Open Thread: Browns vs. Broncos
November 6, 2008Golden Grady Sizemore
November 7, 2008Denver 34, Cleveland 30
It’s hard to put into words how horrible that loss was. I’ll give it a try.
There is blame to be spread around all over this one. Let’s start with the coaches shall we?
-The Broncos were not going to run the ball. Not in the second half. You knew this. The front 3 plus Wimbley or McGinest was not getting pressure on Cutler. None. One sack. One. They threw 45 times. 1 sack. Were we playing prevent defense all half? Or did we just slide into it after the ridiculous 90 yard TD debacle?
-Why was our best cover guy, Eric Wright, not lined up on Marshall the entire game? I know he didn’t really stop Royal either. Come to think of it, how many guys could cover Marshall and Royal for 10 seconds a snap?
-Why did the Browns have 2 time outs when the game ended? Perhaps one should have been used on the 4th down play? I don’t really think it would have made Winslow hang on to the ball, but perhaps since that first down was crucial…
-When the color man in the booth is calling out what the opposing team is going to do, (on Marshall’s TD) perhaps it should be that obvious to the defensive coordinator as well.
-Can someone tell me why we stopped giving the ball to Harrison? He averaged 9.5 yards a carry. Yeah, he was obviously too effective. Or maybe he was exhausted from playing 3 snaps on Sunday…
Don’t worry players, there is plenty of blame left for you!
-Can someone please learn how to tackle? Andre Davis that effort on Cutler made me sick. You came right up the gut, (one of the few ‘blitzes’ that didn’t involve Wimbley or McGinest), not a soul blocked you, and you grabbed a handful of nothing as Cutler sidestepped you. How about the 2 whiffs on Daniel Graham? What in the world was that? Sean Jones…fourth and 1, 7th string, rookie fullback stacked up in the backfield, and you bounce off his feet?
-I would have nearly felt bad had the Browns pulled this one out, because we got away with about 5 pass interference, or defensive holding penalties. You could have made a nice video of those for the league office. I suppose you were doing whatever you had to in order to stop, slow down the Broncos, not get burned as often.
-Does anyone on that sideline have any pride besides Winslow? I saw an awful lot of apathy when the Broncos scored. Seriously, I know you get paid either way, but some of us would much rather see the team win, as opposed to losing in consecutive games after leading by 2 TD’s.
One of the worst losses in recent memory. By the way, thanks NFL Network for the reminder about The Drive. Yeah, because we’ve all forgotten. I’m done. Your turn Cleveland…
52 Comments
my sources say i’s curtains for fat boy and at least one coordinator this week. next week at LATEST.
BQ was ok – winslow was great. braylon did what he normally does: not catch many balls. it was the D tonight that killed us – i call it our “puss rush”.
Winslow is not without fault though. He played like a man possessed but the fumble and 4th down drop (right through his hands!!!) were two key factors that lost us this game
Does anyone have a stat that tells us how many dropped interceptions Brandon McDonald has this year? He had 2 (maybe 3) today, and I know he has had a ton of dropped picks this year. The 2nd one hit him right in the hands. Sean Jones has taken a major step back this year, maybe he is playing hurt, or maybe he sucks. I’m leaning towards just sucks. He didn’t help out McDonald on that 90 yd touchdown (come to think of it, he was on anybody), and there is no excuse for not stopping that 4th down running play
I think Josh Cribbs has a lot of pride, you can see it in the way he plays. He never backs down and he is always looking to run people over. Every time he gets the ball I think he is taking it to the house. I must say though, the first time they ran the reverse with him was great, but usually you don’t run that play two times in the same possession. Maybe that is just me though
Yes, Cribbs had another excellent game. Tackling, returning, and on the few offensive plays he got in.
I have to give one hat tip to Josh Cribbs. That dude is a PLAYER. Seriously, were there any special teams tackles he DIDN’T make, in addition to some of his punishing kick returns? That kid has heart.
Rushing three, dropping eight into a static zone. You can’t give an NFL QB that much time on EVERY PLAY.
McDonald played the worst game I’ve seen an NFL CB play in at least a decade. Don’t forget he dropped an interception that hit him squarely in the hands!
