetration by defensive lineman Billy Winn was important in disrupting the running play. Winn gets to the backfield forcing Freeman to run more sideways then up field. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger also made Freeman go around because of his penetration (He also kept contain on the play!). These two players completely disrupted the running play making it develop longer giving the rest of the Browns defense the ability to get to the Freeman for the stop. As you can see in this play, penetration to the backfield is a huge factor in slowing down an opposing offense’s running attack.
The run defense was much better in this victory over the Falcons. The defenders stepped up and played stout against the Atlanta running game. But some of the improved run defense can be attributed to struggling Falcons running game. The Falcons’ rushing game this season ranks in the lower half of the league. So the Browns success in run defense this week cannot all be credited to the improvement of the Browns.
Continuing Impressive Pass Coverage
The Browns continued their very good pass coverage this week against the talented Atlanta passing game. The coverage over the last quarter or so of the season has been very good from the entire defense. The coverage by the entire secondary and linebackers has made it very difficult for the opposing quarterbacks to find receivers. The Browns defense ranks eighth in fewest receiving yards given up, tied for eighth in fewest passing touchdowns given up, and second in most interceptions. The defense has combined close coverage with defensive playmaking. Here are two examples of the great pass coverage.
This play is the first offensive play of the game for the Atlanta Falcons. Here is how the Browns were able to force an incompletion from quarterback Matt Ryan.
The Falcons line up in I-Formation to the right with a receiver out wide on either side of the line. The offense also has a tight end on the right end of the line. The route that is targeted here is the curl route by receiver Roddy White. The Browns have man coverage on every pass catcher running a route. Safety Tashaun Gipson is covering Julio Jones underneath, while linebacker Craig Robertson is in zone coverage in the middle of the field. Safety Donte Whitner is in zone covering the receivers on the right side of the field.
As you can see here, the Browns have every single target covered very closely. There is not a really great option here for Ryan, so he chooses White on the curl route.
The finish to the play makes the defense so good in pass coverage. Skrine makes a great play on the ball to bat the ball away from White. His great shadowing ability puts him in the right position to make a play on the ball.
This play is a 3rd-and-9 situation and the first play of the second quarter. Here is how the Browns forced an interception from quarterback Matt Ryan.
The Falcons are lined up in a shotgun formation with a running back to the left of the Ryan. Atlanta has three receivers on the right side of the line and a receiver on the left side of the line. The Browns are playing in a Cover Two with man coverage on every target in the passing game. The route that is targeted by Ryan in this play is the deep out route by receiver Julio Jones.
As you can see here, the five available receivers are all covered very tightly leaving Ryan only a drop off to the running back or forcing in a tight throw.
This is another great play by a Browns secondary player. Joe Haden makes an excellent play on the ball and intercepts the Ryan pass. The shadowing by Haden was so tight that he was in the right position to make a play on the ball.
The Browns pass coverage has been a combination of great shadowing and playmaking to make big plays for the team. Haden has been the true shutdown corner who got the big contract this past offseason. Skrine has looked very good lately playing tight coverage on his man. The emergence of K’Waun Williams has given the Browns three good corners to play man coverage. Justin Gilbert has played better in recent weeks, too.
The safety duo has also been very good for the Browns, especially Tashaun Gipson. His injury will be a huge loss to the secondary because of his ballhawking ability. Safety Donte Whitner will need to step up for the Browns and be the playmaker in the safety group. The linebackers, including Karlos Dansby, Craig Robertson, and Chris Kirksey, have all played pretty well in coverage throughout the season. These players make the Browns a tough team to throw against.
Joel Bitonio’s Play of the Game
As you can see here, offensive lineman Joel Bitonio comes from all the way on the other side of the field to make the saving tackle on the missed field goal. This play by Bitonio was the play of the game. It might have saved the game for the Browns and definitely gave head coach Mike Pettine a reprieve.
Defensive Highlight
The Browns defensive highlight of the game is cornerback Buster Skrine. Skrine has played very well over the last couple weeks of the season. He has really turned into a very good number two cornerback opposite of Joe Haden. On Sunday, Skrine was targeted seven times, giving up just five receptions for 34 yards, according to ProFootballFocus. On the day, he notched three tackles and two passes defended.
