Tag Archives: Taven Bryan

Browns get needed win over Bengals

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The Cleveland Browns were able to defeat the visiting Cincinnati Bengals 32-13.

It was a house of horrors Monday night, but not for the Browns. Cleveland came away with a decisive Halloween night victory over the Bengals, at one point leading 25-0 over their division rival. In fact the defense was able to keep Cincinnati off the scoreboard until early in the 4th quarter. This was the all around performance that the Browns have been looking for all season and it came at a very crucial time.

The Browns outgained Cincinnati 440-229 and dominated time of possession 36:45 to 23:15. Both teams committed two turnovers with all coming before the half. Neither team was able to capitalize off their forced turnovers as the results were a missed field goal, punt, another fumble, and a second missed field goal. The game was less sloppy in the second half, but it was the Browns who got a head start with their 11-0 halftime lead, being able to build upon it with three second half touchdowns.

A big factor for Cleveland was the play of their defense as they played like a cohesive unit for one of just a few times this season. While the defense started off on the wrong foot, being called for 12 men on the field for the first play of the game, they rebounded quite nicely. The Browns kept Cincinnati’s rushing attack in check, limiting the Bengals to 36 yards on 10 carries. This surprising performance combined with the Browns sacking Joe Burrow five times added up to a great outing for the defensive unit.

Offensive highlights

Nick Chubb led the rushing attack with 101 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. This was the third 20+ carry outing for Chubb this season and just like the other two it was a Browns win.

It was a highly involved night for Kareem Hunt, finishing with 11 rushes for 42 yards and four receptions for 30 yards. After the last two games saw Hunt carry the ball nine times, it was a return to an increased workload for the 27-year old ballcarrier.

Cleveland’s leading receiver was Amari Cooper reeling in five passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. Cooper’s touchdown came late in the 3rd quarter as the Browns took a four-score lead.

Donovan Peoples-Jones also had a productive night with four receptions for 81 yards. The former Michigan wideout has at least 71 yards in four of his last five games and has become a very productive complimentary receiver in the Browns passing attack.

Aside from a gross lost fumble it was an efficient outing from Jacoby Brissett. Brissett was 17-22 for 278 yards and one touchdown while being sacked twice. This was the highest yardage output of the season for Brissett and his 133.7 rating was the best in his eight starts.

Defensive dominance

Making his front yard Halloween decorations come to life was Myles Garrett. Garrett totaled 1.5 sacks and hit Burrow four times in the contest. It was a very impactful night for the former first overall pick.

Leading the Browns in tackles was Sione Takitaki. It was the best game of Takitaki’s career up to this point, totaling 13 tackles (six solo) and sacking Burrow once. The sack forced a fumble which was recovered by Tommy Togiai late in the 2nd quarter. With how poorly the Browns linebacker corps have performed this year hopefully this is a sign of things to come from Takitaki as this Cleveland defense desperately needs it.

Also registering sacks in the contest were Deion Jones, Isaiah Thomas, and Taven Bryan. It was the first sack of Thomas’ career, the first in Cleveland for Jones, and Taven’s half was the second straight game getting to the quarterback.

A.J. Green was able to continue an impressive streak for the Browns defense and an unfortunate one for Burrow. Burrow has now thrown an interception on the opening drive in three consecutive games.

Looking ahead

Cleveland sits at 3-5 as they head into a much needed bye week. The Browns have plenty of injuries and need to get healthy. They also need to tighten a lot of things up on both sides of the ball. There have been plenty of times that an underwhelming Browns team has dominated a good opponent with nothing to show for it at year’s end. The tough stretch ahead post-bye is very intimidating and will dictate the success or failure for the rest of the season. If the Browns can somehow keep things afloat until Deshaun Watson comes back things will get interesting down the stretch.

Browns should be ready to make deals

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The 2022-23 NFL season is essentially over for the Cleveland Browns and they should be prepared to move some players for draft picks.

