Too soon for Browns defense nickname? Nope. Embrace the fun Myles Garrett and Co. provide

BEREA — Here's a great indication of the swagger and camaraderie the Browns defense possesses in its first year under coordinator Jim Schwartz: Members of the group workshopped in-house nicknames for the unit before this season even began.

Unbeknownst to Browns fans who have been busy brainstorming, Myles Garrett and Co. called their shots by conjuring up monikers for the defense prior to a single snap.

Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. told the Beacon Journal he, Garrett and safety Grant Delpit collaborated on a nickname in the offseason. Walker said he wanted to keep it a secret but explained players have worn hoodies featuring the phrase.

Asked about Walker's clue, Delpit pointed to the Browns donning apparel emblazoned with "We Da Mobb."

But Delpit also pushed back on "We Da Mobb" serving as a nickname for the defense. He said it's "a mentality," not an alias.

Garrett agreed.

“I always feel like the fans kind of solidify [nicknames], whether they come up with one or they cement the one that the team kind of brings up,” he said.

All of this raises a question while the Browns (4-2) prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks (4-2) on the road Sunday afternoon: Is it too soon to christen the Cleveland defense?

After all, Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Gardner Minshew probably doesn't think he encountered the second coming of the “Monsters of the Midway,” “Purple People Eaters,” “Steel Curtain” or “Legion of Boom” when he went 15-of-23 passing for 305 yards and two touchdowns and rushed three times for 29 yards and another two TDs in the Browns' 39-38 victory last weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium.

On the other hand, Minshew ought to remember the Browns forcing him to fumble three times and intercepting one of his passes.

Garrett's two strip-sacks led to touchdowns, including a defensive score on a fumble recovery by linebacker Tony Fields II, and fellow defensive end Za'Darius Smith's strip-sack sealed Cleveland's win.

In between, the Browns parlayed cornerback Denzel's Ward's pick into a field goal.

They scored 17 points off takeaways. The number would be 20 if you were to count Garrett's superhuman, hurdling, blocked field goal in the second quarter, albeit a special teams play, not a defensive one.

The point is the Browns defense has been dominant for the vast majority of this season. It's also entertaining and flat-out fun to watch.

The Cleveland fan base saw four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, the heart and soul of the franchise, suffer a devastating season-ending knee injury in Week 2.

It's also endured mixed signals and botched decisions regarding quarterback Deshaun Watson's shoulder injury and availability for the past month.

This is a vote for letting the people enjoy, appreciate and embrace a defense essentially dragging the team to victories with a notable assist from habanero-hot kicker Dustin Hopkins, a back-to-back AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

It was undoubtedly painful for Browns General Manager Andrew Berry to admit 2022 fourth-round draft pick Cade York wasn't kicking nearly well enough to be counted on in a high-stakes season, but, to Berry's credit, he did right by the rest of the locker room by cutting York and trading for Hopkins shortly before Week 1.

Now it's time for Berry to accept the only certainty with Watson's injury is uncertainty and a better contingency plan is needed as a result. Watson said Thursday he doesn't know when he'll be able to play again or whether his rotator-cuff issue will linger for the rest of the season.

P.J. Walker has risen from the practice squad to supplant not-yet-ready rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the backup quarterback and made some good plays in two games, including one start. Both of those were wins, but Walker's turnovers — three interceptions — along with a bevy of near disasters have made it clear this situation shouldn't be deemed sustainable for a team with real playoff aspirations.

If signing a plug-and-play familiar face like running back Kareem Hunt in the aftermath of the Chubb injury made sense (and it did), dealing for Washington Commanders backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett before the 4 p.m. Tuesday NFL trade deadline would be considered the most logical move of all.

The defense is too good to waste. It's ranked first in the league in fewest yards allowed per game (243) — No. 1 against the pass (149.2) and seventh against the run (93.8). It's 10th in fewest points surrendered a game (19.2). It's the leader in fewest first downs (72) and lowest third-down conversion percentage (27.5% — 22 of 80) allowed.

The best case Garrett has presented to date for NFL Defensive Player of the Year must not be squandered. He's third in the league with 7½ sacks, second with 16 quarterback hits and tied for first with three forced fumbles.

Brissett went 4-7 as Cleveland's starting quarterback last season while Watson served an 11-game suspension stemming from more than two dozen women accusing him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage appointments when he was employed by the Houston Texans.

Although Brissett lacked elite production, he played better than his record suggested. He threw 12 touchdowns passes against six interceptions, posted a passer rating of 88.9 and rushed for two TDs.

Yet, the defense and special teams repeatedly spoiled quality Brissett outings by failing to hold up their ends of the bargain. It wouldn't be the case again if a reunion were to materialize.

Brissett is beloved at Browns headquarters. He only wanted to leave the organization because he sought a chance to start. It didn't happen with the Commanders, who entrusted Sam Howell with the top spot on their QB depth chart.

The quarterback market isn't limited to Brissett. Even if a return to Cleveland isn't in the cards, Berry should find someone to better stabilize the position while the Watson waiting game continues.

No matter who mans the position for the Browns after the trade deadline, he can rely on support from a defense franchise legend Josh Cribbs hopes will become known as “The Lake Effect.” Cribbs suggested the nickname on social media.

If you're going to ask Garrett for his opinions, you had better have a sense of humor. The man fancies himself a poet and doesn't mince words while offering critiques.

Asked about Cribbs' proposal, Garrett quipped, “Might as well call us the Lakers.”

A text exchange with the Beacon Journal's George M. Thomas about what Cribbs tweeted led to Thomas floating “Lake Effect Storm.” Yours truly rode those coattails all the way to “Lake Effect Swarm.”

Garrett's blunt reaction: “No. Where are you getting these from?“

Cleveland Browns quarterback situation: Wide receiver Amari Cooper working to get in the flow despite few early targets

Fair enough, but this defense needs something. Count Garrett, Walker, Delpit, linebacker Sione Takitaki and cornerback Greg Newsome II among the Browns defenders in favor of a nickname.

“Just the swag we play with, that'd be pretty cool,” Newsome said.

Try this on for size: “Myles and the Swaggernauts.” Yes? No? So you're telling me there's a chance?

Garrett channeled NBA icon Charles Barkley while delivering a resounding rejection.

“Terrible. Awful,” he said.

Of the possibilities Garrett has imagined, he shared his favorite: "Top Gun." In September, Garrett told Scott Petrak of BrownsZone.com he liked "Top Gun" as a nickname for the D-line. Now he thinks it fits the entire defense.

“I figured we're all flying around," Garrett told the Beacon Journal. "We've got all these guys in the back end who are making plays in the air and locking down guys on the edge, and then we're turning and burning [as pass rushers]. I think it applies all over, but let the fans decide.”

If Schwartz's guys continue to wreak havoc, giving Cleveland its own version of the stellar defenses the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have used to dominate the AFC North over the years, something will eventually stick.

In the buildup to the trade deadline, though, here's a label Berry is obligated to contemplate: “The D deserving of an upgrade at QB.”

Browns vs. Seahawks: Cleveland defense expects Seattle to 'do the same thing' Indianapolis did to create big plays

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns defense worthy of a nickname, offense needs better plan at QB