Browns need more from the Defensive Interior

The Cleveland Browns have gotten plenty out of their defensive ends in Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon, but the defensive tackles haven't been as good as expected to this point, have played worse than their careers suggest they are able, need to play better for this defense to take the leap to becoming a great defense.

 Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon have been great thus far into the season for the Cleveland Browns. Garrett is tied for the lead league in sacks and is a dominant player against the run and getting after the quarterback, despite some penalties. Vernon doesn't have the statistics that suggests greatness, but he does exactly what he was brought here to do; pressure the quarterback and play incredibly sound football.

The defensive interior hasn't been where it should be, where it needs to be if the Browns defense is going to take big step forward to being one of the better defenses in the league. They have the talent to be one of the best groups in the league, play to a similar level as the San Francisco 49ers are right now, but through six games, that hasn't happened.

The run defense hasn't been very effective inside, which wouldn't be such a big deal if they were getting after the quarterback at a higher rate than they are. Larry Ogunjobi hasn't taken the leap many expected this year while Sheldon Richardson has been a disappointment thus far. Ricahrdson is certainly better than what the Browns were trotting out at the 3-tech last year, but it's nowhere near to the level he's capable. Add in Devaroe Lawrence, who has made a few plays, but has yet to resemble the force he was in the preseason and it's a group that can do far more.

The bye week offers the opportunity to regroup and improve. Defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi came into this job with a ton of pressure to get this group to deliver, so this is a big two weeks for him and most any time he has should really be spent entirely with the defensive tackles.

They can really take the time and go back through the tape and see where the issues are and address them. And unlike a normal week where so much is about the gameplan for the next week, this offers time to really self scout and focus on what they are doing as opposed to the opponent.

One area where Lupoi is doing a great job has been the defensive line rotation. He's maximizing his players, ensuring they are fresh so they can provide max effort as often as possible. And that should pay dividends down the stretch as they continue to play at a high level late into the season. Should they make it that far, they can go into the playoffs ready to make an impact as opposed to limping in, hoping to hang on.

It starts with the New England Patriots after the bye, but one of the areas that should be a focus the next month should be the play of the defensive interior. If they step up and find their rhythm, this defense can really clamp down on opponents, putting teams in more obvious passing situations, generating more pressure on the quarterback and causing more turnovers. If not, this defense will have its moments and series where they look great, but will have too many letdowns and give up critical drives.