'It's a commitment thing': John Johnson III believes Browns defense needs full dedication

BEREA − It's a motto that is linked to a completely different NFL franchise. However, Browns safety John Johnson III believes there's something to be said about the Raiders' "Commitment to excellence" mantra. Specifically, Johnson believes there's something the Browns defense can take from the first word of that motto to change the trajectory of what has been one of the league's worst defenses statistically. "Yeah, it's a commitment thing," Johnson said Wednesday. "When practice is over and our day is done, you can't just run out of the building and forget about your job. I think we need everyone in this building to really be a 100% in on the task at hand. Right now I think we're at a place where that's not the case. So whatever we gotta do to get as many guys, if not everyone in on the same page I think that's what it is. Because that's the only way things are going to change."

The Browns defense is currently tied for 23rd in the league, allowing 361.3 yards a game, entering Sunday's game at Baltimore. They're tied for 30th in points allowed at 27.2 points a game. The pass defense, which had been better against Pittsburgh and Atlanta, even the Los Angeles Chargers, allowed Patriots rookie Bailey Zappe to throw for 309 yards in just his second start. The Browns are 19th in pass defense with 229.8 yards a game. The run defense, which was better against New England after being gashed by the Falcons and Chargers, is 24th at 131.5 yards per game. That's where the talk about commitment comes into play. Specifically, it's where the talk about a commitment to accountability to finally change those statistics. Johnson isn't the first one to speak on the commitment subject since the Browns dropped their third consecutive game last Sunday to the New England Patriots. He's just the most established player on the defense, at least in terms of years in the league, to bring it up.

Linebacker Sione Takitaki spoke along a similar vein on Monday, a day after the Patriots loss. The message was one formulated by the leadership group among the Browns players shortly after the game. Both Johnson and Takitaki are among the handful of Browns defenders who have at least four years in the league. The former is in his fifth season in the NFL, and second in Cleveland, and the latter is in his fourth season after being drafted in the third round in 2019 by the Browns.

Outside of nine-year pro Jadeveon Clowney and seventh-year pro Myles Garrett, there's few more experienced that those two on the defense. Now, it's about that message getting through across the defense in time for Sunday's game. That change starts with the preparation each player puts in during a given week. The Browns' work day generally starts before 8 a.m. and last until at least 5 p.m., between on-field and off-the-field work.What players like Johnson believe is that's not enough time dedicated to the work. As with anything someone may want to master, there's work away from the organized training that is necessary. Among the ideas has been film study away from the facility, extra time dedicated to looking not just at the opponent, but at themselves. It's all about figuring out ways to show up on Sunday, specifically this Sunday against the Ravens, ready to play at their highest level.

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