A look at the Cleveland Browns’ snap counts in their 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1:
OFFENSE (67 snaps)
Quarterback: Brian Hoyer 67
Running back: Terrance West 37, Ben Tate 16, Isaiah Crowell 14
Fullback: Ray Agnew 14
Receiver: Andrew Hawkins 40, Miles Austin 38, Taylor Gabriel 33, Travis Benjamin 29
Tight end: Jim Dray 50, Gary Barnidge 43, Jordan Cameron 21
Offensive tackle: Joe Thomas 67, Mitchell Schwartz 67
Guard: John Greco 67, Joel Bitonio 67
Center: Alex Mack 67
Thoughts: Crowell made the most of his plays. He had 14, ran five times for 32 yards and scored twice. ... If a back had 40 plays a game and had the same touchdown percentage through the season, he’d finish with 91. Which of course would never happen but is fun to discuss. ... A “league source” said on Sunday that Johnny Manziel did not play. This, of course, could not be confirmed until these numbers were published. Hoyer played every down. ... #sarcasmfont ... Surprsing how low the numbers were for the running backs given their production. The Browns got outstanding work in the run game. ... The Browns used a fullback 21 percent of the time. ... Cameron had a big catch early, but the shoulder issue clearly limited his time. ... Interesting distribution among the receivers, who in one game did answer some of the questions that were being asked about them as the game arrived. ... ESPN Stats and Information gave the WRs no drops for the game, and Andrew Hawkins caught eight of the 10 passes thrown his way.
DEFENSE (71 snaps):
Cornerback: Joe Haden 71, Buster Skrine 65, Justin Gilbert 59, K’Waun Williams 6
Safety: Donte Whitner 71, Tashaun Gipson 67, Jim Leonhard 9
Outside linebacker: Barkevious Mingo 56, Paul Kruger 44, Jabaal Sheard 34
Inside linebacker: Karlos Dansby 71, Chris Kirksey 59, Craig Robertson 12
Defensive line: Billy Winn 47, Armonty Bryant 43, Ahtyba Rubin 32, Phil Taylor 31, Ishmaa'ily Kitchen 4
Thoughts: It’s clear how highly the Browns think of Whitner and Dansby; they played every down. But the fact that Kirksey got so many snaps also shows he’s highly thought of. ... Kruger had 44 plays and two sacks in a very productive day. Mingo had 12 more plays, one fewer tackle and two fewer sacks. ... GIlbert’s time will be cut back. Look for Aaron Berry or Robert Nelson to get that time. ... The defensive game plan clearly was built around three corners. ... It’s always surprising to see the low percentage of the game guys like Taylor and Rubin play. This would seem to be a function of the offense using three WRs, or the defense going nickel and subbing pass rushers. Which is why Winn and Bryant led the DL in snaps. ... I often ask myself: Can’t Phil Taylor collapse the pocket in pass rush? ... Robertson’s days at inside linebacker may be numbered (pun clearly intended). ... The four plays that Gipson missed were due to injury. He’s a very good and very underrated player. Yes, I’ve said that before. But it’s still true.