The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Defense hopes to bolster pass coverage
After being burned by the Bengals, 31-7, earlier this season, the Browns have been practicing to control Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton in their matchup on Nov. 26.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is not counting on another four-touchdown game from Dalton.
It could happen, but Lewis is telling his players the Browns are better defensively than they were in the fourth week of the season.
“They’re playing so hard and doing a great job,” Lewis said on a conference call. “When we played them up there, (DL) Danny Shelton didn’t play and (DL) Myles Garrett didn’t play. Now, you have two tremendous players at their spots. Myles Garrett, his flexibility and ability just jumps off the film.”
Garrett and Shelton are healthy, but defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (broken foot) and defensive tackle Jamie Meder (ankle) were put on injured reserve Nov. 21 after being injured last week in the Jacksonville game.
Whatever happens in Cincinnati will measure how much the Browns have improved under fiery defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. The Bengals are the first opponent the Browns are facing for the second time this season.
“They say, ‘I can’t believe I did that. I can’t believe I saw it that way (the first time),’ ” Williams said, referring to reacting to the scout team in practice this past week.
“That’s refreshing in that respect because it doesn’t make any difference how I see it. It’s how they see it during the heat of battle.”
The Browns play the Ravens for the second time Dec. 17 (the Ravens won in Baltimore on Sept. 17) and the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Dec. 31.
The Steelers beat the Browns, 21-18, in the season opener.