Defensive Lowlight
The Browns defensive lowlight of the game is the injury to safety Tashaun Gipson. Gipson has been the true playmaker for the Browns defense, leading the league in interceptions with six. He has been the Browns deep safety for the secondary, covering the backend of the defense. His lost will put more pressure on the other Browns’ secondary players to step up. He is just another loss for the depleted Browns defense.
26 Comments
Great work on this, Joe.
Re Bitonio: I agree that it may have been the play of the game, and I won’t take anything away from what Bitonio did there or his phenomenal hustle, but I think we should also note that one of the skinny kicker dudes (can’t tell which one) facilitated Bitonio’s tackle. If that dude (either Lanning or Cundiff – assume it’s Cundiff, based on his positioning as safety) doesn’t trip up Hester a split second before Bitonio gets there, I don’t think Bitonio makes that tackle. A transparent orange helmet sticker also goes to him.
Nice work, Joe. A few things:
– Re our d-line performance, beware of false positives given how Houston had just abused them. Atlanta’s o-line is decimated by injuries – they’re down to their 3rd string center, have backups starting almost everywhere, including Matthews at left tackle when they probably didn’t count on him starting right away. Something was up when gimpy Ahtyba Rubin bull rushed and sacked Ryan while his man was still in between them. We got great push against Cincy when Taylor returned but nothing the next week when he was absent again. We need a healthier Rubin and Dansby back, stat, or the offense better start exploding.
– The secondary uncharacteristically opened playing tight coverage. Maybe because O’Neil recognized Atlanta’s o-line problem? Whatever, it sure worked.
– I’ve never seen a cornerback’s hands improve as much as Haden’s the past two years. Through 2012 he seemed to drop every interception. Now he looks like a receiver. In 3 weeks he’s made a laid-out end zone interception over the receiver’s back, the leaping all-hands interception above, and perfectly batted back the ball to Whitner in the Thursday night game. When he loses interest he gets embarrassed on predictable double moves. When he’s on he can be ridiculous.
– Bitonio: a 300 pound linemen is picking up speed after 60 yards. Guess who is NOT hitting the “rookie wall.” In an anonymous o-lineman way that play is almost like the young LeBron: otherworldly speed, effort and stamina for a 300 pounder. And something he will not be able to do in 5 years. Let’s enjoy this now. And maybe stick him at fullback every now and again just for giggles.
I think it was mentioned in a comment under one of the other articles about the game that Bitonio doesn’t make that play without the assist you mentioned, but it’s certainly worth mentioning again, as is Bitonio’s hustle. The shorter gifs I have seen with only the end of the play don’t due Bitonio nearly enough justice – I had no idea just how far he went to make that play. This gif will be all Bitonio (and mgbode – he was always your boy!) need to show as proof of anything in the near future.
And while you use logic to give credit to Cundiff, I’m gonna assume it’s just another notch on the belt of the (channeling The Comic Book guy) Craziest. Season. Ever. for a punter.
Bitonio at FB could make us forget about Vickers. Do we want to go down that road?
Based on his reaction, it very well could be Lanning. He gives a demonstrative “finally, revenge!” fist pump, presumably accompanied by a raucous, barbaric yawp.
If Bitonio could have overtaken Hester without help they should have both been required to pee in a cup. Lanning’s help doesn’t reduce my awe one bit. I have never seen a man that size sprint that fast over that kind of distance. And looks like he was speeding up when he caught him.
As if we could ever forget. But for a Vickers, a dynasty was lost …
Not sure if NFL Films still produce annual team highlight films but if so Lanning would be the Forrest Gump of the production, popping up everywhere.
Oh, completely agree. Again, not trying to take anything away from Bitonio at all. He did what he did. It was Vickers-esque. I just want to spread a little bit of the Superman accolades to the skinny geek that helped. Clark Kent has Jimmy Olson. Batman has Robin. Washington had Hamilton. Finn has Jake. Greatness does not travel alone, however big and fast it might be.
