If the Cleveland Browns were going to take a step forward on defense, it required contributions from three players that shined in 2021 providing everyone reason to believe they were ascending talents - Second year players Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Greg Newsome as well as third year safety Grant Delpit. All three have struggled in 2022 which has contributed to the regre sion of the entire unit.A year ago at this time, Browns general manager Andrew Berry was hailed a genius as Newsome and JOK were enjoying succe sful rookie campaigns. Newsome helped to stabilize the corner Theo Riddick Jersey position, giving the Browns another talented cover option acro s from Denzel Ward, giving the Browns an impre sive secondary overall.JOK's speed brought an added dimension on defense and even when he was wrong, he could end up making plays as a result. Whether flying downhill to attack the quarterback or closing as a tackler, JOK would provide highlight plays on a weekly basis.Delpit entered the season coming off the Achilles' injury he suffered and was eased into his role. He started out at slot before being moved back to a top down safety role for the latter half of the season. At the time, it stabilized the defense and spurred an improved unit in the second half as he replaced Ronnie Harrison who was wildly inconsistent in his responsibility. Harrison moved to the slot role where he proved a better fit.So what happened?A few things.1. Eye DisciplineJOK and Delpit have terrible eye discipline. There are countle s examples where either of them have their eyes in the wrong place. Notably yesterday, when the New England Patriots ran a jet sweep, it was apparent that Delpit didn't know where his eyes should be, which allowed Tyquan Thornton to score uncontested. It was Delpit's man to take, his play to make and he was nowhere to be found.JOK has had some of the same i sues, especially in coverage. Too often, JOK has his eyes in the backfield when he should be focused entirely on his man. At times, there are situations where JOK is trying to make a run read first like on the 53-yard reception to tight end Jonnu Smith.There, JOK is watching the mesh fake in the Charles Woodson Jersey backfield while Smith is getting behind him and Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe takes full advantage. With such an increased focus on the run game, that might have played a role, but the Browns were in man coverage and Smith was his man. He can't simply allow Smith to run free because he's trying to determine who has the ball in the backfield.These are two notable examples in this game, but it has been a consistent problem this year. JOK has been as wrong on a signments in man coverage as any player on this team. It started with the Breece Hall touchdown in week two against the New York Jets and has been a theme all year.For all the speed the Browns have, it means Darren Waller T Shirts nothing when they have their eyes in the wrong place and their feet aren't moving.2. Technique and ConfidenceIt stood out last year how quickly JOK and Newsome were able to play effectively and look confident doing it. This year, neither looks to be playing with confidence. Some of that is being reflected in their technique, especially in the case of Newsome.Whether he's taking zone turns or playing man, Newsome is often playing too high, which is limiting his ability to cut quickly to stay in phase and compete for balls. Too often, Newsome is getting beat on simple concepts like basic out routes. He just doesn't like look like himself.Undoubtedly, some of this is a product of youth for both of these players. One only need to look at Baker Mayfield's rookie succe s compared to his sophomore campaign to see a player quickly reminded just relentle s the NFL can be. And while Newsome or JOK aren't going to come out and say they have lost confidence, their play would suggest otherwise.3. TacklingTwo of the biggest offenders when it comes to mi sed tackles are JOK and Delpit. Even as there are times when the ineffectivene s of the defensive tackle position is a factor, there are plenty of examples of tackles these two should make and don't. The reason Jonnu Smith's reception went for 53 yards is when he caught the ball, Delpit simply shoulder bombed the Pats tight end rather than wrapping him up. Not only did Smith not go down, but neither JOK nor Delpit were able to make the play. Rookie corner Martin Emerson had to chase him down.Delpit was a poor tackler coming out of college at LSU and it appeared as though he had made strides to improve last season, but he's regre sing in that area this year. It's that much more frustrating because Delpit is effective playing down hill. He recorded five solo tackles against the Patriots and most of those were near the line of scrimmage. He can clearly do it, but he too often takes the easy way out abandoning technique.Scroll to ContinueConversely, in 33 snaps on defense, JOK recorded just one solo tackle. That simply cannot happen if the Browns want to be competitive on defense.4. CoachingConsistently this season, players on defense have said not to blame coaching. That included coming out of yesterday's lo s where all three of these players commented on the situation.We just have to do what the coaches ask us to do. They have their responsibility, and once we combine the two and make it 100 percent, well be good. - At the end of the day Las Vegas Raiders Sleepwear Underwear , were the players out there. Were not making plays. Hes not out there making the plays. Weve all got stuff that we need to work on, but at the end of the day, us 11 on that field have to unite and find a way to make plays because were those guys out there on the field. - Greg NewsomeYeah, I slipped and fell, gave up a touchdown. Can't do it. Its third-and-1, so its a high-percentage run situation. They schemed it up and kind of slow released him on a long-developing pa s. I just slipped and fell, lost my footing, gave up a touchdown. - Grant DelpitUltimately, the coaching staff is responsible for the product on the field. After the season, head coach Kevin Stefanski can decide how he wants to proceed as a midseason firing does nothing to improve the situation and could prove harmful if the players indeed believe their own mistakes are the problem.That also doesn't mean they are absolved of blame. There are some questions worth asking.Did the Browns do Newsome a di service by putting him in the slot this season?The Browns traded corner Troy Hill in the Alec Ingold Jersey offseason back to the Rams for a draft pick. Hill was not particularly good for the Browns in his one season, but he did have a prescribed role that allowed Newsome to focus on playing a specific spot. In no way shape or form is this to suggest that Newsome can't play the slot, but it's worth considering if he was overloaded this year or perhaps that he's simply better playing on the outside.Perhaps it's simply a lack of experience and he will grow in that role. The rookie corner Emerson got picked on a bit b