Browns' snap counts vs. Titans, and what they mean

A look at the Cleveland Browns' snap counts in their 29-28 win against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5:

OFFENSE (77 snaps)

Quarterback: Brian Hoyer 77

Running back: Ben Tate 51, Isaiah Crowell 15, Terrance West 11

Fullback: Ray Agnew 23

Receiver: Andrew Hawkins 57, Miles Austin 49, Taylor Gabriel 41, Travis Benjamin 26

Tight end: Jordan Cameron 72, Jim Dray 29, Gary Barnidge 11

Offensive tackle: Joe Thomas 77, Mitchell Schwartz 77

Guard: John Greco 77, Joel Bitonio 77

Center: Alex Mack 77

Thoughts: The 77 snaps are the highest in a game this season, and a testament to how well the Browns played after the score was 28-3. At that point the Browns had run 23 plays. They had 54 the final 32:32 of the game, which is some serious control. ... Gabriel had a very unheralded but strong game, with four catches for 95 yards in just 41 plays. But Benjamin's two touchdowns after he mishandled a punt shone brighter. ... Hoyer did not miss a snap for the first time since the Pittsburgh game, which means Johnny Manziel has only played at home. The other factor: Mike Pettine never wavered in playing Hoyer despite the fact the Browns fell behind 27-3 and 28-3 in the two games. ... The offensive line's ironman work continues. None of the starting five have missed a snap, and Bitonio is a rock-solid natural at left guard. ... Manziel did not have a snap for the first time since the opener, as the Browns junked the gimmick-play approach (Merril Hoge just smiled) and went with one quarterback. Manziel has been on the field for five plays in four games, one at receiver. ... I'd list Thomas and Mack's consecutive play streak numbers every week -- they are amazing -- but then I think of Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" and decide to "respect the streak."

DEFENSE (68 snaps):

Cornerback: Joe Haden 68, Buster Skrine 68, K'Waun Williams 36, Justin Gilbert 9

Safety: Donte Whitner 68, Tashaun Gipson 68, Jim Leonhard 6

Outside linebacker: Jabaal Sheard 51, Paul Kruger 49, Barkevious Mingo 21, Eric Martin 2

Inside linebacker: Karlos Dansby 68, Chris Kirksey 43, Craig Robertson 22

Defensive line: Desmond Bryant 48, Armonty Bryant 47, Ahtyba Rubin 37, Billy Winn 28, Phil Taylor 9

Thoughts: The clear numbers that jump out -- and neither in a good way -- belong to Mingo and Gilbert, who happen to be the team's last two first-round draft picks, both in the top 10. Gilbert was in single digits in snaps. Enough said. Mingo's dropped to 30 percent of the plays from 47 percent against Pittsburgh. He also missed an open field tackle against Jake Locker. It just seems like he's "almost" there a lot of times. ... Haden and Skrine got every snap, and Haden didn't miss a snap despite a hip injury that may or may not sideline him this week. ... If Haden is out, the Browns have serious cornerback issues against Ben Roethlisberger. .. The fact that Williams earned so much playing time is a credit to the coach. He's playing the guy he thinks is best, and Williams responded with a very good game after initially missing a tackle that led to a Tennessee touchdown. This coach does not pay attention to draft slot, or hype. He plays the best guys. ... Dansby is a rare inside linebacker. He has yet to miss a snap this season. ... Tough to see how juggling any of these snap counts is going to matter a lot with the defense. Improvement has to come from within and with the scheme.