Aug 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim O

Defensive players for the Cleveland Browns are frustrated and confused. When asked what the problem is, to a man, the answer that comes back is a name. Jim O’Neil. The picture being painted is one where players are not sure what needs to happen on a given play, calls are late or not communicated at all, and at times, player usage is being dictated with ego in mind rather than the best interest of the team.

ALSO ON SPIN ZONE: Who are the greatest defensive players in NFL history?

This is not an issue that is limited to a particular position group or players of a certain age. It is a consistent theme. If Head Coach Mike Pettine continues to trust in O’Neil, his loyalty could ultimately end up costing him his job.

On the field, position coaches are trying to rotate players that would be far more in line for what critics, both educated and amateur, would expect and think far more logical, only to be overruled by O’Neil. Not only is this a source of frustration for some of the players who know their position coaches believe in them and firmly believe they are better than the guys going in for them.

Players believe in what the coaches are trying to build and genuinely want to come through and help Pettine succeed. The team’s stressing of accountability has allowed them clean up locker room issues from the previous season and get everyone on the same page as far as what is expected from players both from the coaching staff as well as their teammates (Johnny Manziel, Justin Gilbert in particular). The competition has players feeling like they can earn their way on the field. Reps are not simply handed out but guys can see their hard work rewarded.

All of this is great until the feeling is O’Neil is not held accountable for his mistakes. Nothing he is doing is out of the purview of his job and if were working, he would be ‘thinking outside the box’ and have a great feel for the game. Unfortunately, the results are ineffective at best and incompetent at worst. And if they were in the best interest of the team, they would be understandable growing pains. for a young coordinator. Too often, they aren’t.

This reflects badly on Pettine because he has not been willing to step in and overrule O’Neil in these situations to this point. Choosing to trust in his defensive coordinator, he is forced to own the results both on the scoreboard and then having to come up with coach speak in press conferences to answer questions about the results. Pettine knows better as evidenced by both last year and his career as a whole, but is giving a substantial leash to O’Neil in these situations, seemingly letting him learn for himself at the cost of the team.

It is important to keep in mind that last year, while then Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan basically had total control of the offense with no interference from the head coach, Pettine was the true defensive coordinator with O’Neil basically as his top assistant, making suggestions as opposed to executive decisions. Player usage was far more logical, individual production was substantially better and while there were certainly major talent issues that held the team back, there were obvious playmakers and strengths in the unit.

Behind closed doors, players are a little baffled in how O’Neil talks to and about players. O’Neil is loyal to the point of borderline obsessed with his stars, basically suggesting the team cannot compete without them. Rather than building up players that are developing and are one play away from the field, they feel unsupported and discouraged at times.

In this respect, the feeling is Pettine, position coaches, and most notably teammates are cleaning up that mess and keeping players motivated, ready to compete, but all of the players are increasing frustrated with O’Neil. Increasingly, what he says is becoming background noise, which is only further holding back defensive development.