Greg Newsome II: Browns’ goal is to be the No. 1 defense in NFL
CLEVELAND — Cornerback Greg Newsome II had lofty expectations for the Browns defense this season, even before they drafted cornerback Martin Emerson, defensive end Alex Wright and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.
“We’re capable of whatever we want,” Newsome told cleveland. com by phone recently. “Our goal is to be the No. 1 defense in the whole NFL. At times last year, we had games where we dominated. Then we had games where it wasn’t great. So we have to find a way to be consistent.”
The Browns (8-9) finished fifth in the NFL last season in total defense, including fifth against the pass and 12th against the run. They were also 14th in points allowed, and hope to improve in all categories.
“When the offense is firing, we’ve got to be firing well,” Newsome said. “Just even thinking back to the Kansas City game or the L.A. game, the offense is putting up 47 points but we’re giving up 47 points. And then there’s games where, like the Ravens game, where we’re giving up 16 and the offense is scoring 10. We have to find a way where our offense, defense, special teams are all clicking at the same time, and then people will really see how special of a team we are.”
Newsome, who will take on more of a leadership role this season, is eager to help mentor the rookie defenders and bring them up to speed.
“That’s just the person and player I am,” he said. “I want to help. I want those people who come in the building to be ready to go, to be ready to compete, because healthy competition is a great thing.”
The Browns’ No. 26 pick in 2021 out of Northwestern, Newsome reached out to Emerson shortly after the Browns drafted him at No. 68 in the third round out of Mississippi State. The addition will enable Newsome to play more in the slot, especially with Troy Hill traded back to the Rams.
“He’s another long guy who I think specializes in that man-to-man coverage,” Newsome said. “If you can cover man-to-man in the league, you’re going to be great, and I’m definitely excited to get to work with a guy like that. I love competition. And I love another guy who’s a dog out there, too, and just watching his film, I can see that that’s what he is.”
Having subbed for Hill several times last year in the slot, Newsome has the inside track for the job in nickel and dime defenses, but all of the cornerbacks will prepare for the role and play it at times.
“They’re going to crosstrain us,” he said. “Whatever they need me to do, I’ll be able to do it. I can pick up pretty much any position, so I’ll be ready to play the nickel, play outside or wherever they’re going to need me to play this season.”
With a defensive backs room featuring Newsome, newly-extended Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, A.J. Green, J.J. Johnson, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison and Emerson, Newsome knows it can be one of the best in the NFL — even if Pro Football Focus left him and Ward off their list of potential best cornerback tandems for 2022.
“Oh yeah, for sure,” Newsome said. “It’s definitely going to be scary. That was our first time with all of us playing together last season. We had to get a feel for each other. We had to gel on and off the field. You have to have those off-thefield relationships, and I think we’ve done a great job this offseason, just keeping in touch hanging out with each other and things like that. This group is already special, but this year, we’re really going to prove to the whole world just how special we are.”
With Newsome failing to grab an interception last season — and the Browns tying for seventh-fewest in the NFL with 13 — he’s made it a point of emphasis this offseason.
“It’s just catching the football and getting more comfortable in those one-on-one positions down the field,” he said. “It’s just trusting what time I should be going for the pick or what time I should be trying to knock it down.”
To that end, he also plans to spend some time getting in touch with his inner diva this offseason.
“I’m trying to cross-train with the receivers a little bit,” he said. “I’m obviously not trying to play receiver but just trying to see how the receiver positions his hands on certain catches, how he goes up for the ball and things like that. So now I can envision myself on the other end at DB trying to defend that. That’s some of the stuff I’m doing, but just catching the ball all the time is my main priority.”
Newsome is also eager to hone his coverage skills against crafty four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper in practice each day.
“(I’ll be) 10 times better,” Newsome said. “He’s one of the best route runners in the whole NFL and he always finds a way to get open. Obviously, I had the luxury last year of going up against two of the best in the game in Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr., and now I get to go against Amari.
That’s just helping my game get to the next level quicker.”
In studying film of the NFL’S best, Newsome ranks Cooper No. 1 in route-running.
“(The Chargers’) Keenan Allen is up there with him, but Coop has definitely got to be the best in the game right now for sure,” he said. “Because if you can guard a guy like him, you can guard pretty much anybody. He might not have Tyreek Hill’s speed, but a route runner is always the quarterback’s best friend because they get open.”
And when Newsome feels the need for speed, he can race 2021 third-round receiver Anthony Schwartz, a world-class sprinter, downfield.
“You kind of get a taste of all receivers and that’s what I like about it,” Newsome said. “When we’re playing a fast guy or we’re playing a route runner, I get a taste of all of that in camp, so I’m able to switch it up.
“I’m also able to get a guy like Donovan Peoples-jones, a stronger receiver who’s going to use his body a little bit more. And now that we’ve got (2022 third-round pick) David Bell, he’s one of those route runners as well. So, practice is going to be harder than the games for me and that’s going to be the fun part.”
Newsome can already tell during the offseason program that the 2022 Browns are a bona fide Super Bowl contender, especially with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
“I’m just excited for the season and waiting to not talk about it anymore,” he said. “It’s time to put the words into action and show people that we’re a legit team.”
‘This group is already special, but this year, we’re really going to prove to the whole world just how special we are.’
Greg Newsome II
Browns cornerback