Browns’ determination on Joe Woods’ destiny as defensive coordinator may come subsequent week – Information-Herald
Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods watches a game against the Buccaneers on Nov. 27. (Kirk Irwin – The Associated Press)
The question that has hung over the Browns since the second game of the season – will Joe Woods return as defensive coordinator in 2023? — will be answered shortly, probably as early as next week.
Woods made the case for returning for a fourth season on Jan. 5 during his weekly session with media covering the Browns. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt walked into the interview room ahead of Woods.
The Browns conceded 371 points last season. They allowed 353 points into the last game of 2022 on Jan. 8 in Pittsburgh.
“Right now my focus is on the Steelers game — it’s a big game for us,” Woods said when asked about his future. “But I hope I have the opportunity to come back. I know things didn’t go the way we would have liked this year, but we went into the playoffs two years ago and won a playoff game for the first time (since 1994).
“Last year we didn’t win many games (8-9) and that’s the point, but we improved defensively. We were number 5. We’ll play better until the end of this season. We have a young team. They all come back. Next year we have a complete offseason. Long story short, I hope I get the opportunity, but it’s not my choice.”
The Browns allowed 29 touchdown passes last season. They’ve allowed 19-16 games this season, but opponents have already racked up 20 rushing touchdowns after hitting 13 in 17 games in 2021. They conceded 1,857 rushing yards in 2021 and have conceded 2,151 yards on the ground so far in the 2022 season.
#Browns defense coordinator Joe Woods opens up about recurring issues with run defense. pic.twitter.com/9bdqxGbsIa
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) January 5, 2023
A diner in Pittsburgh would provide an increase from last season. The Browns finished last season with 13 interceptions and six fumble recoveries. Led by four picks from Grant Delpit, they have 11 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries this season. The Browns have 11 takeaways in their last five games.
“I think everyone knows we’ve struggled with the running game this year, so it makes sense to give up more touchdowns,” Woods said. “I feel like our boys in secondary, it’s another year of these boys together. Communication has improved over the season.
“I feel like we have guys who can take on other top receivers. That’s why I think we play better from the pass. The running game again, of course, we have to get better there.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry are expected to hold a final press conference a day or two after the season ends. An announcement of any change of coach could then be made.
The Browns were eliminated from the playoffs on Christmas Eve when the Saints defeated them 17-10. They’re 7-9 and will finish with a losing record for the 21st time in 24 years no matter what happens in Pittsburgh.
Woods was the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2016 to 2018. The San Francisco 49ers trailed 4-12 in 2018 in Kyle Shanahan’s second year as head coach. The 2018 season also marked Robert Saleh’s second year as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. The Niners were 6-10 in 2017. Woods was hired as the 49ers’ defensive backs/passing game coordinator in 2019.
“When I got there, a lot of people were calling out for Saleh (to get fired) because they were a little defensively withdrawn,” Woods said. “Kyle made some changes and we went in and they were 4-12, bottom in the division in 2018. We had a few key additions in the off-season and we went from last to first in the division, 13-3 . and went to the Super Bowl. I think that’s something that’s possible here, just with the squad we have. I think the boys will be better again next year.”
The 49ers drafted defensive end Nick Bosa with their second overall pick of 2019 and second-round wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Jimmy Garopollo threw 27 touchdown passes as a starting quarterback in the 2019 Super Bowl.
Woods was one of the first assistants hired by Stefanski when Stefanski was hired as the Browns’ head coach in January 2020.
Brown’s safety Grant Delpit has become one of Woods’ most valued students. Delpit missed his 2020 rookie season with a torn Achilles tendon. He played in 16 games and started 2021 in seven games. This season, Delpit leads the Browns with 99 tackles and four interceptions.
“Coach Woods and I have been close for three years,” Delpit said in the locker room on Jan. 5. “I didn’t play the first year because I was injured, but I was always in the building, paying attention and picking up little things.
“Coach Woods is a great coach. He spends time after training sharing knowledge and small nuggets. He was DB Bus before he was here.”
Woods began coaching in 1992 as defensive backs coach at Muskingum College. Since then he has trained every year. He made six more stints on the college coaching trail before joining the NFL in 2004 as the Buccaneers’ Quality Control Coach. The Browns is his fifth NFL coaching job.
