Well, after the Browns ended the 2009 season on the strength of a stifling defense and power running game it only makes sense that they would open the 2010 exhibition season throwing the ball all over the place in a 27-24 win over the Green Bay Packers. The only thing that makes sense for the Browns since their reincarnation in 1999 is that they never make sense.
Taking the opening kick-off and never looking back, Jake Delhomme temporarily tabled talks of his sub-par Training Camp with a 6 for 7 effort that spread the ball around to Mohammed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie and Evan Moore. Delhomme look sharp, decisive and in control, qualities that have rarely been associated with a Browns quarterback in the past few years. It was Delhomme’s only series on the night but it was a refreshing sight to see the Browns offense come out strong from the beginning for once.
Delhomme looked good but Seneca Wallace may have looked even better. Undersized but athletic, Wallace kept the Green Bay defense off balance by rolling out of the pocket and keeping plays alive with his legs. He hit Robiskie in the back corner of the endzone for one touchdown and then threw a perfect pass down the seam to Tight End Ben Watson for another. If Delhomme does falter at some point it appears the Browns do have a viable option in their back pocket.
Colt McCoy did a good job of putting the minority calling for him to get more snaps to bed as he looked awful in almost two quarters of work. Five for ten for only 25 yards and two awful, awful interceptions showed why he needs to “redshirt” in 2010 and learn from the veterans. Some of the pundits thought he might be he top QB prospect in this year’s draft but he does need to sit and learn for at least a year. Tim Couch and Charlie Frye would agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly.
Other than that it was good to see the Browns pick up some short yardage with Jerome Harrison running behind Lawrence Vickers and the offensive line. They may have thrown it around the field yesterday but the Browns are still going to want to stuff it down the opposition’s throat during the regular season.
Peyton Hillis also flashed his patented hands on a few screens and may be a nice third down option out of the back field. Moore lined up in the slot a lot which is a nice option in two tight ends sets with Watson. I have a hunch these guys are going to catch a ton of balls this year. The best sign was that despite the presence of any big names at the skill positions the Browns spread the ball around and kept the defense off balance… without any Wildcat or Cyclone packages. That is a very good thing.
The defense however did not fair as well on the day. Aaron Rodgers, and Matt Flynn after him, and his receiving core picked apart the Browns defense for their entire stay. Rodgers was 10 for 10 with a TD in the first two Green Bay drives on the night. Greg Jennings burnt rookie T. J. Ward on the first score and fullback Jon Kuhn bulled over Ward from 2 yards out for the second. Ward wasn’t the only offender on the tackling front and the Browns seemed to have trouble wrapping up and taking down the Packers all night.
The only good things that stood out were the fact the Browns were stout against the run all night across the board. Ahtyba Rubin forced a fumble on Green Bay’s first play from scrimmage and makes the whispers of Shaun Rogers moving to end make sense. Ward was everywhere despite being picked on at times a delivered big hit from the safety position that the Browns have not seen since 1995. Marcus Bernard or Jason Trusnik may not make the team due to the linebacking depth the Browns have, but both guys are high motor guys that are all over the place that will find a place elsewhere if not here.
Kudos to Phil Dawson for drilling field goals of 58 and 46 yards to win the game (and prevent the dreaded pre-season overtime). Joe Thomas and Josh Cribbs are special players, but after them Dawson may be the third best player on the team since their rebirth. He’s clutch, has made ridiculous kicks in adverse conditions and gets better as the years go on.
With Dave Zastudil out Reggie Hodges was hit and miss with punting duties and it wouldn’t surprise me if Zastudil is not ready that the Browns scour the waiver wire after cut to find a more reliable option. Zastudil, like Dawson, quietly spoils us with his consistency at an often ignored position. Dropping over HALF his kicks inside the twenty before getting hurt last year is a sick statistic, especially when you consider how much the Browns punted last year.
Its back home for #1 pick Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams next Saturday night. Hopefully we’ll get to see a little more of Delhomme and the first team O and the defense can step it up. It was a very impressive debut and let’s hope things get even better. A brutal regular season schedule awaits in 3 weeks and the Browns need all the confidence going into 2010 that they can generate.
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Browns Bomb in Denver, 27-6
It is often said that things sometimes have to get worse before they can get better. For the Cleveland Browns they better hope for teo things. One, that the proverb is true and two, that they can’t get much worse then their performance in a 27-6 loss to the Denver Broncos.
In a game that could have been a lot worse if not for two Matt Prater missed field goals, the Browns once again kept it close in the first half only to be manhandled after the second half kickoff. Failing to take advantage of opportunities presented by the Broncos and presenting more than a few to Denver was the story of the game for the beaten and battered Browns.
Cleveland got a gift on the opening kickoff when Peyton Hillis fumbled but was unable to convert the turnover into a touchdown and had to settle for a Phil Dawson field goal. The Broncos, on the other hand, were able to convert an Alex Mack botched snap into a touchdown pass form Kyle Orton to Tony Sheffler.
If the Browns play calling could be described in two words in would be boring and horrible. Once again deciding not to stretch the field, Eric Mangini and Brian Daboll instead attempted utilize a short passing attack. This was rendered ineffective by Brady Quinn’s inefficiencies and the inability of the offensive line to give Quinn time to throw.
After looking decent in two starts in 2008, Quinn has looked overmatched and unable to make plays. Today was no different as he seemed to have little or no cohesiveness with his receivers all game. Tackle John St. Clair did not help things as he yielded four sacks to Denver’s Elvis Dumerville, which set a Broncos franchise record. Once again another game without an offensive touchdown, which makes it seven out of eight games for the Browns.
The Browns defensive performance mirrored than of the first game versus Minnesota. They managed to keep the team in the game in the first half, helped by Prater’s two missed kicks, but derailed as the second half wore on. Whether it is just being worn down by the opposing offense, not having enough playmakers on that side of the ball or just losing faith that the offense will keep you in a game the Browns defense can not seem to put a complete game together.
So it’s 0-2 for the Browns with a trip to Baltimore to face the rugged Ravens and a home tilt versus the much improved Bengals staring them right in the face. If the Browns don’t find some sort of consistency, or more importantly some sort of team identity, in a hurry they are look at an even monger and more brutal season than most predicted.
For the Browns sake they better hope that proverb exist for a reason. Because it will be very difficult to get much worse than they have been in the first two games of the season. And it will be that much more difficult to watch for the Cleveland faithful.
In a game that could have been a lot worse if not for two Matt Prater missed field goals, the Browns once again kept it close in the first half only to be manhandled after the second half kickoff. Failing to take advantage of opportunities presented by the Broncos and presenting more than a few to Denver was the story of the game for the beaten and battered Browns.
Cleveland got a gift on the opening kickoff when Peyton Hillis fumbled but was unable to convert the turnover into a touchdown and had to settle for a Phil Dawson field goal. The Broncos, on the other hand, were able to convert an Alex Mack botched snap into a touchdown pass form Kyle Orton to Tony Sheffler.
If the Browns play calling could be described in two words in would be boring and horrible. Once again deciding not to stretch the field, Eric Mangini and Brian Daboll instead attempted utilize a short passing attack. This was rendered ineffective by Brady Quinn’s inefficiencies and the inability of the offensive line to give Quinn time to throw.
After looking decent in two starts in 2008, Quinn has looked overmatched and unable to make plays. Today was no different as he seemed to have little or no cohesiveness with his receivers all game. Tackle John St. Clair did not help things as he yielded four sacks to Denver’s Elvis Dumerville, which set a Broncos franchise record. Once again another game without an offensive touchdown, which makes it seven out of eight games for the Browns.
The Browns defensive performance mirrored than of the first game versus Minnesota. They managed to keep the team in the game in the first half, helped by Prater’s two missed kicks, but derailed as the second half wore on. Whether it is just being worn down by the opposing offense, not having enough playmakers on that side of the ball or just losing faith that the offense will keep you in a game the Browns defense can not seem to put a complete game together.
So it’s 0-2 for the Browns with a trip to Baltimore to face the rugged Ravens and a home tilt versus the much improved Bengals staring them right in the face. If the Browns don’t find some sort of consistency, or more importantly some sort of team identity, in a hurry they are look at an even monger and more brutal season than most predicted.
For the Browns sake they better hope that proverb exist for a reason. Because it will be very difficult to get much worse than they have been in the first two games of the season. And it will be that much more difficult to watch for the Cleveland faithful.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Browns' 2009 Can Not Be Judged by Wins Alone
With the Cavaliers falling short in the NBA play-offs and the Indians’ reverting back to their mid-1980s ineptitude, Cleveland fans are starved for some winning. With the NFL about to kick-off 2009, the Browns don’t look like they are going to change that trend anytime soon but when it comes to this season the Browns can not be judged by their record.
Lacking an identity from the top down since their reincarnations, the Browns’ have been mismanaged by three separate regimes since the Lerner Family was awarded the franchise in 1999. Eric Mangini is the latest to take a chance at rebuilding the once proud franchise after three up an down years at the helm of the New York Jets.
What Mangini lacks in personality and forthrightness he makes up with attention to detail and accountability. The latter is something that has been missing in Cleveland for a long time. While Mangini may or may not be able to generate a wining record in his first year along the shores of Lake Erie how he builds and constructs the team is of much more importance.
Since their return, the Browns have not just played bad football. At times, it would be hard to classify the product on the field as professional football. If Mangini can make the Browns look like a professional football team for 16 weeks, it would be a giant step in the right direction.
Minimal penalties, competent games plans and putting players in a position to succeed are things that have not been seen on the North Coast for the last ten years. These things along with crisp execution and motivation need to be laid as the foundation to establish a consistent winning franchise in the NFL.
While establishing this foundation is key, the wins will not follow quickly in 2009 as the Browns face a serious lack of talent on both sides of the ball. This is why the 2009 campaign can not be judge by the win column. How many players and at what positions are what Mangini’s Browns should be evaluated upon.
ON offense it’s time to turn over the reigns to Brady Quinn and see what he can do. A first round draft pick QB needs at least two seasons to be evaluated properly. Brady Quinn has had 3 games. The likes of Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith and Heath Shuler have gotten more than that.
No offense to Derek Anderson but we have seen what he is and is not capable of. He may be a serviceable NFL QB but the need to evaluate Quinn is paramount to 2009. Because if neither Quinn nor Anderson is the answer then the Browns have a huge hole they need to fill for 2010 and beyond.
The rest of the offense is young and their development must parallel Quinn’s. A number of question need to be answer that will determine the direction of the franchise for 2009 and beyond.
Can James Davis and Jerome Harrison be a formative duo to supplant Jamal Lewis in 201 if not sooner? How will Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi develop as compliments to Braylon Edwards? Does Edwards fit into Cleveland’s long term plans and can he realize the enormous potential that rests deep inside.
The Browns also need to develop a cohesive offensive line. The offensive line is always more than the sum of its parts. In 2007, moving Ryan Tucker to guard somehow made The Human Parking Cone, Kevin Shaffer, into a serviceable NFL right tackle. Rookie Alex Mack is thrown into the fire at center with Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach anchoring the left side of the line. How this unit gels will undoubtedly affect the development of the offense as a whole.
