Browns: Rodney McLeod helping teammates adapt to Jim Schwartz's defensive playbook
When it comes to leadership and a new defensive playbook, Rodney McLeod is helping fellow teammates in the secondary digest Jim Schwartz's pace-and-space scheme. McLeod spent part of his career in Philadelphia playing under Schwartz's defensive scheme, so the safety already has an inside track in understanding defensive objectives. And to this point in training camp, […]
When it comes to leadership and a new defensive playbook, Rodney McLeod is helping fellow teammates in the secondary digest Jim Schwartz's pace-and-space scheme.
McLeod spent part of his career in Philadelphia playing under Schwartz's defensive scheme, so the safety already has an inside track in understanding defensive objectives.
And to this point in training camp, the Hall of Fame game in the rearview mirror and the second preseason game coming up fast, McLeod, 33, has seen steady improvement from everyone on the defense.
"I think we're all feeling good," McLeod said to ClevelandBrowns.com. "It's not perfect, but that's what camp is for. And as long as you see improvement each and every day. We've been able to make a lot more plays over the course of this week, which has been good to see."
McLeod was a safety for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2021. Schwartz's time calling the shots for the Eagles' defense spanned from 2016 to 2020. The two have extensive familiarity. And naturally, that has placed McLeod in a position where he is taking on a mentor role within the new-look Browns defense.
It is something he has grown comfortable doing thus far with the Cleveland Browns.
"Being in the scheme for so long, being around the league for a substantial amount of time, all of it is beneficial, all of it's helpful," he said. "So whether it's in a film room or a quick correction on the field, always just looking to be an additional set of eyes out there for the guys.
"We're all here because we need everybody. And so the quicker we can get everybody up to speed, whether it's the playbook or just knowledge of the game. It only makes us that much better."
It is reported that Schwartz's scheme on defense isn't overly complex. He wants players to do what they do best in their assigned roles. That means Schwartz wants the defensive line to put pressure up front, the linebackers to handle anything that gets to the second level, and the secondary to feel comfortable playing man coverage more times than not.
And so far, according to McLeod, the defense has handled those defensive principles with openness and relative ease.
Browns: Dorian Thompson-Robinson shines in Hall of Fame game win over Jets
Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson just made life harder for Kellen Mond.
Feature image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
