Steelers HC Mike Tomlin has high praise for one part of the Browns defense
Coming off of a 30-7 shellacking by the San Francisco 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be eager to get a win at home and bounce back in Week 2. Cleveland Browns are going to need to bring it again on defense like they did in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, as well […]
Coming off of a 30-7 shellacking by the San Francisco 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be eager to get a win at home and bounce back in Week 2.
Cleveland Browns are going to need to bring it again on defense like they did in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as pick it up on the offensive side of the ball. Even if the Steelers are dealing with some key injuries, they still have a talented team and defense that includes Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt.
With that being said, the Browns have picked up the respect of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ahead of their matchup, specifically one position group.
"They got a veteran secondary," said Coach Tomlin Tuesday on preparing for the Browns defense. "Those guys have been together now for some length of time, particularly their corner group. [Denzel] Ward and [Greg] Newsome, both are first-round draft picks and guys who have grown up in that program.”
Cleveland selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, then selected Newsome late in the first round of the 2021 draft. The two players pair with second-year cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. as one of the very best trios in the NFL.
Against the Bengals, the defensive line stood out as well with Myles Garrett and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo recording sacks. That was not it though, Za’Darius Smith was a menace and Dalvin Tomlinson created real issues inside. With the combination of the pass rush and the work in the secondary, it was a complete performance for the Browns’ defense.
“To be blunt, I thought the corners won the game for them last week. Their ability to stand on the line of scrimmage and challenge the Cincinnati Bengals was really impressive. They stood up time and time again. It allowed the safeties and linebackers to get focused and I thought they were the catalyst for the [Browns] performance,” said Tomlin.
Safety Grant Delpit had the game of his life and had the Pro Football Focus grade to back it up if that is your kind of thing. Cleveland couldn’t have dreamed of a better outcome in Jim Schwartz’s debut as the defense coordinator than holding Joe Burrow to 82 yards passing, and the Bengals just three points.
Cleveland is garnering respect around the league just a week into the season. The belief was that the Browns potentially had the guys coming into the season but folks wanted to see it play out. If Week 1 was any sign, it’s going to work out and the Browns will have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
It is a young season and there are still 16 games to be played, plus the playoffs where Cleveland aspires to be. But the defense and secondary in particular is getting the early respect they deserve, even from their opponents.
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports.
