Browns: 3 bad and 3 worse things from Week 8 loss to the Raiders

Conclusion

Andrew Berry has been cutting salary from the defense since he took over the team. Too many people keep saying “it’s only eight weeks” but it’s not. It’s been 10 months. These aren’t new complaints either, people. These are the same complaints fans had after he started making moves. In March. These are the same complaints the team had after last season ended. Berry somehow made this team’s defense worse.

He has built this team on cast-offs, rookies, and the occasional player. No wonder they’re awful.

Yes, there is talent on the defense. Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Porter Gustin, and Ronnie Harrison stand out the most but many of the rest are just awful. Too often fans blame Andrew Sendejo but frankly, they’re not watching the game closely. He’s often covering up someone else’s blown spot. I wouldn’t say he’s a building block, he’s just not the gaping problem that our defensive line is or that our corners are, or that linebackers are.

He’s become a scapegoat for a much bigger issue.

If the Browns want to have a winning record, and make the playoffs, and maybe even win a game or two while they are there, they’re going to have to make some moves. Berrys “take the money from the defense to pay for the offense” approach is not going to work.

According to Over The Cap, the Browns have spent nearly $30 million more on their offense this season than their defense. There’s a reason for that. Either Berry can’t notice what makes defensive players good, or this has been deliberate.

Either way, this should be concerning because all Berry has done to improve the team as the trade deadline nears is claim yet another linebacker who can’t make plays off of waivers in the form of Elijah Lee of Detroit. Lee’s been let go by three other teams, but Berry sees something in him.

Good thing the Browns hired Kevin Stefanski before Berry. Who knows what the head coach would’ve looked like otherwise.