The Cleveland Browns have the Miami Dolphins this week and some players need to step up.
The Cleveland Browns had a week off, which means we had time to enjoy the success of the Cleveland Cavaliers without any baggage. The Cavs are off and popping, dominating a lot of the games they played, and giving fans hope of basketball in June. The Browns, not so much. They did win their last game, stomping the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.
The team looked great, truly, against the Bengals. They looked like many expected them to do at the start of the year. Personally, I think the move of Sionne Takitaki to the mike linebacker spot (aka middle linebacker), had a lot to do with it. We’ve never seen Takitaki in such a prominent role before, and his impact on the defense was instantaneous. Are we seeing the rise of Takitaki? Who knows, it was one game, against a moderately talented Bengals team with no offensive line.
That being said, not everyone played well. In fact, some notable names who many expected to be stars this season have struggled. Either due to the age of the player, declining talent, ego issues, or any other number of reasons
So while the team gets ready for the streaking Miami Dolphins, let’s take a look at the players who looked awful last Monday Night, and who need to step up against the Dolphins.
Offense
Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt is having his worst year as a pro by far. With the exception of 2019, where he was limited due to his suspension and late-season arrival, Hunt is averaging the least rushes through eight games That includes the worst yards per carry, the least amount of yards, as well as the least receptions, yards, total touchdowns, yards per-reception. Now you can say, “Well, Kevin Stefanski isn’t using him as much” and sure, true. He also isn’t as productive as he was when he was being used. He’s down nearly a full yard-per-carry from last year. He’s not making the most of the opportunities given to him, which is why he’s getting fewer. Keep in mind, Nick Chubb is averaging better numbers this year, than last. So this isn’t an offensive line issue.
Jack Conklin
All though, we do have an offensive line issue. I don’t know if it’s the injury he suffered last year, him getting back into football shape, or what, but Jack Conklin is quickly playing his way out of Cleveland. He’s been up and down all year. In some games he’s great, in other games he’s awful. The worst part is that Conklin is struggling in the area he’s most been reliable at, his run blocking. In fact, the Browns largely run to his side when he’s healthy. He got blown up by the Bengals, posting just a 55.4 in run blocking for the game, according to PFF.
Harrison Bryant
There was an Epic Rap Battle between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, where Abraham Lincoln parachuted in from a “giant bald beard”, and uttered the lyrics “YOU! I WANNA LIKE YOU!” and that’s how I feel every time I see Harrison Bryant. The man is very nimble and tall, and a future in the NFL as a receiver makes total sense. Yet, he can’t block the run and he can’t catch a pass (or seemingly get open to catch one), and he’s largely just unremarkable. Considering he won the collegiate award for being the best tight end, Bryant really should be a better player.
Pharaoh Brown
The Browns brought back Pharaoh Brown to be the team’s third tight end. His job is to block, something Stephen Carlson was more than capable of doing. Yet, Brown has been anything but a good blocker. He had a PFF score of 46.3 against the Bengals. Not a strong sign that he’s what we need.
Defense
Taven Bryan
Largely, Taven Bryan has been just as good in Cleveland as he was in Jacksonville, and that’s a bad thing. Bryan is arguably the best, or most consistent defensive tackle the team currently has, and that’s exactly the sign of how bad the interior has been. Bryan gets bullied around a lot, and he doesn’t shed blockers all too easily. He’s capable of a solid game now and then but that’s about it.
Jordan Elliott
There really is no exception here, every defensive tackle is lacking on this current Cleveland Browns team. Jordan Elliot, who had a PFF grade of just 51.0, is no exception. The third-year tackle is not an improvement over Bryan, nor is he an improvement over Tommy Togiai, who himself is struggling this year. Togiai has struggled all year, save for the three games where the opposing team had bad offensive lines. So he can at least beat up on teams lacking talent. Elliot, not so much. He should’ve eaten the Bengals’ o-line alive on Monday night, but he didn’t.
Jadeveon Clowney
When the Bengals’ offensive line destroys you, you need to rethink your life. The Browns are relying on Jadeveon Clowney to be the Pro Bowler he once was, but save for one game against the New York Jets, Clowney has played very averagely or terribly this season, depending on the game you’re looking at. Clowney is providing next to no pass rush this year, and his run-stopping skills seem to be slipping.
Alex Wright
Das Wunderkind Alex Wright has not been playing well all year, but he is a rookie so we’ll give him his chance to bounce back as a second-year guy Wright has not been anything close to a serviceable player. As he was a third-rounder, there really isn’t much in the way of defending him. He’s supposed to be playing better. Then again, most of Andrew Berry’s draft picks aren’t exactly studs, historically. There’s a chance he’s better than his 38.6 rating against the Bengals but unlikely. We’ll have to wait and see, however.