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Browns Facing a Big Decision on MLB Joe Schobert

By Chris Malumphy

Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert's contract is up. The team is facing a big decision regarding whether it should attempt to sign the All-Pro who may be coming off one of his best seasons. Thus far, the team has yet to make a contract offer and may decide never to do so. Paying big money for a player who may be fungible is not likely to happen to a team steamed in analytics. I decided to try to determine whether Schobert is truly an All-Pro caliber player or just a run-of-mill linebacker. As a first step, I collected the data below to see how his tackling fares. Of course, I'll need to compare the data to that of other linebackers in order to make comparisons, but this is my first step in the process.

Below I try to list all the plays from the 2019 season in which Schobert was involved in making a tackle. You may notice that their are a few line items where my programming selected data that should not be included. While those errors are small and relatively without significant impact, I will try to modify my program in the future to eliminate those discrepancies. The data shows, by game: the quarter, time, scrimmage location, down, yards to go, gain on the play, change in expected points and a description of the play. The source of the information is the game-by-game play logs available at Pro-Football-Reference.com the best source of football data that I know.

Those game logs show that in 2019 Schobert:

As an initial point of comparison, I ran similar statistics for Schobert's teammate, rookie linebacker Mack Wilson, who didn't open the season as a starter but took over the Browns' other primary linebacking position shortly thereafter. Wilson:

I was somewhat surprised by the size of both the average yards gained and gain in expected points on plays where Schobert and Wilson made tackles. On the other hand, I haven't run the data on other linebackers to see if these figures are out of the ordinary. They may, for all I currently know, be good. After all, if linebacker is making the tackle, the runner has gotten past the defensive line in a typical defensive alignment and a gain of yards is to be expected. Linebackers also make tackles on pass plays and presumably these are also often downfield. Still, until further comparisons are made, the value of this data remains unknown and further comparisons are needed.

