3. Olivier Vernon
Steve Wilks has mostly been lauded for his work as defensive coordinator, but he’s should be held accountable for the atrocity that played out on the first play of the game when Matt Breida ripped off an 83-yard touchdown run, untouched.
Wilks sent his defense out in the 4-2-5 base scheme and got torched. All anyone was talking about leading up to the contest was Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme. Sure looks like Wilks thought he was smarter, but wow, talk about a pie in your face.
With a two-back look to open the game, Lodi native Kyle Juszczyk popped Olivier Vernon to spring Breida.
Later, Vernon was taken out a play by a wide receiver, cementing himself as an “invisible man” on defense.
What is it about guys when hey leave the Browns. Jamie Collins is now one of the highest graded linebackers by PFF. Emmanuel Ogbah has more sacks now with the Chiefs than he had in the past two years with the Browns.
Vernon’s line for the game included two tackles, no sacks, no quarterback hits. He’s got one sack on the season through five games. There just hasn’t been a lot of production there for what he’s being paid.
His lack of productivity also raises questions as to where in the world Gernard Avery is. The Memphis product was inactive again. The Browns seemed irked with his weight and shape in the preseason. One writer defended him because they consider him a linebacker and the Browns keep going with the 4-2-5 look, lessening the need for a third linebacker.
This isn’t a call to bench Vernon, but Garrett can’t do it all. Avery is at his best when he runs at the quarterback, which begs the question: Where the heck is he?