Browns: 3 Cleveland players who need to step up against the Jets
By Chad Porto
Every defensive lineman but Myles Garrett
If Myles Garrett is going to try and play, despite the fact he should probably sit out and heal, then the rest of the defensive line needs to step up. Garrett has been getting so gassed, so fast, since he caught Covid-19, and what’s made worse is that the rest of his teammates really aren’t stepping up. Sure, Olivier Vernon had a nice game against the Baltimore Ravens, but he did nothing of value against the New York Giants.
Sheldon Richardson, Porter Gustin, Adrian Clayborn, and Larry Ogunjobi need to do more. Give Jordan Elliot more reps if need be. Have Vernon line up as a linebacker more. Sign a bull, a literal bull, and have him play reps for Garrett on occasion. Make voodoo dolls of the Jets offensive line. Do something, anything, to help take the pressure off of Garrett.
The Browns front four, sans Garrett, has not been good. While some players like Vernon and Gustin have played well at times, they haven’t been playing well consistently. Part of the problem is the linebackers. They have no teeth, and that does affect blocking assignments. You want to see more blitz from the unit, that way the offensive line isn’t getting so complacent, but usually, it’s a blitz off the edge with a defensive back.
So we need someone to step up. Someone, anyone.