New Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods plans to blend his defensive philosophy from his experiences over the past 10 years. (clevelandbrowns.com)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
As usual, the Browns’ defense is flying under radar.
Most of the attention and focus has been on offense, starting with the coaching change to Kevin Stefanski – the third consecutive full-time head coach to come from the offensive side.
Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry pinpointed major additions to the offense geared to support quarterback Baker Mayfield. They added offensive tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills, tight ends Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant, backup quarterback Case Keenum and fullback Andy Janovich, and returned receiver Rashard Higgins to the fold.
Other than second-round safety Grant Delpit, most of the defensive additions came via lower-risk, short-term deals – defensive linemen Andrew Billings and Adrian Clayborn, linebacker B.J. Goodson, and safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo.
Even the selection of Stefanski’s defensive coordinator, Joe Woods, was low-keyed, coming after Woods’ contract as San Francisco defensive backfield coach expired following the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.
Woods considers Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin his No. 1 mentor. He’s also worked under Wade Phillips and Vance Joseph in Denver, Leslie Frazier in Minnesota, and Robert Saleh in San Francisco.
Woods said his defensive philosophy stems from “a combination of what I feel like have been the top defenses of the last basically 10 years. It is really a combination of the things that I have done in Minnesota, Denver and San Francisco, and they all fit together. We are almost through our whole install so I feel like it is going to be a really good defensive package that is simple where the guys can play fast, but I think it will cause some problems for the offenses.”
On a Zoom call with reporters on Thursday, Woods touched on a variety of topics about the unit that has been outside the spotlight during this virtual offseason.
On free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who reportedly has not accepted a multi-year offer from the Browns:
“Obviously, he has been a really good player in this league, a great pass rusher when he was in Houston [and] in Seattle. Just really affects the game. To be honest with you, that is really a question you have to ask Andrew. I read the articles, too. I see him linked to us, Tennessee and see all these teams. Really, right now, I am really focused on coaching the guys we have.”
On defensive end Myles Garrett and his mindset after being reinstated from a five-game suspension for slamming Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph on the head with his helmet:
“I think Myles has the right mindset in terms of wanting to be MVP and all of that, but we just need him to be the best player for us that he can be, and whatever happens, happens. Right now, I think he is in a good place. I think as a young player in this league, you go through a lot of different things, so I definitely think he is going to learn and grow from the situation that happened last year.
“We really have not talked about it after he got back and after he was reinstated. He is focused on getting better. He is focused on being a good teammate. He has been in the meetings. He is trying to step up and take more of a leadership role. I definitely think he is moving in the right direction and has the right mindset.”
On his vision of the linebacker positions and who fits where:
“That is a good question. Right now, we are giving them some primary positions to learn, but [linebackers coach Jason] Tarver and [senior defensive assistant] Coach [Ben] Bloom are really trying to cross-train most of the linebackers. This is going to be a situation where once we get on the field and we start running our defense, it is going to be how well they fit in a specific position.
“Are they capable of making plays, based on the scheme? It is going to be something we are going to have to feel out once we get back for training camp. I will tell you what, all of those guys in the meetings really have been doing a good job so I know mentally they can handle it. It is just physically, what are they capable of doing?”
On whether he will favor a 4-2-5 alignment as his base defense v. a traditional 4-3:
“I have come from both systems. I would like to transition into a dime system [using a third safety], but it is going to be something that is going to take time to get into, just because of getting their reps. Eventually, I would like to have a nickel package [with a third cornerback], where we have two linebackers on the field, but also, just to create better matchups and be a little bit more diverse in our scheme, I would like to get to a dime package, where we are putting an extra safety on the field.”
On top defensive draft pick Delpit, the rangy safety from LSU:
“Grant is a very talented player. When you look at his tape, he has the ability to play down in the box and he has the ability to play in the post. We can play him in the dime. He can match up in the slot and man coverage. He is the ideal type of athlete that I look forward to getting in the secondary. The size and the speed, to me, he possesses it all.
“Obviously, everybody has talked about it and he has heard about it from everybody about the tackling issues. The one thing is I know he can tackle. We just need him to be more consistent. That is something we will work on. He is eager and he is ready to go.”
On the current health and attitude of defensive end Olivier Vernon, who has been a frequently rumored candidate to be cut because of his team-high salary:
“All of my conversations have been good with him. I get on the phone and talk to him personally. He is ready to go. We just had an honest conversation, and he has been great. He is 100 percent attendance, in all the meetings. He has been there and he is speaking up. I know he has done really well on his tests. He scored 100 percent on a lot of them. I just think for him, he really wants to just come back this year, play healthy and just show everybody what he is capable of doing. So far, he has been great.”
On if Vernon is healthy enough to be on the field now, if the team could do so:
“Yeah, as far as I know, based on the workouts that he is doing. I feel like he is in good shape. Obviously, [his official status won’t be known] until he gets in front of our medical staff, but all indications are that he is healthy and ready to go.”