Cleveland Browns plan to limit Jeffery Simmons in Week 7
The Cleveland Browns are planning specific protections and technique work to blunt the interior pass rush of Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons as they head into their Week 7 road game on Oct. 25, the team said in a report published Oct. 22. Simmons entered Week 7 tied for 10th in the NFL with four sacks and led the Titans with six tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus listed his 83.4 overall grade as third among 129 interior defensive linemen.
Veteran tackle Tytus Howard told teammates Simmons ranks among the best interior players the Browns will face this season and emphasized the need to stand firm rather than give ground. Howard drew on his experience facing Simmons nine times while with the Houston Texans. Guard Zion Johnson stressed the importance of disciplined technique and staying alert to defensive structure and alignment as ways to counter Simmons’ blend of quickness and power.
The Browns noted Simmons has a modified role in new Titans coach Robert Saleh’s front and will occasionally shift technique and alignment across the interior, a versatility the Browns view as a challenge heading into the matchup. Pro Football Focus data cited by the team shows Simmons has generated 21 total pressures this season, ranking fifth among interior defensive linemen. That pressure production increases the likelihood that guards Austin Barber and Zion Johnson will draw significant work against him.
Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer pointed out the schematic difficulties of handling dominant interior rushers, saying interior defenders are harder to chip and can complicate protection plans because of alignment variability. The Browns added all five starters during the offseason and are focused on continuing to grow together as the midway part of the regular season approaches. Coaches and players said building reps together remains a priority as they prepare for three straight road games that begin Oct. 25.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Jeffery Simmons presents a textbook interior mismatch for opposing guards, combining sack production, pressures and run disruption that demand consistent technique and coordinated help. The Browns’ emphasis on not yielding ground and on protective communication is appropriate given Simmons’ tendency to change alignments and the pressure totals cited by PFF. Cleveland’s relatively new starting five will be tested by those traits, and how well Austin Barber and Zion Johnson hold up in direct matchups and with assistance from tight ends or running backs should determine how effectively the Browns can protect the pocket and sustain their run game. The game on Oct. 25 will be an important measure of the offensive line’s cohesion as the team enters its first of three straight road games.