The defense is an even bigger cause for concern. Shaun Rogers looks to me the only playmaker on that side of the ball in a defense that desperately needs more. The 3-4 defense demands a hard hitting impact player at ILB. D’Qwell Jackson may be a good second ILB but the Browns will need to find and develop a playmaker.
They also lack the pass rush from the OLB position that Kamerion Wimbley provided in 2006 but has been unable to replicate since. With out that pass rush young CBs like Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are left on island more often that not for way longer than a DB should have to cover.
The safety position is also a concern as Abe Elam has looked shaky in pre-season and Brodney Pool suffered yet another concussion that may inevitably cut his career short. A rugged, ball-hawking safety needed to lead the defensive backfield and set the tone across the middle. The Browns have no one ready to fill that role.
So they key for the Browns in 2009 is not how many games they win, but how many players they can develop. Because if they can fill a number of personnel voids internally this year it will minimize the areas that they have to focus on in 2010. If they do not have the players in place to fill some of these needs, or they are incapable of developing them, then the Browns face a much steeper mountain than they already do climb back to respectability.
In a city that is starved for sports related success, the words patience, progress and development are not popular ones. But when it comes to the 2009 Cleveland Browns they are the only ones that can be used to accurately gauge if their campaign is a successful one of not, regardless of what the win column says.
Lacking an identity from the top down since their reincarnations, the Browns’ have been mismanaged by three separate regimes since the Lerner Family was awarded the franchise in 1999. Eric Mangini is the latest to take a chance at rebuilding the once proud franchise after three up an down years at the helm of the New York Jets.
What Mangini lacks in personality and forthrightness he makes up with attention to detail and accountability. The latter is something that has been missing in Cleveland for a long time. While Mangini may or may not be able to generate a wining record in his first year along the shores of Lake Erie how he builds and constructs the team is of much more importance.
Since their return, the Browns have not just played bad football. At times, it would be hard to classify the product on the field as professional football. If Mangini can make the Browns look like a professional football team for 16 weeks, it would be a giant step in the right direction.
Minimal penalties, competent games plans and putting players in a position to succeed are things that have not been seen on the North Coast for the last ten years. These things along with crisp execution and motivation need to be laid as the foundation to establish a consistent winning franchise in the NFL.
While establishing this foundation is key, the wins will not follow quickly in 2009 as the Browns face a serious lack of talent on both sides of the ball. This is why the 2009 campaign can not be judge by the win column. How many players and at what positions are what Mangini’s Browns should be evaluated upon.
ON offense it’s time to turn over the reigns to Brady Quinn and see what he can do. A first round draft pick QB needs at least two seasons to be evaluated properly. Brady Quinn has had 3 games. The likes of Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith and Heath Shuler have gotten more than that.
No offense to Derek Anderson but we have seen what he is and is not capable of. He may be a serviceable NFL QB but the need to evaluate Quinn is paramount to 2009. Because if neither Quinn nor Anderson is the answer then the Browns have a huge hole they need to fill for 2010 and beyond.
The rest of the offense is young and their development must parallel Quinn’s. A number of question need to be answer that will determine the direction of the franchise for 2009 and beyond.
Can James Davis and Jerome Harrison be a formative duo to supplant Jamal Lewis in 201 if not sooner? How will Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi develop as compliments to Braylon Edwards? Does Edwards fit into Cleveland’s long term plans and can he realize the enormous potential that rests deep inside.
The Browns also need to develop a cohesive offensive line. The offensive line is always more than the sum of its parts. In 2007, moving Ryan Tucker to guard somehow made The Human Parking Cone, Kevin Shaffer, into a serviceable NFL right tackle. Rookie Alex Mack is thrown into the fire at center with Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach anchoring the left side of the line. How this unit gels will undoubtedly affect the development of the offense as a whole.
The defense is an even bigger cause for concern. Shaun Rogers looks to me the only playmaker on that side of the ball in a defense that desperately needs more. The 3-4 defense demands a hard hitting impact player at ILB. D’Qwell Jackson may be a good second ILB but the Browns will need to find and develop a playmaker.
They also lack the pass rush from the OLB position that Kamerion Wimbley provided in 2006 but has been unable to replicate since. With out that pass rush young CBs like Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are left on island more often that not for way longer than a DB should have to cover.
The safety position is also a concern as Abe Elam has looked shaky in pre-season and Brodney Pool suffered yet another concussion that may inevitably cut his career short. A rugged, ball-hawking safety needed to lead the defensive backfield and set the tone across the middle. The Browns have no one ready to fill that role.
So they key for the Browns in 2009 is not how many games they win, but how many players they can develop. Because if they can fill a number of personnel voids internally this year it will minimize the areas that they have to focus on in 2010. If they do not have the players in place to fill some of these needs, or they are incapable of developing them, then the Browns face a much steeper mountain than they already do climb back to respectability.
In a city that is starved for sports related success, the words patience, progress and development are not popular ones. But when it comes to the 2009 Cleveland Browns they are the only ones that can be used to accurately gauge if their campaign is a successful one of not, regardless of what the win column says.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Deja Vu Debut
Well that was definitely worth the wait. Ineffective quarterback play. Porous run defense. Inopportune penalties. Bad tackling. Failure to capitalize on opportunities. All were consistent traits of the Romeo Crennel led Cleveland Browns for the past four seasons. Unfortunately for Eric Mangini they were all traits of the Cleveland Browns in his head coaching debut, a 17-0 whitewash at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.
Mangini was brought into Cleveland to instill hard work, discipline and work ethic to a floundering franchise. An actual touchdown would be nice for starters as the Browns failed to find the endzone on offense again after six straight games with the same problem in 2008.
The only difference was that in this game the Browns actually were thought to have two “capable” quarterbacks at their disposal and not placeholders named Ken Dorsey or Bruce Gradkowski. But neither Brady Quinn nor Derek Anderson was able to put points on the board against a Green Bay defense that was using the 3-4 against live competition for the first time.
Quinn started and looked very effective out of the gate hitting crafty veteran Mike Furrey on a couple of third downs during the opening Browns drive to move the chains. Jamal Lewis ran tough as the Browns mixed the run and pass effectively and a well timed end around to Josh Cribbs netted 29 yards, which ws the Browns’ high rushing total for the game.
In the end, Quinn was unable to put any points of the board as he misfired on a third down pass to Cribbs and the Browns has to settle for a 31 yard field goal attempt by Phil Dawson. That kick split the uprights but a holding penalty by Hank Fraley pushed the kick back 10 yards and Dawson pushed the ensuing kick wide right to give the Browns nothing for their troubles.
Anderson fared no better as he led two drives that totaled five official plays. A three and out on the second series of the game and a two play drive that started on the 50 yard line after a Mason Crosby miss of a 60 yard field goal. The three and out was much better than the second series as Anderson was picked after being hit while throwing on the second play of the drive. Even worse, both series took place against the Packers’ second string defense.
Quinn returned on the last series of the half as the Browns ran the two minute drill down 14-0. He used Furrey, Cribbs and new tight end Robert Royal to put the Browns into the Red Zone for a second time. But the results were the same as the Browns were held scoreless once again. Braylon Edwards dropped a touchdown in the back of the endzone on a difficult but catchable ball on Second and Goal. On Third and Goal Quinn scrambled and went back to Edwards but was intercepted by Anthony Smith.
In the end, no light was shed on the quarterback conundrum that the Browns face as Quinn failed to make plays when he needed to and Anderson was not given enough of an opportunity (5 plays) to establish a rhythm. Those hoping for The Brett Ratliff Experience to provide hope were treated to two quarters of skittish play that resulted in three sacks and two interceptions.
Those hanging their hat on the defense being improved under Mangini and Rob Ryan were also left disappointed despite allowing only 17 points. The Green Bay first team offense carved up the Browns’ defense for 14 points in two series with very little effort. In fact, the Green Bay offense held the ball so much in the first half in only allowed Quinn and Anderson two series apiece.
Aaron Rodgers took advantage of Abe Elam on the first drive of the evening. On Third and 10, with the Browns only rushing three, Rodgers surveyed the field with no one open. He scrambled and stepped up in the pocket and that was enough to entice Elam to break towards the line of scrimmage and allow Donald Driver to blow past him. Rodgers hit him in perfect stride for 53 yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
The Packers’ second possession yielded the same result as they methodically marched down the field on a 12 play, 68 yard drive that culminated in a Ryan Grant touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Rodgers picked apart the Browns defense through the air while Grant, Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn ran all over the field on the ground.
In the end the Browns defense conceded 392 yards to the Packers with 230 of them being on the ground. The lack of consistent pressure that was common during the Crennel years was still in place under Ryan and Mangini. Defensive holding penalties and too many men on the field infractions extended both Packers’ touchdown drive in the first quarter.
Ahtyba Rubin and Kendrick Moseley were the only two Browns to stand out on defense providing constant pressure and activity thought the first half. Rookies Coye Fancies and David Veikune were recipients of interceptions from Brian Brohm but those picks only prevented the score from being more lopsided.
In the end the Browns were left with the same questions that seem to have plagued them for the ten years since their reincarnation in 1999. Do they have an NFL quarterback on the roster? Can they effectively stop the run on defense? Do they have impact playmakers on either side of the ball that can change the course of a game? Do they have enough talent on their roster to be competitive in the brutal AFC North?
In fact, the night was symbolized perfectly by the solid, brown pants that they wore for the first time since the pre-season debacle in New York last season. Instead of being ready for prime time, the 2009 Cleveland Browns looked exactly the same as the 2008 model… the same color of their pants. Complete and udder crap.
The Detroit Lions come to the Erie Shore next weekend for pre-season week number two. The Lions went 0-16 last season but anyone who watched the Browns for the last six weeks of 2008 knows that the Lions were not the worst team in the NFL during that time. For Cleveland’s sake they better hope they can change that in the next seven days or its going to be a long 17 weeks in the regular season.
Mangini was brought into Cleveland to instill hard work, discipline and work ethic to a floundering franchise. An actual touchdown would be nice for starters as the Browns failed to find the endzone on offense again after six straight games with the same problem in 2008.
The only difference was that in this game the Browns actually were thought to have two “capable” quarterbacks at their disposal and not placeholders named Ken Dorsey or Bruce Gradkowski. But neither Brady Quinn nor Derek Anderson was able to put points on the board against a Green Bay defense that was using the 3-4 against live competition for the first time.
Quinn started and looked very effective out of the gate hitting crafty veteran Mike Furrey on a couple of third downs during the opening Browns drive to move the chains. Jamal Lewis ran tough as the Browns mixed the run and pass effectively and a well timed end around to Josh Cribbs netted 29 yards, which ws the Browns’ high rushing total for the game.
In the end, Quinn was unable to put any points of the board as he misfired on a third down pass to Cribbs and the Browns has to settle for a 31 yard field goal attempt by Phil Dawson. That kick split the uprights but a holding penalty by Hank Fraley pushed the kick back 10 yards and Dawson pushed the ensuing kick wide right to give the Browns nothing for their troubles.