At 2-5 the Browns season is basically over as it is highly unlikely they navigate one of the toughest schedules over the rest of the season to make the postseason. Because of this they should start shopping multiple players, not just Kareem Hunt and Greedy Williams. Reports do indicate that the Browns have too high expectations for a trade return for Hunt, it is a good starting point negotiation-wise and that process should expand to other players.

Looking at players on expiring contracts is the ideal place to start when it comes to potential trades. Jack Conklin, Jadeveon Clowney, D’Ernest Johnson, Chris Hubbard, and Sione Takitaki could help contending teams. Taven Bryan is also another player on an expiring deal, but considering his lackluster play he may not draw any interest. Deion Jones will also be a free agent when the season is over. Considering he has played in just one game and was just traded to Cleveland they may not be willing to move off of him so quickly. The future of all these players in Cleveland seems murky at best. Getting something over nothing for them would be a wise path to follow.

Players not on expiring deals

If the Browns really want to get frisky they can unload the likes of John Johnson and Grant Delpit. Johnson has not lived up to expectations since signing prior to last season. The high salary figure for Johnson is a big obstacle that may prevent genuine trade interest. Delpit has been flat out awful and pretty much unplayable making it difficult to move him. While trading one or both is a downgrade for now, it may be better the long run to part ways.

The NFL trade deadline is unpredictable and the way the Browns operate currently can be at times. There is a real possibility that none of the names here are moved. The possibility also exists that they could move multiple players to shake things up a bit and churn the roster.

Browns defensive failure not surprising

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The Cleveland Browns defense has been a complete failure this season and it should not be a surprise to anyone.

Five weeks into the 2022 season and the defense of the Cleveland Browns has been a complete disaster. A unit that some (wrongly) expected to carry the team until Deshaun Watson makes his team debut has been one of the worst in the league. Considering the construction and utilization of this defense this is far from a surprise.

The elephant in the room

Yes, Joe Woods. Three years in and the defense of Woods is worse than ever. Cleveland has given up 440 yards on the ground in the last two games, including over 200 to one of the worst rushing attacks in the league (Chargers). Time and time again there are missed assignments resulting in big plays and teammates blaming each other. Missed tackles are also an issue as they are one of the worst in this department currently.

In addition to the defense being needlessly complicated, the scheme is antiquated and archaic. Versions of this scheme have been successful in Seattle and San Francisco, but the talent level was far better than what the Browns currently possess.

Cleveland’s defense has some quality pieces, but they are not at the same level of what Seattle featured in their Legion of Boom era or what San Francisco did later. This is a failure on Woods to adjust his scheme to the talent on the roster and also a failure from the front office to provide quality players.

Botched process from front office

The front office of the Cleveland Browns has not addressed the defensive side of the ball in an adequate manner. Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney were neutralized in Sunday’s loss and the expectation should be for that to continue. Cleveland has nobody that can pull their weight at the defensive tackle position and that appears by design. The Browns have essentially actively downgraded this part of the defense by not bringing in adequate players.

Cleveland’s defense in 2020 had Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi anchoring the middle with Garrett and Olivier Vernon on the outside. This version of the defense was so much more impactful than the next two iterations. Attempting to swap out the middle for Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell was not a fruitful endeavor. Both are now gone (for good reason) and at this juncture feature who are below replacement level. Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai, Taven Bryan, and Perrion Winfrey are Cleveland’s defensive tackles this year and this is far from acceptable. The result from all of this? A defensive interior which cannot create pressure or even hold their ground.

While freeze-frames can be incredibly deceiving this is not the case here. This has not been a rare occurrence and has happened repeatedly through the first five weeks. Expect more teams to expose this very obvious weakness in the Browns defensive front until something major changes. Adding Deion Jones from Atlanta is a good start, but it is merely scratching the surface in terms of fixing the defense.

What can be done?

The only in season changes that can be made are adding help at defensive tackle or firing Woods. Both are absolutely necessary, but adding a defensive tackle or two seems more likely at this point. Despite the struggles of this side of the ball it does not appear that they will move on from Woods any time soon.

