You have to believe that defensive coordinator Joe Woods will be on a short leash — an extremely short leash — when the Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Woods’ guys in the secondary had no idea what they were supposed to be doing late against the New York Jets last Sunday, and it had a huge role in the Browns blowing a 13-point lead in the final 1:55 en route to a 31-30 defeat.

As bad as that was, it looked even worse in real time. All these teams go over this stuff again and again and again starting back in the spring, so it’s hard to figure out how everyone look so confused.

That’s on Woods, period, end of statement. As the coordinator, the bucks stops at his desk with everything concerning the defense. He has to communicate in a way that’s easy to understand for this group of players.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is the guy who signed off on the hiring of Woods. When Woods messes up, it reflects on Stefanski. It makes him look bad, too. How can things be do disorganized? Though it was the most egregious episode, this dysfunction has happened before with the defense. It has to stop. Woods must get it fixed, and if he can’t do it, then Stefanski may have to step in and make some changes himself.

Stefanski is a classy guy who refuses to crack on his guys in public, but you can bet he has expressed that message loud and clear to Woods behind closed doors. He is bound and determined not to let a repeat of the Jets debacle cost the Browns a win over Pittsburgh.

If it occurs, then it might not be just Woods on the hot seat. It could be Kevin Stefanski as well.

Steve King