Anderson fared no better as he led two drives that totaled five official plays. A three and out on the second series of the game and a two play drive that started on the 50 yard line after a Mason Crosby miss of a 60 yard field goal. The three and out was much better than the second series as Anderson was picked after being hit while throwing on the second play of the drive. Even worse, both series took place against the Packers’ second string defense.
Quinn returned on the last series of the half as the Browns ran the two minute drill down 14-0. He used Furrey, Cribbs and new tight end Robert Royal to put the Browns into the Red Zone for a second time. But the results were the same as the Browns were held scoreless once again. Braylon Edwards dropped a touchdown in the back of the endzone on a difficult but catchable ball on Second and Goal. On Third and Goal Quinn scrambled and went back to Edwards but was intercepted by Anthony Smith.
In the end, no light was shed on the quarterback conundrum that the Browns face as Quinn failed to make plays when he needed to and Anderson was not given enough of an opportunity (5 plays) to establish a rhythm. Those hoping for The Brett Ratliff Experience to provide hope were treated to two quarters of skittish play that resulted in three sacks and two interceptions.
Those hanging their hat on the defense being improved under Mangini and Rob Ryan were also left disappointed despite allowing only 17 points. The Green Bay first team offense carved up the Browns’ defense for 14 points in two series with very little effort. In fact, the Green Bay offense held the ball so much in the first half in only allowed Quinn and Anderson two series apiece.
Aaron Rodgers took advantage of Abe Elam on the first drive of the evening. On Third and 10, with the Browns only rushing three, Rodgers surveyed the field with no one open. He scrambled and stepped up in the pocket and that was enough to entice Elam to break towards the line of scrimmage and allow Donald Driver to blow past him. Rodgers hit him in perfect stride for 53 yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
The Packers’ second possession yielded the same result as they methodically marched down the field on a 12 play, 68 yard drive that culminated in a Ryan Grant touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Rodgers picked apart the Browns defense through the air while Grant, Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn ran all over the field on the ground.
In the end the Browns defense conceded 392 yards to the Packers with 230 of them being on the ground. The lack of consistent pressure that was common during the Crennel years was still in place under Ryan and Mangini. Defensive holding penalties and too many men on the field infractions extended both Packers’ touchdown drive in the first quarter.
Ahtyba Rubin and Kendrick Moseley were the only two Browns to stand out on defense providing constant pressure and activity thought the first half. Rookies Coye Fancies and David Veikune were recipients of interceptions from Brian Brohm but those picks only prevented the score from being more lopsided.
In the end the Browns were left with the same questions that seem to have plagued them for the ten years since their reincarnation in 1999. Do they have an NFL quarterback on the roster? Can they effectively stop the run on defense? Do they have impact playmakers on either side of the ball that can change the course of a game? Do they have enough talent on their roster to be competitive in the brutal AFC North?
In fact, the night was symbolized perfectly by the solid, brown pants that they wore for the first time since the pre-season debacle in New York last season. Instead of being ready for prime time, the 2009 Cleveland Browns looked exactly the same as the 2008 model… the same color of their pants. Complete and udder crap.
The Detroit Lions come to the Erie Shore next weekend for pre-season week number two. The Lions went 0-16 last season but anyone who watched the Browns for the last six weeks of 2008 knows that the Lions were not the worst team in the NFL during that time. For Cleveland’s sake they better hope they can change that in the next seven days or its going to be a long 17 weeks in the regular season.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Browns Table: The Battle of Woe-HIO
Welcome to The Browns Table, a season-long look at the 2008 season for the Cleveland Browns from the point of view of the Browns fans here on Bleacher Report.
This discussion is not just meant for the contributing Browns fans. Please feel free to comment on any of the questions or any of our answers below.
We welcome any comments and an open discussion about the Browns below. If you would like a seat at the table leave me a note on my profile and we will try and get you in the rotation.
As always thanks to Browns fans The Coop, Dustin Haley and Michael Taylor for their contributions this week.
The guys and gals debate what losing to the Bengals means, the upcoming game against the Appalachian Inbred and how a Browns-Lions match-up would end up.
Put another log on the fire and let’s talk Browns football…
The Browns lost to the Bengals, 14-0. Are you more surprised they lost or are you more surprised how they lost?
The Coop:
Ironically, I’m more surprised they lost. The way they lost was basically a microcosm of the entire season: boring play-calling, inept offensive execution featuring pathetic QB play, costly turnovers and penalties, and an inability to stop the run. What is surprising about that?
But to seemingly lack the pride, intensity, focus, and desire to beat a miserable team like the Bengals? That caught me off guard. I knew the offense would sputter, but to produce absolutely nothing when, theoretically, the Browns are a more talented team, well, that’s just embarrassing.
Do you realize that opposing defenses have scored three touchdowns since the Browns’ offense last scored one itself? Talk about pathetic.
Dustin Haley:
Coming into the game I knew the variables, so I wasn’t expecting much offensively. Dorsey will always struggle and throw interceptions. Defensively this season we have struggled against the run. So I wasn’t taken back with Benson’s 171 yards. Amazingly he didn’t score. I knew this game would be an ugly one. So the word surprised really isn’t applicable for me.
Jeff Smirnoff:
I am not surprised they lost but am surprised they got shut out. If you throw out the interception for the touchdown, the Browns’ defense only gave up seven points. Yes, Cedric Benson ran for 171 yards but the Browns were able to keep the Bengals off the scoreboard sans one drive.
I cannot believe that the offensive game plan did not involve every sort of play they had for Josh Cribbs, Jerome Harrison, Jason Wright and Jamal Lewis. With the wind so severe, and Ken Dorsey at the helm, it was pointless to try and pass. Open up the playbook, change the pace of the game with all your playmakers and you have a chance. Once again a game plan without any designs on winning the game.
Michael Taylor:
Neither, the Bengals no matter their record have played better in recent weeks. The Browns on the other hand have been a complete and utter disaster beyond imagination no matter the personnel situation. No offensive touchdowns in five straights weeks! Enough said.
Ken Dorsey is now questionable for the season finale with a concussion. That is three quarterbacks that have gotten hurt this season. Joe Thomas made the Pro Bowl but what so you think of the offensive line’s performance in 2008?
The Coop:
I’d say it’s been very, very mediocre. As much as people want to blame Jamal Lewis’ age and “happy feet” for the sub par running game, the main reason for Lewis dancing around in the backfield is because the holes simply haven’t been there.
But why is that? Ultimately, I believe the offensive line, along with Jamal Lewis, has suffered tremendously due to the ineffective quarterback play and horrendous play calling. Because of these factors, defenses can stack the box against the Browns, play much more aggressively, and stop just about anything.
In the passing game, the Browns have given up only 22 sacks this year (less than 1.5 / game), which is 7th best in the NFL. That’s pretty darn good.
And while we’re at it, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the Browns have missed Ryan Tucker for most of the year. Tucker has been called the team’s best offensive lineman by coaches and members of the front office, so while it’s not an excuse for their performance, it’s also a huge loss that cannot be overlooked.
Dustin Haley:
It is amazing isn’t it? The effect that one, almost mediocre, player can have on a single unit. Missing Ryan Tucker has been huge this season. He solidified the right side of the line and really opened up what we could do offensively, compared to our ability now.
The right side of the line needs revamped. Hadnot is neither quick nor agile, and Schaffer may be better suited as an interior lineman. Either could serve as a quality backup lineman for depth, but both should be removed from the first unit and replaced.
Joe Thomas making the Pro Bowl is a great feat considering what he has had to deal with this season. Some say he’s regressed, but it’s obvious it has had more to do with coaching. Defenses overload him with blitzes and the coaches have been expecting him to engage an end first, and then bounce out to the appropriate pass rusher, not an easy task for even the most experienced tackle.
Jeff Smirnoff:
Thomas has been solid but has not played as well as he did in 2007. Eric Steinbach has been injured most of the season and it has shown in his performance. Hank Fraley and Kevin Shaffer have played very poorly for stretches after having one of their best years in 2007. Rex Hadnot is serviceable but a big drop off from Ryan Tucker. The Browns need to develop some young depth at center and tackle to help transition some youth into the offensive line. I wrote about topic this last week.
Michael Taylor:
I don't think it is as bad as many out it out to be. Looking up sacks allowed, the Browns are seventh in the league with just 21 allowed. That is a far cry from the near 50 that seemed to happen on a yearly basis just a few years back. I also believe that the yards per carry average has taken a bit of a hit from Jamal Lewis' career regression. He is slower and does not have a run past 29 yards this season, but congratulations are in order for hitting the 10,000-yard career mark in rushing Sunday. The offensive line is not the problem of this team. Injuries happen, its part of the game. It's just unfortunate that all three quarterbacks went down.
Word came out after the game that Shaun Smith and Brady Quinn got into a physical altercation on Wednesday that culminated with Smith hitting Quinn in the face with a barbell weight. Smith was inactive while Quinn was absent from the sidelines Sunday. What does this incident tell you about the current state of the Browns?
The Coop:
In reality, this doesn’t tell us anything about the Browns that we don’t already know. There is clear frustration in the locker room, which has been growing all season long, and this isn’t even the first rumor of a fight that we’ve heard about this season. The only reason this one is getting such attention is because it involves Quinn.
I do find it interesting that two guys who haven’t contributed anything in weeks are getting into it with one another. Having played a little football in college, I can assure you that fights between teammates are fairly commonplace - although I'll grant you I never saw anyone hit another guy with a barbell weight.
It’s noteworthy that Smith (whom I’ve always respected) is the “mystery player” that Josh Cribbs and Jamal Lewis were referring to when they spoke of the team “quitting” during the Denver game.
I guess if I’m trying to look for the silver lining, and Smith really is the player who teammates thought quit, I would be happy if Quinn confronted him, as it seems to be further establishing him as a team leader. And just look at the fight between Carolina’s Steve Smith and Ken Lucas and what it did for their team.
Dustin Haley:
Doesn’t tell me anything I don’t already know. It’s been painfully obvious there are problems within the organization. This incident is just another chapter in the saga that is the 2008 Cleveland Browns.
If the reports of this incident are true, then Shaun Smith should be sent walking immediately. In all fairness both sides should be investigated, but hitting someone, a potential franchise quarterback nonetheless, with a barbell weight is inexcusable whether in defense or retaliation. In my opinion, Shaun Smith has been a cancer to the team anyhow, as this is not the first time he has had off field issues.
Jeff Smirnoff:
It tells me that the coaching staff, and this regime in general, has lost the team. Why is a guy, Smith, who has under performed and has been injured most of the year taunting a second year quarterback who is on injured reserve. Quinn also deserves criticism for not walking away. It just shows how undisciplined the entire team is and how the current regime has lost them.
