Tag: Alex Wright

Browns: Second-year DE Alex Wright grows into trustworthy player

The young defensive end has carved out a solid role in Cleveland

When the Cleveland Browns drafted defensive end Alex Wright in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft they did so knowing he was a raw prospect. Gifted with rare physical gifts he needed time to develop and learn more about the position. Due to injuries and poor play by others, he was thrust into playing time as a rookie and it was rough at times. But it was clear from flashes from time to time the ability to be a solid player. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has now found a role for Wright as an early down run stuffer and occasional pass rusher and he has flourished.

Wright is great at setting the edge against running backs preventing them from bouncing outside and limiting explosive plays as a result. He is only playing about 15-20 snaps but having someone like that to rest your other players is critical to the team’s success so far.

He has great strength and uses his long arms to keep blockers from getting their hands on him and moving him around in the run game and pass game. It’s been fun to see his development so far and I believe he will only get better.

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PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns’ defensive players vs. 49ers

It was another great performance from the Browns defense

It has been a historic start to the season for the Cleveland Browns and their defense, who have thrived under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The rebuilt defensive line has been exceptional and elevated both the linebackers and the defensive backs. With the defensive line eating blocks Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been all over the field showing the freak athlete he is game after game. It doesn’t take long when watch this defense to see that they play fast, aggressive, and smart.

They have been smothering in man coverage with Martin Emerson Jr. taking a big step forward in his second season.

It truly has been fun to watch this defense play and they went up against one of the NFL’s most potent offenses this year and held them under 20 points. Let’s take a look at the 10 players that stood out the most against the 49ers according to PFF and how they graded those players.

Second-Year Review: Analyzing the Cleveland Browns’ 2022 NFL draft class

Martin Emerson Jr. headlined the 2022 NFL draft for the Browns. But how is the class as a whole doing just over a year in?

The bye week offers teams a chance for introspection, free from the looming presence of impending opponents. Self-scouting is pivotal to teams as they assess their weaknesses and tendencies, especially during the bye week. The Cleveland Browns desperately needed to do it, especially with injuries to their offensive stars Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson. It’s also a good time for fans and media members to look at the bigger picture. I thought I’d spend this time looking at the Browns’ 2022 NFL draft class, headlined by cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. 

The Browns are becoming a real football team. In years past, we as fans, would be assessing a rookie class where half of the players would be forced into starting roles. The Browns are still performing a baptism by fire with 4th-round rookie Dawand Jones, who is playing fantastic. However, most rookies are sitting on the bench and learning how to be professionals. Successful teams always boast of developing four-year plans for their drafted players.

The Browns are finally establishing themselves as a real organization with a slow and deliberate onboarding of their young players. Only three players in the Browns’ 2022 draft class are playing significant snaps currently.

Let’s take a look at how that draft class is doing one year in at the bye week.

Podcast: Browns dominate the Titans behind an improved Deshaun Watson

It was a great day to be a Browns fan

What a difference a week can make after all the doubt the team got after the Steelers’ loss into Sunday’s domination of the Titans. This was by far Deshaun Watson’s best game as a Cleveland Brown. He didn’t try to be Superman in this game, took what the defense gave him, and had some impressive passes this week.

But the biggest story of the week is the Browns’ defense continuing to dominate the opponents. Through three games the defense has only allowed one touchdown and if not for a turnover deep in their territory the Titans would have been shut out.

Jim Schwartz has gotten all of their players to buy into what he is preaching and it shows on every snap. The team is fast, aggressive, and smart and has them sitting as one of the best defenses in the NFL.

You can watch this week’s podcast by clicking here to hear all of these takes and more after the big win over the Titans.

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PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns’ defensive players vs. Titans

The defense has been fantastic through three games

Jim Schwartz has had his players fired up and having fun to start the season and it is showing on the field. The Cleveland Browns have given Myles Garrett real help for the first time in his career consistently and it is paying off. All of the attention Garrett gets has allowed Schwartz to move people around and create mismatches. They showed up again against the Tennessee Titans.

There were times the Browns put Za’Darius Smith inside right next to Myles Garrett on the outside and that duo next to each other is just unfair. Alex Wright was impressive as his pursuit down the line against the run was great, notching his first career sack as well.

Even without Greg Newsome the secondary shut down the Titans and didn’t give Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill any easy throwing lanes. After a down year, Denzel Ward has been fantastic to start the season as a no-fly zone is being built in Cleveland.

