This is what Browns coach Hue Jackson envisioned when he tapped Gregg Williams to be his defensive coordinator this past winter.
"That was my vision," Jackson said Tuesday after Day 1 of mandatory veteran minicamp. "That's what I was looking for and, again, you guys know my feelings about Gregg and what he brings to the table and his defensive staff."
Indeed, Cleveland's defense was flying around on a hot afternoon that saw temperatures hover in the low 90s.
For example, linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. jumped a short pass during team drills and returned it for a touchdown, while second-year defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah smacked a ball down at the line of scrimmage.
Williams, the fiery 27-year veteran whom Jackson hired to mold a young group, has made a strong impression over the past five months.
"He's very vocal and in your face," corneback Joe Haden said last month. "I feel like we definitely need that. We need somebody that is going to keep everyone accountable."
"I think his mindset is what Cleveland needs in order for us to change and turn around the program," defensive lineman Danny Shelton added.
So far, that attitude has been on display at practice. And now, Jackson said the goal is for the offense to match the defense's level of intensity.
"They're all doing a great job, but that's what we need to see on offense," he said. "We need that combative, tough environment. That's how you get better, that's how you start building a football team."
Jackson, of course, cautioned the Browns have a long way to go before the season opener against Pittsburgh on Sept. 10.
"This is just football on grass, there are no pads on, nothing like that," he said. "Nobody's fixing to claim anybody's this or that, I don't see that right now.
"But what I see is a hardworking team that's taking coaching, that's working extremely hard, that's doing everything right to give ourselves the best opportunity when we come back to training camp to hit the ground running."
