The Browns weren't on the practice field Monday but it was a busy, thorough day of film study one day removed from a disappointing, 31-10 loss to the New York Jets.
Here's what stood out from the first postgame Monday of the 2015 season.
1) Diagnosing the run defense issues
From Day 1 of the offseason up until Sunday's season opener, the Browns' top priority on defense was to be better against the run.
That held true for the first half against the Jets, who managed 42 yards on 12 carries through the first 30 minutes. The second half, though, was not what Cleveland wanted, and the Jets came away from the season opener with 154 yards and an average of 4.3 yards per carry.
Pettine attributed the disappointing result to a number of factors. The first thing he listed, missed tackles, was echoed by inside linebacker Christian Kirksey as an area of emphasis during the team's film analysis. The No. 1 culprit, however, was runs to the edge, a problem that persisted throughout the preseason and was only made tougher when Scott Solomon went down with an ankle injury early in the first quarter.
The interior, Pettine said, was "pretty solid," and rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton played "pretty well" in his first official NFL game.
"He did a good job handling double teams. His pads got up a couple times, but I think for the most part he controlled the middle when he was in there," Pettine said. "We need to be better on the edges."
Pettine reaffirmed his confidence that the run defense would be significantly improved from last year, when the unit finished last in the NFL. Sunday's showing put the Browns 30th in the league after Week 1.
"I thought we did a much better job in practice," Pettine said. "We did a much better job at times in the preseason games. It needs to be played better and it needs to be coached better."
![DL Danny Shelton heads out to the field for pregame warmups](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/jmgzd7rpozc6git7qrov.jpg)
DL Danny Shelton heads out to the field for pregame warmups
![K Travis Coons Takes some practice kicks in pregame warmups](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/nb6oyetorqyf1p1ncd4a.jpg)
K Travis Coons Takes some practice kicks in pregame warmups
![DL Danny Shelton heads out to the field for pregame warmups](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/mlgydewmdcxaaqb7g3vt.jpg)
DL Danny Shelton heads out to the field for pregame warmups
![DL Randy Starks loosens up in pregame warmups](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/fpoag1hbylzkzdyeauvx.jpg)
DL Randy Starks loosens up in pregame warmups
![LB Karlos Dansby participates in pregame stretches](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/r7acvx0ngp9avgy61zgy.jpg)
LB Karlos Dansby participates in pregame stretches
![RB Isaiah Crowell particpates in pregame stretches](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/qs9c7dj6yqfykjldhijn.jpg)
RB Isaiah Crowell particpates in pregame stretches
![DB Joe Haden communicates with the Browns coaching staff before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/y3uai2tdwykoxn6oonif.jpg)
DB Joe Haden communicates with the Browns coaching staff before the game
![Former RB Jim Brown watches the Cleveland Browns warm up before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/nza1m1giaufql8q6ln22.jpg)
Former RB Jim Brown watches the Cleveland Browns warm up before the game
![QB Josh McCown throws a pass before an NFL football game against the New York Jets](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/ondvlf742q2pluhwupgq.jpg)
QB Josh McCown throws a pass before an NFL football game against the New York Jets
![Backup QB Johnny Manziel throws a pass before an NFL football game against the New York Jets](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/vbi4ezui7bvyy2yjqbmo.jpg)
Backup QB Johnny Manziel throws a pass before an NFL football game against the New York Jets
![Cleveland Browns QB Josh McCown throws a pass during the first half of the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/mpjweizldutxltf9zoua.jpg)
Cleveland Browns QB Josh McCown throws a pass during the first half of the game
![Cleveland Browns' Craig Robertson (53) and Donte Whitner (31) tackle New York RB Jets' Chris Ivory](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/knsgcpusipqolshktz2o.jpg)
Cleveland Browns' Craig Robertson (53) and Donte Whitner (31) tackle New York RB Jets' Chris Ivory
![RB Isaiah Crowell rushes the ball in the first half of the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/wnqtqzmrlppqx7daltij.jpg)
RB Isaiah Crowell rushes the ball in the first half of the game
![DB Joe Haden makes a tackle along the Browns' sideline](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/binjrt3vwqlxfyiaspco.jpg)
DB Joe Haden makes a tackle along the Browns' sideline
![LB Karlos Dansby calls out defensive adjustments furing the first half of the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/cjnnbugd3njod6z3f0j1.jpg)
LB Karlos Dansby calls out defensive adjustments furing the first half of the game
![DB Tramon Williams and DB K'Waun Williams talking defensive schemes in the first half of the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/anhht5ajdd2f7rbbt7vs.jpg)
DB Tramon Williams and DB K'Waun Williams talking defensive schemes in the first half of the game
![Head Coach Mike Pettine](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/t7nkaynahdf3icminzvo.jpg)
Head Coach Mike Pettine
![QB Johnny Manziel snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/c4ky77aorjkqzxktgy4y.jpg)
QB Johnny Manziel snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets
![QB Johnny Manziel throws a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/qzplkxzysubd9r2q3got.jpg)
QB Johnny Manziel throws a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the game
![QB Johnny Manziel celebrates with teammates Isaiah Crowell (34) and Andrew Hawkins (16) after throwing a touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/cmzybb0ul9mdqwlirb1g.jpg)
QB Johnny Manziel celebrates with teammates Isaiah Crowell (34) and Andrew Hawkins (16) after throwing a touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin
![QB Johnny Manziel reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/ajbvs2aemo1ve7mzj3sp.jpg)