Why, or why CAN WE NOT GET THE BALL THAT LAST INCH OVER THE GOAL LINE ON OFFENSE?? AND WHY OH WHY DO WE ALWAYS RUN THE SAME PLAY OVER RIGHT GUARD THAT NEVER EVER EVER WORKS AND ALWAYS GETS STACKED UP????? Bonus point for the toss sweep for minus-three yards earlier in the game.
Winslow had a great game, until he stopped having one. He killed three drives: PI penalty, fumble, 4th down play. All three of those were first downs, and honestly the roll-out pass to Edwards was a beautiful play. Up until I saw the laundry on the field.
I told my season ticket partner that if Romeo is the coach of this team tomorrow, I am done. Yes, the players played poorly, but the coach’s job is to put the players in the best possible positions to excel, and as Rick very astutely points out, it was an EPIC FAIL in that department.
I cannot recall seeing a Browns player have such a complete and utter embarassing, mind numbing performance in recent history like the game like Brandon McDonald. Not to say it is all his fault, Winslow shares a large chunk of the blame as well ( loved the effort but the penalty and fumble, not mention the ball right through his hands to end the game).
-First things first, Romeo is done. I will continue to love, but no longer watch, the Browns as long as he is head coach.
– Why in the HELL is Harrison not playing more? If he got some more snaps maybe Jamal wouldn’t looked so washed up.
– Yes, Jamal looks like he is at the end of his rope. Sure he’ll break a 15 yarder now and again, but christ it feels like the guy get the ball and falls 2 yards. He can’t be averaging more than 2.5 yards a carry.
– What the **** happened to Braylon Edwards? Guess last year was a fluke.
– I don’t even know where to begin on the defense. Its Shaun Rodgers, sometimes E Wright, and then a whole bunch of terrible. No excuses, the missed tackles and assaignments are embarassing. Is anyone more overrated than D’Quell Jackson? The guy tackles left and right but so did Wali Rainer, but its usually 7 or 8 yards past the line of scrimmage and includes him getting driven back.
-BOTTOM LINE- Romeo MUST go, the defense need overhauled, and Chud has the rest of the season to prove he can call a decent game again.
Well great field position given to us by Cribbs was wasted yet again. not a bad first game by Quinn, no mistakes really only a couple poorly thrown balls (one came in crunch time though) I would have like to see him take at least one or two shots down the field. K2 finally made some huge plays… too bad three of them helped out the broncos (fumble, penalty, and a huge drop right through the hands) I would have liked to see Stallworth and Harrison involved a little more in the second half… and no words for the poor tackling, and ZERO pressure…our old buddy Tim Couch would have carved up defenses with that much time to throw… and can someone tell me why our “big hitting” saftey Sean Jones has been getting Madden 08 truck sticked the last few weeks… horrible! Once again the Brownies cant close out a game AT HOME with a two score lead late in the game and no need to metion they were against the two most hated teams in Cleveland besides the squeelers… I’m sure Romeo will say “we didnt have enough energy to finish it off” maybe its just him with no energy after running around at halftime looking for the shortest snack line. O yea i think Cameron “giving us all he’s got” Wimbley got a sack today!! So of course now we dont need an elite pass rushing LB i this draft we have a gem in Wimbley… I really dont know how many times I can take this in one season. And we wonder why Cleveland is always getting strangled in the media… could it be that we CHOKE 99.5% of the time (Giants game was an execption). Hope Quinn can beat Buffalo Monday night…
James Walker over at ESPN seems to think that the Browns will evaluate the state of the organization over the next 10 days, starting with Romeo Crennel. I don’t think firing a head coach in the middle of a season accomplishes anything, even if Romeo is just awful. In my opinion, it would make it very hard on Brady to develop this year if we have a change in head coach because of all the added pressures and dilemmas he would have to deal with while working with an interim head coach. I don’t really know any advantage there is when you fire your head coach in the middle of the year, although I guess St. Louis is performing way better since they fired Linehan, so who knows. All I remember is when they fired Butch Davis the team wasn’t competitive for the rest of the year, and it was an embarrassment. Romeo obviously must go, but I would be ok with waiting until the season is over.