Michael Taylor:
Wow. I hadn't heard this rumor yet. I'll have to watch the "Red Zone" on STO to see if Smith makes his regular appearance alongside Mary Cabot and Andre Knott. What a joke this season has become. This actually would usually be a shocking event, but after the 2008 Browns, nothing will surprise me anymore. The whole organization down needs to take a step back and reassess what the (bleep) is going on. They are completely in disarray with no leadership to calm the rough waters. I'm not just talking player leadership or coaches. This has to be deeper with the rampant situations that appear weekly now.
The Browns’ season mercifully ends in Pittsburgh this week. Pittsburgh has nothing to play for as they are locked into the second seed in the AFC. I think we all know that despite that we are looking at the 11th consecutive loss to the Appalachian Inbred. How bad is it going to be?
The Coop:
I know you had to ask it, but this question just makes me sick. With the Steelers having clinched a playoff bye, their starters will barely break a sweat before being pulled. Sadly, the Steelers’ backups are probably just as good as the Browns starters, and definitely better than the Browns’ own backups. I expect the Steelers to systematically destroy the Browns much like Tennessee and Cincinnati each did. The question you have to ask is, would a Browns victory over the Steelers make you feel any less awful about the Browns’ 2008 season?
Dustin Haley:
With the likelihood that Gradkowski will be helming the signal calling position this week, it’s going to be bad. Like, two shutouts in a row bad. We will rely on our defense to create turnovers and score points. The bad news is the Steelers will probably go 75% to 80% run in play calling. They’ll be looking to grind out the game with minimal effort and risk to their players.
Jeff Smirnoff:
It is going to be bad. It may not be the Christmas Eve Massacre (41-0) bad but the Browns will be shut out unless the get a defensive or special teams return deep into Steelers territory or a touchdown. Even if Pittsburgh plays their back-ups the entire game they still would win. The Steelers players know how much this game means to their Inbred fan base and will play hard. The Browns just want to go home.
Michael Taylor:
I don't know and frankly don't even care. I honestly have not sat down to watch a Browns game since the Houston debacle in November. You could see it then that this team was finished. I just lost the desire to put an effort into rooting for this team this season if they were not putting in the effort to play it out. As a side note to this I did catch part of yesterdays game, and once again heard an announcer pointing out how poorly Braylon Edwards is running routes.
This may make me a poor fan, but I have had it. I will still root for and love this team in the future, but until they show me something that resembles an effort to become a respectable franchise I will care a lot less. Now we know what Bengals fans have been going through for 20 years! Bring on Opening Day baseball!
Theoretical question of the week: If the Browns played the 0-15 Detroit Lions this weekend, would the Browns win?
The Coop:
Yes, the Browns would win 2-0 when Dan Orlovsky inexplicably runs out of the end zone in overtime. In an ironic twist of fate, Romeo Crennel is instantly fired and Orlovsky is given a contract extension by Lions' management.
Dustin Haley:
At Detroit, yes. In Cleveland, no. I say this based on the lone fact that the home team’s lackluster performance would be booed out of the game by halftime.
Jeff Smirnoff:
No, the Lions would. The team is incapable of moving the ball let alone scoring a touchdown against anyone. The Lions could at least find the redzone and put up some points. It would be close but right now the Lions could beat the Browns.
Michael Taylor:
Four or five weeks ago yes, but right now no way!
This discussion is not just meant for the contributing Browns fans. Please feel free to comment on any of the questions or any of our answers below.
We welcome any comments and an open discussion about the Browns below. If you would like a seat at the table leave me a note on my profile and we will try and get you in the rotation.
As always thanks to Browns fans The Coop, Dustin Haley and Michael Taylor for their contributions this week.
The guys and gals debate what losing to the Bengals means, the upcoming game against the Appalachian Inbred and how a Browns-Lions match-up would end up.
Put another log on the fire and let’s talk Browns football…
The Browns lost to the Bengals, 14-0. Are you more surprised they lost or are you more surprised how they lost?
The Coop:
Ironically, I’m more surprised they lost. The way they lost was basically a microcosm of the entire season: boring play-calling, inept offensive execution featuring pathetic QB play, costly turnovers and penalties, and an inability to stop the run. What is surprising about that?
But to seemingly lack the pride, intensity, focus, and desire to beat a miserable team like the Bengals? That caught me off guard. I knew the offense would sputter, but to produce absolutely nothing when, theoretically, the Browns are a more talented team, well, that’s just embarrassing.
Do you realize that opposing defenses have scored three touchdowns since the Browns’ offense last scored one itself? Talk about pathetic.
Dustin Haley:
Coming into the game I knew the variables, so I wasn’t expecting much offensively. Dorsey will always struggle and throw interceptions. Defensively this season we have struggled against the run. So I wasn’t taken back with Benson’s 171 yards. Amazingly he didn’t score. I knew this game would be an ugly one. So the word surprised really isn’t applicable for me.
Jeff Smirnoff:
I am not surprised they lost but am surprised they got shut out. If you throw out the interception for the touchdown, the Browns’ defense only gave up seven points. Yes, Cedric Benson ran for 171 yards but the Browns were able to keep the Bengals off the scoreboard sans one drive.
I cannot believe that the offensive game plan did not involve every sort of play they had for Josh Cribbs, Jerome Harrison, Jason Wright and Jamal Lewis. With the wind so severe, and Ken Dorsey at the helm, it was pointless to try and pass. Open up the playbook, change the pace of the game with all your playmakers and you have a chance. Once again a game plan without any designs on winning the game.
Michael Taylor:
Neither, the Bengals no matter their record have played better in recent weeks. The Browns on the other hand have been a complete and utter disaster beyond imagination no matter the personnel situation. No offensive touchdowns in five straights weeks! Enough said.
Ken Dorsey is now questionable for the season finale with a concussion. That is three quarterbacks that have gotten hurt this season. Joe Thomas made the Pro Bowl but what so you think of the offensive line’s performance in 2008?
The Coop:
I’d say it’s been very, very mediocre. As much as people want to blame Jamal Lewis’ age and “happy feet” for the sub par running game, the main reason for Lewis dancing around in the backfield is because the holes simply haven’t been there.
But why is that? Ultimately, I believe the offensive line, along with Jamal Lewis, has suffered tremendously due to the ineffective quarterback play and horrendous play calling. Because of these factors, defenses can stack the box against the Browns, play much more aggressively, and stop just about anything.
In the passing game, the Browns have given up only 22 sacks this year (less than 1.5 / game), which is 7th best in the NFL. That’s pretty darn good.
And while we’re at it, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the Browns have missed Ryan Tucker for most of the year. Tucker has been called the team’s best offensive lineman by coaches and members of the front office, so while it’s not an excuse for their performance, it’s also a huge loss that cannot be overlooked.
Dustin Haley:
It is amazing isn’t it? The effect that one, almost mediocre, player can have on a single unit. Missing Ryan Tucker has been huge this season. He solidified the right side of the line and really opened up what we could do offensively, compared to our ability now.
The right side of the line needs revamped. Hadnot is neither quick nor agile, and Schaffer may be better suited as an interior lineman. Either could serve as a quality backup lineman for depth, but both should be removed from the first unit and replaced.
Joe Thomas making the Pro Bowl is a great feat considering what he has had to deal with this season. Some say he’s regressed, but it’s obvious it has had more to do with coaching. Defenses overload him with blitzes and the coaches have been expecting him to engage an end first, and then bounce out to the appropriate pass rusher, not an easy task for even the most experienced tackle.
Jeff Smirnoff:
Thomas has been solid but has not played as well as he did in 2007. Eric Steinbach has been injured most of the season and it has shown in his performance. Hank Fraley and Kevin Shaffer have played very poorly for stretches after having one of their best years in 2007. Rex Hadnot is serviceable but a big drop off from Ryan Tucker. The Browns need to develop some young depth at center and tackle to help transition some youth into the offensive line. I wrote about topic this last week.
Michael Taylor:
I don't think it is as bad as many out it out to be. Looking up sacks allowed, the Browns are seventh in the league with just 21 allowed. That is a far cry from the near 50 that seemed to happen on a yearly basis just a few years back. I also believe that the yards per carry average has taken a bit of a hit from Jamal Lewis' career regression. He is slower and does not have a run past 29 yards this season, but congratulations are in order for hitting the 10,000-yard career mark in rushing Sunday. The offensive line is not the problem of this team. Injuries happen, its part of the game. It's just unfortunate that all three quarterbacks went down.
Word came out after the game that Shaun Smith and Brady Quinn got into a physical altercation on Wednesday that culminated with Smith hitting Quinn in the face with a barbell weight. Smith was inactive while Quinn was absent from the sidelines Sunday. What does this incident tell you about the current state of the Browns?
The Coop:
In reality, this doesn’t tell us anything about the Browns that we don’t already know. There is clear frustration in the locker room, which has been growing all season long, and this isn’t even the first rumor of a fight that we’ve heard about this season. The only reason this one is getting such attention is because it involves Quinn.
I do find it interesting that two guys who haven’t contributed anything in weeks are getting into it with one another. Having played a little football in college, I can assure you that fights between teammates are fairly commonplace - although I'll grant you I never saw anyone hit another guy with a barbell weight.
It’s noteworthy that Smith (whom I’ve always respected) is the “mystery player” that Josh Cribbs and Jamal Lewis were referring to when they spoke of the team “quitting” during the Denver game.
I guess if I’m trying to look for the silver lining, and Smith really is the player who teammates thought quit, I would be happy if Quinn confronted him, as it seems to be further establishing him as a team leader. And just look at the fight between Carolina’s Steve Smith and Ken Lucas and what it did for their team.
Dustin Haley:
Doesn’t tell me anything I don’t already know. It’s been painfully obvious there are problems within the organization. This incident is just another chapter in the saga that is the 2008 Cleveland Browns.
If the reports of this incident are true, then Shaun Smith should be sent walking immediately. In all fairness both sides should be investigated, but hitting someone, a potential franchise quarterback nonetheless, with a barbell weight is inexcusable whether in defense or retaliation. In my opinion, Shaun Smith has been a cancer to the team anyhow, as this is not the first time he has had off field issues.
Jeff Smirnoff:
It tells me that the coaching staff, and this regime in general, has lost the team. Why is a guy, Smith, who has under performed and has been injured most of the year taunting a second year quarterback who is on injured reserve. Quinn also deserves criticism for not walking away. It just shows how undisciplined the entire team is and how the current regime has lost them.
Michael Taylor:
Wow. I hadn't heard this rumor yet. I'll have to watch the "Red Zone" on STO to see if Smith makes his regular appearance alongside Mary Cabot and Andre Knott. What a joke this season has become. This actually would usually be a shocking event, but after the 2008 Browns, nothing will surprise me anymore. The whole organization down needs to take a step back and reassess what the (bleep) is going on. They are completely in disarray with no leadership to calm the rough waters. I'm not just talking player leadership or coaches. This has to be deeper with the rampant situations that appear weekly now.
The Browns’ season mercifully ends in Pittsburgh this week. Pittsburgh has nothing to play for as they are locked into the second seed in the AFC. I think we all know that despite that we are looking at the 11th consecutive loss to the Appalachian Inbred. How bad is it going to be?
