Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) takes on Buffalo Bills offensive guard John Miller (76) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
BEREA, Ohio — An old problem is affecting the Cleveland Browns under new coach Hue Jackson. Once again, they are having trouble defending the run.
The Browns finished 30th against the run in 2015 and on Thursday in a 24-13 preseason loss they gave up 224 yards on the ground to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons gained 146 rushing yards in the second half when their backups faced the Browns’ backups, but Atlanta’s first touchdown was scored on a 19-yard run by Devonta Freeman against the Browns’ first defense.
“Defensively we have some work to do,” Cleveland coach Hue Jackson said a day after the Browns slipped to 0-2 in preseason. “We have to get stronger against the rush, or else teams are just going to feel like they can move the ball on us that way.”
Scheme is not the problem, according to starting inside linebacker Christian Kirksey. The issue is tackling.
“We just need to make the tackles,” Kirksey said. “A lot of times the guys are in position to make plays, but we just didn’t make them. We have to look at the film and then get back to work and practice some of the techniques of tackling.”
Kirksey will be a full-time starter inside this year along with DeMario Davis, who signed with the Browns in free agency after playing four years with the Jets. Last year’s starters, Karlos Dansby (Bengals) and Craig Robertson (Saints), left in free agency.
Nose tackle Danny Shelton is in his second season. He was picked 12th overall in the 2015 draft last to help the run defense, but he had very little impact. This year he trimmed 30 pounds to play at a more comfortable 335.
Shelton went head to head with former teammate Alex Mack, now the center for the Falcons. Mack won most of the one-on-one battles, but Shelton is not discouraged. He said the way the Falcons ran the ball will help prepare for the season opener against the Eagles
“It was good to play against him and good to play against this type offense because looking forward to our first game against Philly they’re going to try the same thing,” Shelton said. “They’re going to run laterally and try to tire our defense out. We’re going to learn from this game.”
The Packers rushed for 151 yards on 41 carries in the preseason opener, but Green Bay starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t play. The Cleveland starters were done after two series.
The Browns’ starters played the first half against the Falcons. Shelton played into the third quarter. If the Browns are going to improve defensively, especially against the run, Shelton will have to improve.
“When I first walked in the door, I told Danny he could change the way we play defense himself just by buying in, getting himself in great condition and playing with a hot motor,” defensive line coach Robert Nunn said. “Since that day that I’ve talked to him, he’s done nothing but that. He’s got a different skill set than most people in this league.
“He’s such a powerful man. He’s a big body who has a lot of quickness and power. When he’s playing at a high level and at nose guard, there are certain offenses that are not going to keep pounding their head against that rock.”
Shelton had one tackle in the Falcons game.
NOTES: Quarterback Robert Griffin III completed six of eight passes for 96 yards and two touchdown passes. He did not throw an interception and had a passer rating of 154.2. … Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Griffin. He has three catches in the preseason totaling 107 yards. … Defensive end Carl Nassib had a strip sack and fumble recovery against Falcons quarterback Matt Sims. … Wide receiver Corey Coleman did not play against the Falcons. He practiced twice before the game after missing more than a week with a hamstring injury. … Strong safety Derrick Kindred led the Browns with six tackles. Kindred is the backup to Ibraheim Campbell.