I’m not sure if it is too early to talk about this BUT….next years NFL draft is stocked with defensive talent — lineman, linebackers, defensive backs, you name it, there is high first round quality there. I would love Ray Malaluga, that dude is a beast, although Malcolm Jenkins wouldn’t be bad either. I guess I wouldn’t be mad if they drafted Michael Crabtree. Also should be some good value at RB in the 2nd and 3rd rounds
Reading the off season quotes it was clear that BQ was K2’s guy and DA was Faylon’s. Now you see why.
The Browns are a joke. Can’t fire fatso at midseason? Why not?, send a message to the whole team.
Yea the fumble was bad on k2 but the drop really wasn’t that bad. All the drop would have been was a first down. The loss is on the defense and the defense only. How bout ya’ll go sign deangelo hall who the raiders just cut? He a great player but he probably a headache since they just cut him. Linebackers are terrible except jackson and he just decent.
1. Firing Romeo will do two things: 1) it will make me feel better because at least someone’s head will have rolled for this debacle of a season; and 2) it would open up the possibility of interviewing and courting the next head coach, assuming that coach is currently unemployed (cough, Cowher, Marty).
2. I’m sorry but I want K2 out of here. I’m tired of his antics. All his “fire” and “passion” seem to piss people off and mess up what little chemistry this team has. I realize the guy has unreal talent but this team would be fine at tight end with Heiden and Rucker. I would move K2 while a team is still willing to give up some value for his 25 going on 65 body.
3. Quinn is clearly the future of the team. That being said, he has to be willing to throw the ball downfield. I don’t know how Denver can have 3’6 Dre Bly on Edwards all game and you never take a shot down the field….I realize that even if the ball was there, Edwards would have no chance of catching it but still….stretch the defense.
4. Chudzinski is as bad this season as he was good last season. The browns waste 25% of their snaps on crappy dive plays to Jamal Lewis. Run Harrison or hell, even Cribbs….Run someone with a little speed. Lewis can still pound the ball but he’s not a feature back anymore. Do what the rest of the NFL has already figured out and split the carries like say, Fred Taylor and MJD in Jacksonville.
5. Good investment in Donte’ Stallworth Phil Savage. You can never go wrong by investing tons of guaranteed money in a receiver who wasn’t even starting for his last team.
6. Dear Linebackers: Get a life. Sincerely, all Browns fans. I’m sorry but I don’t want to hear about how bad the corners are. You can’t cover anyone, let alone beasts like marshall and royal, with no pass rush. Wimbley and Jackson are atrocious. Davis has no athleticism. The whole unit is gross.
This team needs a new coach, possibly a new GM, and we just need to start all over again.
How can anyone consider blasting K2 for this game? It’s beyond ridiculous. 10 for 111 and 2 scores, and yet it’s HIS fault they lost? Nevermind that the secondary was an embarrassment or the linebacking corps being unable to tackle OR get pressure on the QB (the Davis miss was nauseating)–it’s clearly the fault of the guy WHO ACTUALLY MADE PLAYS. Point to the fumble all you want, but the defense made a heck of a play to strip it–hold the man up then attack the ball, that’s just good effort by well-coached players: something we don’t see often from defenders in brown and orange. Place the blame where it’s due–poor coaching and poor defense. Once again a heartless, gutless finish to a winnable game.
Amen to 100% of that Rick. I know Jamal Lewis is a team leader, and I’m not as high on Harrison as a lot of people are, but it was obvious he was a better matchup against Denver’s defense. He was able to actually make cuts and get outside. He had one HUGE drive…..and then he was never heard from again. Makes no sense at all.
As for Winslow, I have no problem giving him his fair share of the blame for the fumble and the drop, but I don’t get why everyone is so upset about the pass interference penalty. It was a borderline call at best. They were showing replays all night of our receivers and tight ends initiating contact with Broncos defenders and making picks for other receivers. We had a LOT of nice plays last night when guys did the exact same thing Winslow did, and just never got called for it.