Tackles and Sacks for Joe Schobert
Browns 13 - Titans 43
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
17:24Cle 212112-0.460Marcus Mariota pass complete short right to A.J. Brown for 2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
213:46Oti 34110100.660Jonnu Smith right end for 10 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
213:05Oti 491101-0.410Dion Lewis left guard for 1 yard (tackle by Joe Schobert and Myles Garrett)
211:44Cle 341102-0.270Derrick Henry right tackle for 2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
313:24Cle 382202-0.400Derrick Henry right end for 2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
414:11Cle 351104-0.010Derrick Henry left guard for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
413:05Cle 2934132.030Marcus Mariota left end for 13 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Penalty on Denzel Ward: Defensive Holding, 5 yards
410:41Cle 272340.320Derrick Henry up the middle for 4 yards (tackle by Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert)
45:36Oti 481100-0.550Dion Lewis up the middle for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 9 - Yards: 38 - Avg: 4.2 - Hold <3 yds: 5 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 0.910
Browns 23 - Jets 3
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
12:05Nyj 1128-1-0.670Trevor Siemian pass complete short left to Demaryius Thomas for -1 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Eric Murray)
214:08Nyj 533341.620Le'Veon Bell up the middle for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
27:47Nyj 4711060.270Le'Veon Bell up the middle for 6 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
27:14Cle 472460.520Le'Veon Bell up the middle for 6 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
25:22Cle 291100-0.540Le'Veon Bell up the middle for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
314:15Nyj 32192-0.800Le'Veon Bell up the middle for 2 yards (tackle by Jermaine Whitehead and Joe Schobert)
39:42Nyj 83159-0.310Luke Falk pass complete short left to Ty Montgomery for 9 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
35:15Cle 2011040.040Luke Falk pass complete short right to Ty Montgomery for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
33:49Cle 12421-2.390Luke Falk pass complete short left to Le'Veon Bell for 1 yard (tackle by Joe Schobert and Greedy Williams)
33:01Nyj 27220-0.780Le'Veon Bell left guard for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
49:27Nyj 38283-0.300Luke Falk pass complete short middle to Jamison Crowder for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
47:09Cle 242517-3.400Luke Falk pass complete short right to Le'Veon Bell for 17 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Le'Veon Bell fumbles (forced by Joe Schobert), recovered by T.J. Carrie at CLE-6 and returned for 4 yards (tackle by Ryan Griffin)
41:05Nyj 1111060.210Luke Falk pass complete short middle to Jamison Crowder for 6 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Mack Wilson)
Tackles: 13 - Yards: 57 - Avg: 4.4 - Hold <3 yds: 5 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 3 - Change Exp Pts: -6.530
Browns 13 - Rams 20
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
16:08Cle 391101-0.400Todd Gurley left guard for 1 yard (tackle by Myles Garrett and Joe Schobert)
27:42Ram 381101-0.410Robert Woods left end for 1 yard (tackle by Olivier Vernon and Joe Schobert)
20:28Ram 36310-5-4.540Jared Goff sacked by Myles Garrett for -5 yards. Jared Goff fumbles (forced by Myles Garrett), recovered by Joe Schobert at LA-38 and returned for 21 yards (tackle by Todd Gurley)
314:25Ram 322380.590Todd Gurley right tackle for 8 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
30:51Cle 44253-0.310Todd Gurley right guard for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Devaroe Lawrence)
48:04Ram 5031072.680Jared Goff left end for 7 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Penalty on Jermaine Whitehead: Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards
47:35Cle 2811080.540Jared Goff left end for 8 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 7 - Yards: 23 - Avg: 3.3 - Hold <3 yds: 3 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 2 - Change Exp Pts: -1.850
Browns 40 - Ravens 25
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
112:08Rav 293168-0.150Mark Ingram left tackle for 8 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Eric Murray)
211:32Rav 3611090.680Mark Ingram left guard for 9 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
210:58Rav 45210-0.720Gus Edwards up the middle for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
210:16Rav 453120.770Lamar Jackson up the middle for 2 yards (tackle by Larry Ogunjobi and Joe Schobert)
24:47Cle 2911090.680Mark Ingram up the middle for 9 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
24:18Cle 202140.190Gus Edwards left guard for 4 yards (tackle by Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert)
23:02Cle 112551.070Mark Ingram up the middle for 5 yards (tackle by Damarious Randall and Joe Schobert)
39:41Rav 2511090.670Lamar Jackson pass complete short middle to Nick Boyle for 9 yards (tackle by Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert)
39:11Rav 342190.520Mark Ingram up the middle for 9 yards (tackle by Jermaine Whitehead and Joe Schobert)
38:05Cle 492240.260Gus Edwards right guard for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
36:53Cle 351103-0.140Gus Edwards left guard for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
36:20Cle 32276-3.780Mark Ingram up the middle for 6 yards (tackle by Jermaine Whitehead and Joe Schobert). Mark Ingram fumbles (forced by Jermaine Whitehead), recovered by Chad Thomas at CLE-26 (tackle by Mark Ingram)
46:41Rav 351104-0.010Lamar Jackson pass complete short left to Justice Hill for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
41:37Rav 16315100.150Lamar Jackson pass complete short middle to Hayden Hurst for 10 yards (tackle by Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert)
40:47Cle 4511027-0.330Lamar Jackson pass complete deep middle to Hayden Hurst for 27 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Penalty on Marquise Brown: Illegal Shift, 5 yards (no play)
Tackles: 15 - Yards: 109 - Avg: 7.3 - Hold <3 yds: 2 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 2 - Change Exp Pts: -0.140
Browns 3 - 49ers 31
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
19:50Sfo 3224181.320George Kittle right end for 18 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
