May 19, 2013

How Are the Browns Doing Compared to 2009?

October 28, 2010 by 20 Comments

It isn’t really any kind of a season milestone for the Browns other than the fact that they have hit their bye week and the news comes in a bit slower.  Still, seven games is a pretty good sample size to take a bit of stock to see just how the Browns are doing compared to what we saw a year ago.  Just from judging with your own eyes, you should know that what we are seeing is better.  Obviously it still isn’t good enough, but trust me when I tell you it is better.

First things first, the record this year is 2-5.  A year ago after seven games the Browns were 1-6 with their lone win coming in that horrendous 6-3 affair in Buffalo.  That game could also eventually be deemed the last meaningful game of Jamal Lewis’ career as he ran for over 100 yards.  Seeing as he didn’t catch on with anyone this season, I am guessing that will be the final 100+ yard game of Jamal Lewis’ career.  Speaking of rushing.

So far in 2010 the Browns have rushed for 708 yards compared with 680 the prior year.  The Browns had 173 yards rushing against the Ravens in 2010 and lost by a touchdown.  In 2009, the Browns rushed for 171 yards in that game against Buffalo that they won.  In 2010 the Browns have rushed for over 100 yards as a team 4 times, while in 2009 to this point it was only 2 times.

I know the passing game is still much-maligned here in Cleveland, and rightfully so.  The Browns have used three QBs in 2010 already which is certainly not according to their plans.  Also, the wide receivers still aren’t as much better as we might have hoped between Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie.  But between the new QBs, new tight end Ben Watson, some spots of Evan Moore, and some catches out of the backfield by Peyton Hillis, the Browns have been much improved through seven games.  The Browns have 438 passing yards more than what they had in 2009.   They have four games in which they have thrown for over 200 yards, compared with JUST ONE a year ago.  Again, I know 200 yards isn’t exactly an impressive milestone for a passing game.  Also, I know the Browns really didn’t show much with their 85 passing yards in their last win against New Orleans.  Make no mistake though, the passing game is 438 yards better up to this point.

So how about that defense?  The Browns’ defense has given up 416 fewer yards than a year ago.  They have given up 1 yard less in the passing game and 415 fewer yards in the running game.  The Browns defense has forced 12 turnovers so far in the 2010 season vs. 11 in 2009.  All in, it is hard to say that the Browns’ defense isn’t better overall.  Still, even with the upgraded secondary the Browns seem to be suffering from a lack of pass rush.  So far in 2010 the Browns have 13 sacks with Marcus Benard leading the way with 4.5 and Fujita following him with 3.5.  A year ago, the Browns had 12 sacks after seven games.  Not much change there.

So for the rest, here’s how it shakes out.  Opponents have scored about 5.3 fewer points per game so far.  The Browns have scored almost 6.6 points more per game than a year ago.  The Browns have 2.86 more first downs per game than they had in 2009.  They are gaining almost 67 yards more per contest, while giving up almost 60 fewer yards per game.  That is a 120+ yard swing from a season ago per game.

So, what you are seeing every week isn’t just your eyes playing tricks on you.  This team has a ways to go, but they are measurably improved on a year over year basis.

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  • brownsfan019

    Good to see, hopefully H&H are turning this horrendous mess since 1999 the right way finally.

  • Pale Dragon

    Eric Mangini has printed this article out and put it in his “Why I should keep my job” folder he’ll give to Holmgren at the end of the season.

  • 216in614

    no doubt they are doing better. what im most upset about is the new QB controversy?

    how can we be building for the future if mangini says all he cares about is putting the best quarterback out there to win the (current)game?

    we need to put the QB out there giving us the best chance to win many games over the long haul(and that is colt).

  • Chris

    Mangini has already proven to me he deserves another year at the helm. I’m very pleased h with our progress.

    I was wondering about sacks, I know our pressure on the QB has been pretty bad through the first part of the season. If not for a breakout game againts NO, we’d actually be behind last year’s total.

    I hope our defensive performance last week was the system finally “clicking”, and not just some fluke.

  • Anthony

    Give Mangini another year. I’m really interested to see what this guy can do with some real talent on the field. Get some WR’s and a pass rush and who knows what he can do.

    More important than anything is establishing some consistency and a system here in Cleveland. Imagine what it would be like to not have to change coaches/GM’s/coordinators regularly every 2-3 seasons. I hope we can establish an identity and stick with it.

    I’m more optimistic about the Browns than I have been in a long time. Believeland Baby!!!

  • just_another_matt

    Football outsiders has the DVOA for the total team at -5.5%…good for #20th in the NFL this year. Last year at season end, following a 5 game win streak, the team had a DVOA at -17.3%, good for 26th in the league. These metrics are adjusted for opposition strength. Any way you look at it, this team is better than a year ago.

    Mangini has created a team with very little upper tier playmakers that seem to be high motor, smart role players….which is exactly what he said he would do. To fire a guy you hired for this exact purpose seems illogical to say the least. Now….if we could please get a receiving corps….

  • ben

    I haven’t quit on the team yet. So that must means something good has been happening on the field.

  • REEPJP

    Also remember that we had who most people consider-ED a “top-tier” receiver the first part of last year and our passing game was as bad as it was. It’s debatable (although, not really) that he isn’t a top tier receiver in this league anymore, but there’s no denying that talent wise he was leaps and bounds better than anyone on the roster right now. The fact that our passing numbers are better is impressive.

