The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
B.J. Goodson ready to lead, produce
Who does B.J. Goodson, a free-agent acquisition from the Green Bay Packers, see as his competition?
There is no question the youngest and most inexperienced position on the Browns’ roster is the linebacker corps.
Projected starters Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki are in their second year in the league. LSU product Jacob Phillips was drafted by the Browns last month.
So who does B.J. Goodson, a free-agent acquisition this offseason from the Green Bay Packers, see as his primary competition to potentially earn a starting position at middle linebacker this season in Cleveland? Himself.
“As far as competition (goes), I compete with myself,” said Goodson, who signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Browns. “That’s my biggest opponent. I compete with myself every single day. I know that sounds kinda cliche, but the way I visualize the game mentally and prepare for the game mentally, I dig into myself a lot.”
It goes without saying the Browns need leadership and productivity from the 26-yearold product from Clemson, especially because last year’s leading tackler – middle linebacker Joe Schobert — signed an offseason, free-agent deal with the Jaguars.
Goodson is coming off a 2019 season in which he recorded 37 tackles (23 solo). Prior to that, he spent three years with the Giants, his best season being in 2018, when he recorded 61 tackles (44 solo) with a fumble recovery and two interceptions.
Wilson had 82 tackles last year (57 solo), while Takitaki had 21 (14 solo).
Goodson (6-foot-1, 242 pounds) sees his role in Cleveland as twofold. First, he has to produce. Second, he has to lead a young linebacking unit and show them the proverbial ropes.
“That leadership role is something you inherit,” he said of his four years of NFL experience. “It’s something I definitely look forward to adding to (the team).”
Manning the middle linebacker position is his forte.
“It is where I see myself,” he said. “I love the middle linebacker spot. To be able to call (formations) and be in on multiple plays, I love it. I love playing in the middle.”
Goodson grew up in Lamar, S.C., the same hometown and school of former Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland. It was Kirkland’s example Goodson followed on his trek to be a standout linebacker.
“The way he played the game — a hard-nosed guy who could fly around,” Goodson said. “He was my first visual of a linebacker. He was the first player I’ve ever known.”
And now Goodson is the veteran in a young linebacker room, headed by the Browns first-year defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
Goodson said the linebackers meet on Zoom calls almost every day, going through schemes, language for the system they’ll be running, and also simply getting to know each other.
He singled out Wilson and Takitaki as having good senses of humor.
“It’s hard to expect the camaraderie that comes along with being in the locker room,” Goodson said. “We try to fill the void of not being around each other. We we are on those calls, guys let loose and show their personalities. We have a feel for each other. We have a great (linebacker) room — great camaraderie in the linebacker room.”
Woods’ pedigree as a coach, one who went to the Super Bowl last year with the 49ers, is a key component, too.
“I know him from (going to) the Super Bowl in San Fran,” Goodson said. “As far as scheme goes, I feel like I fit in perfectly, which is another big reason I decided to come here and chose here. Being able to be aggressive and fly around, I just love it.”
That style caters to Goodson’s forte — run defense — but he said his game goes well beyond that.
“I think as far as the defense we’re in now, I feel it will show the upside of my game,” he said of run defense in Woods’ scheme. “Covering and stuff, I feel very confident in filling those roles as well.”
Goodson is making no predictions. He won’t even say he’s bucking for a starting job. Right now, he’s happy to be a Brown, to reunite with former Giants teammates Odell Beckham, Jr., and Olivier Vernon, and to lead a young linebackers group.
Wherever that leads is fine with him.
“To be honest, I don’t look at it like that,” he said when asked if he is determined to start. “I take things one day at a time, lay one brick as perfectly as I possibly can. Whatever happens, happens.
“I have tremendous, tremendous, tremendous faith in my game. That’s not a knock on anyone. We have a great room.”