A (delayed) look at the Cleveland Browns' snap counts in their 24-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10:
OFFENSE (76 snaps)
- Quarterback: Brian Hoyer 76
- Running back: Terrance West 36, Ben Tate 25, Isaiah Crowell 15
- Fullback: Kiero Small 30
- Receiver: Taylor Gabriel 64, Miles Austin 48, Travis Benjamin 28, Marlon Moore 9, Rodney Smith 6
- Tight end: Jim Dray 59, Gary Barnidge 49
- Offensive tackle: Joe Thomas 76, Mitchell Schwartz 76, Paul McQuistan 1
- Guard: John Greco 76, Joel Bitonio 76
- Center: Nick McDonald 76
Thoughts: A lot to talk about here, starting with Taylor Gabriel. Where would the Browns be without this undrafted rookie who made the team after a tryout? Can’t say enough about his play, his work, his effort, his production. With Andrew Hawkins out, Gabriel led the receivers with 64 snaps. ... Also have to give props to backup tight ends Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray. Jordan Cameron has missed three games to injury this season, and Dray and Barnidge have stepped in and the Browns have won all three games. Dray contributed with his blocking on 59 snaps, and Barnidge had two big catches in his 49. ... These are the elements that go into making a team. ... I confess to being confused about Ben Tate's diminished role. I left the Tennessee game more than impressed at the way he ran, his effort and his production. Since, his playing time has decreased, and Terrance West has had more snaps the last two weeks. My eyes tell me that Tate is a better runner, even though West has improved. My mind can’t quite grasp why West is ahead. But ... this coaching staff has earned the benefit of the doubt. ... Some of what Tate said this week sounds troubling. He’s clearly not happy, he talked about being a number on the team and he intimated the locker room isn’t as much fun as it was in Houston. All while the Browns are 6-3. Yikes.
DEFENSE (67 snaps):
- Cornerback: Buster Skrine 66, Joe Haden 61, K'Waun Williams 45, Justin Gilbert 13
- Safety: Tashaun Gipson 64, Donte Whitner 59, Jim Leonhard 27, Jordan Poyer 3
- Outside linebacker: Jabaal Sheard 59, Paul Kruger 59, Barkevious Mingo 28, Eric Martin 1
- Inside linebacker: Karlos Dansby 64, Chris Kirksey 37, Craig Robertson 18
- Defensive line: Desmond Bryant 42, Billy Winn 27, Phil Taylor 23, Ahtyba Rubin 17, Ismaa'ily Kitchen 10, Sione Fua 14
Thoughts: Note to self. See how many inside linebackers have been on the field this season more than Dansby, and then write about it. Self: OK. ... Browns players say that nobody on defense is playing much better than Desmond Bryant. Two sacks in 42 plays shows that. ... For my money, the Browns got their biggest payoff from Phil Taylor’s 23 plays. He was destructive on some plays. ... Sheard, Kruger and Whitner all had 59 plays, which doesn’t mean a lot but is worth noting. ... Gipson deserves to be in the Pro Bowl, even with the dropped pick six. ... Finally, apologies this it no on the regularly scheduled Tuesday. Scheduling issues prompted a two-day delay.
