White Sulphur Springs – Defenses generally come into training camp a step ahead of their offensive counterparts.
Despite a change at defensive coordinator this past offseason, that stood true Tuesday morning for the Cleveland Browns. Continuing their training camp stint at The Greenbrier, the Browns defense had a strong showing in their fourth practice of the new season under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Situationally the defensive unit limited the red zone passing offense, allowing four scores in 16 attempts. That effort came against a skill group that was missing its top receiver in Pro Bowler Amari Cooper who suffered a minor injury Saturday. But it was still nice showing for a team finding its footing under Schwartz while fitting in new pieces.
Heading into his his third season, Greg Newsome II, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, is excited about what Schwartz brings to the table and the early outlook for the defense.
“For sure, you know, that’s what we love, man-to-man,” Newsome said. “I think all the guys, we’ve built this cornerback room to play man. With Schwartz playing aggressive, we’re all super excited.”
Newsome believes Schwartz can also take advantage of his skillset in 2023, moving him the slot to the outside. And it’s something he believes he can do on a consistent basis.
“Oh, for sure. Him and I had countless conversations,” Newsome said. “It’s just going to be a lot of man-to-man and versatility. I’m going to be able to showcase myself inside, outside, wherever he needs me to play for his defense to be successful, I’m ready to do it.”
Defensive end Myles Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017 and four-time All-Pro, stands to benefit from what Schwartz brings to the table as well. His defensive fronts have yielded success in previous stops where he’s helped elevate players such as Mario Williams (career-high 14.5 sacks under Schwartz in 2014) and Brandon Graham (35.5 sacks in five seasons under Schwartz).
“You can see the possibilities as soon as you look at the playbook,” Garrett said after Tuesday’s practice. “Just seeing how aggressive he likes to call, his defense and his schemes. The wide nine, bringing an extra guy, trying to get those one-on-ones or those favorable matchups. Those are things that we as a defense get excited for.”
Helping Garrett’s cause is the addition of three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith, the pass rusher who’s produced double-digit sack seasons in three of the last four years. The pair exchanged information routinely during drills Tuesday and Garrett’s belief is everyone on the line stands to benefit from what the veteran brings.
“I mean, he’s one of those guys I mentioned earlier,” Garrett said. “Lighthearted, great sense of humor, fun guy, but has a lot of knowledge to bring to the room and plenty of experience. More experience than I believe anyone else on the D-line. He’s been there. He’s been to the precipice, he’s been top of the hill and you know what it’s supposed to look like. He’s worked with some of the very best in the game, and we just have to be willing to listen. We have to give him our undivided attention and allow him to lead us when the time comes.”
The work ahead for Schwartz and Co. is figuring out exactly how to make the pieces fit.
Smith has played primarily as an outside linebacker but has experience putting his hand in the dirt and rushing the passer. He’s not the only new weapon for Schwartz to find a way to best utilize, as noted by head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“Yeah, I think that’s the fun part for us and for Jim and for our defensive staff is putting all those pieces together, like you mentioned,” Stefanski said. “I mean, it’s not a mystery in the success that Za’Darius has had in this league, and you’ve seen what Ogbo (Okoronkwo) can do. So now it’s just a matter of taking all of our guys and taking a Dalvin Tomlinson along with our established guys that have been here, and figuring out a formula that makes sense for us.”
