Chargers’ improved offense faces stifling Cleveland Browns defense – Daily News

INGLEWOOD – Chargers coach Brandon Staley and Browns defensive backs John Johnson and Troy Hill will likely share a special pre-game moment on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

Former Rams will catch up and maybe thank each other for the new jobs they received during the offseason.

Staley helped Johnson and Hill have years of careers as the Rams’ defensive coordinator last season. This led to the Browns handing both players lucrative free agency contracts. But Staley also benefited from Johnson and Hill.

What the Rams’ defense did last season as the NFL’s top-ranked unit made Staley a popular candidate for head coaching positions.

“I definitely wouldn’t be here without (Johnson),” said Staley, who was hired by the Chargers in January. “I have so much respect for him. We will have a moment before the game, but he is the ultimate competitor. You can see the value he brought to this team. This is what I am proud of.

“He earned every penny he signed in free agency. You can see what he did for this team in a short period of time because I know they needed help in high school and he gave them a lot.

Former Staley players helped round out the Browns’ defense in high school and it showed in the first month of the season. The fierce Browns defense will face Staley’s emerging Chargers offense in a 3-1 clash.

After a few bumpy weeks, the Chargers’ offense is also starting to look complete. Quarterback Justin Herbert has an abundance of weapons with dynamic wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and productive tight ends Jared Cook, Donald Parham Jr. and Stephen Anderson.

The Chargers started the running game last week with Austin Ekeler’s 117 yards rushing against the Las Vegas Raiders. They also fixed their red zone problems by scoring touchdowns on nine of their last 10 trips inside the 20-yard line.

“We played really good football,” said Herbert of the offensive performance in the first quarter of the season. “There is a lot to clean up, but I was really happy with the way the guys played and fought in the face of adversity. ”

The Chargers offense found its rhythm, but it didn’t face a defense as good as Cleveland’s. Staley called the Browns’ top seven the best in the NFL and praised their defensive line, which includes Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell.

“They’re really deep up front,” Staley said. “They kinda remind me of the San Francisco front where they just have a lot of rushers you know, inside and out.”

In their last two games, the Browns limited the Chicago Bears to six points and the Minnesota Vikings to seven points. They sacked Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields nine times and punched him 15 times.

Garrett and Clowney contributed 6.5 sacks and 11 hits against the Bears. Garrett added four hits to Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​the following week.

“The combination of size, athleticism, explosiveness – he’s capable of anything,” Herbert said of Garrett. “And he can also defend certain passes. He is capable of doing anything. … You need to know where he is at all times, in order to be ready for what he is doing.

Garrett is listed as questionable in the final knee and ankle injury report, but he told reporters he fully intends to play on Sunday.

The Chargers’ offensive line improved with the addition of rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater, center Corey Linsley and guards Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi. But they’ve allowed Herbert to be hit 27 times this season, according to GSIS Stats. Herbert took just seven sacks due to his quick passes and ability to extend plays.

Slater and right tackle Storm Norton will need to give Herbert some pocket time if they are to limit hits against Browns tandem Garrett and Clowney.

“I feel like (Herbert) is coming a long way, as is (Rashawn) Slater,” Garrett said. “They’re wiser than their years in the league and they’ve studied the game a lot. He’s able to throw shots on time and we have to keep his pace.

Slater makes a strong case for Offensive Rookie of the Year, although this award tends to go to talented players – Herbert won it last season. Slater hasn’t handed a sack this season, but he will have his toughest Sunday against the Browns’ defensive line.

“Wow talk about a pick, this guy is locked up there,” Ekeler said of Slater, the No.13 pick in the April draft. “You just think, ‘Keep doing this’ (Herbert). Stay upright, keep pushing the ball onto the field.

Ekeler can take some relief from Herbert and Slater with another productive rushing performance. He ran behind the Chargers left side wall consisting of Slater and Feiler.

“Any defense that we go against where there are a lot of edge rushers, we have to have a plan,” Ekeler said. “You have to have a race plan to know how they fit into the race, and a passing plan too, just by mixing it up. Put a tight end on them, put moves in front of them, make them play soccer. They can’t just push the passer all day.