Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: Planning for Philadelphia's Wide 9 defense

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:01 p.m. ET

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Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Cleveland Browns 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns travel to Philadelphia for a Week 1 matchup with the Eagles. Here is how to neutralize Philadelphia’s Wide 9 defense.

The Cleveland Browns will take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and one of the challenges facing the Browns is Jim Schwartz’ famous Wide 9 defense.

Under Chip Kelley, the Eagles ran a 3-4 hybrid defense, using a variety of looks to create confusion at the line of scrimmage for opposing quarterbacks. However, things did not go the Eagles way last season defensively, due in part to Kelley’s quick strike offense.

All that changed this off-season with the hiring of head coach Doug Pederson. If that name sounds familiar to Browns fans, it is because Pederson has his own special place on the Browns infamous list of starting quarterbacks since 1999. This will be the first time a quarterback from that list will face the Browns as a head coach. Such a fact speaks to the longevity of the futility in Cleveland.

Pederson brought in Schwartz, who is known for utilizing the Wide 9 defense, as his defensive coordinator. Schwartz was also on head coach Hue Jackson’s short list to the be the Browns defensive coordinator.

The Browns first test on offense will be to take advantage of Philadelphia’s defense. With unproven players at receiver, a reclamation project a quarterback and a revamped offensive line, the Browns will need to attack the Eagles defense both schematically and in terms of personnel. This article will examine how the Browns can plan to be attacked by the Eagles and what they can do to be successful against it.

To get started, let us examine what exactly is a Wide 9 defense.

Dec 16, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Wide 9 defense is not a defensive scheme, but rather is a technique played by defensive ends in a base 4-3 defensive scheme.

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The Eagles run a 4-3 base defensive scheme, with Schwartz putting his own spin on it. Much like Cleveland defensive coordinator Ray Horton, Schwartz wants to confuse the quarterback by showing exotic looks.

Ironically, the Achilles’ heel of the 4-3 base defense is that it presents the same look to the offense on every play. The defensive tackles line up over the guards with the defensive ends lined up over the tackles. Linebackers can be moved around, but generally line up three across the middle. By lining up in basically the same place, the offense is able to use defensive predictability to its advantage.

To create different looks and attempt to confuse the offense, coordinators running a 4-3 base scheme began lining up players in over and under looks. For the most part, 4-3 defenses in the NFL use base, over and under as their primary defensive alignments. Of course they adjust for nickel, dime and other situations.

Schwartz adds a twist to the 4-3 defense by changing the alignments of the front seven. In particular, he looks to create an advantage by lining up the defensive ends on the outside of an inline tight end. The outside shoulder of the tight end is the nine technique, so if a defensive end lines up wide of the tight end, then it is considered a Wide 9 technique.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) blocks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Like any defensive alignment, the Wide 9 has several advantages and disadvantages.

One of the advantages of is the ability of the defensive ends to rush the passer. The advantage is particularly acute for the Eagles with speed rushers Brandon Graham, Connor Barwin and Vinny Curry. By lining them up far outside of offensive tackles Joe Thomas and Austin Pasztor, the Eagles will look to have a more direct route to the quarterback against big linemen who potentially struggle to slide protect.

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The Browns will have an advantage in this situation with Thomas. He may not have invented the slide back step, but he has certainly perfected it. It would be rare to see Thomas beaten by a speed rusher in a Wide 9 technique.

Pasztor is another story. He has struggled the entire preseason with pass protection, particularly with speed rushers who can convert speed rush into power. Pasztor will need help in pass protection this week.

The Wide 9 also has significant disadvantages. It leaves the middle of the defense exposed to the run, particularly if the defensive tackles line up over the offensive tackles. Such an alignment leaves the middle of the defense exposed.

Schwartz may be able to mitigate against such a weakness due to the presence of Fletcher Cox. Cox will be a thorn for the Browns the entire game and his presence will require significant game planning. The Browns will need to double team Cox or run the ball away from him.

