The Defensive Meltdown
Last Sunday was a major defensive meltdown at the end of the Jets game! Leading 30-17 with 1:55 left, the Browns missed an extra point, gave up a 66-yard TD pass with 1:22, failed to recover an onside kick and then let Joe Flacco finish them with a 15-yard touchdown pass to rookie Garrett Wilson with 22 seconds left. Joe Flacco turned into vintage Joe Flacco and had his way with the Cleveland Browns. He took full advantage of safety Grant Delpit the last two touchdown drives. We have a problem with the defense, the Cleveland Browns should Call Mike Zimmer.
The secondary pointing fingers at each other, seemed disconnected and confused about coverage. Coming into this season the defense was the area that everyone was confident about. They were ranked fifth in overall defense at the end of last year and if anything, they should be even better this year. This might be a knee jerk reaction, but they could use some help or something to wake up this defense.
Zimmer and Stefanski Have History
Kevin Stefanski should be calling his old buddy Mike Zimmer for at the least a consultation. Former Minnesota Viking head coach worked with Stefanski from 2006 until 2020 when Zimmer was let go by the organization and Stefanski became head coach of the Browns. Zimmer had a Vikings franchise record of 72-56-1 and Stefanski spent six years on Zimmer’s coaching staff during his tenure in Minnesota.
The NFL seems to be evolving into high flying offenses and that did not play into Zimmer’s favor, but Zimmer knows defense. This defense had one of the worst meltdowns in franchise history per upset Browns announcer Jim Donovan. Zimmer and Stefanski have a history so Stefanski should reach out to Zimmer for a different set of eyes and a neutral party brain to help Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
A Defensive Specialist
Mike Zimmer is known to be a defensive specialist. He has 40+ years of experience in the NFL and mostly with defense. He was the defensive backs coach for the Cowboys from 1995-2000 and has a Superbowl win with the Cowboys. In 2008 he made his mark as a defensive specialist when he turned around an abysmal Cincinnati Bengals team whose defense in 2007 ranked 27th in yards allowed and 24th in points allowed per game. The first year with the Bengals they improved to 12th in yards allowed and 19th in points per game. By 2013 they were ranked 5th in points per game and 4th in yards allowed per game. These accomplishments catapulted him to the head coaching job of the Vikings.
A Different Perspective
According to SI.com, Zimmer currently has a new analyst position at Jackson State under Deion Sanders, who he coached in Dallas. Zimmer is only signed to a one-year contract with Jackson State as an analyst, so it leaves room for him to consult Stefanski with the Browns defense. It would also give the Browns the opportunity to get a different perspective on the situation and maybe a future hire. It never hurts to ask for some help. Call Mike Zimmer!
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