Brendan Gulick details what he thinks makes the Browns defense elite.
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00:00 There's been so much talk nationally
00:01 about this Browns defense, and rightfully so.
00:04 I mean, they're off to a historic start.
00:06 So really, what's been the key behind this historic start
00:11 for this Browns defense?
00:12 I mean, I know they've got talent all across the board,
00:15 but a lot of times, you need more than talent
00:18 when you're in the NFL.
00:20 Yeah, I think the key is the defensive line.
00:23 There are a lot of guys on this defense
00:25 that were here last year.
00:27 And I think for a little while, the Browns
00:28 have had a pretty talented roster defensively.
00:33 But Jim Schwartz-- well, maybe I should
00:36 say Jim Schwartz is the key, in addition to a few new guys
00:40 on the defensive line.
00:42 But the reality is, Jim Schwartz has come in here,
00:45 and it feels like he's unlocked everything.
00:47 He's simplified schematically what
00:49 the Browns are doing a bit, and he's
00:51 given these guys a chance to just go make plays.
00:54 It's not quite as complicated for them
00:56 as it had been previously.
00:59 And frankly, I thought the player of the game last week,
01:03 who maybe didn't get enough attention nationally,
01:06 was defensive tackle Delvin Tomlinson.
01:08 I mean, the guy was a complete wrecking ball.
01:11 He's an enormous human being, and he takes up a lot of space,
01:14 and he makes it really difficult to run the ball inside.
01:18 So look, it's easy to say Miles Garrett.
01:21 It's easy to look at Denzel Ward.
01:22 And look, Grant Delpit's having a much better year
01:25 this year at safety.
01:27 But for me, it's the combination of Jim Schwartz coming in,
01:32 changing the scheme, and adding some better
01:35 talent on the defensive line.
01:36 So Darius Smith has also been terrific.