While Winslow deserves about 10% of the blame for this loss, when you give up 13+ point leads in the 2nd half two games in a row, when you give up 447 yards passing, when you give up a 93 yard TD drive on ONE PLAY, when you drop about 5 interceptions, when you miss about 15 tackles, when you fail to get ANY pressure on the QB all game long, the VAST majority of this blame falls on the defense. Early in the season, the defense was playing pretty decent, but lately it has just been awful. It seems like whenever the offense improves, the defense goes backwards. That’s just poor coaching, and Romeo is as done as can be.
As for Brady, I was encouraged. He needs to learn when to put a little more touch on his passes, and his accuracy when he tries to throw lasers isn’t there yet, and he doesn’t look downfield much, but he kept us in that game. He made quick, smart decisions and hardly ever threw passes that could get us in trouble. DA is more of a gambler, and he holds on to the ball too long. I enjoyed having a QB who was getting the ball out so quick the Broncos had no chance of getting to him. Quinn showed GREAT pocket presence when the Broncos actually did get pressure on him, and he showed a Roethlisberger-esque ability to feel the pressure and side step out of the way of it. For a first career start, I couldn’t be much happier.
B-bo,
I agree K2 was not the problem in this game.
However, I question your bias as you conveniently forgot to mention the horrible drop on 4th and 1 that ended the game and the untimely PI penalty.
Maybe the Browns should take a page from the sage wisdom of Ron Burgandy:
“You know what I do when I’m in a existential funk? Buy suits!”
Brown’s field trip to the Men’s Warehouse! WOO! Honestly, this is so bad I’ve turned to humor for the rest of the season.
I have diabetes.
Sorry if this has been mentioned, but I heard a stat a couple of weeks ago that the Browns are like 11-1 or some really impressive number when Jamal gets 20 carries. Last two weeks…19 carries each. If we’d only have given him the ball one more time each game….should have, could have, didn’t.
All I want to know is WHAT THE @$&! goes on in the locker room at halftime?! We give up 10 points in the first half, and 21 in the 4th quarter?? Doesn’t Romeo know the 4th quarter is in fact still part of the game? Are they doing beer bongs in there and just coming out smashed? I’ve never seen a team so consistently break down in the second half like the Browns do. I know “Lockdown” McDonnald definately deserves some crap for getting burnt like he did, but on that 93 yard pass didn’t the sideline see him waving frantically as if to say “HEY HEY HEY THIS COVERAGE IS WHACK! SOMEONE HELP ME!!” ? I saw it, don’t you think that would have been a good place to use one of those 2 remaining timeouts to rethink that coverage scheme? I’m already catching crap from all the Bengals fans in the office, and its only 7:55! Not a good start to the weekend at all.
I think they’re trying to suck up all the bad Cleveland sports karma so the Cavs have an amazing season. Only thing that makes sense.
You know what, we may have lost but I feel good. You guys might as well realize that we are looking for progress now, and not W’s. I think Brady played a great game. You could tell that Brady took command of the huddle. When there was a dropped pass, he would go over and talk it out with that player, not mope around and look confused. I thought overall, other than the defense not being able to stop the local JV football team, it was a good night. We FINALLY got a glimpse into our future, at least at the QB position.
And what is up with this 2 td, no picks, above 50% completion, and this 104.3 passer rating? Doesn’t he know that isn’t allowed around these parts?…………oh wait…….it is??……….since when????
Hahaha Tron – the coverage is whack.
I’m gonna slip that one in to my normal conversation today.
@ “Jay Cutler”
So what? I do too. 😛
It was the horrible blown coverage and the receivers having a case of the dropsies that killed this game for us. BQ wasn’t perfect, but he looked like a seasoned veteran compared to the circus clowns with greasy palms trying to catch his passes. I can only remember about 2 or 3 BQ passes that weren’t on the money. I lost track of how many passes hit receivers in the hands but inexplicably the ball just squeaked out. Has it just been too long since the last time these receivers were thrown a short pass that they didn’t have to dive for (a la DA)? Were they just startled by BQ’s accuracy? Yeah K2 had two touchdowns and a bunch of receptions, but he choked like a fat kid at a buffet. The slow motion replay of that play was absurd. The ball comes in and hits him right in the hands. His hands even close onto the ball to grasp it. NO ONE is pulling on his arms or anything. and then for some reason, his hands open up again, and we know the rest. All we can do is pray the long week will give the receivers enough time to get used to BQ, then all he has to do is go undefeated the rest of the season. 🙂 unless the defense has something to say about it.
livid would be an understatement.
