BEREA — The Browns defense was phenomenal Sunday after the first two drives. It gave Deshaun Watson and the offense time to figure out things and mount a second-half comeback in the 13-10 win over the Ravens.
Since the opening 34-10 debacle in Jacksonville, the defense has been one of the league’s best, allowing just 88 points in the next five games (17.6 a game), including four wins. First-time coordinator Mike Rutenberg has been a pleasant surprise after taking over for the well-respected and Super Bowl-winning Jim Schwartz. He went back to more man coverage after the secondary struggled in zone against the Jaguars but has also mixed in disguise on the backend and blitzes at the line.
The defense might even be better than in Schwartz’s three years, although it needs to sustain the success over a longer period before any conclusion can be drawn. According to ESPN stats, the comparison is close.
In Schwartz’s three years, the Browns allowed 5.0 yards per play with an 8.1 percent sack rate, 33.8 percent conversion rate on third down, 63.4 percent touchdown rate in the red zone, 62.7 percent success rate and an expected points added per play of minus-0.15. This year, it’s 5.0, 8.1 percent, 39.1 percent, 43.8 percent, 60.4 percent and minus-0.08.
None of this means the defense is better without end Myles Garrett, who was traded to the Rams on June 1.
Just because he’s gone and the unit is doing well doesn’t mean his departure is the reason. That’s flawed logic.
More likely — and I’ll die on this hill — is that the defense would be even better with Garrett, who was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year two out of the last three seasons.
The man who replaced him, Jared Verse, doesn’t have a sack through six games. If Garrett were here — and healthy — and didn’t have a sack, that would be a major talking point regardless of wins and points allowed.
Substitute a healthy Garrett for Verse, and the sky’s the limit for the defense. Garrett would draw consistent double and triple teams, when Verse doesn’t. He would create more one-on-one opportunities for his fellow rushers. He would allow Rutenberg to blitz less frequently because he’d provide the pressure on the quarterback himself.
Coach Todd Monken was asked Monday why he thinks this defense is better without Garrett than the one he faced the previous three years as offensive coordinator with the Ravens.
“Well, I’m not going to say that. You said that. I’m not going to say that it’s better without Myles,” Monken said. “I don’t know that, because he’s not here. What I do know is that our guys play with physicality. They play with elite effort. They’re connected and they enjoy playing together. And that’s part of the connection piece.
“But they swarm to the football, and I think if you get that, it allows you to maximize your players’ measurable skill sets. And I think you see that collectively each week.”
The collective has certainly been impressive.
The sacks are spread out among 11 players, as the Browns rank second in the NFL with 19. They finished third last year with 53 when Garrett set the NFL season record with 23.
The turnover opportunities are dispersed, too, with 10 players accounting for an interception, forced fumble or fumble recovery. The Browns have an even turnover margin — seven giveaways and seven takeaways — which has been key for them hanging around until they can make a fourth-quarter comeback.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham was really good before he got hurt, with four sacks in the first three games. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins picked up where he left off last year when his quadriceps tore, with 3.5 sacks, including at least one in the last three games. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger has generated a fourth-quarter turnover in the last two games.
The secondary has also been fantastic following the opener. Cornerback Denzel Ward is again playing at a Pro Bowl level, Tyson Campbell is strong on the other side and Myles Harden has ups and downs but overall is solid for a nickel. The oft-used three-safety package provides flexibility.
The tight coverage has allowed the pass rush to get home.
Depth shows up across roster, and in unlikely sources, during win over Ravens
“It gives us time to set up our rushes instead of those quick throws where you only have a second. Get one, two, three, four seconds and he has to hold the ball back there,” Verse said. “If the quarterback holds the ball back there for three seconds, if we’re not back there we’ve failed our DBs.”
All of these positives can be true without being a referendum on Garrett.
Perhaps he would get the majority of the sacks, but his teammates combined for 30 last year, so there were plenty to go around. He would force the quarterbacks to get rid of ball — they didn’t want him to hit them or wreck the game — which would take stress off the backend and allow Rutenberg to perhaps do even more with disguise.
Over Schwartz’s tenure with Garrett starring, the Browns defense led the NFL in yards, passing, first downs, third-down conversions, fourth-down conversions and tackles for loss. The scoring numbers were skewed by an offense that committed too many turnovers and had a turnstile at quarterback.
Some in the media believe the trade of Garrett is addition by subtraction. That’s only if Garrett was a “cancer in the clubhouse.”
He wasn’t.
He may have been late to meetings and carried a high opinion of himself but he didn’t drag down the locker room. He mentored younger players in the defensive line room and is likable, even if his personality is unique and he isn’t a natural leader.
The blockbuster trade of Garrett may turn out to be a huge success. Especially if the defense keeps it up and flourishes without him. He’s been hurt, the Rams are 2-4 and in a tough division and the Browns will receive a first-, second- and third-round draft pick over the next three years.
That’s a different discussion.
The idea the defense wouldn’t be better with the best defensive player in the league is flat out wrong.
