Todd Monken created a blueprint to attack the Browns’ defense; here’s how they counter it: Film Review

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns defense went into the Baltimore game with some good numbers. Before getting thumped by the Ravens, this defensive unit allowed just 94 yards to a Titans team that posted 400 yards in their 27-3 beatdown of the Bengals the very next Sunday.

So, what happened to the Browns defense?

Todd Monken is what happened.

The Ravens’ new offensive coordinator and longtime college and NFL coach, including time with the Browns, came into the season off back-to-back college national championships with the Georgia. Monken is an offensive version of Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He does an incredible job of exploiting favorable matchups and creating easy schemes. This simplicity allows his players to play fast with confidence.

Here are three reasons Monken found success against the Browns defense:

1. Used Browns’ aggressiveness against them

Through three games, the Browns’ front seven had lived in the backfield of opposing offensives. The defensive line did a fantastic job of penetrating and recreating the line of scrimmage three yards back on almost every play. The linebackers benefited from chaos up front and were been able to clean up the mess.

Monken’s plan was to utilize multiple traps, whams, and counters to allow the defensive line to penetrate freely, then block the Browns with a lineman from the other side. By not engaging the defensive line, the Ravens offense was able to immediately climb to the second level and block the linebackers. Monken also did a great job of using receiver Zay Flowers in motion to create eye conflict and indecision from the second-level defenders.

Below is a look at a long trap from the Ravens.

The frontside tight end (TE), right tackle (RT), right guard (RT) and center (C) all block down to their right, leaving defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo unblocked. Left guard (LG) John Simpson will pull and kick out Okoronkwo, creating a huge hole. The motion from Flowers pulls linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. out of the box, making it easier to run the football.

This play resulted in a 6-yard run from Gus Edwards.

Ravens trap blocking.

Ravens trap blocking.

Ravens trap blocking.

Below is a “wham” scheme the from the Ravens.

On this play, the Ravens will pull right guard (RG) Kevin Zeitler and left guard (LG) Simpson to their left, leaving defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson unblocked. Tight end Patrick Richard will wham block the unsuspecting Tomlinson and create a great running lane for Edwards.

This play resulted in a 5-yard gain.

Ravens wham blocking.

Ravens wham blocking.

Ravens wham blocking.

2. Used tight, powerful double teams

As the Browns defensive linemen adjusted to not getting blocked by the man in front of them, it reduced the amount of penetration and forced them to play more on the line of scrimmage. This allowed the Ravens to utilize powerful double teams that created huge holes and running lanes for their running backs. Again, Flowers was used in motion to create eye conflict or “eye candy” for the second-level defenders.

Below is a look at an inside zone from the Ravens.

The right tackle (RT) and right guard (RG) will deuce double team defensive tackle Maurice Hurst to the #2 linebacker, Sione Takitaki. The center (C) and left guard (LG) will ace double team to the #1 linebacker, Walker.

The fear of being trapped, whammed, or kicked out, forces Hurst and Harris to not penetrate as much and play more on the line of scrimmage. The Ravens are able to create powerful double teams and create vertical and horizontal displacement, resulting in a big 15-yard cutback run from Justice Hill.

Ravens inside zone blocking.

Ravens inside zone blocking.

Ravens inside zone blocking.

Ravens inside zone blocking.

3. Used tight end, backs in passing attack

Baltimore’s star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, finished with 15 completions, nine of those going to tight ends or running backs. Mark Andrews continues to be an issue for the Browns as he finished with five receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Monken and Jackson stayed away from corners, Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr., and forced linebackers and nickel back Greg Newsome II to make plays and cover.

Below is a look at Monken forcing Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to cover Melvin Gordon on a rail route down the sideline.

With the success of Ward and Emerson in man coverage, Monken shied away from them and forced safeties and linebackers to cover tight ends and running backs. The play below starts with Gordon motioning in from the outside. As Gordon moves into the backfield, Owusu-Koromaoh moves with him, signaling man coverage to Jackson and receiver Nelson Agholor.

As the route begins, Agholor will spot or pick Owusu-Koramoah, forcing him underneath and behind Gordon.

This play resulted in a 23-yard reception for Gordon.

Ravens passing to running backs.

Ravens passing to running backs.

Ravens passing to running backs.

Ravens passing to running backs.

How does Schwartz adjust?

The NFL is a copycat league and the Ravens’ success against Schwartz’s defense will lead other teams to emulate what they did. The Browns must adjust as more and more teams watch the film and figure out what the new defensive coordinator is doing.

The defensive linemen must start to get their hands on the offensive line on the snap of the football. This will maintain their gap integrity, and more importantly, keep the second level cleaner to make tackles. The second level must focus on their run keys and not follow the motion or “eye candy” that the offense presents.

If opposing run games are successful, the Browns secondary can still play tons of man coverage, but move to off-man coverage so they can get their eyes on the receiver but also have an eye in the backfield to help in run support.

The biggest defensive adjustment is actually not an adjustment at all. It’s simply relying on all three phases (offense, defense, special teams) of the game to play in a complementary fashion.

Last week, the Browns offense had multiple turnovers that gave the football to the Ravens in scoring position. That can’t happen if the Browns are planning on being a playoff contender.

Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.

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