The only real band-aid that can be applied at this time appears to be Woods tailoring his scheme to match the talent and skillset of his players. Unfortunately that does not appear likely as the team has struggled into year three of his system with familiar struggles on a weekly basis. Expect more of the same unless a change of heart happens from Woods or those above him.

What about after the season?

The hope is to find a defensive coordinator who knows how to coach his players and not just a scheme. In addition to getting a new coordinator, Cleveland must address the center of their defense. As long as the Browns do not have a defensive interior they do not have a defense. That means utilizing sizable capital on middle linebackers and defensive tackles, something that this front office has shied away from for some bizarre reason. Adding NFL caliber players in these areas is absolutely mandatory if they want to become at least an average unit.

Browns disappoint in Atlanta

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The Cleveland Browns came up short in Atlanta, losing to the Falcons 23-20.

If there was a way that the Cleveland Browns were going to lose games early in the season it was going to be in a certain fashion. The way that things played out in Atlanta Sunday was not said fashion. Much like their loss to the Jets earlier this season and their slim win in Carolina, it was giving up points in the 4th quarter to sub-par offensive units. Much like those teams, Atlanta was able to put up points late against a bad Browns defense.

Before getting into what happened in Sunday’s loss it is important to note that the Browns were without Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Taven Bryan, and Anthony Walker in the contest, with Walker being the only player who will not return this season. Overall Cleveland has struggled in the 4th quarter giving up 50 points total, 13 to Atlanta on Sunday while Carolina and New York each scored 17 in the final quarter.

This is a disturbing and unacceptable trend early on in the season when the defense was supposed to at least be average. This would afford the offense quarterbacked by Jacoby Brissett a larger margin for error that they currently have. The team is now in a position where they have to play perfect for 60 minutes. Not only is that not realistic, it is a major reason why they moved on from their former quarterback who is currently struggling in Carolina.

The Browns totaled over 400 yards, controlled the clock (35:44-24:16), and still managed to lose. Cleveland’s offense should have scored more than 20 points, this much is true. Not being able to capitalize with opportunities in front of them is concerning. However, watching the defense fail to slow down an opponent late for the third time in four games is the larger concern. Deshaun Watson will be returning later this season and will be able to help boost the offense. The defense does not have a Deshaun Watson coming in to bolster their unit. This combined with the fact they have played the easy portion of their schedule with tougher opponents on the horizon should be setting off alarms everywhere.

Examining the Browns defensive line

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Coming out of last season there were some serious questions that needed to be asked about the defensive line of Cleveland Browns. Impressive performances from some members of their line were able to boost the overall performance of the unit. Others, interior players specifically, were rather forgettable as Cleveland’s defensive tackle play was some of the worst in all of football. To be blunt, changes needed to be made if this unit to improve.

The team made some decisions to alter the group through multiple means, but where do things stand now?

Cleveland came into the offseason with needing to add to a group featuring Myles Garrett in addition to Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai, and Sheldon Day. The Browns moved on from Malik Jackson, Malik McDowell, Takk McKinley, and Porter Gustin after the season. Jadeveon Clowney did his usual wait and see for a long-term contract in free agency that never comes routine and was no guarantee to return. Cleveland had their work head of them with this roster shuffling that took place.

In need to replace McKinley, Cleveland sent Mack Wilson to New England in exchange for Chase Winovich. Winovich sliding into the role that McKinley played last season is the obvious play here as they lack anyone with that type of skillset on the roster.

The Browns took a one-year flier contract on Taven Bryan. Bryan never exceed 50% of snaps during his four years in Jacksonville. As a buy-low option for their defensive line it is hard to complain about.

Clowney eventually decided on a team and returned to the Cleveland Browns. It was bounce back year for Clowney posting numbers that he has not seen in years. Concerns about repeatability and health more than likely hindered his actual free agent market despite claims he turned down more money to return to Cleveland.

The draft saw Cleveland select Perrion Winfrey, Alex Wright, and Isaiah Thomas. This gives the Browns several young cost controlled options to insert into the rotation. While they could be productive players, it is more than likely going to take time before their true impact is felt.