The Coop:
I know you had to ask it, but this question just makes me sick. With the Steelers having clinched a playoff bye, their starters will barely break a sweat before being pulled. Sadly, the Steelers’ backups are probably just as good as the Browns starters, and definitely better than the Browns’ own backups. I expect the Steelers to systematically destroy the Browns much like Tennessee and Cincinnati each did. The question you have to ask is, would a Browns victory over the Steelers make you feel any less awful about the Browns’ 2008 season?
Dustin Haley:
With the likelihood that Gradkowski will be helming the signal calling position this week, it’s going to be bad. Like, two shutouts in a row bad. We will rely on our defense to create turnovers and score points. The bad news is the Steelers will probably go 75% to 80% run in play calling. They’ll be looking to grind out the game with minimal effort and risk to their players.
Jeff Smirnoff:
It is going to be bad. It may not be the Christmas Eve Massacre (41-0) bad but the Browns will be shut out unless the get a defensive or special teams return deep into Steelers territory or a touchdown. Even if Pittsburgh plays their back-ups the entire game they still would win. The Steelers players know how much this game means to their Inbred fan base and will play hard. The Browns just want to go home.
Michael Taylor:
I don't know and frankly don't even care. I honestly have not sat down to watch a Browns game since the Houston debacle in November. You could see it then that this team was finished. I just lost the desire to put an effort into rooting for this team this season if they were not putting in the effort to play it out. As a side note to this I did catch part of yesterdays game, and once again heard an announcer pointing out how poorly Braylon Edwards is running routes.
This may make me a poor fan, but I have had it. I will still root for and love this team in the future, but until they show me something that resembles an effort to become a respectable franchise I will care a lot less. Now we know what Bengals fans have been going through for 20 years! Bring on Opening Day baseball!
Theoretical question of the week: If the Browns played the 0-15 Detroit Lions this weekend, would the Browns win?
The Coop:
Yes, the Browns would win 2-0 when Dan Orlovsky inexplicably runs out of the end zone in overtime. In an ironic twist of fate, Romeo Crennel is instantly fired and Orlovsky is given a contract extension by Lions' management.
Dustin Haley:
At Detroit, yes. In Cleveland, no. I say this based on the lone fact that the home team’s lackluster performance would be booed out of the game by halftime.
Jeff Smirnoff:
No, the Lions would. The team is incapable of moving the ball let alone scoring a touchdown against anyone. The Lions could at least find the redzone and put up some points. It would be close but right now the Lions could beat the Browns.
Michael Taylor:
Four or five weeks ago yes, but right now no way!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Hines Ward Gets Lit Up, Defenses Rejoice
A picture is truly worth 1,000 words.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward was leveled by Tennessee Titans defensive back Courtland Finnegan in the Titans' 31-14 victory Sunday in Nashville.
Ward who is one of the most intense, hardest working and physical players in the NFL also has a reputation of being one of the dirtiest. He is, by far, the best blocking wide receiver in the league but his propensity to specialize in the clean, blind side hit often draws the ire of opposing defenders. So much so the Baltimore Ravens allegedly (they did) put out a bounty of him for their second contest of the season.
While Ward is a great receiver and excellent role model off the field, some of his action on it are questionable. While he may not be the team distraction like Terrell Owens or Randy Moss have been or even a "look at me" player like Chad Johnson or LenDale White, Ward does do something that is just as classless. He taunts.
It is often hidden or dismissed because of the giant smile that is always on his face, but his disrespect for opposing teams and players is a reality. Whether celebrating the clean hit that broke the jaw of Cincinnati Bengals' linebacker Keith Rivers or any other hit he connects on the taunting is there.
He has mocked Ray Lewis' entrance dance after scoring a touchdown against the Ravens. He has mocked the "Fly Eagles Fly" fight song of Philadelphia after scoring in the city of Brotherly Love. He has wiped his feet like a dog in the direction of the Dawg Pound in Cleveland.
He may be a great player but please don't let that shroud the fact that he is also one who shows no sportsmanship.
So for one play, he got what was coming to him. Hopefully there will be many more to follow. Then may his taunting and unsportsmanlike antics will finally cease.
Bengals Make Browns Roll Over and Play Dead, 14-0
"Worst season I've ever played in," Browns running back Jamal Lewis.That could be the understatement of the century as the visiting Cincinnati Bengals shutout the Cleveland Browns 14-0 in windy Cleveland Browns Stadium. With the victory in the 71st battle of Ohio, the Bengals took the all-time series lead 36-35. The Bengals recorded their first shutout since holding the Browns scoreless on November 26, 2006, also the last time the Browns were shutout.
The game was basically over after two offensive series. The Bengals received the opening kick-off and drove to midfield before their drive stalled. On the Browns’ ensuing possession, third string quarterback Ken Dorsey hit Leon Hall in the left flat for a 50 yard touchdown. Unfortunately for the Browns, Hall plays corner back for the Bengals.
Hall torched Dorsey and wide receiver Braylon Edwards all night long, intercepting him three times total. The high winds off of Lake Erie bothered Dorsey just as much as he completed a respectable 10-17 passes, but only for 68 yards, the longest 15 yards to Edwards, and the three costly interceptions.
Cincinnati’s Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled with the wind as well, but the Bengals’ game plan had him only throwing nine passes for the entire game. He completed five for 55 yards, including a perfectly thrown corner route to Chris Henry. Henry beat Browns’ cornerback Eric Wright in the middle of the second quarter for the insurmountable 14-0 lead.
With the 14 point cushion and the Browns’ failure to score an offensive touchdown in the previous four games, the Bengals turned to running back Cedric Benson. Benson rushed a career high 38 times for 171 yards as the Cincinnati simply played keep away and ate up the game clock for most of the final two and a half quarters.
The Browns failed to score an offensive touchdown for the fifth consecutive game and got another quarterback hurt in the process. Dorsey, playing because of season-ending injuries to Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, suffered a mild concussion and injured ribs late in the fourth quarter
Enter recently signed QB Bruce Gradkowski, who may have to start the season finale in his hometown of Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Gradkowski was an unimpressive 2-5 for eight yards and an interception. Bengals linebacker Brandon Johnson tipped and intercepted Gradkowski’s second pass on the second to last drive of the game.
Jamal Lewis finished with 76 yards on 16 carries to become the 24th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 career yards. Lewis came in needing 63 yards to eclipse the mark and achieved the milestone on an eight-yard burst in the third quarter. It was the lone highlight for the Browns on an otherwise frigid day.
The Bengals can actually pass the Browns for third place in the AFC North with a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Cincinnati and a Browns’ loss in Week 17.
The Browns’ travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in Week 17 where they will legitimately looking at the possibility of a sixth consecutive game without and offensive touchdown and a second consecutive shutout. The Steelers have beaten the Browns ten consecutive times and, on paper, should have no problem making it eleven, even if they rest their starters for most of the afternoon.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Browns-Bengals: Breakdown of the NFL's Must-See Game of Week 16
The juggernaut Cleveland Browns (4-10) host the Cinderella darlings of the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals (2-11-1), in the 71st battle of Ohio this Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Those who thought that the epic battle that these two teams waged in Week Two when both teams were 0-3 couldn’t be outdone have to be kicking themselves.
The series stands tied at 35 wins apiece. Who stands to take the lead in this back and forth series? Let’s break it down by position.
QUARTERBACK
Carson Palmer has had his ups and downs since his horrific knee injury in the 2005 playoffs but still has to be considered in the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks. Brady Quinn has the college pedigree, hype, and looks to be a superstar in this league.
They both...What? They aren’t playing? Neither one? Really? What’s the deal?
Is Carson filming those sexually suggestive hot dog adds this weekend? Partying with Matt Leinart, maybe?
And where is Quinn? Pimping Myoplex and Subway sandwiches? At a wedding dancing to “YMCA” by the Village People again?
Oh, they're both injured, fine. Then who is...
Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ken Dorsey?!? Are you f’n kidding me? No, seriously, these guys are STARTING? Sweet lord.
Normally you would take the guy from “Tha U” over the guy from Harvard, but Fitzpatrick is actually athletic where as Dorsey makes Bernie Kosar look like Michael Flatley.
Advantage: BENGALS
RUNNING BACK
Jamal Lewis versus Cedric Benson. The former is nearing 10,000 career rushing yards as he looks old and slow. The later is a former first-round bust that had his first production game in over two years last week.
Tough call.
Well, Lewis got busted for dealing crack a few years back and had to serve hard time. Benson likes to get over-served and has a hard time driving afterwards.
Advantage: BROWNS
RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS
Braylon Edwards is sad because nobody likes him because he is from Michigan. Chad Johnson is sad because he would have had to buy 10,000 jerseys if he wanted to change his name to Chad Ocho Cinco.
T. J. Houshmandzadeh is banged up and so is Kellen Winslow. But Winslow is a soldier! But at least Houshmandzadeh is playing.
This may come down to Chris Henry versus Donte Stallworth—a dream matchup that no one could ever imagine. Who do you go with here? The guy with the rap sheet longer than most Christmas lists or the guy who thinks his brain is inhabited by a Martian.
I got it. Oregon State alum Derek Anderson says go with my fellow alumni Johnson and Houshmandzadeh over Edwards. Why, because Anderson hates Michigan, too? No, because they don’t drop the football when it is thrown to them.
Advantage: BENGALS
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Browns have a guy, Kevin Shaffer, who I call “The Human Parking Cone” (HPC) because putting a parking cone at right tackle would do just as good of a job. Rex Hadnot has a beard. Hank Fraley is fat. Joe Thomas is better that Levi Jones. But Browns NT Shaun Rogers might eat Bengals center Eric Ghiaciuc.
Advantage: BROWNS
DEFENSIVE LINE
Did I mention Sean Rogers might eat Eric Ghiaciuc? Carson Palmer said that Shaun Smith looks like the hamburglar when he wore the Bengals’ striped uniform, which is awesome! I’m stopping right there. I’ve seen enough.
Advantage: BROWNS
LINEBACKERS
I don’t know who plays LB for Cincinnati, but I do know that other than D’Qwell Jackson no other LBs play for Cleveland.
Advantage: BENGALS
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Michigan alum Leon Hall is playing corner for the Bengals. Browns fans don’t like him… because he plays for the Bengals. Former Brown Chris Crocker returns to Cleveland for the first time since being traded.
Brandon McDonald set a team record for most interception yards in a game and the greatest back flip into the end zone when you team is still down by 20 points. You stay classy, B-Mac!
Advantage: BENGALS
SPECIAL TEAMS
Shayne Graham has red hair. Phil Dawson might be the best player on the Browns and he’s the freaking kicker. Plus his wife is hot, can sing the national anthem, and was a cheerleader at the University of Texas.
Dave Zastudil is having knee problems and the Browns’ apparently have a “secret punter” on call in case he can not punt. Please God let it be Scott Player and his awesome 50-year-old man porno-mustache!
Oh wait, Josh Cribbs, duh.
