Tag: Dalvin Tomlinson

Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Baltimore has a penchant for blowing late fourth-quarter leads, but on Sunday, the Ravens took a step back toward the inconsistent unit that lost two straight to start the season.

In what can only be described as a shocking loss, the Cleveland Browns had their most impactful performance without Deshaun Watson in a 29-24 victory over first-place Baltimore in Week 8.

Lamar Jackson started the game 6-6 passing but finished 23-38 passing, for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 101.8 rating. Just like Baltimore had their five-game winning streak snapped, star running back Derrick Henry came back to earth, rushing for only 73 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown on 11 carries.

After missing two practices during the week with an ankle injury, second-year wideout Zay Flowers posted another 100-yard game, logging seven catches for 115 yards on the afternoon.

Zach Orr’s defense played without two starters at cornerback, and Jameis Winston carved up the Ravens. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 23-38 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns took the lead when Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland erased weeks of frustration.

Baltimore will now look to regroup with Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos heading to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 9.

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Eagles vs. Browns: Best photos from Philadelphia’s 20-16 win over Cleveland in Week 6

Best photos from Philadelphia Eagles 20-16 win over Cleveland Brown in Week 6

It wasn’t the prettiest win, but Philadelphia did enough to avoid an ugly post-bye week loss with a 20-16 victory over the 1-5 Browns in Week 6. On defense, Vic Fangio’s unit held Cleveland to 244 total yards and 3-12 on third down.  The Eagles’ rushing attack was stifled, but thanks to the return of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Kellen Moore’s offense was able to amass 256 yards, passing 116 yards on the ground and explosive plays from their top two pass catchers. With preparation for the NFC East opener against the Giants set to begin, here are the top photos from the big win. ***

Dalvin Tomlinson fined for sack on Dak Prescott

Tomlinson loses a chunk of change on a play he was not penalized for.

It didn’t take long for Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to make an impact as he recorded a solo sack on quarterback Dak Prescott just 20 seconds into the game.

Unfortunately, the big play will cost Tomlinson. According to Chris Easterling, the league fined Tomlinson $22,511 for landing his full body weight on the sack against the quarterback.

This matches the leagues recent rules toward protecting quarterbacks from injury, however at the time of the sack the play was not upheld and not called for unnecessary roughness. The league appears to believe it was a missed call with the fine to Tomlinson.

https://twitter.com/jjones9/status/1835048917634842731

The play occurred on the first drive of the game that resulted in a punt, making for a successful first stand for the Browns defense under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Tomlinson is in his second year with the Browns and his eighth season in the league. He recorded three sacks last season in 16 games and is now set to surpass that with a sack early in the season.

Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Coming off a tough loss in South Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars are set for their home opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as both teams look to avoid an 0-2 start. 

This week Jacksonville looks to be more consistent with its offensive production while Cleveland is again forced to deal with quarterback Deshaun Watson and his off-field issues as the Browns await the return of all-world running back Nick Chubb.

Week 2 will give both teams a better picture of what and who they are moving forward into the 2024 campaign. The Jaguars hope for better execution in their offensive approach following their blown lead to the Miami Dolphins.

With that in mind, Jaguars Wire is here to identify some key matchups for Jacksonville’s Week 2 matchup with Cleveland. Here are three matchups the Jaguars must win to avoid a winless start to the season.

Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson vs. Jacksonville’s defense

One of the key takeaways from this past Sunday was the Jaguars’ admirable defensive performance against the explosive Dolphins offense. They mostly limited significant explosive plays and generated four-man pressures through their front four.

Browns head coach and play-caller Kevin Stefanski is known for his offensive creativity and has put Watson in positions to succeed. But since returning from suspension nearly two seasons ago, the former Clemson standout has yet to return to his pre-2021 form.

Watson’s performance against the Dallas Cowboys offered a clear sign of his current abilities.

According to Next Gen Stats, Watson was pressured on 44.6% of dropbacks, finishing 5-of-17 for 22 yards against pressure while being sacked six times. His 23.2 percent dropback success rate was the lowest in a game in the Next Gen Stats era.

Watson has declined, and the Jaguars have the defense to force him off his spot and into bad decisions. Plus, Jacksonville has the athletic defenders necessary to stick with Watson in quarterback contain.

If defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s unit can generate pressures and rattle Watson early, it should be a good day for Jacksonville.

Jacksonville’s offensive line vs. Cleveland’s defensive line

The trenches will be a key matchup in this game but none more crucial than the Jaguars offensive line against the Browns stellar pass rush, led by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.