To me, this is a case of severe outcoaching. Last week, I could have written it off to our inability to move the ball. But two weeks in a row?
The other teams are making adjustments, and we are just closing our eyes and hoping for the best. Twice, blowing double-digit fourth quarter leads?? I agree that a mid-season canning won’t help matters much, but I don’t know what the answer is…
The sad reality is, there is no answer. This team is done. We have 7 weeks of meaningless football to look forward to, and nothing to work towards. The players are not playing for Crennel no matter how much they claim to “love” him. He’s a lame duck coach now, and there are going to be massive changes. That’s right, we went from 10-6 and on the verge of the playoffs to a full rebuilding mode in one season.
I know everyone is calling for Cowher, but I want Marty back. Look at what happened to the Chargers after he left there. They’ve never been the same. I know, I know, “but Marty can’t win in the playoffs.” I don’t care. Playoffs? We’re talking about playoffs? I would freaking LOVE our problem to be that we can’t win in the playoffs. But 1 playoff appearance in 10 years? That is flat out UNACCEPTABLE for the Cleveland Browns. I’m sick of this feeling. This was once a PROUD franchise. We were a franchise that mattered to the NFL. This has to stop. This losing, this apathy, this whole culture of no accountability. It has to go. It’s time for someone to bring back the Cleveland Browns franchise.
I’ve had a few hours of sleep and some coffee, and I wanted to follow up with a couple of things.
1) I was NOT blaming Winslow for the loss in my #4 reply. Winslow walked off the field after the 4th down drop with his head in his hands. Had it been Edwards I don’t think he would have cared all that much, because hey, he was still getting his check. Winslow was a beast, but he had three unfortunate plays that contributed largely to the offense not being able to continue scoring in the second half.
2) Quinn. Here’s what I thought: he didn’t go downfield, as has been discussed here, but I thought he was effective. The issue I noticed most was that anything involving a timing route (i.e., throw to a spot, knowing the receiver will be there) was a bit out of synch; to be expected, given his one full practice with the first team this week. I remember specifically a throw to Winslow down by the goal line that was off target, and the two of them talking about it on the way off the field. HOWEVER, there wasn’t one pass that I remember thinking, “Oh God, that’s getting picked off” as it left his hand. Anderson is usually good for 3-4 of those per game when I get to watch in person at CBS.
Also, I like that Quinn is a little more athletic. I know he doesn’t have the great arm that Anderson has, but he seems to sense and elude pressure better. And, once out of the pocket, he moves faster. My friend pointed out that it’s not like the opposing D is ever going to have to put an LB spy on him, but he definitely moves better than DA.
The reason the Browns’ defense gets waxed in the second half is because they have zero depth. And the starters aren’t that talented. Does anyone actually think the Browns would have scored even, if Winslow catches the 4th down pass? There were only 40-50 seconds left in the game, and they weren’t even at mid-field. Based on the previous 3 plays it was obvious they weren’t getting into the endzone. BQ wasn’t given the opportunity to throw deep all game long. All but two of his passes were under 10 yards. READ it again. “All but two of his passes were under 10 yards.” The simplest play in the book, is drop back and throw it deep. He’s probably done it 10000 times since he picked up a football. Are Chuds deep passes too complicated for anyone except DA to execute?
Stupid Browns. Stupid Browns. Stupid Browns.
This was Quinn’s first game, the gameplan was structured to give him easy throws, not to have him throw bombs downfield. I expect to see more looks deep as the season progresses. And overall I was impressed w/ Quinn’s debut; he showed pocket presence, escapability, touch on the short pass, it was all good in my eyes. I’m so frustrated w/ this damn team otherwise…Quinn may be the only reason to watch the Browns for the rest of the season.
