Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry has the football stripped by middle linebacker Joe Schobert for a fumble during 11-on-11 drills in day four of training camp, July 28, 2019, in Berea. ( John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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BEREA, Ohio -- Joe Schobert is working to change the perception of the linebacker position group. 

Schobert, Christian Kirksey and former teammate Jamie Collins had uneven performances as a whole in 2018, and the group struggled to find consistency in Gregg Williams' 4-3.  It called for Schobert to align up to seven yards deep pre-snap and have to work forward against bigger linemen who have the opportunity to get to the second level with open space. 

Schobert's gaudy tackle numbers from 2017 decreased, and he struggled to tackle in space.  His 24 missed tackles led the NFL in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus, and his 42 missed tackles over the last two years are also the most in the NFL. 

Something will have to give with Schobert and his tackling. 

As he works on those issues, take solace in the fact Steve Wilks' defense allows Schobert to eliminate deep alignments like we have seen in the past. 

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The depth you see here forces Schobert into difficult run fits for his gap and often left him pursing poor angles for ball carriers working wide.  To be short, he was at a disadvantage against the run. 

While Williams' scheme hurt Schobert in run defense, it did help his pass coverage.  Schobert finished as Pro Football Focus' second highest-graded coverage linebacker behind only Seattle's Bobby Wagner. 

The shift to Steve Wilks' two linebacker scheme, and closer pre-snap depth, will certainly help Schobert in run defense, but it might balance out his ability to defend the pass. 

This will be a defining year for who Schobert truly is as an NFL linebacker. 

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CREATING TURNOVER OPPORTUNITIES

Where Schobert has truly excelled in his two years has been his ability to create turnover opportunities. 

The Browns' 2018 defense might have struggled in terms of yardage allowed, but the group thrived on turnovers.  Their 31 takeaways were good for second in the NFL and their 14 fumble recoveries tied for first. 

Schobert's effort in this department, including five forced fumbles, led all inside linebackers over the course of the last two seasons. 

Let's take a look at how Schobert knocks the ball loose so often. 

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2017

The 2017 Browns only created 13 takeaways during that dreadful 0-16 season.  However, it wasn't for a lack of effort from Schobert.  Against Minnesota, Schobert runs down this corner route and uses his left hand to punch the ball out from behind as he is tackling the receiver.  The ball rolls out of bounds before a Browns defender can scoop it up, but Schobert presented the opportunity. 

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Against Jacksonville Schobert is lined up off the edge.  He takes on the blocks from the tackle and pulling guard, then has the instincts to attack the ball carrier's left arm to rip the ball loose from behind.  This ball rolls around, but the Browns can't come up with the recovery.  Another opportunity missed from a Schobert forced fumble. 

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Schobert has a knack for finding the football when pressuring the quarterback as well.  In 2017, Schobert gets to Philip Rivers on the twist blitz and attacks Rivers' throwing hand.  This takes impeccable timing to get to the quarterback's hand just before he releases the arm forward. 

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2018

In Week 5 against Baltimore, you will see Schobert lined up at his deep pre-snap depth and have to break on the ball from several yards away.  Note how quickly he gets to the ball carrier despite two players already there, he could have given up on the play.  Instead he uses his keen awareness for punching at the football.  He uses his right hand to create this fumble that the Browns recovered. 

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More work from Schobert on the blitz.  He blitzes the A-gap, defeats the center's weak block attempt and perfectly times up his lunge with Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel's throw.  Schobert simply has an uncoachable knack for arriving right on time to create these sack fumbles. 

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2019 Training Camp

Over the course of the last few days of live tackling practice, Schobert has shown his ability to force fumbles will still be a key part of his game. 

On separate days he was able to create fumbles against two of the Browns' top pass catchers. 

Within the two-minute drill, Schobert is pursuing Jarvis Landry on a quick slant.  He takes the path through Landry's back hip and uses his left hand to reach around Landry's back and punch at the ball (which is in Landry's left arm).  This is about as creative as a defender can get to create a fumble and it takes the perfect timing. 

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In Monday's 7-on-7 session, David Njoku ran a quick sit route.  Schobert felt the route, broke on the football, and watch as he is able to rip the football out and create the fumble and recovery.  Those type of plays have the potential to swing games. 

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Schobert is under immense pressure.  There is no denying it.  He knows he has to be better in both phases of the game, and he also knows the pressure the Browns are putting on him with the selection of Sione Takitaki in the 2019 draft. 

The scheme should help Schobert find balance, but pay close attention how Schobert will attempt to make his presence felt in the big play department.  How he will go after those fumbles in the open field, how he times up his blitzes to eject the football from the quarterback's hands. 

Creating turnovers is what the best linebackers in the NFL often do. 

Schobert is no different.  He pursues the football relentlessly, and he gives the defense opportunities to take the football away from the opposing offense. 

Schobert can certainly cover, but he has just two interceptions for his career.  He will make his mark in the turnover department by creating these fumble opportunities. 

This season is vital to Schobert's career in Cleveland.  He will be aiming to change his performance against the run, and with that goal to improve against the run will be the same goal to create turnovers with the strip.  If he can get both to a high level, expect another return to the Pro Bowl for Schobert in 2019. 

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Jake Burns played quarterback at the collegiate level and has also coached at multiple levels. 

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