The Cleveland Browns rarely deployed more than two linebackers in 2019 in then-coordinator Steve Wilks. Under new defensive coordinator Joe Woods, it might be rare to see more than one.
Woods told reporters in a press teleconference on Thursday that he envisions the dime package (4 DL, 1 LB, 6 DB) being his base defense in Cleveland. He knows that such a radical transition cannot happen overnight, though.
“I would like to transition into a dime system, but it is going to be something that is going to take time to get into, just because of getting their reps,” Woods said. “Eventually, I would like to have a nickel package, 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.”
Playing a base defense with three CBs and three safeties is something Woods’ defense did in San Francisco. It was aided in part by having a dominant defensive line. The Eagles and Chargers have also used base dime at times lately.
The key to making it work is having versatile safeties, guys who are comfortable and effective playing as a de facto LB. The Browns drafted LSU’s Grant Delpit in the second round with that potential in mind. Veteran Karl Joseph can also fill that role.
Woods seems content to roll with a nickel defense as his base to start, though he’s not exactly sure how the LBs will sort out just yet. Speaking about the linebacking corps that includes B.J. Goodson, Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki and rookie Jacob Phillips, Woods offered this,
“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?”