He will not have acheived full revenge until we play the Steelers in the playoffs and he tells his punt coverage team to let Antonio Brown break up field (a la Sunshine in Remember the Titans) and does something like below. (the colors of the player on the recieving end are no coincidence)
Ref: “Unnecessary roughness on a punter? C’mon coach”
http://31.media.tumblr.com/8cd9b2ec99015f6c45206dc3858e9ba1/tumblr_ncvkcjCDG31sodwato1_400.gif
I definitely agree about the D-Line. I noted in the article that Atlanta has been horrible running the ball and that the D-Line’s better play will have an asterisk because of this.
Shifting gears a bit, I’m consistently amazed (frightened?) by the minds that could come up with those fatalities in that game (and other video games). In that vein, there’s a series of books by Tim Dorsey about a crazy character named Serge Storms who takes cruel justice on bad guys by devising the most outrageous, horrible ways to kill them. It’s mind-boggling, terrifying, and shamefully hilarious all at once. Not sure if Dorsey is a genius or a sociopath for coming up with each one (or what I am for enjoying the stories so much). Anyhoo, as you were. Back to sports. Sorry about the literary rabbit trail.
(Wouldn’t it be funny if Vickers was reading these taunts? Wouldn’t it be scary if Vickers was reading these taunts?)
Ahem: “Mr. Vickers, sir! I do not intend to mock you. I intend to mock the type, often inebriated and always disturbed, who may have desired – but who would have never dared – to bum rush you by your residence elevators. Sir.”
And please allow me to add, Mr. Vickers, sir, that I was and will always remain a big fan. Big fan.
And I as well, Mr. Vickers. I don’t think people appreciated the nuance you brought to the game. And as I’m assuming that since you still have athletic tape covering your hands and forearms even as you walk out of the call center there’s undoubtedly a nuance to your new job you’ve already discovered there that others are oblivious to. Not surprised. Unfortunately I have somewhere to be right now but I’m guessing my friend Garry here would love to buy you lunch. Take care, guys.
It actually was Lanning who tripped him up/slowed him down but I know Cundiff was also in the vicinity, which may have helped him change directions. Dude is the most exciting a punter could possibly be.
Sure, sure. Would love to buy lunch. Unfortunately, we’re a little snowed in at the moment, and while I know that the sheer force and magnetism of your personality could overcome it, I also really need to hit the road to try to get home for Thanksgiving in front of the holiday traffic. And stuff. Perhaps a raincheck, then? Great. Thanks. I’ll add “patient” and “forbearing” to the long list of your outstanding attributes.
(Garry, he’s pawing the dirt. That can’t be good)
(Play dead, Garry. Don’t breath. Don’t move. Don’t make eye contact . . . )
Wow, not sure if there is a better name than “Serge Storms” for that character. “Max Deathbringer” maybe?
I hear ya, as I have found myself in awe of the originality of the fatality, but only a second later wondering who came up with that. But I’m less frightened by the people who make up murders that involve fictional powers than those who design the more non-fictional/realistic deaths of murder/mystery shows.
It was Lanning. I actually thought he deserved most credit on the play originally, thinking he held Hester up for some LB or DB. Once I found out it was Bitonio, however, I think they both deserve the credit.
great job as usual Joe, thanks for the breakdowns.
on Kruger’s edge, do you know if the scheme calls for him to get the push to the outside or if he’s supposed to actually get the whole edge and force him back in? Either could be schemed, just curious (and thankful that he’s doing anything that is allowing the RB not to get that lane and go fullspeed towards our endzone).
Please. If Vickers was reading this exchange, then the only reason that he allowed you to finish was that it amused him. So, you are safe in the fact that you were able to continue typing.
I do think that he rolls his eyes with each successive FB-swap he sees in the Brown’s transactions (Oh, Smalls cut for Agnew again, that worked SO WELL the first time!!!).
Not knowing the actually scheme assignments first hand, the way he is looking at the back makes me think he was in charge of the edge to force him in inside or out wide. He was patient in the beginning before making the push.
Thanks Joe. Just wasn’t sure if the coaches had mentioned anything. Good point on the patience there.