Jacksonville’s front five did a decent job of protecting franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence against the Dolphins, allowing a pressure rate of 32%, ranking No. 14 in the NFL in Week 1.

However, Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is arguably the best in the game at his position and finds ways of consistently getting to the QB. Against the Cowboys, most of the Browns’ pressures came from a defensive front featuring three defensive ends and one defensive tackle.

Having an extra edge rusher lined up at the three-technique could prove disadvantageous for Jacksonville’s guards due to the speed and quickness of Cleveland’s rushers. Schwartz will likely deploy this fairly often in passing situations.

The biggest concern will be if the Jaguars can limit Garrett, arguably the best pass rusher in the world. This offensive line will also have to account for defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris, and defensive ends Za’Darius Smith and Alex Wright.

Jacksonville seems up for the challenge considering its Week 1 performance. Right guard Brandon Scherff must have a better game after an up-and-down showing in Miami. However, left guard Ezra Cleveland and center Mitch Morse held their own against the Dolphins and can build upon their performances this week. 

Tackles Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison will have a lot on their plate Sunday, but another solid day from these five linemen could signal success for the Jaguars in Week 2. 

Jacksonville’s skill players vs. Cleveland’s back-seven

Once again, the Jaguars’ group of offensive skill players will face another tough secondary only this time on their home turf.

The Browns have a defensive unit that allowed a negative .20 expected points added (EPA) per play allowed. Their back seven is led by star linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward with more quality defenders roaming the second and third level.

For most teams, including Jacksonville, facing Cleveland’s back seven is a tall task. Nevertheless, the Jaguars have last week’s first-half performance to go off of when it comes to taking on other stout back seven defenders.

Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. must be a focal point Sunday. The offense was humming when he was being targeted and he adds a level of explosiveness and playmaking ability this unit has not had in quite some time. His zero targets in the second half were inexcusable.

This weekend could be a good time for the Jaguars to deploy Evan Engram into the passing game in his new versatile role as the F-move tight end and fullback. He could be the X-factor against a tough Browns secondary.

Finding explosive plays and getting the ball to the team’s best playmakers will be another crucial aspect in their pursuit of a home-opener victory. 

Dalvin Tomlinson gets first of many sacks of the season

The Browns defensive line got after it early

The Cleveland Browns defense starts the season off very strongly. After the first play resulted in a holding call, Dalvin Tomlinson sacked Dak Prescott for the team’s first sack of the season. After only a few snaps, Tomlinson seems very motivated to start the year and also is in very good shape.

After having one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2023, the Browns are off to a great start. Myles Garrett also provided pressure on the outside to help Tomlinson pressure Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1832878796921249935

The Cowboys’ drive resulted in a punt for the Dallas Cowboys which was a good return for the Browns and the first offensive drive of the 2024 season. We’ll see if Tomlinson and the defense can continue their strong start.

This led to a field goal scoring drive for the offense as the Browns now lead the Cowboys 3-0 in their home opener against the Cowboys.

Browns overtake Eagles for NFL lead in players earning over $10M per year

Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns are tied with 13 players earning over $10M per year

Championship teams are built through the draft and shrewd free-agent acquisitions, and in this new day of the NFL, huge salaries are a prerequisite for overall franchise success.

Before Wednesday morning, Philadelphia and Cleveland led the NFL with 12 players earning $10+ million per season.  The Browns now have the top spot after the team agreed to a three-year extension with linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, worth up to $39 million, including a $25 million guarantee.

Browns

– Deshaun Watson: $46M
– Myles Garrett: $25M
– Denzel Ward: $20.1M
– Amari Cooper: $20M
– Jerry Jeudy: $17.5M
– Joel Bitonio: $16M
– Jack Conklin: $15M
– Dalvin Tomlinson: $14.25M
– Wyatt Teller: $14.2M
– David Njoku: $13.687M
– Grant Delpit: $12M
– Za’Darius Smith: $11.5M
– Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: $13M (max)

Eagles

– Jalen Hurts: $52M
– Saquon Barkley: $12M.5
– A.J. Brown: $32M
– DeVonta Smith: $25M
– Dallas Goedert: $14.5M
– Jordan Mailata: $22M
– Landon Dickerson: $21M
– Lane Johnson: $20M
– Bryce Huff: $17M
– Josh Sweat: $10M
– Darius Slay: $13M
– James Bradberry: $12.5

The Browns have the NFL’s second-highest payroll at $244,730,743, behind the Atlanta Falcons, who are shelling out a league-high $249,538,227 in cap space.

Philadelphia is 30th in the league, paying out $182,873,638 in total cap space this season.