19:32Sfo 5011080.530Jimmy Garoppolo pass complete short right to Kyle Juszczyk for 8 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
18:33Cle 271103-0.140Jimmy Garoppolo pass complete short left to Matt Breida for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
17:06Cle 9294-0.120Tevin Coleman up the middle for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
13:34Cle 291103-0.130Jimmy Garoppolo pass complete short middle to Deebo Samuel for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
29:56Sfo 43274-0.170Tevin Coleman up the middle for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
36:39Sfo 3824-2-0.970Tevin Coleman up the middle for -2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
35:59Sfo 3636101.620Jimmy Garoppolo pass complete short left to George Kittle for 10 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
47:02Cle 34115141.010Tevin Coleman right end for 14 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
45:52Cle 302114-0.160Raheem Mostert right end for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
42:54Sfo 23272-0.440Raheem Mostert left end for 2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 11 - Yards: 68 - Avg: 6.2 - Hold <3 yds: 2 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 2.350
Browns 28 - Seahawks 32
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
13:22Sea 3927211.720Russell Wilson pass complete short middle to Chris Carson for 21 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Penalty on Terrance Mitchell: Illegal Contact (Declined)
214:08Sea 111242-0.790Chris Carson left guard for 2 yards (tackle by Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert)
28:51Cle 8184-0.030Chris Carson right guard for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Morgan Burnett)
25:35Sea 45241-0.580Chris Carson left guard for 1 yard (tackle by Joe Schobert)
21:24Sea 1626141.310Russell Wilson pass complete short left to David Moore for 14 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
315:00Sea 251104-0.010D.K. Metcalf right end for 4 yards (tackle by T.J. Carrie and Joe Schobert)
48:57Sea 2111050.140Chris Carson right guard for 5 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
42:00Cle 122760.450Chris Carson right guard for 6 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 8 - Yards: 57 - Avg: 7.1 - Hold <3 yds: 2 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 2.210
Browns 13 - Patriots 27
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
19:12Cle 3347102.890Tom Brady pass complete short left to Julian Edelman for 10 yards (tackle by Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert)
212:54Nwe 131103-0.120Rex Burkhead up the middle for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
27:44Nwe 2511070.400Tom Brady pass complete short right to James White for 7 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
25:43Cle 301100-0.550Rex Burkhead left guard for 0 yards (tackle by Morgan Burnett and Joe Schobert)
34:59Nwe 2711080.540Sony Michel right tackle for 8 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Jermaine Whitehead)
33:41Nwe 3821070.240Tom Brady pass complete short right to Julian Edelman for 7 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
413:10Nwe 271103-0.140Sony Michel right end for 3 yards (tackle by Olivier Vernon and Joe Schobert)
411:49Nwe 4911070.400Sony Michel right end for 7 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Morgan Burnett)
410:00Cle 391101-0.400Rex Burkhead left end for 1 yard (tackle by Joe Schobert)
48:34Cle 121101-0.510Sony Michel left end for 1 yard (tackle by Joe Schobert)
42:25Cle 44285-0.040Sony Michel right end for 5 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 11 - Yards: 52 - Avg: 4.7 - Hold <3 yds: 3 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 2.710
Browns 19 - Broncos 24
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
110:56Den 371100-0.540Phillip Lindsay right guard for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
18:25Cle 412120.050Royce Freeman right guard for 2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
26:20Den 242130-4.160Brandon Allen pass complete short right to Diontae Spencer for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Diontae Spencer fumbles (forced by Joe Schobert), recovered by Denzel Ward at DEN-24 and returned for 6 yards (tackle by Elijah Wilkinson)
313:25Den 2021000.680Phillip Lindsay left tackle for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Penalty on Larry Ogunjobi: Defensive Offside, 5 yards (no play)
31:56Den 46110241.590Brandon Allen pass complete deep middle to Noah Fant for 24 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 5 - Yards: 26 - Avg: 5.2 - Hold <3 yds: 4 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: -2.380
Browns 19 - Bills 16
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
214:28Buf 332130.120Frank Gore right guard for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
39:42Buf 22219161.460Josh Allen pass complete short right to Dawson Knox for 16 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
30:36Cle 36340-1.450Josh Allen pass complete short left to Devin Singletary for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
412:20Buf 362104-0.160Josh Allen pass complete short middle to Frank Gore for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
47:12Cle 112100-1.010Josh Allen right end for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 5 - Yards: 23 - Avg: 4.6 - Hold <3 yds: 2 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 1 - Change Exp Pts: -1.040
Browns 21 - Steelers 7
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
114:20Pit 212111-0.550James Conner left guard for 1 yard (tackle by Morgan Burnett and Joe Schobert)
14:05Pit 2011060.260Mason Rudolph pass complete short right to James Conner for 6 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Morgan Burnett)
214:54Pit 1521750.120Mason Rudolph pass complete short middle to Vance McDonald for 5 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
25:32Pit 30110-7-1.490Mason Rudolph pass complete short left to Jaylen Samuels for -7 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
22:00Pit 3728221.860Mason Rudolph pass complete short middle to Vance McDonald for 22 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
311:11Pit 201100-0.550Jaylen Samuels left guard for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
37:42Pit 501103-0.140Trey Edmunds left guard for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Mack Wilson)
414:13Cle 4121090.500Trey Edmunds right guard for 9 yards (tackle by Sheldon Richardson and Joe Schobert)