Advantage: BROWNS
COACHING
Marvin Lewis has floundered at the helm of the Bengals but owner Mike Brown isn’t going to fire him in this economy. Plus, he is just trying to ruin his father’s name more than the Browns are currently trying to do.
Browns fans are just happy that Romeo Crennel remembers to wear pants on the sidelines, let alone make decisions on challenges, field goals, and personnel. Would it surprise you to see Romeo enjoying a nice, cool mojito and about four pizzas on the sidelines on Sunday?
It’s as if he is Leslie Nielsen as Lt. Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun...
“The attempt on Nordberg's life left me shaken and disturbed, and all the questions kept coming up over and over again, like bubbles in a case of club soda. Who was this character in the hospital? And why was he trying to kill Nordberg? And for whom?
"Did Ludwig lie to me? I didn't have any proof, but somehow, I didn't entirely trust him either. Why was the 'I Luv You' not listed in Ludwig's records? And if it was, did he know about it? And if he didn't, who did? And where the hell was I?”
But more like...
The attempt on Nordberg's life left me shaken and disturbed, and all the questions kept coming up over and over again, like bubbles in a case of club soda. Who was this staph infection in the hospital?
And why was he trying to kill Kellen Winslow? And for whom? Did Phil Savage lie to me? I didn't have any proof, but somehow, I didn't entirely trust him either. Why was the 'Brady Quinn' not listed in my roster records? And if he was, did I know about it? And if I didn't, who did? And where the hell was I?
Advantage: PUSH
Well, shoot I have no clue about this one folks. That is how colossal this matchup of two NFL titans is. It truly is the proverbial irresistible force versus the immovable object. But something has to got to give in the 71st Battle of Ohio...well unless they tie.
The series stands tied at 35 wins apiece. Who stands to take the lead in this back and forth series? Let’s break it down by position.
QUARTERBACK
Carson Palmer has had his ups and downs since his horrific knee injury in the 2005 playoffs but still has to be considered in the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks. Brady Quinn has the college pedigree, hype, and looks to be a superstar in this league.
They both...What? They aren’t playing? Neither one? Really? What’s the deal?
Is Carson filming those sexually suggestive hot dog adds this weekend? Partying with Matt Leinart, maybe?
And where is Quinn? Pimping Myoplex and Subway sandwiches? At a wedding dancing to “YMCA” by the Village People again?
Oh, they're both injured, fine. Then who is...
Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ken Dorsey?!? Are you f’n kidding me? No, seriously, these guys are STARTING? Sweet lord.
Normally you would take the guy from “Tha U” over the guy from Harvard, but Fitzpatrick is actually athletic where as Dorsey makes Bernie Kosar look like Michael Flatley.
Advantage: BENGALS
RUNNING BACK
Jamal Lewis versus Cedric Benson. The former is nearing 10,000 career rushing yards as he looks old and slow. The later is a former first-round bust that had his first production game in over two years last week.
Tough call.
Well, Lewis got busted for dealing crack a few years back and had to serve hard time. Benson likes to get over-served and has a hard time driving afterwards.
Advantage: BROWNS
RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS
Braylon Edwards is sad because nobody likes him because he is from Michigan. Chad Johnson is sad because he would have had to buy 10,000 jerseys if he wanted to change his name to Chad Ocho Cinco.
T. J. Houshmandzadeh is banged up and so is Kellen Winslow. But Winslow is a soldier! But at least Houshmandzadeh is playing.
This may come down to Chris Henry versus Donte Stallworth—a dream matchup that no one could ever imagine. Who do you go with here? The guy with the rap sheet longer than most Christmas lists or the guy who thinks his brain is inhabited by a Martian.
I got it. Oregon State alum Derek Anderson says go with my fellow alumni Johnson and Houshmandzadeh over Edwards. Why, because Anderson hates Michigan, too? No, because they don’t drop the football when it is thrown to them.
Advantage: BENGALS
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Browns have a guy, Kevin Shaffer, who I call “The Human Parking Cone” (HPC) because putting a parking cone at right tackle would do just as good of a job. Rex Hadnot has a beard. Hank Fraley is fat. Joe Thomas is better that Levi Jones. But Browns NT Shaun Rogers might eat Bengals center Eric Ghiaciuc.
Advantage: BROWNS
DEFENSIVE LINE
Did I mention Sean Rogers might eat Eric Ghiaciuc? Carson Palmer said that Shaun Smith looks like the hamburglar when he wore the Bengals’ striped uniform, which is awesome! I’m stopping right there. I’ve seen enough.
Advantage: BROWNS
LINEBACKERS
I don’t know who plays LB for Cincinnati, but I do know that other than D’Qwell Jackson no other LBs play for Cleveland.
Advantage: BENGALS
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Michigan alum Leon Hall is playing corner for the Bengals. Browns fans don’t like him… because he plays for the Bengals. Former Brown Chris Crocker returns to Cleveland for the first time since being traded.
Brandon McDonald set a team record for most interception yards in a game and the greatest back flip into the end zone when you team is still down by 20 points. You stay classy, B-Mac!
Advantage: BENGALS
SPECIAL TEAMS
Shayne Graham has red hair. Phil Dawson might be the best player on the Browns and he’s the freaking kicker. Plus his wife is hot, can sing the national anthem, and was a cheerleader at the University of Texas.
Dave Zastudil is having knee problems and the Browns’ apparently have a “secret punter” on call in case he can not punt. Please God let it be Scott Player and his awesome 50-year-old man porno-mustache!
Oh wait, Josh Cribbs, duh.
Advantage: BROWNS
COACHING
Marvin Lewis has floundered at the helm of the Bengals but owner Mike Brown isn’t going to fire him in this economy. Plus, he is just trying to ruin his father’s name more than the Browns are currently trying to do.
Browns fans are just happy that Romeo Crennel remembers to wear pants on the sidelines, let alone make decisions on challenges, field goals, and personnel. Would it surprise you to see Romeo enjoying a nice, cool mojito and about four pizzas on the sidelines on Sunday?
It’s as if he is Leslie Nielsen as Lt. Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun...
“The attempt on Nordberg's life left me shaken and disturbed, and all the questions kept coming up over and over again, like bubbles in a case of club soda. Who was this character in the hospital? And why was he trying to kill Nordberg? And for whom?
"Did Ludwig lie to me? I didn't have any proof, but somehow, I didn't entirely trust him either. Why was the 'I Luv You' not listed in Ludwig's records? And if it was, did he know about it? And if he didn't, who did? And where the hell was I?”
But more like...
The attempt on Nordberg's life left me shaken and disturbed, and all the questions kept coming up over and over again, like bubbles in a case of club soda. Who was this staph infection in the hospital?
And why was he trying to kill Kellen Winslow? And for whom? Did Phil Savage lie to me? I didn't have any proof, but somehow, I didn't entirely trust him either. Why was the 'Brady Quinn' not listed in my roster records? And if he was, did I know about it? And if I didn't, who did? And where the hell was I?
Advantage: PUSH
Well, shoot I have no clue about this one folks. That is how colossal this matchup of two NFL titans is. It truly is the proverbial irresistible force versus the immovable object. But something has to got to give in the 71st Battle of Ohio...well unless they tie.
Are the Cleveland Browns' RB Answers Already in Cleveland?
As the Browns stumble towards the finish in 2008, many personnel questions are up in the air for 2009. Who is going to play linebacker other than D’Qwell Jackson? Should strong safety Sean Jones resign? Can Joe Jurevicius come back from a seventh knee surgery? The Browns have some talent but they also have some awfully large gaps to fill.
One position that is also often talked about is running back. Workhorse Jamal Lewis will hit the dreaded 30-year-old mark for running backs in 2009. It has looked like that unwritten guideline for running backs is holding true with him as well as this year he has been a step slow to holes, lacks an initial burst off the snap and often tip-toes to line instead of hitting it full bore.
His stat lines from 2007 and 2008 also tell a similar tale:
2007 – 298 Rushes, 1,304 Yards, 4.4 Average, 9 TD (16 games)
2008 - 240 Rushes, 832 Yards, 3.5 Average, 4 TD (through 14 games)
Lewis, the coaching staff, and GM Phil Savage all say that Lewis has been battling through a number of nagging injuries all season. While it is noble that Lewis is playing hurt through this dismal Browns season, the signs of deterioration cannot be ignored.
The knee-jerk reaction is to go out and grab a Knowshon Moreno type in the first round of the 2009 draft or pick up a young, free agent—a la Michael Bush—to fill the hole.
However, the Browns have many more significant holes to fill, especially on defense, which they desperately need to address on draft day. Also, when Michael Bush is one of the headlines in the crop of free agent running backs, that crop is not deep at all.
One intriguing possibility is a three-headed monster.
Lewis, while having a lot of wear on his tires, can be effective in certain situations if used properly. See Jerome Bettis’ final few years in Pittsburgh as a reference. Think 15 to 20 touches a game with a focus on short yardage and wearing the opposing defense down when it counts.
Mix in a little Jerome Harrison. Now, Harrison may be somewhat undersized, but that has been said about many running backs before him. The quick, shifty, scat-back can come in and take the hand-off off the edge and can break it at any time. He also can be a weapon in the short passing and screen game, something that the bigger Lewis often struggles with.
The final piece of the puzzle is Josh Cribbs. Yes, Cribbs is one of the best special-teams players and returners in the NFL and the Browns can not afford to lose him there. However, he has such big play ability he warrants around ten touches a game.
While currently classified as a receiver, Cribbs was a quarterback at Kent State. Many pro scouts actually saw him as a running back at the next level, not a wide receiver. As a receiver, Cribbs has had a minimal impact on the Browns. His route running is not crisp and he seems to struggle without the ball in his hands right away.
However, the few glimpses we have seen of Cribbs in the “Flash Package” have shown he is more than capable as an NFL runner. Using him in the role of a “third-down back” gets him the ball in his hands right away and he would not be a liability in pass blocking as he has already proven his toughness on special teams.
So while the Browns have plenty of holes to fill in the 2009 off season they just may have the pieces in place to fill the running back void already. It may take a little bit of chicanery and a pinch of tomfoolery, but that’s what good organizations do to win football games.
One position that is also often talked about is running back. Workhorse Jamal Lewis will hit the dreaded 30-year-old mark for running backs in 2009. It has looked like that unwritten guideline for running backs is holding true with him as well as this year he has been a step slow to holes, lacks an initial burst off the snap and often tip-toes to line instead of hitting it full bore.
His stat lines from 2007 and 2008 also tell a similar tale:
2007 – 298 Rushes, 1,304 Yards, 4.4 Average, 9 TD (16 games)
2008 - 240 Rushes, 832 Yards, 3.5 Average, 4 TD (through 14 games)
Lewis, the coaching staff, and GM Phil Savage all say that Lewis has been battling through a number of nagging injuries all season. While it is noble that Lewis is playing hurt through this dismal Browns season, the signs of deterioration cannot be ignored.
The knee-jerk reaction is to go out and grab a Knowshon Moreno type in the first round of the 2009 draft or pick up a young, free agent—a la Michael Bush—to fill the hole.
