Cleveland Browns: 5 Thoughts on the Defense

2. Carl Nassib Preseason Promise Carrying Over

Nassib got his first sack of his career, which was a gift, but beyond that, he was consistently an issue for the Eagles. Especially when lined up against Lane Johnson, the Eagles right tackle, he never seemed to tire. Nassib was able to put pressure on Wentz as well as chase down running plays from the back side.

Nassib’s sack was on a broken screen that Wentz didn’t throw. Nassib end up unblocked and got his money’s worth as he put Wentz into the turf. He was able to get a few hits on Nassib and he was never cheated, but he along with the Browns defense as a whole was aggressive but clean.

Some questioned if Nassib could carry over what was an impressive preseason into the regular season. Especially in the third and fourth games of the preseason, Nassib was seeing time against opposing team’s starters in nickel packages particularly.

Against the Eagles, he was on the field for everything and rarely got cheated. Opponents’ getting tape on him will help in blocking him, but the fact Nassib was such a problem for a player of Johnson’s caliber bodes well for what he can do as the season continues. And if teams have to start gameplanning against him, that would be a massive compliment for what Nassib can do as a third round rookie.

One thing that teams will probably stop doing is trying to single block him with a tight end.

If teams do resort to that strategy, we all know that’s going to end horribly for them.

Next: Secondary Concerns