41:24Pit 272490.720Mason Rudolph pass complete short right to Trey Edmunds for 9 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 9 - Yards: 48 - Avg: 5.3 - Hold <3 yds: 3 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 0.730
Browns 41 - Dolphins 24
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
15:30Mia 182101-0.550Kalen Ballage right tackle for 1 yard (tackle by Sheldon Richardson and Joe Schobert)
20:56Mia 19110120.850Ryan Fitzpatrick pass complete short middle to Albert Wilson for 12 yards (tackle by Juston Burris and Joe Schobert)
314:55Mia 251104-0.010Kalen Ballage left guard for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
32:42Cle 38110150.990Ryan Fitzpatrick pass complete short left to DeVante Parker for 15 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
411:16Mia 401104-0.010Patrick Laird left guard for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
46:01Mia 15320Durham-0.700Ryan Fitzpatrick pass short right intended for Durham Smythe is intercepted by Joe Schobert at MIA-30 and returned for 2 yards. Penalty on Bryan Cox: Illegal Block Above the Waist, 10 yards
Tackles: 6 - Yards: 36 - Avg: 6.0 - Hold <3 yds: 2 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 1 - Change Exp Pts: 0.570
Browns 13 - Steelers 20
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
10:57Pit 1511040.110Benny Snell right tackle for 4 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Sheldon Richardson)
215:00Pit 261102-0.270Kerrith Whyte left guard for 2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
214:11Pit 232135-0.020Kerrith Whyte right end for 5 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
21:48Pit 3111060.270Devlin Hodges pass complete short middle to James Washington for 6 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
311:32Cle 621-6-2.020Benny Snell left tackle for -6 yards (tackle by Juston Burris and Joe Schobert)
34:49Cle 46110140.930Benny Snell right guard for 14 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and T.J. Carrie)
42:50Pit 302115-0.020Benny Snell right guard for 5 yards (tackle by Sione Takitaki and Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 7 - Yards: 30 - Avg: 4.3 - Hold <3 yds: 2 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: -1.020
Browns 27 - Bengals 19
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
26:32Cin 181102-0.170Joe Mixon right guard for 2 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Larry Ogunjobi)
25:53Cin 20280-0.780Joe Mixon left guard for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
20:54Cin 2911000.330Andy Dalton pass complete short left to Giovani Bernard for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Penalty on Greedy Williams: Defensive Holding, 5 yards (no play)
36:21Cle 92760.420Joe Mixon right guard for 6 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
35:52Cle 34113.680Joe Mixon right guard for 1 yard (tackle by Joe Schobert and Denzel Ward)
412:20Cin 5011080.530Joe Mixon left guard for 8 yards (tackle by Sheldrick Redwine and Joe Schobert)
48:44Cle 7171-0.650Joe Mixon right guard for 1 yard (tackle by Joe Schobert)
41:01Cin 2311080.530Andy Dalton pass complete short left to Tyler Eifert for 8 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 8 - Yards: 26 - Avg: 3.2 - Hold <3 yds: 5 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 3.890
Browns 24 - Cardinals 38
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
212:52Cle 19110182.660Kyler Murray pass complete short middle to Charles Clay for 18 yards (tackle by Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert)
27:45Crd 24110140.930Kenyan Drake left end for 14 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
23:20Cle 3511050.130David Johnson right end for 5 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
21:23Cle 17243-0.100Kenyan Drake up the middle for 3 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Sheldrick Redwine)
48:12Cle 2611090.800Kenyan Drake up the middle for 9 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 5 - Yards: 49 - Avg: 9.8 - Hold <3 yds: 0 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 4.420
Browns 15 - Ravens 31
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
110:11Rav 4111040.000Mark Ingram right guard for 4 yards (tackle by Eli Ankou and Joe Schobert)
14:16Rav 28242-0.450Mark Ingram right guard for 2 yards (tackle by Chad Thomas and Joe Schobert)
12:56Rav 35210101.210Gus Edwards right guard for 10 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
311:37Cle 421100-0.550Mark Ingram right guard for 0 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
38:20Cle 141102-0.320Mark Ingram right tackle for 2 yards (tackle by T.J. Carrie and Joe Schobert)
31:13Rav 5011090.670Lamar Jackson pass complete short left to Hayden Hurst for 9 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
414:35Cle 211590.210Lamar Jackson pass complete short middle to Justice Hill for 9 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
413:53Cle 1211081.960Lamar Jackson pass complete short right to Miles Boykin for 8 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert). Penalty on Sheldon Richardson: Roughing the Passer, 2 yards
Tackles: 8 - Yards: 44 - Avg: 5.5 - Hold <3 yds: 3 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 2.730
Browns 23 - Bengals 33
QtrTimeLocationDownTo GoGainChange Exp PTDescription
112:52Cin 272450.460Andy Dalton pass complete short middle to C.J. Uzomah for 5 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
210:58Cle 6261-0.690Andy Dalton pass complete short middle to C.J. Uzomah for 1 yard (tackle by Olivier Vernon and Joe Schobert)
24:44Cin 35110-1-0.680Joe Mixon left guard for -1 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
314:26Cin 3025100.860Andy Dalton pass complete short middle to Tyler Boyd for 10 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
33:55Cin 24212110.770Andy Dalton pass complete short middle to C.J. Uzomah for 11 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert and Mack Wilson)
415:00Cle 71750.120Joe Mixon left end for 5 yards (tackle by Mack Wilson and Joe Schobert)
46:30Cin 20275-0.180Alex Erickson left end for 5 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
45:48Cin 2532161.900Andy Dalton pass complete short left to Alex Erickson for 16 yards (tackle by Joe Schobert)
Tackles: 8 - Yards: 52 - Avg: 6.5 - Hold <3 yds: 2 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 0 - Change Exp Pts: 2.560
Tackles: 135 - Yards: 738 - Avg: 5.5 - Hold <3 yds: 45 - 3rd/4th Down Stops: 9 - Total Change Exp Pts: 10.120