Defense to the rescue

Last season, the Browns pretty much offensively bullied their way into the National Football League postseason, rescuing a defense that pretty much underperformed the entire season.

That will not be the case this season, believe head coach Kevin Stefanski and his boss, who kind of recreated that side of the football with numerous shrewd moves during the offseason. 

For the first time since can't remember when, the Browns this season will be balanced on both sides of the football. The explosive offense returns all its starters. The new defense will start nine men who did not suit up with them last season.

The results on defense clearly will be better mainly because they couldn't be any worse than 2020. And that is why most pundits speak of the Browns in ways their fans haven't heard since they were the original Browns from 1946 to 1995.

The words "Super Bowl" are not being tossed around casually. There is ample evidence to back up the notion 2021 could be the year the Browns fully awaken from a deep slumber and make the big move after slowly emerging and rubbing their eyes last season.

General Manager Andrew Berry signaled the start of the defensive remake in mid-March by pilfering half the Los Angeles Rams secondary in free agency. No question free safety John Johnson III and slot cornerback Troy Hill are infinitely better than anyone last season.

There was no better NFL defense last season than the Rams'. First in total yards gained; first against the pass; first in touchdown passes allowed; first in net yards gained against the pass; third against the run; third in rushing yards per attempt.

Yep, that's what the Browns, who allowed 50 touchdowns (31 via the forward pass) last season desperately need. By contrast, the Rams permitted only 33 touchdowns last season, just 17 -- roughly one a game -- through the air.

Don't expect that to translate to success with the Browns. Johnson and Hill will find it a bit more difficult to do their jobs with Cleveland. They thrived with the Rams pretty much due to the contributions of one man. 

Not just any man. Aaron Donald is unquestionably the best defensive player in the NFL and the best thing to happen to any secondary. The defensive tackle  makes the Rams' defense better on every play and in every way. He is the secondary's best friend.

He is that rare football player at his position who is dangerous against the run and the pass. He is double- and sometimes triple-teamed and still makes plays. He makes everyone else on the field that much better.

Donald is most valuable pressuring the pocket, disturbing and disrupting the timing of quarterbacks from a position that rarely penetrates that close. It, in turn, makes it easier on the secondary with regard to coverage.

The Rams dropped opposing quarterbacks 53 times last season -- 13.5 by Donald -- just three behind league leader Pittsburgh. (The Browns had 38.) His relentless approach has netted 85.5 sacks over a seven-year career, 46.5 in the last three seasons. 

The Browns don't have anyone like Donald on the roster. No, not even Myles Garrett, who is brilliant as a pass rusher, but so-so as a run defender. He doesn't makes teammates better. He is not the overall difference maker Donald is. Johnson and Hill will miss him.

It's safe to say, however, the Browns will not bleed points on a weekly basis this season. With the new look on defense, the days of 42-37, 38-35 and 34-31 games are over. Entertaining perhaps, but gone.