[2] Major reasons why joe flacco call his re-sighning….
As the 2023 season began, there was no doubt that the Browns’ defensive backfield stood among the most talented in the league, particularly with their trio of cornerbacks. Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, and Martin Emerson represented a significant investment of draft capital for the team, involving two first-round picks and a third. However, the defense as a whole, and specifically this cornerback trio, experienced a letdown in 2022. Despite finishing fifth overall in passing defense, the team only managed to secure 11 interceptions. Beyond the statistics, the secondary struggled in critical situations, exemplified by a Week 2 scenario where the New York Jets scored two touchdowns in under two minutes, snatching a seemingly certain victory from the Cleveland Browns.
Out went the 2022 defensive coordinator Joe Woods, and in came the 2023 defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Schwartz brought a more aggressive mindset compared to his predecessor, focusing on creating pressure to force turnovers through interceptions and coverage sacks. The strategy involved leveraging the Browns’ pass rushers to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, leading them to make hasty decisions and turn over the ball. Additionally, the cornerbacks were tasked with adopting a more man-to-man coverage approach, providing the defensive line with an extra second to make plays in the backfield.