I think Winslow had the game of his life here…not only did he catch 2 TDs, 100+ yards, but he converted numerous 3rd downs into first downs. it was obvious that he was a safety net for Quinn.
and while i loved the game quinn played, winslow did bail him out on at least 2 verrrrrry low throws. no way Edwards catches those.
That being said, it doesn’t excuse the drop, and the fumble…but people who are saying he’s disruptive and “has too much fire????” is there a thing as too much???? i wish Braylon and B-Mac had that much fire…
Amen, Rock…there is a losing culture here…the team has no identity..it’s like we’re the AFC version of the Lions…the power structure is fractured and has been since Day one. It starts at the top…Lerner needs to sell the franchise bottom line. The Lerner family has been the one constant through all the GM/coaching changes. Randy has shown in the past (the Collins debacle for one example) that he’s not fit to be an NFL owner.
Nice game from Brady Quinn… he was extremely effective. Mixed game for Winslow… did some great things and did some not-so-great things. However, 30 points should have won that game for us so I’m not going to put an ounce of blame on the offense. Our defense was horrifying. We knew Denver was going to pass the ball and still couldn’t do a thing about it. The lack of pressure was so bad that Cutler simply sat in the pocket all game and had enough time to check through every one of his receiving options if he needed to. We need to pick up Brian Orakpo or Michael Johnson in next year’s draft. Or maybe we need a new defensive coordinator. Or both. I can’t believe we coughed up that game, and yet it’s all so familiar.
Hey I just had a positive thought about all this: since technically the Browns played and they are preparing for next week, isn’t our football week over which means can we get rid of that God aweful Ray Lewis picture??? =)
I agree with Tron. Let’s just make sure not to bet on any more games this year. I couldn’t stand to see a picture of Hines Ward or Worthlessburger for a week.
This is a very hard season to watch for Browns fans, but short term pain will yield long term gain. Quinn is the future and Crennel should be out the door. Both positives for the future if you ask me
Still blaming k2 huh? You guys do know that ya’ll would have got whacked without him right? Brady looked at k2 all 3 times on that final drive correct? Oh what was that? K2 had half the receptions of brady completions? Holy nutshell batman! I hope ya’ll trade winslow cuz ya’ll fans don’t deserve him. Its mind boggling that ya’ll team gave up 100 rushing yards to a team that had 14 yards rushing last week! Defense wins championships. Oh yea its not braylons fault that brady ain’t throw the ball deep to him so lay off him too. Blame the defense! They are who we thought they were!
That’s a lot of ‘ya’lls’.
a few thoughts about this game…
1. Quinn looked solid. Yes, he didn’t take any chances downfield, but then he didn’t need to. You could actually see him make his reads and move to the next target. So K2 was the one almost always open, better to throw to the open man then trying to force it and come away with a pick. You definitely saw a different offense out there under Quinn.
2. Keep Harrison in the game and stretch the field. Lewis is averaging about 2 yards a carry it seems and doesn’t have the power it looks like to run anyone over anymore. Harrison however made phenomenal moves, made plays, and moved the ball downfield.
3. After watching last night there is no doubt in my mind the person calling the defensive plays is Romeo. What we saw last night was what we’ve always seen under Romeo, a second half lead is squandered because of his prevent BS. I can understand Phil not wanting to fire Romeo right now, if they make Chud the Interm he’d want the job at the end or lose him and I don’t think they want to lose Chud. That is likely the only way Romeo stays as a coach.
4. Can we hire whoever is the wide receiver coach for the Broncos? It looks like they still coach the fundamentals as you could tell by a few of those fantastic catches. In fact, we should just go back to coaching fundamentals. Catching the football, tackling, not giving up on pursuit because you think teammates are going to make the tackle.
5. Yes, they picked on McDonald all night, but he’s still young and was there many times. What he should have done was call timeout when he realized he was all alone on the 93 yard TD. Know your coach sucks at time management and keep your lead.
6. We need more FOOTBALL PLAYERS, like Joshua Cribbs, like Wesley Woodyard from the Broncos. Guys who may not be the best athletically but who in college were the ones constantly making plays. Woodyard was a beast at Kentucky, his play alone should had made him a second or third round selection. His body size though is a tweener between linebacker and safety so he went undrafted. We started getting more players like that with Alex Hall and Beau Bell, we need to continue that.