However, the Browns have many more significant holes to fill, especially on defense, which they desperately need to address on draft day. Also, when Michael Bush is one of the headlines in the crop of free agent running backs, that crop is not deep at all.
One intriguing possibility is a three-headed monster.
Lewis, while having a lot of wear on his tires, can be effective in certain situations if used properly. See Jerome Bettis’ final few years in Pittsburgh as a reference. Think 15 to 20 touches a game with a focus on short yardage and wearing the opposing defense down when it counts.
Mix in a little Jerome Harrison. Now, Harrison may be somewhat undersized, but that has been said about many running backs before him. The quick, shifty, scat-back can come in and take the hand-off off the edge and can break it at any time. He also can be a weapon in the short passing and screen game, something that the bigger Lewis often struggles with.
The final piece of the puzzle is Josh Cribbs. Yes, Cribbs is one of the best special-teams players and returners in the NFL and the Browns can not afford to lose him there. However, he has such big play ability he warrants around ten touches a game.
While currently classified as a receiver, Cribbs was a quarterback at Kent State. Many pro scouts actually saw him as a running back at the next level, not a wide receiver. As a receiver, Cribbs has had a minimal impact on the Browns. His route running is not crisp and he seems to struggle without the ball in his hands right away.
However, the few glimpses we have seen of Cribbs in the “Flash Package” have shown he is more than capable as an NFL runner. Using him in the role of a “third-down back” gets him the ball in his hands right away and he would not be a liability in pass blocking as he has already proven his toughness on special teams.
So while the Browns have plenty of holes to fill in the 2009 off season they just may have the pieces in place to fill the running back void already. It may take a little bit of chicanery and a pinch of tomfoolery, but that’s what good organizations do to win football games.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Browns-Bengals: A Brief History of a Rivalry Ruined
It once was a rivalry of great pride for the state of Ohio and both cities. Cleveland, situated on Lake Erie in the northeast, Cincinnati situated on the Ohio River in the southwest.
Both teams’ initials matching those of their common founder Paul Brown. Both teams’ using orange as a secondary color as homage to Brown’s beloved Massillon Tigers.
The Bengals came into existence when Brown was fired from the team that bore his name by Art Modell. Brown responded by founding the Bengals shortly thereafter in 1968 and an instant rivalry was born, founded on the hatred between the two men. The rivalry hit its peak in the 1980s when both teams were perennially battling for play-off positioning.
The rivalry began to deteriorate in the 1990s when Paul Brown’s sons, led by Mike, took over the day to day operations of the team. The Bengals embarked on a downward spiral that they still have not come out of today. Their focus on money, namely not spending it, has held them back and makes them a laughingstock of an organization.
Of all the NFL franchises, they put the least amount of money into college and free agent scouting. This has resulted in an inordinate amount of off the field transgressions by their players.
It also handcuffs them in the front office as the fail to make personnel changes in the coaching and management offices in fear of having to pay salaries in full while also paying those who would take over.
This resulted in a 52-108 record in the 1990s and a 54-74 record from 200 to 2007. The Bengals only made two play-off appearances in that time, 1990 and 2005.
While the Browns feasted on the Bengals in the 1990s, that dominance was short lived. Not because of action on the field but those off it.
Modell ran his businesses into the ground financially and faced personal bankruptcy. To avoid it, Modell moved the Browns franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore after the 1995 season. The city of Cleveland fought to keep the name, history and colors of the team while Modell was in essence granted a new team and clean slate in Baltimore.
Cleveland waited for three years for the Browns to return in 1999, but the expansion form of the Browns look nothing like its glorious history. Dealt a bad hand by the NFL who awarded ownership to Al Lerner with little time to prep for 1999 the Browns suffered their worst seasons in team history in 1999 and 2000.
Lerner passed away and his son, Randy, took over the reigns. The Browns have had three regimes in the ten years the team has been under their watch and has produced only two winning seasons (2002, 2007) and one play-off appearance (2007) under their watch.
In five of the last six seasons, the Browns have accumulated ten or more losses. It is, by far, the worst ten year span in team history. The team faces a fourth possible “reboot” under the Lerner Family after the team fell from 10-6 last year to 4-10 this season.
The teams have met 70 times, with each franchise winning 35. Fitting for two teams that share the same state and the same founder. Disappointing, in that both teams have tarnished the image and legacy of that man, Paul Brown, by running their franchises into the ground both on the field and off it.
Until Mike Brown and Randy Lerner figure out how to turn their respective teams around, the Bengals and the Browns will continue to flounder, and a once proud rivalry will continue to be ruined.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Browns Table: Monday Night Masochism
Welcome to The Browns Table, a season-long look at the 2008 season for the Cleveland Browns from the point of view of the Browns fans here on Bleacher Report.This discussion is not just meant for the contributing Browns fans. Please feel free to comment on any of the questions or any of our answers below.
We welcome any comments and an open discussion about the Browns below. If you would like a seat at the table leave me a note on my profile and we will try and get you in the rotation.
As always thanks to Browns fans John Arend and Samantha Bunten for their contributions this week.
The guys and gals touch on the Browns’ offensive woes, Braylon Scissor-Hands, Sean Jones’ future, Phil Dawson’s legacy and the upcoming “Battle of Ohio.”.
It may be painful, but let’s talk Browns football…
The offense has been struggling all season and continues to do so under third string QB Ken Dorsey. Do you see this team putting up an offensive touchdown in the final two games?
John Arend:
There are only two situations I foresee the offense scoring a touchdown in the remaining games. First, if they can get a rhythm going against the Bengals horrid defense, they might be able to play with some confidence and actually find the endzone. Second, if Romeo finally just says "screw it" and puts in players like Rucker, Steptoe, Cribbs, et al as starters and sends a message to the real first string team. This might make them think they actually have to work to keep their jobs.
Samantha Bunten:
If I recall correctly, the last time the Browns scored an offensive touchdown was in week 11 against the Bills. That was a very, very long time ago. Playing the odds (and considering they have Cincinnati coming next), you have to assume they'll get one more before their 2008 season mercifully comes to a close. I think it pretty much sums up how our season has gone: we're all sitting here wondering if the Browns can score just one single touchdown in the next two weeks, giving them a grand total of well...one touchdown, during the last 6 games of the season. Yikes.
Jeff Smirnoff:
They have a shot versus Cincinnati but no way in Pittsburgh. I honestly don’t seeing them putting into the endzone in either game. I expect Phil Dawson to be very, very busy kicking field goals.
Braylon Edwards caught the ball all night, including a couple of great grabs. Why do you think he has struggled all season?
John Arend:
I'm hearing a tune in my head right now. You know, the beat Vanilla Ice stole for "Ice Ice Baby" That's right, "Under Pressure." I have a feeling Braylon Edwards heard this song all season until it didn't matter if the team won or lost. Go back and look at all of his drops... Now go back and look at all of his catches... I'm willing to bet that it’s a pretty clear split between crucial and unimportant downs.
Samantha Bunten:
If Edwards could ever get his head and his hands on the field at the same time for a few weeks in a row, he would probably be fine. Edwards has the talent, I'm just not sure he has the drive or the willingness to fine tune his fundamentals to ever be consistently successful. Edwards needs to get over his fear of getting hit. He needs to concentrate, clean up his footwork, and most importantly, follow through on each play from beginning to end. Edwards can't hold onto the ball because his mind is already halfway down the field with it before he's made the catch. Until he can sync up his brain and his hands in the exact moment he's posed to make the grab, he will continue to look lazy, arrogant, and inept.
Jeff Smirnoff:
Lack of focus, weak mental character and the heel injury in camp. The injury just totally put him out of sync and off to a bad start. Then when he struggled because he has trouble dealing with adversity he struggled. He was unable to get focused on a week to week basis and it has shown in his up and down performances. He’s always going to drop a few balls but the staggering numbers this season are do to it being in his head. If he can become mentally tough I can see his drops decreasing significantly.
The defense struggled but Sean Jones and Brandon McDonald came up with big interceptions. Sean Jones is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Do you feel the Browns need to make resigning him a priority?
John Arend:
This is a tough one... From a strictly leadership standpoint, I want him on the team to keep things consistent. From a talent standpoint, I'd love to keep him because he's best we've got. From an injury standpoint, I just he's playing at 100% if we do bring him back.
Samantha Bunten:
This team has so many problems that it is difficult to focus in on how much priority to place on one guy, at least at this point. Still, they have to start somewhere, and Jones has been a solid member of our defense, one of the few who consistently performed well. I would like to keep Jones around, but this will depend largely on what his demands are and what the team proposes to do after assessing what ALL of our needs are, and which are most pressing, during the off-season.
Jeff Smirnoff:
Over the previous tow seasons I thought Jones would develop into the impact safety (a la Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu) the Browns need. But after the beginning of the year when he had elective knee surgery while they were 0-3 and said he did it because he was a free agent after the year I began doubting that. If he stays for a reasonable deal, keep him. If he just wants to break the bank and take the money and run, let him go.
Phil Dawson broke the Browns’ single season record for field goals against Philadelphia. That obviously speaks volumes about the offense’s struggles. What does it tell you about Dawson?
John Arend:
Nothing we don't already know. His best season was obviously last year, because of the clutch kicks he made, however he seems to have more power in his leg this season. He set his career long this season, but he also missed a few kicks that some considered "chip-shots". I like Dawson he goes out and does his job. Maybe the rest of the team could learn something from him.
Samantha Bunten:
It tells us Dawson is the only guy on the team who is doing his job. Mostly though, as stated in the question, it tells us about the horrendous offense. I don't think anyone needed Dawson to set a record to realize that the Browns offense is about as bad as it gets, but numbers like these do an excellent job of providing quantitative proof that the offensive game is in shambles.
Jeff Smirnoff:
He is the most underrated kicker in the NFL right now. He is the fifth most accurate kicker in NFL history. He might be the great pure kicker in Browns’ history in terms of clutch-ness and consistency. I have said it before, he is the best player the Browns have had since their reincarnation and would be a Pro Bowler if he did not play with the Browns.
The Browns play Cincinnati in the final home game of the season. The Bengals are only 2-11-1 but are coming off a win versus Washington. Who do you have in the Battle of Ohio?
John Arend:
The battle of Ohio will be the battle of back-ups. This is funny because I also have a sinking feeling that it will be a high scoring affair. Not because the offenses involved will magically become spectacular, but because the defenses are horrible. Shoot-outs have occured twice in the past five years when these two teams meet. Each time the home team has won. So in keeping with the trend, I pick the Browns to come out on top and secure the all-important third place AFC North spot.
Samantha Bunten:
I predict a 12-12 tie. 4 field goals a piece.
Jeff Smirnoff:
I hate to say it but I have to go with the Bengals. They can actually score points on offense while the Browns can not. Their defense is just as bad as ours but has been playing well recently. With Dorsey under center I don’t see us exploiting any of their weaknesses. I see a 16-12 snooze-fest.
