Cleveland Browns: Keys to 2018 Rest With Gregg Williams
By Erik Lambert
The Cleveland Browns come into 2018 able to say at least one thing if nothing else. There’s no way to go but up from here.
Right now the playoffs may be way too big of an expectation. The team hasn’t made it since 2002 and hasn’t even had a winning record since 2007. They have to focus on trying to preserve jobs before they can start thinking about Super Bowls. The last thing they need is yet another change in the coaching staff. The question is what will it take to convince GM John Dorsey to maintain the status quo?
Hue Jackson has one win in two seasons. That’s not a misprint. He went 1-15 his first year and 0-16 his second. A lot of people were shocked the Browns chose to keep him in charge, but there’s no mistaking reality. Unless there’s a massive improvement this season, he will be fired. Smart money says the 6-10 mark is likely the minimum line to cross to feel safe and more likely 7-9 or 8-8.
That seems like a rough demand but it’s the pit that Jackson has dug himself into. Can he do it? Things don’t seem favorable at first glance what with a rookie quarterback to mold in Baker Mayfield. However, there could be one solution, and it rests with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Cleveland Browns defense is poised for major success in 2018
Lost amidst the constant string of defeats was how improved the Browns defense was last season. It was far from perfect but there were flashes of greatness. It was 7th in the league against the run and forced 14 fumbles. Myles Garrett is back healthy and he’ll have a much better supporting cast around him this year as Adam Rank of NFL.com pointed out.
"“New general manager John Dorsey addressed every layer of the defense, adding former Eagles starter Mychal Kendricks to the linebacking crew, while completely overhauling the secondary with the addition of safety Damarious Randall and cover men E.J. Gaines and T.J. Carrie, plus first-round cornerback Denzel Ward.”"
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Indeed on paper, it looks like a highly underrated group. That secondary is young, fast and athletic. Then there’s Williams himself. He may not be the most liked coach in the league for various reasons, but he’s a man who gets results. In his entire career, whenever he’s coached with a franchise for at least two seasons he has produced a top 10 defense at least once. This will mark Year 2 of his time in Cleveland.