The Browns defense has no shortage of veterans and — as of this season — continuity, which has led to no shortage in confidence among the group in 2022.
That point was one of the most obvious on Day 1 of training camp, and it was highlighted by statements from Myles Garrett and Greg Newsome II as they discussed their goals for the defense and what the group should be able to achieve this season.
"We'll be as dominant as we want to be," Garrett said. "We have a lot of talented guys across the board, and I feel like this is probably the most well-rounded we've been since I've been here."
The Browns finished fifth in the league last year in total defense and believe it can begin this season with the same type of dominance. That level of play was established more consistently in the second half of last year after several new players added to the group — S John Johnson III, LB Anthony Walker Jr., DE Jadeveon Clowney, Newsome and others — gained a better understanding of the system and grew chemistry with teammates.
The group largely stayed in intact this year. Eight of the 11 starters last year are set to return, so there won't be as much time needed to learn assignments, coverages and play calls.
Stefanski highlighted the continuity as one reason why the group's confidence is so high.
"If you go way back to 2020, it was a new system so it was new for everybody," he said. "Then going into 2021, same system, but a lot of new faces. Year 3, it's the same system for a third year now with a lot of faces who have been in that system. I think the confidence comes from guys that have been in the system and have played meaningful snaps in that system. I think the coaches work really well together. I think (defensive coordinator) Joe (Woods) and his staff have done an outstanding job so I think that is where that confidence comes from."
We'll see how that confidence shows on the practice fields throughout camp.
Here's what else you might've missed from Day 1.
Check out photos of players and coaches working throughout camp
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Guard Dawson Deaton (52) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Running back John Kelly (41)` during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Center Brock Hoffman (57) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive tackle Alex Taylor (70) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Dale Jones during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Linebacker Dakota Allen (56) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive tackle Drew Forbes (79) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Safety Richard LeCounte III (39) and Safety Grant Delpit (22) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Cornerback Parnell Motley (48) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive Line Coach Bill Callahan during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
Offensive tackle Ben Petrula (67) during the first day of the acclimation period at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022.