What’s next?

The Browns managed to make some moves which should put them in a better position now than what could have been imagined when the offseason began. That being said this team still lacks consistent interior pressure. It is rather unlikely that the current group is able to produce the type of pressure necessary in order to be effective. Even though the current regime has seemingly avoided addressing the defensive tackle position with any sort of urgency, there is still a player available who could bolster their defensive tackle play while at the same time creating chaos up front with another agent of chaos (Clowney).

Ndamukong Suh.

Suh is far from the player he was in Detroit at this point in his career, but he can still make a difference in moderation. Snap counts have dropped over his last four seasons, but has still managed to be impactful in his mid-30’s. In Cleveland Suh would not even have to play the 63% of snaps to make plays when on a line with Garrett and Clowney. Moving Clowney inside to join forces and create a giant cluster of chaos in the middle of an offensive line would make things easier for Garrett, Winovich, or any player on the edge to make a play.

What it all comes down to is interior pressure and the Browns lack it. Defensive tackle play is hardly sexy while pass rushers get all the glory and understandably so. Even still, the ability to mess things up from the middle of an offensive set is something that never goes out of style. Improving this area would take the Browns from average to good and maybe even great. It does not have to be with Suh, but rolling with their current group is not an advisable course of action.

What free agency grade did B/R give the Browns?

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Bleacher Report released their consensus grades for NFL teams in free agency and they were not particularly kind to the Cleveland Browns. Considering that two of their most impactful additions have come via trade this is hardly surprising (Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper). A trade for Chase Winovich provides some defensive line depth, but again not a free agent signing.

What was the grade?

The Cleveland Browns received a consensus grade of D+ from three NFL writers at Bleacher Report. Cleveland’s free agency activity has been quite minimal as they appear to be waiting out the market. This strategy has been used by Cleveland before, but there were deals on the first day of the tampering period for starters the previous two years. That has not happened this year.

The flashiest signings the Browns have made have been for a backup quarterback in Jacoby Brissett and return specialist Jakeem Grant. Cleveland also brought in Taven Bryan, a defensive tackle selected in the first round by Jacksonville in 2018. Ethan Pocic was signed to provide an insurance plan at center should Nick Harris not work out.

Cleveland did also re-sign two of their own pending free agents in Chris Hubbard and Anthony Walker Jr. While not exciting, this does provide continuity on both sides of the ball. The Browns are also linked to bringing back Jarvis Landry and Jadeveon Clowney. Odell Beckham Jr. has also kept the door open for a potential Browns return. Should Cleveland bring back some or all of these former Browns it would most likely result in a better grade.

The Baker Mayfield situation more than likely playing a factor. Mayfield currently carries a cap hit just under $19 million and a trade would take that off the books. Until that money gets cleared there is about $21 million in cap space currently. Add in the post-June 1st cut gain of $9.5 million from releasing Austin Hooper it provides a lot more wiggle room for the Browns and it appears that is what the team is waiting on to add multiple large salaries to their roster.

Browns agree to deal with Taven Bryan

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After a mostly silent first day of the legal tampering period, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms on a deal with Taven Bryan. The deal can pay Bryan up to $5 million.

A first round disappointment, Taven Bryan simply has not been able to be much of anything in the NFL. While the athletic traits have been touted by many, they simply have not translated into being relevant beyond college. Bryan has just 86 total tackles and 5.5 sacks in 63 games (17 starts), so any hope that he is some type of factor with interior pressure can be disregarded entirely.

In his four seasons, Taven Bryan has never played more than 46% of defensive snaps, meaning that Cleveland still needs to add at the defensive tackle position after the departures of Malik McDowell and Malik Jackson. Although some are grasping at straws in drawing comparisons to last seasons signing of Takk McKinley, McKinley at least was able to accumulate 13 sacks in his first two seasons, leading to hope that a change of scenery and role in Cleveland could unlock his potential (ultimately it did not work out). The signing of Bryan can be considered something of a nothing-burger, move along and wait until they sign or draft someone of substance.