Offensive Identity Must Be Focus During Browns Bye
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
At this point it’s clear, the Cleveland Browns have an elite defense. Even though they gave up a few yards to the Baltimore Ravens, Jim Schwartz’s men were constantly gassed as they were forced into tough situation after tough situation on Sunday. Result aside, they are still one of the best units in the NFL.
Unfortunately the offense cannot say the same. After losing Nick Chubb for the season in Week 2, then finding out their backup rookie quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson isn’t ready to be a starter, the offense needs to figure out who they are over the bye week. That journey begins with the coach and quarterback.
There is no doubt the heart of this team was taken away when Chubb all but snapped his leg in half on Monday Night Football. The injury was so gruesome that Steelers fans could do nothing but cheer in support as he was carted off the field.
And even though we saw glimpses of greatness from the offense against Tennessee, Kevin Stefanski still needs to figure out where he wants to go now that his superstar back is not an option.
Right now, there is far too much changing of personnel. When the Browns go to a 31 set (three tight ends and one wide receiver) it’s too predictable. Yes, there is a threat of play action, but they only have one receiver in the route. Then before you know it they are five-wide spread, and the defensive ends can pin their ears back and run right around the left tackle, who continues to struggle.
I understand that part of the game is making the defense gameplan against a hundred different sets, but the lack of consistent identity is also creating a lack of chemistry with Deshaun Watson and Stefanski. Right now Stefanski doesn’t trust Watson to air it out, and Watson likely feels like a caged animal who just wants to run.
At this point, it makes sense to hope that Stefanski leans on his $230 million quarterback. They can’t abandon the run, but they also can’t continue to have second and nine because the run gets stuffed on first down. Truthfully, Stefanski has a higher football IQ than anyone writing about him, so no one here is going to dictate what the strategy should be moving forward. The important thing is that he and Watson take the bye week to get on the same page and start to develop trust and chemistry.
But the only way Cleveland can build a new offensive identity off said chemistry is if the O-line steps up and allows them to do so.
It was tough to judge last week’s performance because the rookie, DTR, was so bad at quarterback. While he was under a lot of pressure and took three sacks, it’s easy to see that he created a ton of his own pressure by bailing on the pocket.
But that doesn’t excuse an offensive line that continues to struggle. Unfortunately, the best performer so far is the rookie, Dawand Jones, who was thrown in after an injury to Jack Conklin. Joel Bitonio and Ethan Pocic have both been okay, but right guard Wyatt Teller and left guard Jedrick Wills have both had significant struggles, especially in pass protection.
Everyone loves to see Teller down the field throwing pancake blocks, but what they fail to see is him getting bull-rushed into the backfield constantly, and he has been hit with a ton of timely holding penalties because he’s so worried about getting his guy to the ground.
I know I sound like a broken record with Wills, but this guy continues to prove he doesn’t deserve to be an NFL starter. In fact, don’t be surprised if we see James Hudson get the start at left tackle next game as he will have the bye to finally get healthy.
# 71 Jedrick Wills Jr. getting instantly beat by a simple swim move ( top )
In focus over and over for your enjoyment #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/RQWsP4NIAX
— JohnnyOhio 🏀⚾️ (@JohnnyOhio) October 1, 2023
If you thought the pressure was bad against the Steelers and Ravens, just wait until you see what the San Francisco 49ers dial up with arguably the second-best front four in the NFL (behind the Browns).
Getting the best guys on the field and committing to a style of play will certainly help the O-line. But conversely any improvement by the line will help Stefanski and Watson elevate this entire offense. For this team to go where they believe they are capable of going, the bye week needs to be spent focusing on these two areas in an effort to move forward with a more consistent and effective identity.
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