The Cleveland Browns had another tough late-game loss on Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens. The offense could not make the plays to put the game away and the defense gave up big plays to give the Ravens the win, but it has been the defense that has been very underwhelming so far this season. Before the season began, many, including me, believed that the defense would be the unit that would lead the team to victories, but that has not been the case. So what is the problem with the Browns defense?

The unit has several issues that have hurt them so far. The secondary has been shaky, including Pro Bowler Joe Haden. But the biggest problem has been the lack of defense against the run. The front seven has struggled mightily in stopping the run and it was very visible when they let little-known Lorenzo Taliaferro run for 91 yards and a touchdown. Not-so-fun fact: The Browns defense has given up the fifth most rushing yards per game this season, allowing 153.7 yards on the ground per game.

In this week’s film room, I examine what has caused the terrible run defense so far this season, using the Ravens game for my explanation. There is more then one single cause of the bad run defense. I will look at three of the biggest causes: The terrible performances of Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin, the lack of contain especially by the outside linebackers, and the horrible tackling epidemic. So grab a seat and lets get going with this week’s film room of the defense.

Phil Taylor

This big 31-yard gain by Lorenzo Taliaferro is just one example of Phil Taylor’s underwhelming performance so far this season. A big reason for this run happening is because of Phil Taylor’s actions on the line. Let’s take a look.

The play is a designed run to the right by running back Lorenzo Taliaferro. The whole Ravens offensive line flows to the right with Taliaferro running behind them. Phil Taylor completely loses position by going the opposite direction to the left.

This cut to the left by Phil Taylor completely puts him out of the play. The runner is going to the right, but Taylor makes a predetermined cut to the left. Taliaferro is already past him in the first second of the play because of an undisciplined cut to the left by Taylor.

This is what results from Taylor’s move to the left. He leaves a huge hole for Taliaferro to run through for the 31-yard gain. Taylor is blocked to the middle of the line, losing his position on the right side of the line. He vacates the spot where Taliaferro has an open lane to the secondary.

Phil Taylor has done this quite a bit so far this season. He is inclined to cut to either the left or right and in many situations he loses gap responsibility for the run defense. He is more worried about pass rushing and getting to the backfield, then staying strong in the run defense and being gap responsible.

Ahtyba Rubin

Ahtyba Rubin’s biggest issue this season is his inability to get penetration and stand his ground. On both of these plays, he is blocked out of the way for the runner to cutback and gain yards upfield.

As you see here, Rubin is pushed all the way out causing the backside cutback lane to be open. He needs to be stronger at the point of the attack and beat his man to the football. As a defensive tackle and a nose tackle in the 4-3 defense, Rubin must be strong against the run and not be pushed around. His responsibility is to clog the middle of the line and be a guy who needs to be blocked by multiple blockers. In these two plays, one man is able to block him out of the way.

Lack of Contain

This is a microcosm of the lack of contain the Browns defense has shown so far this season. This 21-yard gain by running back Justin Forsett set up a touchdown run on this drive. Here is how it happened.

On this play, running back Justin Forsett receives a pitch to the left from quarterback Joe Flacco. He is helped by a fake from Joe Flacco.

This fake completely fools outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard and inside linebacker Chris Kirksey.

The contain is pretty much lost after both Sheard and Kirksey take a few steps in, allowing the edge to be wide open. These two players must stay at the edge and not crash down on the fake. Their responsibility is to stay strong and defend against a run to the outside of them. Kirksey and Sheard must keep their eye on the ball instead of looking at where the Ravens players are faking toward.

The Browns contain have been susceptible to losing contain because of the edge rushers over-aggressiveness. The defense must learn to be true to their assignment and not try to be too aggressive and subsequently lose position. This is something that can be fixed, but it must be on the players to be true to their respective assignments.

Bad Tackling

This 22-yard run by running back Justin Forsett shows the horrible tackling that we have seen since Week 1 of the season. Following the loss to Pittsburgh, I wrote about the bad tackling and how it needs to be improved. But as you see here, it still pops up as a problem. On the play, the Browns miss three tackles. Here are the three players at fault.

The first miss tackle on the play came from usual sure tackling inside linebacker Karlos Dansby. He tries to bring Forsett down with his arms, but Forsett blows right through.

The second and third tackling attempts come from defensive lineman Desmond Bryant and safety Donte Whitner. The problem with these two attempts is that they both go in for the tackle at the same time. This helps keep Forsett up and causes the two players to lose their grab on the runner. In short, Whitner and Bryant run into each other, causing them both to miss the tackle.

Miss tackles are a huge problem for a defense because it allows for extra yards and a lot of times it extends a drive longer. The Browns must get better at tackling in order to improve their overall defensive performance.

Defensive Standout

The defensive standout of week three is Jabaal Sheard. According to ProFootballFocus, Sheard had three quarterback hurries and three defensive stops (number of solo tackles made which constitute an offensive failure) along with his five tackles versus the Ravens. He has had a very good year so far this season. Sheard and Kruger have been the only real consistent pass rushing threats for the Browns this season.

Defensive Lowlight

The defensive lowlight this week is Joe Haden. Haden has been below average so far this season. According to ProFootballFocus, Haden allowed five receptions for 83 yards on six targets last Sunday. The biggest reason he is the lowlight of the week is because of the huge catch he gave up on the last drive of the game—a 32-yard pass to receiver Steve Smith, which put the Ravens in field goal position for the game-winning kick.