The awesome display from the Cleveland Browns defensive front four in the third preseason game sent shudders down the spines of offensive coordinators around the league. With Olivier Vernon, Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi and Myles Garrett all playing together for the first time, the Browns bagged five first-half sacks and smothered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, pitching a shutout.
Browns linebacker Joe Schobert got to see it up close and personal. Playing behind the fearsome foursome, Schobert thrived against the Buccaneers. He earned Pro Football Focus’ highest grade for any LB this preseason.
Schobert was great, but he knows the guys up front made his job a lot easier.
“When you are a linebacker and you get back into your drop and as soon as you get to your landmark, you turn around and the quarterback is on the ground and you just job back to the huddle every play, that makes you feel better,” Schobert said after Monday’s practice. “You feel like you are in much better shape when that happens instead of chasing receivers around all play if they can’t get the quarterback down. Live, in person and right behind them, those guys can really get after it.”
If the defensive line can play close to the level they did in Tampa Bay once the regular season kicks off, Schobert is primed for another Pro Bowl campaign.