Browns: Greg Newsome II, Dalvin Tomlinson start training camp with surgery

Two defensive starters will begin training camp under the needle.

Prior to the start of training camp, the Cleveland Browns placed seven players on their injured lists (either PUP or NFI). Two of those players were defensive starters in cornerback Greg Newsome II and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced after their first training camp practice on Thursday that both players had started their offseason with surgery. Newsome had surgery on his hamstring, while Tomlinson was scheduled to have a knee scope on Thursday.

The head coach is hopeful both players will be ready for Week 1 when the Dallas Cowboys come to town.

It’s a great thing the Browns have stacked up depth at both the defensive tackle and cornerback positions. In the absence of Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst, and second round rookie Mike Hall Jr. will get the chance to step up. Second-year cornerback Cameron Mitchell and the plethora of cornerbacks will have an opportunity for more snaps until Newsome returns to the field.

Browns Podcast: 2024 season prop bet and defensive tackle room review

The Browns defensive tackle room is a strong unit

Only a couple of weeks remain in the off-season before the team reports for training camp and practices for the 2024 season begin. Our friends over at BetMGM have released many of their prop bets and have some interesting lines for the Browns.

We also continue our position review series for the Browns, turning to one of the most improved units in the defensive tackle room over the last couple of years. The group is headlined by two experienced three-down veterans, Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris.

Overall, the pass rush ability of Quinton Jefferson, Mike Hall Jr., and Maurice Hurst II, mixed with Tomlinson and Harris, creates a formidable group. If the offense can carry some leads into the fourth quarter and let the defensive line pin their ears back and attack the quarterback, it will be a tall task to come back against Cleveland.

Watch our latest episode by clicking here, and you can listen to a more in-depth breakdown of the season’s prop bets and defensive tackle room.

How rookie DI Michael Hall Jr. could perfect the Browns’ defensive line

Rookie DI Michael Hall Jr. has the traits to fill in one crucial position in the Browns’ impressive defensive line.

We have learned over the last few seasons in the NFL that interior pressure against the quarterback is perhaps more important than it’s ever been before. As offenses are throwing more out of quick game concepts — one- and three-step drop passes and RPOs — there are times when, no matter how great the edge defender may be, he simply doesn’t have time to affect the quarterback with his array of moves. So, the closer you are in a straight line to the quarterback, the better chance you have of actually creating problems for that enemy offense.

Last season, Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants was by far the league’s best true interior pass-rusher. Per Sports Info Solutions, Lawrence totaled five sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 14 quarterback hurries from the 0-tech (head over the center) and 1-tech (to either shoulder of the center) positions. Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks, Kobie Turner of the Los Angeles Rams, Bryan Bresee of the New Orleans Saints, and Michael Pearce of the Baltimore Ravens also had stellar seasons when asked to create pressure right up the middle.

For the Browns last season, as effective as their defensive fronts were, that up-the-middle pressure was a bit tougher to come by. Dalvin Tomlinson led the team with two quarterback hits and five quarterback hurries in those 0-tech and 1-tech roles; no other Browns defender had more than two total pressures.

Enter Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr., the 6′ 2¾”, 290-pound defensive tackle selected by the Browns with the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 draft. Last season for the Buckeyes, Hall had two sacks, five quarterback hits, and 22 quarterback hurries in 228 pass-rushing snaps, which is a pretty good pressure rate for a guy who spent 65% of his snaps inside the guards. More importantly for the Browns’ purposes, Hall had one sack, four quarterback hits, and 17 quarterback hurries aligned at either 0- or 1-tech. And he could get those sacks and pressures with technique and raw strength.

“Yeah, pass rush is a premium no matter what,” Browns Director of Player Personnel Dan Saganey said of Hall after Cleveland had secured the player. “I mean, we see the guys that hit the market this year even signed extensions recently at the D tackle position. It’s a highly paid, highly coveted position. And taking a guy like Mike, very good quickness, twitch power, and has really the ideal skill set for what we’re looking for out of a 3-technique, when you see guys like that, they kind of jump off the tape. In college, a lot of college teams play odd fronts or play three guys where it’s, you have more DBs than linebackers on the field. But a guy like Mike really was identified pretty early here as a guy that’s a perfect scheme fit for us and fits what we do. And again, it is something that we’re always looking to add wherever we can.”

It’s interesting that Saganey identified Hall as an ideal 3-tech. He has the traits to disrupt from outside the guards, but based on his college tape, I might err on moving him inside — especially on third down — and letting him hunt. That’s where Hall could fill in one blank on an otherwise dominant defensive line.