It should be remembered that the Wide 9 is a formation off of a base 4-3 defense. Fans should expect to see the base 4-3 most of the game. When Schwartz looks to rush the passer or create exotic looks, that is when Browns’ fans can expect the Wide 9 to appear.

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) sacks Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Here is where I don my defensive coordinator hat and explain how I would attack the Browns if I were Jim Schwartz.

The Browns present a unique defensive challenge. They have unproven, yet potentially dangerous, wide receivers; Robert Griffin III has an ability to run the ball with a big arm, but an inability to read defenses; only tight end Gary Barnidge is a proven threat. The Browns’ running backs have potential, but have yet to receive enough carries in one game to merit a threat. Finally, the offensive line has a new starting center and right tackle, both of whom struggled in the preseason.

The Eagles defense could be up to the task. The defensive line can handle the offensive line if utilized correctly and Philadelphia’s safeties are assets. However, the linebackers and cornerbacks are liabilities.

Schwartz should rely on the defensive line to do the heavy lifting against the Browns. By calling exotic looks and exotic blitzes, Schwartz’s best strategy would be to get Cox into isolated situations against Cam Erving or John Greco where Cox could cause havoc. He could concurrently isolate Pasztor in pass protection, which would be a win for the Eagles’ defensive ends.

This strategy depends on first being able to stop the run. Schwartz would do well to stack the box and force Griffin to beat him from the pocket throwing to inexperienced receivers. This means a lot of 4-3 under and over looks on first and second downs, with the Wide 9 looks on obvious passing third-down situations.

The key to Schwartz’ defense against the Browns would be to pressure Griffin, force mistakes and shut down the running game.

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Now I don my offensive coordinator hat to explain how I would attack the Eagles defense if I were Hue Jackson.

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The Browns assets on offense are few. However, they do have the advantage of running an offensive scheme that can defeat the 4-3 base and Wide 9 look.

The Browns need to employ offensive Aikido against the Eagles by using their opponent’s strength against them. The Eagles strength is their defensive line, safeties and attacking mentality. An attacking defense needs to be slowed down and there are a variety of ways to do that, particularly when the defensive line is the strength.

Defensive linemen hate to be hit. That may sound moronic, but just follow me here. Defensive lineman love to attack, making them single-minded players. The last thing they want to do is worry about where the next hit is coming from. It drives them insane. The more they worry about where the next blocker is coming from, the less decisive they will be.

The best way to neutralize Fletcher Cox is to attack him from multiple directions. Attacking Cox does not necessarily mean running the ball at him, although that could be the case. Attacking Cox can be done by pulling guards to trap him, motioning tight ends who at the snap bear down on him, cut block him in pass sets, or run screens right at him.

The more the Browns design their game plan to attack Cox, the less of a factor he will be in the game. It seems counterintuitive, but it works.

Sep 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman (19) is defended by Chicago Bears cornerback Sherrick McManis (27) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Wide 9 look begs for an offense to run power against it.

The Wide 9 technique is designed to allow a defensive end to rush up field. The Browns should answer by letting the defender rush up field only to be hit by a 300-pound guard running full steam at him. Use the tackle and guard to block the defensive tackle and inside linebacker, and there will be holes big enough for an 18-wheeler to drive through.

The Browns will need to account for when the Eagles bring their safeties up into the box to help with run support. This is where the passing game opens up. The long passing game should keep the safeties back and out of the box. However, it is the short passing game that will make the offense work.

The attacking rush of the Eagles will get to Griffin unless he throws the ball quickly. The quick timing routes of a West Coast offense should allow Griffin to get the ball out quickly to his receivers, who then need to make plays after the catch. The Eagles corners are their weak spot, so such a strategy plays into the hands of the Browns should their receivers be able to play effectively.

The Browns have the ability to effectively attack the Eagles in the air and on the ground. The key will be the unproven Browns receivers having a good game. The running game should also make a point to hit Cox from a different direction on each play. Doing so will wear him out and reduce his ability to impact the game.

Contrary to what Brian Billick believes, this is a winnable game for the Browns, but it will take a good performance from all players involved.

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