Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns: O-Line will struggle against Jets
Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: O-Line will struggle against Jets

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Browns offensive line against the Atlanta Falcons defense during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Falcons beat the Browns 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports]

The Cleveland Browns get Josh McCown back for their game against the New York Jets. However, it may not be for long. The offensive line will struggle Sunday.

The Cleveland Browns offensive line will face their worst nightmare this Sunday against the New York Jets’ front-seven. The Jets play a multiple front attacking 3-4 defense. Unlike Ray Horton’s defense, the Jets blitz constantly.

What makes the Jets truly dangerous is the defensive line. In particular, planning for Sheldon Richardson has to be keeping Hue Jackson, Pep Hamilton and Kirby Wilson up at night. The nightmare matchups that he forces opens possibilities throughout the front-seven for pressure on the quarterback and filling running lanes.

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It is precisely these types of defenses that the Browns have struggled against all season. Against the Baltimore Ravens, Josh McCown was hit repeatedly because the Browns offensive line was unable to get into the correct protections to avoid hits. McCown suffered a broken collarbone in that game. He is returning just in time for another beating.

Nevertheless, there is hope for the Browns. The return of Josh McCown means a respected NFL veteran who has proven he can beat the blitz will be under center. The Jets will respect his ability to beat the blitz which means there is hope for the return of the power running game.

Let us take a look at the challenges the Jets’ front-seven poses for the Browns offensive line.

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) blocks New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) as Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams (29) runs the ball during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Browns must neutralize Sheldon Richardson

There is no way to sugar coat this, Sheldon Richardson must be stopped. Any time he is left on a single block, he makes the play. He is able to chase down running backs down the line of scrimmage, he consistently gets pressure in the pass rush and he is extremely difficult (even with double-teams) at the point of attack. The Browns must scheme to get double-teams or chips from running backs to slow him down. The best the Browns can hope for is to limit his plays.

However, scheming for Richardson opens other problems. The Jets effectively utilized an under front against the Ravens. They used Richardson as the “3 Technique” in the scheme. By putting Richardson there, the offensive line must now account for the linebacker covering the A-gap unoccupied as well as the nose tackle lined up in the opposite A-gap. The result will be a one-on-one block to the following: Richardson, the nose tackle or the linebacker.

Herein lies the problem. The Jets nose tackle, Steve McLendon, effectively defeats one-on-one blocks. He terrorized the Ravens last week. McLendon is big and uses his size and strength effectively. He main move is to overpower the opposing center to create havoc.

It is these types of players that Cameron Erving has struggled against during his career. Against this type of player, Erving often gets overpowered leading to hits on the quarterback. As evidence, simply review the Ravens game from Week 2. Browns fans should begin to feel concerned at the thought of McLendon one-on-one versus Cam Erving the entire game.

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) runs past a tackle fromPittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Browns 28-12. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Power run should return

The good news is that the Browns running game should open back up. The return of Josh McCown means the return of a legitimate quarterback throwing presence. No disrespect to Cody Kessler (who I like a lot), but McCown brings a veteran presence other teams will respect.

The respect for McCown’s abilities means teams will use seven-man boxes. This by itself will open up the running game for Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. It will also mean the zone scheme will not need to rely on the read-option to create running lanes. In turn, McCown should enjoy relative safety in the running game while opening holes with his throwing ability.

The multiple front 3-4 should mean the return of the weak side power run. Just as the Browns gashed the Ravens with the weak side power run, the Browns should also be able to gash the Jets as well. Against the Ravens, the Jets’ front-seven allowed several intermediate runs to Terrance West off the power scheme.

The Browns were built to run the power scheme. The only question will be how effective Spencer Drango will be pulling and blocking on the run. Joel Bitonio was excellent at these types of blocks. How Drango ultimately works out is a mystery at this point. Nevertheless, it will be fun figuring out if he can do it or not.

Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor (25) and New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) hit Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) and force a fumble during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

3rd-down blitzes

Much like the Ravens, the Jets will crowd the line of scrimmage showing an all-out blitz. The purpose of the formation is to create confusion along the offensive line as to who is blitzing and who is not. Often the Jets will align their two middle linebackers to show a double A-gap blitz. This often leads to a pass protections coverage in which the center and running back protect the A-gaps.

The result? You guessed it! Sheldon Richardson now gets a one-on-one block with either John Greco or Spencer Drango.

The Jets also like to run stunts with defensive linemen on third downs. Again, the point is to confuse the coverage, but this time after the snap. Stunts try to confuse linemen after the snap by running linemen into areas that will create assignment conflicts in pass protection.

The Jets will try to disguise their looks and coverages to create confusion pre-snap and they will stunt and blitz from different angles to confuse pass protection post snap. The Browns have struggled mightily to identify the correct coverage pre-snap and to adjust to interior defensive line stunt games post snap.

Although used once before, this is still the most accurate prediction for Josh McCown this week:

All of this adds up to a very long day for the Browns offensive line. The ambulance better be on standby this week for Josh McCown.

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