7. Is this a contract year for Braylon? You know most people step their game up during a contract year. He may be wondering why he didn’t get the ball last night, all you need to do Braylon is look at the difference between you and those who did. Those who did got seperation, something you almost always fail to do. Oh, and I wasn’t sad when Dre Bly punch you in the crotch on the goaline, I don’t think any of Cleveland was.
8.Finally, we had one sack, we should have had about four but apparently breaking down to make a tackle is a fundamental we don’t teach as well.
The inability to tackle anyone was the worst since Raven Jamal Lewis set the record against them years ago. It is also the most telling thing I saw, because it showed that the defensive players, for what ever reason, just tried to “mail it in.” True, the talent is not there, but the lack of effort indicates they have no fear/respect for the coaching staff. This staff is done, and Savage had to see that from his box last night.
I usually agree there is little sense in switching head coaches in the middle of an NFL season, but letting the inmates run the asylum for the last 7 games could be toxic to the organization. Yo, Savage, time to pull the trigger. And this off-season, please no “highly respected coordinator” who the “players all love” with no head coaching experience.
Can’t fire a head coach midseason? The Rams did it, and it seemed to make at least some difference in a positive direction.
Have an issue that BQ isn’t throwing downfield? Well, who is he throwing to? Steptoe? Mr. I’m Barely Even Here Stallworth? McStoneHands? I’m all for spreading out the field, but find a receiver that can run a good route and then actually catch the ball first.
But, I’m still blaming the D for last nights game, including the coordinator. The inability to design an effective coverage scheme that doesn’t even have to take the run into consideration in ridiculously pathetic. You could do that with a highschool team.
I agree Eli, isn’t that what defenses try to do all the time- make a team one dimensional?
….maybe it is a good thing I don’t get NFL Network.
Anyone else think a split-back formation with Lewis and Harrison both in the backfield would be cool?
My “bias”? What am I, the media? The only thing I’m biased against is bad football, and this game was full of it–particularly on the defensive side. Blaming the K2 drop for the loss would be like blaming the lack of lifeboats for the sinking of the Titanic: it didn’t help the situation, but it didn’t cause it, either. The iceburg of last night’s game was the “defense”: getting burned for a 93-yard TD. Missing tackles and sacks left and right. Giving up a 4th down conversion when you have the chance to seal the game. So yes, I’m going to defend the guy who got us 2 touchdowns, 111 yards, and 10 catches.
The worst thing K2 did was take that penalty.. it was just being irresponsible on third down. but nonetheless can the browns D step up ever? 14 points to NYG and they havent been anywhere since.
I think the problem with this defense starts with Savage. For a 3-4 system to be effective you need talented linebackers. Period. What upgrade did we make at that position in the off season? None. While I think the acquisition of Shaun Rogers was wonderful, Savage needs to know that linebackers are the players that will make or break this defense.
It is also pathetic to think this front office threw such an inexperienced secondary together and expected it to last through the season. Not acquiring capable veteran presence for this secondary was not only unacceptable, it was setting them up to fail. McDonald has some huge potential, but he wasn’t even on the Brown’s radar last year until half way through the season!
wait… who won?
@Gregg- But if the coaches aren’t doing their job, meaning teaching the players, then even if we draft guys with talent and potential (Wimbley, Jackson) they aren’t going to improve…
@doug1121 – I realize they wanted Brady to “manage” the game, but that doesn’t mean you don’t try to go down field at least once each half to keep the opposing D honest.
@Rick- I totally agree. The coaches are just as much a part of this problem. It is just frustrating when it feels like this team is set up for failure.
DCBucks–Agreed..but it seems the perception here is that Quinn CHOSE not to go downfield more. He did quite well in the gameplan prepared for him…but I expect to see more downfield throws in the future. And anyway, it was the defense that lost us this game. I can’t blame K2 or Chad’s play calling when the D is giving up 93-yard TD bombs. That was one of the most ridiculously easy pitch-and-catch plays I’ve ever seen. Why the hell didn’t the Browns call timeout when McDonald was signaling he was all alone out there w/ Royal?