QB Johnny Manziel reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin
![WR Travis Benjamin (11) catches a pass on his way to a touchdown during the first half](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/jjtfg2idlwkys9zzgymn.jpg)
WR Travis Benjamin (11) catches a pass on his way to a touchdown during the first half
![WR Travis Benjamin scores a touchdown in the first half of the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/atsbrwyrfroxsy1hpxig.jpg)
WR Travis Benjamin scores a touchdown in the first half of the game
![QB Johnny Manziel and WR Travis Benjamin reacts to the touchdown throw](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/esxtoovqhd4y6utmihas.jpg)
QB Johnny Manziel and WR Travis Benjamin reacts to the touchdown throw
![DB Joe Haden on the field during the first half of the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/icec8vv9tvtwnj5iz9qf.jpg)
DB Joe Haden on the field during the first half of the game
![LB Craig Robertson reacts after making an open field tackle on special teams](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/ot7nbdubcyob2efsgenw.jpg)
LB Craig Robertson reacts after making an open field tackle on special teams
![Cleveland Browns offensive line involved in a play during the second half](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/fc2lgip1qztzt2ksskbq.jpg)
Cleveland Browns offensive line involved in a play during the second half
![DL Danny Shelton awaits the next defensive play](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/d9azyacurczulrnlrpzr.jpg)
DL Danny Shelton awaits the next defensive play
![LB Paul Kruger hits New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as he throws a pass during the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/vtcvysuuuhgmpxhb28i5.jpg)
LB Paul Kruger hits New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as he throws a pass during the game
![Browns defense hits Jets' QB Ryan Fitzpatrick trying to recover a high snap](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/zc2ozayohhxpmfugvisj.jpg)
Browns defense hits Jets' QB Ryan Fitzpatrick trying to recover a high snap
![C Alex Mack calls out offensive adjustments for the offensive line](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/oqaeq1d7o4nee23d3mhq.jpg)
C Alex Mack calls out offensive adjustments for the offensive line
![Browns special teams on the line](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/a3d6rxxdfislsgoqqxz6.jpg)
Browns special teams on the line
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/swjrdnqhudfqdtidxto9.jpg)
![Browns' defense piles on to stop the Jets' running back](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/mfgpxyw8iu9zjttgzr81.jpg)
Browns' defense piles on to stop the Jets' running back
![RB Shaun Draugh receives a kickoff in the endzone](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/yrufhieraorvcgzz7u2g.jpg)
RB Shaun Draugh receives a kickoff in the endzone
![A lone Browns fan cheers in Metlife Stadium](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/tqswz60ezrcujdidrpye.jpg)
A lone Browns fan cheers in Metlife Stadium
2) Run game issues went beyond O-line
Pettine's critique of the Browns' rushing offense immediately after Sunday's game focused heavily on the offensive line.
After watching the film Monday, Pettine said the team's running backs "left some yards out there."
"We need to break more tackles," Pettine said. "We can't be one and done with our backs. It is going to be rare where it is going to be blocked and a gaping hole and you are running untouched for a while. We are going to have to make some guys miss. We are going to have to break some tackles. That needs to be a point of emphasis for us.
"Overall the running game – we knew it was going to be tough against that front given their history and scheme wise with what they play, but we should have run the ball better."
The Browns finished with 104 yards on 28 carries. Only 46 came from running backs Isaiah Crowell (20), Duke Johnson Jr. (22) and Shaun Draughn (4).
"I think we can come back to the drawing board and fix some things up," Johnson said. "It was all little things that we can fix and we just didn't do it in the game. Now we are coming back to the drawing board and we are going to get it right."
3) Dwayne Bowe update
Pettine said veteran wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who was inactive Sunday, had a minor setback with his hamstring injury during practice last week and was not 100 percent at the end of the week.
Bowe, who played in the Browns' final two preseason games, was listed as "limited" throughout the week and was deemed "questionable" Friday.
"Just given our numbers it would have been hard to justify having up that many receivers given the game plan," Pettine said. "It was the decision we made."
4) Something to build on
Asked to identify a positive from Sunday's loss, wide receiver Brian Hartline pointed to the Browns' third-down conversion rate against the Jets.
Cleveland converted its first four third downs on a game-opening series that drained nearly 10 minutes off the clock. Johnny Manziel's 54-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin came on a third-and-19. On the previous play, Manziel scrambled for 22 yards on a third-and-4 only to have it wiped away by a chop block penalty on Crowell.
The Browns finished 8-of-16 on third downs.
"We were staying on the field for the most part. The ones that we didn't convert a lot of them were self-inflicted wounds from holding or turnovers or anything like that," Hartline said. "I think that was the positive. I think we will continue to build on that, but overall I think there were some times in the red zone where we should have got the ball in the end zone to keep the points going up. We will continue to move forward."
5) Other observations
- Pettine did not have an update on the status of Solomon.
- A quote to note from Pettine's opening statement at Monday's press conference.
"Lot of good teaching moments in the game, but we cannot be repeat offenders," Pettine said. "Mistakes that we made yesterday we have to make sure that we learn from and do not repeat. That is both from a coaching and a playing perspective. That is where we are today. Disappointed, but anxious to get onto this next one and put on a performance in front of our home crowd that they deserve to see."