  • Mark

    @ben – ha, nice!

  • J-Dub

    Like most, I’ve seen every minute of every game and without looking into any of the stats it’s easy to tell they are so much better than they were a year ago. They’re competing and I really do think that H and H have them on the right path. Six wins will still be an impressive total, but I highly doubt any team is looking forward to coming into Cleveland to play healthy Browns team in the second half of the year.

    It’s also fun to quote Mike Gundy and yell ‘I’m a man! I’m 40!’ every time Hillis makes a play.

  • http://serandez.blogspot.com Ezzie

    This team is remarkably improved, even if they are still losing most games.

    Also, let’s not forget that every team they’ve lost to is good:
    5-1 Pit, 5-2 Bal, 4-2 KC, 5-2 Atl, 4-2 TB. Unfortunately, they don’t get a break with NE, NYJ coming up.

    On the flip side, if they can build off this NO game and win against the Pats and/or Jets, is it outrageous to say they can make a run at the playoffs considering the relative ease of the 5 games after that? Or have I been a Browns’ fan for too long?

  • Harv 21

    Team is consistently playing hard, on both sides of the ball. So much easier to root for than a team with Braylon gesturing after every play and dropping most everything thrown toward him, or DA giving his “helmetspeaker ain’t working/what do I do” panicky gesture.

    Looks like guys are starting to understand their roles. Obviously they need skill position talent but one obvious thing they can do right now during the bye to help Colt survive: move Evan Moore to wideout and try him as a Dave Logan/Joe J.-type. Even if Moore doesn’t get much separation Colt has a nice touch -lob it deep and high and let him get it. He has 4 or 5 inches on every db and he can jump a little.

  • mgbode

    #14 scoring defense
    #28 scoring offense

    Defense (and STs) have been carrying the day. We can stop the run and we can run the ball as well. These are things Mangini has preached from day1 and he looks to be delivering.

    Also, we have twice as many wins from last year at this time. Do that again and we’re 4-3 next year :)

    (and honestly, we seem better than 2x as good as last year. no more Minny, Denver drubbings or the Buffalo embarrassment despite the win. Even the Baltimore game was terrible because they just got a small lead and bled the clock and we could do nothing about it)

  • Chris

    @13: It stands to reason that with some recieving talent we can more than double our improvement again. Right now our only strength is the run, and they barely have to protect against the pass. Get us some real receiving talent and see what Hillis can really do.

  • Nicky Z

    Definitely nice to see the positive stats! I’ve enjoyed watching the games this year, so that’s a step in the right direction!

    Here’s what scares me… If Delhomme’s healthy he’s going to start. IMO Delhomme has less to lose and more to gain by forcing the ball in an attempt to generate big plays than Colt McCoy. Colt understands that he’s a rookie and he’s not expected to do more than what he’s told, if he doesn’t turn the ball over he’s done well. Delhomme, on the other hand, is essentially playing to stay in the league, he HAS to make it look like he can still create big plays or he’s done after this year. I saw him forcing the ball ALOT in the short time he’s been on the field already.

  • C-Bus Kevin

    The team is obviously better. Despite his best efforts at times, Mangini has managed to turn the team into a respectable organization. This year, the Browns play the role of spoiler. Next year, it’ll be time to capitalize.

    Also, Delhomme should not play. I understand the “experience” he brings to the position, but at this point, I really do believe Colt gives the team the best chance to win. He’s mobile enough to get away from the rush, and he doesn’t force the big interception. Without Delhomme’s INT against TB, this team would probably be looking at 3-4 heading into the bye with a chance to sniff the postseason.

    And to Ezzie, I say “Playoffs!?!?!?!”

    /Jim Mora

  • BuckeyeDawg

    As crazy as it sounds, I’m not completely ready to abandon playoff talk yet. If they can split the NE/NYJ games, they would be 3-6 heading into a fairly favorable stretch of 4 games (@ JAX, CAR, @ MIA, @ BUF) Win 3 of those and they are at 6-7 with the three division games to close out the season. We know we can beat CIN, and the other two are rivalry games at home.

    It’s a long shot, but who knows? I’m happy with the progress, but I’m still annoyed by the fact that we are 2 “pick 6′s” away from being 4-3 right now.

  • http://serandez.blogspot.com Ezzie

    @C-Bus – Nice. :)

    @BuckeyeDawg – 9-7 wouldn’t get a playoff spot in the AFC, I think, unless it’s somehow a division win.

    I guess I should wait until they play these next two, then talk about it. :)

  • g money

    I think its hard for any browns fan to imagine a coach in there future. Its the one thing we haven’t had for a long time if Mangini doesn’t reach the playoffs till the 2013 season, is that to long to wait? Whats another three to five years. firing is the easy way out . Its when coaches have to stick around through the loosing years that give them the drive to fight back for the city and fans they let down. You can see it in there face, they age like a president and then you know they are doin serious work.

  • BuckeyeDawg

    Ezzie – you’re probably right, but a guy can dream, can’t he? Realistically, we would have to win out or maybe lose one to have a shot…very unlikely, but stranger things have happened…