Eagles Beat Down Browns, 30-10
In an outcome that surprised no one the Cleveland Browns fell to the far superior Philadelphia Eagles, 30-10, on Monday Night Football. The Eagles outclassed the Browns from the opening drive and only their futility in the red zone and propensity for turnovers kept the score closer than it should have been.
The Eagles drove effortlessly down the field on their opening possession for a touchdown as Donovan McNabb converted two third downs on the drive. The first to Jason Avant for 21 yards and the second when he hit Kevin Curtis for the touchdown on a fade route in the right corner of the endzone and a 7-0 advantage.
The Browns came into the game without scoring a touchdown on their opening drive for 20 consecutive games. They made it 21 in a row, but were able to put a Phil Dawson field goal on the board, a single season Browns record thirtieth, for a 7-3 ballgame. It should have been 7-7, but Darnell Dinkins dropped a sure touchdown on 3rd and Goal on a perfectly timed crossing pattern.
The Eagles then took control from that point forward and were only held back by turnovers and inefficiency in the red zone. McNabb converted two more third down on the Eagles’ second drive but failed to convert a third inside the Browns ten and
The Browns were unable to answer and
But not to worry for the Eagles, as Ken Dorsey paid them back and then some as he threw an interception right into the arms of Asante Samuel. Samuel then dashed down the sideline for a touchdown that put the Eagles up 17-3.
After another Browns punt,
With nine seconds left in the half and no timeouts remaining, McNabb threw a quick pass to the left that Browns’ corner Brandon McDonald leapt up an snared one-handed, and raced down the sideline. Westbrook however hustled and caught him inside the five yard line to prevent the score. In the end it was the longest interception return not for a touchdown, 98 yards, in NFL history.
The score may have only been 17-3 but the first half stats showed how lopsided the game really was. The Eagles ran 39 plays to the Browns’ 22. Twenty-three of
The second half was no different that the first as the Browns were unable to generate anything on offense while the Eagles continued to drive without resistance but stall inside the 20. They put up two Akers field goals on their first two drives and added a touchdown when McNabb found Greg Lewis after another Dorsey interception.
The Browns added a gift touchdown late when Eagles’ back-up QB Kevin Kolb’s pass found McDonald and he wiggled his way 24 yards for a touchdown. Down 30-3 at that point McDonald took the classy rout into the endzone by doing a somersault into the endzone to cap the scoring for the night. It was the Browns first touchdown in a month.
Other than the interception, there were not a lot of positives for the Browns other than
The Romeo Crennel led Browns have their third 10 loss season in four years, and now must face the 2-11-1 Bengals who knocked off the Washington Redskins Sunday. This was supposed to be an easy win, even for the Browns, but now it looks like the Browns will have their work cut out for them this coming Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Browns O Line Underachieving in 2008
The Cleveland Browns sit at 4-9 staring down the barrel of a Monday night beatdown at the hands of the resurgent Philadelphia Eagles. Last year’s season of dreams has turned into a season of nightmares for fans on the Erie Shore. Many things have contributed to the Browns crash and burn in 2008.
It starts at the top with owner Randy Lerner’s hands-off approach while failing to put together an organization hierarchy capable of sustaining a winning atmosphere. Hand in hand with that, General Manager Phil Savage’s failure to define a direction and identity for the football team is just as culpable.
I have already rambled ad nauseam about Romeo Crennel’s shortcoming as a head coach. Derek Anderson’s meteoric drop to earth is just as responsible as the balls that Braylon Edwards drops on a weekly basis.
The Donte Stallworth signing, a defense that can not generate pressure on the opposing quarterback and the lack of an impact linebacker are also huge factor into this miserable Cleveland Browns season.
One factor that has been overlooked is the performance of the Browns’ offensive line throughout the season. After third string quarterback Ken Dorsey got the crap beat out of him against the Tennessee Titans last week it because obvious that this has been a sub-par year for the guys on the front line.
Losing Ryan Tucker to hip surgery early in the off-season started the problems. While not the premier name on the offensive line, Tucker may just be the glue that holds the unit together. A tackle most of his career, Tucker played right guard last year during the Browns’ offensive resurgence.
Tucker missed all of camp, the first four games of the year before playing in game five against the New York Giants. Unfortunately, he was lost for the season after one game due to a knee injury.
This put free agent signee Rex Hadnot and The Human Parking Cone (HPC) Kevin Shaffer as the right side of the Browns line. Both are road grader type of players and both have struggled mightily against the athletic defenses the Browns have faced this season. Hadnot is serviceable but is a step below Tucker in terms of performance.
HPC played left tackle two years ago and almost single handedly killed Charlie Frye in 2006. He was moved to right tackle when Joe Thomas was drafted in 2007 and performed well on the right side of the line. However, in 2008 the Shaffer has devolved into the HPC once again creating another issue for a sputtering offense.
The road graders on the right side of the line are contrasted by the finesse of the left side of the line, Thomas and Eric Steinbach. While physical, Thomas and Steinbach are much more athletic and excel in pass blocking and running plays that put them on the edge or in the open field. This creates some play-calling conundrums, and trends, as the Browns are handcuffed on which plays they can run to each side of the line.
Tying the two sides together is center Hank Fraley who saved the Browns in 2006 when they lost four centers in pre-season and training camp in rapid succession. Fraley was a crafty veteran acquired from the Eagles who has played very well in his two years in Cleveland.
2008 has been a different story as opposing defense have routinely blitzed up the middle with success. Fraley seems to have lost a step or is just have a very poor season. In either case, this has caused Dorsey, and Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn before him, to spend a lot of time under duress this year.
While their problems run much, much deeper the Browns can not ignore the drop in performance of their offensive line in 2008. In may not be the sole, or large, part of their disappointing record but it should not be ignored.
It starts at the top with owner Randy Lerner’s hands-off approach while failing to put together an organization hierarchy capable of sustaining a winning atmosphere. Hand in hand with that, General Manager Phil Savage’s failure to define a direction and identity for the football team is just as culpable.
I have already rambled ad nauseam about Romeo Crennel’s shortcoming as a head coach. Derek Anderson’s meteoric drop to earth is just as responsible as the balls that Braylon Edwards drops on a weekly basis.
The Donte Stallworth signing, a defense that can not generate pressure on the opposing quarterback and the lack of an impact linebacker are also huge factor into this miserable Cleveland Browns season.
One factor that has been overlooked is the performance of the Browns’ offensive line throughout the season. After third string quarterback Ken Dorsey got the crap beat out of him against the Tennessee Titans last week it because obvious that this has been a sub-par year for the guys on the front line.
Losing Ryan Tucker to hip surgery early in the off-season started the problems. While not the premier name on the offensive line, Tucker may just be the glue that holds the unit together. A tackle most of his career, Tucker played right guard last year during the Browns’ offensive resurgence.
Tucker missed all of camp, the first four games of the year before playing in game five against the New York Giants. Unfortunately, he was lost for the season after one game due to a knee injury.
This put free agent signee Rex Hadnot and The Human Parking Cone (HPC) Kevin Shaffer as the right side of the Browns line. Both are road grader type of players and both have struggled mightily against the athletic defenses the Browns have faced this season. Hadnot is serviceable but is a step below Tucker in terms of performance.
HPC played left tackle two years ago and almost single handedly killed Charlie Frye in 2006. He was moved to right tackle when Joe Thomas was drafted in 2007 and performed well on the right side of the line. However, in 2008 the Shaffer has devolved into the HPC once again creating another issue for a sputtering offense.
The road graders on the right side of the line are contrasted by the finesse of the left side of the line, Thomas and Eric Steinbach. While physical, Thomas and Steinbach are much more athletic and excel in pass blocking and running plays that put them on the edge or in the open field. This creates some play-calling conundrums, and trends, as the Browns are handcuffed on which plays they can run to each side of the line.
Tying the two sides together is center Hank Fraley who saved the Browns in 2006 when they lost four centers in pre-season and training camp in rapid succession. Fraley was a crafty veteran acquired from the Eagles who has played very well in his two years in Cleveland.
2008 has been a different story as opposing defense have routinely blitzed up the middle with success. Fraley seems to have lost a step or is just have a very poor season. In either case, this has caused Dorsey, and Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn before him, to spend a lot of time under duress this year.
While their problems run much, much deeper the Browns can not ignore the drop in performance of their offensive line in 2008. In may not be the sole, or large, part of their disappointing record but it should not be ignored.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Donte Stallworth Fined for Unnecessary Roughness... Really!
The NFL announced on Friday that Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth was fined $5,000, for unnecessary roughness, on an interception when he speared an opponent with his helmet.
Let me repeat that.
Donte' Stallworth was fined $5,000, also for unnecessary roughness.
The Donte' Stallworth who stepped on Braylon Edwards’ heel gashing Edwards and requiring him to need stitches… and almost came to tears talking about it? That Donte' Stallworth?
The Donte' Stallworth who missed the first four games of the regular season because he tweaked his hamstring in a walk-thru the day before the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys? That Donte' Stallworth?
The Donte' Stallworth who came up lame in warm-ups before the pivotal Week 9 game against the hated Baltimore Ravens? That Donte' Stallworth?
The Donte' Stallworth who believes his brain is inhabited by a Martian by the name of Nicco? That Donte' Stallworth?
The Donte' Stallworth who signed a seven year, $35 million contract with the Browns this off-season? The one who has produced a whopping 14 receptions for 141 yards and a lone touchdown? The one who has only played a full 16 game season in three of his seven seasons in the league? That Donte' Stallworth?
Dear NFL, I know you are trying to crack down on player conduct and unsportsmanlike play on the field but come on. Donte' Stallworth is, has and always will be soft.
If you are going to fine him for being unnecessarily rough than please fine the Browns for signing him and please fine the fans for having to watch him. Because fining Donte' Stallworth for unnecessary roughness may be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Myron Cope Passes Away
Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers color analyst, Myron Cope, passed away today in Mount Lebanon, PA. Known for inventing the dreaded "Terrible Towel", Cope announced on the Steelers radio broadcasts until 2004. He was 79.Going to school in Pittsburgh from 1995-1999 when the Browns left and went on hiatus, I came to appreciate the passion and joy Cope brought to a rival fan base. Unlike Chris Berman or Dick Vitale, Cope's joy and over-the-top outbursts were never premeditated or phony. It was genuine enthusiasm for a team he grew up with and worshiped.
Where it was his Subway "Myron's Cope's 6 Inch Kielbasa" commercials or the WDVE "Siegfried and Yoi" parody sketch (on who could ever replace the Roy of Siegfried and Roy) he was more than willing to poke a little fun at himself and not just opposing teams.
When you first heard him your initial reaction was "What the hell?" but the more you heard him the more he grew on you. Phrases like "Mmmm herr ha!" and "Yoi!" always made me laugh and it was something to smile about in a relative "blank period" for a die hard Browns fan.
I can't do him justice as a Browns fan so I'll keep it short. Condolences to the entire Cope family, the Steelers and the NFL. Everyone lost a good man today and there are too few of them around in this day and age.
RIP Myron
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)