The defense steps up

(Full disclosure: This game was viewed Friday afternoon.)

All offseason, Browns Nation heard all about the “scary” offense General Manager John Dorsey has cobbled together for the 2019 National Football League season.

There is no question whatsoever the Browns will field one of the most explosive offenses in the league with the likes of quarterback Baker Mayfield, running back Nick Chubb, wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. and tight end David Njoku.

The latter three were spectators for the opening exhibition Thursday night, a 3010 victory over the Washington Redskins.

This offense is so good, it will never be too far behind in a game to catch up. It truly could be, as one NFC head coach said during the offseason after Dorsey completed his handiwork, “a scary team for a lot of years.”

But offense is not the only side of the football that will have the NFL universe talking the Browns this season this season. Oh no. Don’t go to sleep on the defensive side of the ball.

After years of outright frustration when the opposition owned the football because the defense ranked anywhere from bad to awful to downright disgraceful, that worm appears to have turned.

If Thursday night’s victory over the Redskins in the front of the home folks in the is any indication, defense will not take a back seat to the offense.

This season’s edition definitely is quicker and faster to the football and the tackling is noticeably improved. Of course the naysayers will counter that it can’t be any worse than last season. A valid argument.

Despite playing with starters Olivier Vernon, Sheldon Richardson, Denzel Ward and Joe Schobert enjoying the evening off, the defense was a blown coverage away from limiting the Washington offense to just three points.

Robert Davis sneaked into a large gap in the Cleveland secondary and took Case Keenum’s pass 46 yards for the score midway through the first quarter, victimizing rookie cornerback Greedy Williams.

Williams made up for his blunder – he played cover 2 instead of cover 4 and allowed the easy touchdown pass – but recovered nicely with one of club's three three interceptions and proof he can tackle, supporting the run defense with solid hits.

The big knock on Williams coming out of college was he was a great cover man, the kind of shutdown corner who could be paired with Ward, but had an aversion to tackling. Definitely not the case if Thursday night’s performance is any indication..

The other picks belonged to Mack Wilson, who made a powerful statement with regard to the possibility of garnering more playing time. The rookie linebacker from Alabama swiped a pair of Dwayne Haskins Jr. passes, returning the first 40 yards for a touchdown.

He showed great athleticism for a 6-1, 240-pounder, flashing speed, finishing the scoring jaunt after faceplanting Haskins inside the Redskins 10. He also logged three solo tackles and was generally disruptive.

Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ men were the story of the game, holding the Redskins to just a dozen first downs, 271 yards of total offense and creating four turnovers in addition to registering three sacks and numerous hurries.

They were relentless in pursuit of the ball and much more sure, with few exceptions, in their tackling, no matter which unit was in the game.

Mayfield easily – almost too easily – led the offense 89 yards in seven plays for a touchdown on the opening drive, Rashard Higgins hauling in a 24-yard throw right down the seam that zipped just over the hands of diving Skins safety Troy Apke.

Coach Freddie Kitchens surprised the Skins first by electing to receive after winning the coin toss, challenging his offense to run a two-minute drill, going no huddle. They missed by 13 seconds. Mayfield finished five-of-six for 77 yards and the TD.

He and most of that offense played just the initial series with backups Drew Stanton, Garrett Gilbert and David Blough mopping up the rest of the way. It looked smoother and was much more productive with Gilbert and Blough in charge of the huddle.

Gilbert in particular showed good arm strength and accuracy on difficult deep out routes. He connected on 14 of his 22 passes for 135 yards, but was unable to find the end zone.

The final score was a bit deceiving. The Browns, although clearly outplaying the visitors, led by just a touchdown at 17-10 with 4:25 left in regulation. Then Blough hooked up with D.J. Montgomery from 12 yards, climaxing an 11-play, 80-yard drive.

After the defense turned in its sixth three-and-out of the game, rookie wide receiver Damon Sheehy-Giuiseppi punctuated the evening with a scintillating 86-yard punt return for a touchdown, virtually untouched after slightly bobbling the ball.

The popular wideout was immediately buried by what seemed like at least half the bench in the end zone, putting an exclamation point on an enjoyable evening, one Browns Nation hopes is a portent of exciting things to come.