Undrafted free agent tackle Adin Huntington is just one reason coordinator Jim Schwartz feels the defensive line group should be the finest in his three years with the Browns. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Jim Schwartz has always said his defensive line is the engine for the entire defense.
Now, he’s always had Myles Garrett as the dominant force on the edge and another 6-to-9 sack guy on the other side. But in Schwartz’s three seasons as defensive coordinator, he’s never had the penetrating defensive tackles to get to the quarterback like this year.
Which prompts Schwartz to say, “Our defensive line is much, much improved over last year, and I think we’ve got back to our personality.”
The major acquisitions who will be prominent rushing the passer from the inside are No. 5 overall draft pick Mason Graham, free agent pickup Maliek Collins, and undrafted free agent gem Adin Huntington. The other tackles who made the 53 – Shelby Harris and Mike Hall – also are rush-first tackles.
As usual, the Browns kept 10 defensive linemen on the 53. So I asked Schwartz if this is his best group up front, from 1 to 10, in his three years as coordinator.
“Well, yeah, we’ll see, right?” he answered. “But I think they have the makings of that. I think one of the biggest things is we’re able to play a true form of attack now because of the those [tackles], and we have improved players.
“I think Isaiah McGuire had a good year last year. I think he’s improved over that. Alex [Wright] is as good as I’ve seen him. Guys like Cam [Thomas], adding Joe Tryon-[Shoyinka], a lot of speed there. You know, defensive tackles, getting some young blood in there. You know, I think we have the makings of it, but when it’s all said and done, we got to prove it on the field. I like where we’re going, but let’s not crown them just yet.”
QB2 update
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said rookie Dillon Gabriel won everyone’s confidence to be the main backup behind starting quarterback Joe Flacco.
How?
The first sentence out of his mouth was “The processing that he’s applied to the game.”
“I think when he’s had his opportunity in the preseason, we’ve seen him operate really efficiently within the offense,” Rees continued. “So, look, Dillon has put a lot of work in. He’s been thrown in there in different settings with different reps and different opportunities against good competition, played in the preseason. So, continuing to build those opportunities for him are important as the season goes on and continuing to develop him to get him caught up to speed. But there’s a poise there with him that does give us confidence in his ability to execute.”
More accolades for No. 49
Another day, another accolade for rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
This came from special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who, when pressed, said Schwesinger reminds him of former Carolina great Luke Kuechly. (Kuechly happens to be the player Schwesinger says he idolized.)
“I can’t say enough good things about him,” Ventrone said. “I mean, when we evaluated him, when I evaluated him, the first thing I saw on tape was instinctive, always around the football, right? Really good tackler, super smart, great kid, good communicator. I mean, he’s got leadership traits out the you-know-what. So, I mean this kid is high, high, high level to me. We got lucky to be able to get him where we got him [at No. 33 overall in the draft], honestly.”
Among the praises Schwesinger regularly received in his first training camp is his football acumen.
That’s evident in the simplicity of his answers to some questions. For instance, he was asked about the key to defending Cincinnati’s high-powered offense.
“I think the big thing for us is we've got to be able to tackle,” Schwesinger answered. “You know, they can make a lot of plays after the catch and [we have to be] able to get them down. That's one of the big goals is to be able to get those guys down.”
Obvious? Yes. But still, it cuts right to the basic task of his position.
Brownie bits
Myles Garrett was a surprise add to the injury list. He DNP’d because of a hip injury. Stefanski will update on Friday. Another new DNP was linebacker Easten Mascarenas-Arnold (Achilles). Defensive tackle Mike Hall (knee) was upgraded to limited, and center Ethan Pocic (knee) upgraded to full practice …
Rees fell short of conceding that newly-arrived big back Rocket Sanders enters the season as the team’s short-yardage back, until Quinshon Judkins arrives. “We got three backs that we feel like can go out and get us a yard,” Rees said, referring also to Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson …
Rees said he will continue to monitor the offense from the coaches box upstairs and not from the sideline. “We felt like me being up was the best set of tools that we could have for the game day, for the communication, for the vision from the box,” he said. “That’s where I’ve been most of my career calling it. So, to have that same viewpoint to help has been important, but it’s been really seamless.” Stefanski, of course, will call plays, but will rely on info relayed over the headphones by Rees …
What will be untested kicker Andre Szmyt’s range? He made a field goal from 61 yards in the United Football League. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone said, “He has a good leg … he’s hit balls over 60 for us in practice.” As for the release of slump-ridden veteran Dustin Hopkins, Ventrone said, “We had a lot of really good times with Dustin. I love the guy. You know, things happen in sports, and it was time to just go in a different direction.” …
Ventrone said DeAndre Hunter will be the starting punt returner, but he will use “a handful of guys” on kickoff returns.