Here are the top 10 graded defensive players according to PFF for the Browns against the Titans.

WATCH: Alex Wright gets his first career sack as Browns defense dominates Titans

The Browns defense is playing out of their mind

The defense of the Cleveland Browns has been downright dominant through three games as they shut down the offense of the Tennessee Titans, allowing only a field goal in the Week 3 win. Defensive end Alex Wright has played one of the best games of his career as he got his first career sack this week.

Myles Garrett has had a great game and in turn, the domino effect as Wright and others have gotten less attention while the Titans try to shut down Garrett. This defense right now is playing like the best defense in football through the first three games, they are at least in the discussion.

Jim Schwartz deserves an award for the turnaround they have made on defense as he has made the most out of the talent that Andrew Berry has assembled. Next week the Browns will easily face the best offense they have all year but with the way they are playing there is no reason to think they can’t show up again.

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Browns Injury Report: Juan Thornhill misses practice with Bengals 3 days away

Thursday’s injury report isn’t crowded, but a starter missed practice.

We have made it. The offseason is over and we are officially into game week as the Cleveland Browns get set to welcome their inter-state rival Cincinnati Bengals in their Week 1 bout. As announced yesterday, cornerback Denzel Ward has returned to practice after entering the concussion protocol after the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, as one member of the secondary returns, another missed practice on Thursday as safety Juan Thornhill was sidelined with a calf injury.

Outside of Thornhill, however, Thursday’s injury report remains rather short for the Browns as they will take on Cincinnati near full strength. Quarterback Joe Burrow will play in this one despite missing all of training camp, so having a team at full health is of utmost importance for the Browns.

As we sit just three days away from the season opener against the Bengals, here is the Browns’ Thursday injury report headlined by the sidelined Thornhill.

Browns Wednesday Injury Report: Denzel Ward returns to practice as Bengals near

The Browns are working with a clean bill of health as they approach their Week 1 showdown with the Bengals

Welcome to game week! And for the Cleveland Browns, they enter Sunday’s matchup with a clean bill of health thus far as we get closer to game day. The biggest news of the day was the return of cornerback Denzel Ward to the practice field as he is now one step closer to clearing the concussion protocol and is on pace to play this Sunday.

The Bengals also enter the week with a clean bill of health as well, as quarterback Joe Burrow has given the green light that he will play in this Week 1 showdown between interstate rivals. The only player who did not practice for the Bengals on Wednesday was defensive end Joseph Ossai.

As we inch closer to the start of the regular season, here is the full injury report from Wednesday released by the Browns. Spoiler alert: It is good news as the only players who missed practice did so due to a scheduled veteran rest day.

Podcast: Browns hot takes before the season begins

Want some Browns hot takes? Look no further.

Can David Bell surprise this season and rack up some catches? Will Myles Garrett finally bring home a Defensive Player of the Year Award? As the Cleveland Browns get set to open their season against the Cincinnati Bengals, why not sneak in our hot takes before football officially returns in a meaningful way?

The Browns have done their jobs this offseason and built a Super Bowl-caliber roster on paper. There is not an overwhelming amount of love for the Browns as they begin their season, but they have a chance to make a statement in Week 1 if they can upstage the team that has appeared in back-to-back AFC Championship games and get out on the right foot.

Take a listen to this new episode of Nothing Rhymes with Orange as I take you through a handful of hot takes in regard to the Browns 2023 campaign. You can listen to this podcast on Spotify or Apple.

Enjoy!

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DE Alex Wright returns to practice for after knee procedure in early April

Another positive injury update for the Browns

For the first time since undergoing a minor knee procedure at the beginning of August, Cleveland Browns defensive end Alex Wright returned to the practice field. Wright injured his knee during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the New York Jets and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery the Tuesday after the game. He could now be on pace to be an active participant on the 53-man roster in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

It was initially believed that Wright would land himself on short-term injured reserve leaving him out until after the bye week. Though returning to practice doesn’t mean he will be ready for week one it might mean he avoids injured reserve though there is no guarantee yet.

Last year, Wright showed flashes and improvements after being thrust into playing time before he was ready because of injuries and players not performing well. With the rebuilt defensive line the team will be able to use Wright where he is best as a run stuffer while he continues to develop as a pass rusher.

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