Cleveland Browns: 5 Browns whose stock is down after Titans debacle

4. The front four

ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi pointed out how during the first half, the Browns had to “resort” to blitzes in order to apply pressure to Marcus Mariota.

It’s a point worth highlighting because you, me and your Aunt who knows nothing about football has been talking up how good the Browns’ defensive line was supposed to be.

Instead of making us come up with cool nicknames for the four down defensive lineman, we were left wondering why they weren’t able to apply pressure, relying on defensive backs Denzel Ward and Jermaine Whitehead to come up with quarterback takedowns.

Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi got to the quarterback once and Mariota escape pressure a couple times early on, but overall, a disappointing effort from the line.

Bizarrely, Genard Avery was inactive for the game, while Chad Thomas was active. Avery made plays as a rookie and was expected to a key rotational edge rusher this season. Unless there’s an injury we don’t know about, his absence is strange.

Garrett also contributed to the penalty by throwing an open-fist punch, while Sheldon Richardson was flagged for roughing the passer.