While We’re Waiting… Does the win over Baltimore signal something more?
November 4, 2013Latest BCS standings: Alabama, Florida State, Oregon and Ohio State in order
November 4, 2013Who caught your eye? Did someone stand out? Who blew it? That’s what were interested in this morning. Winners and losers.
For the first time in six seasons, the Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens. For fans and some of the older Browns like D’Qwell Jackson and Joe Thomas this one was a long time coming.
WINNER: Davone Bess. Call this one Davone’s redemption. Bess only caught three passes for 24 yards, but he made those most of those opportunities. Two touchdowns and a HUGE first down catch on fourth and one to keep the final drive going. (Is it me, or was that play eerily similar to the one against the Chiefs last week that he didn’t come up with?) Everyone in the locker room was happy for Bess, who handled his tough game last week like a pro.
WINNER: Greg Little. Little set a career mark with seven catches in the game for 122 yards. Despite a couple of mental mistakes with penalties, Little was a difference maker in this one. His first quarter catch in traffic was a magic act.
WINNER: Jason Campbell. Despite suffering a rib injury in the first half, Campbell made plays when he had to. He finished the game going 23 for 35, 262 yards passing and 20 yards rushing.
LOSER: Willis McGahee. The Browns running back rushed 21 times for 31 yards. The lack of a running game forced the Browns to throw the ball more than anyone wanted to on the final two drives. It worked out in this one. With the weather turning, my guess is the Browns will need the ability to run the football later in the season.
WINNER: Defense. The Browns got to Flacco five times in this one. They held Ray Rice to 17 yards on 11 carries. Outside of Marlon Brown, the Ravens weren’t able to do much offensively.
Alright. It’s your turn to sound off after a big Browns win.
64 Comments
Loser: Weeden. Forever and always.
Winner: 2nd place. It’s November and we are in 2nd place in the division. First time since 2007. Sure, our division is terrible this year, but the defending SB champs are currently choking on our dust. Now, let’s go chase down Cinci.
Also, one game behind the Jets for the final Wild Card spot. Hey Roger, it could happen.
Loved what I saw with Greg Little, I believe that was far above his best game with the Browns catches/yardage wise, but I cannot ignore the fact he gave back 30 yards with unsportsmanlike or taunting penalties. That stuff is so infuriating destroys offensive drives. The guy is a great athlete and his skills have improved every year, but it’s disturbing that he has not matured.
WINNER: Whatever magic glue they put on LIttle/Bess’s hands
– I’m not sure what was used, but keep using it until you’re caught.
WINNER: Secondary
– That secondary! In the first half especially. I think Owens had his best game as a Brown…maybe ever.
LOSER: Weeden
– Perhaps I’m projecting, but it looked like the team was sad when he had to come in. I’d like the Browns to pick up a 3rd QB during the bye week so that we never have to see Weeden again.
AND as much as I personally enjoyed it…
LOSER: Greg Little
– He was really fortunate those penalties didn’t hurt the team. While I think it’s hilarious that taunting is a penalty in the NFL, the delay of game helmet throw wasn’t something that should have happened.
UP:
– The premier of Greg Little ball hunger. First big catch was aggressively snatched from two defenders. Since he apparently does have hands, the basis of his probs rests inside that thick cranium. Very good, Einstein, now for lesson 2: grab the ball, not helmets, and shut your trap. Aggression is controllable, try it.
– Browns Tough: they are now matching up physically. Let’s not get so caught up in one game’s minutiae that we forget the defining characteristic of nearly all Ravens and Steeler games since ’99: as soon as they get serious we get punked and intimidated all over the field, dissolve to the 4th quarter camera shots of their RBs blasting up the middle play after play, their defenders woofing over our prone receivers and QBs and their 4th quarter sideline yuks in our stadium. I’ve been predicting that the stages of competing with these guys would probably go like this: 1) get a first win when they are shocked that our guys can hit too; 2) Win at home despite opponent being ready for our upgrades; 3) Play toe-to-toe, home or away, every game, believing you will win. Because of the drip-drip of upgrades on the lines – Thomas, Mack, Taylor, Sheard, Bryant, etc. – maybe we are entering stage 2.
DOWN (mild, very mild):
– Mingo at the point of attack. Young fella, your speed and motor will always put some stats on the sheet as you hunt guys down from behind. But the o-linemen have now seen enough tape that they know your 2 moves and you aren’t yet strong enough to bullrush any of them. Your first pro adjustment is at hand. Figure out a few countermoves or whatever. We know you’re better than Kameron Wimbley, but it’s your move.
– Leon McFadden: really? All they let you do at this point is play special teams and you still don’t know when you’re supposed to be on or off the field? Travis Wilson thinks you’re a third round bust.
– Browns FO: use the bi-week to sign a QB and a half-legit RB. Campbell is just a concussion, second rib shot or stuck cleat from making us watch Weeden throw another wrench in Norv’s machine. A TE as the only alternative is craziness. You have your Weeden answer, please don’t do that to us. And don’t care how McGahee reacts to a week-long rest, his tires have almost no tread. Go get a Ben Gay or somebody with enough maneuverability to get 3 yards most carries.
Taunting is a penalty in the NFL and apparently bullying is a serious problem in NFL locker rooms?
So it appears. =
MOOMMMMM HE’S TOUCHING ME. “You boys better behave or it’s no video games for a week!”
Winner: Greg Little, the man is seriously tough, and if he can show it consistently, he is the time of player Cleveland Loves
Loser: Greg Little, He needs to intimidate through his play and not pick up penalties. That is what the great ones do.
I completely agree on the last point. They need a back up QB desperately. The air went out of the team and out of Cleveland during the Weeden series. Thankfully, Campbell was okay.
I hate to be the guy who calls for people’s jobs because I would never want someone to do it to me, but Weeden should never take another snap in brown and orange (or white, depending on the uniforms).
Loser: The Baltimore Ravens. Damn, I loved writing that.
Winner: That Week 16 game vs the Jets, which (incredibly) has serious playoff implications.
Why even bring him up?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
1 downvote by Peter King!
anyone out there to pick up at QB?
Hey two pretty dominating home wins against division rivals is nothing to sneer at, even if the division is down.
WINNER: Chud. I love knowing that he doesn’t automatically think “kick it” every time a 4th down rolls around. You know he’s actually coaching rather than playing it safe by the book like Shurmur and almost everybody else does. (I promise not to second-guess him when the time comes that one of his gambles fails and costs us big.)
Semi-quasi-LOSERish: Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. Big weapons weren’t used much yesterday. Paul Brown used to say something like, If you’ve got a big gun, shoot it.
WINNER: Playoff hopes. It’s nice to be having mid-season games that matter for a change.
Probably have to go 7-1 the rest of the way to make the playoffs, maybe 6-2 with some tiebreakers going our way, but damn is it nice to be watching relevant football.
Sorry, two more quick Ups:
– Skrine and Haden: can’t remember a guy improving as quickly and dramatically as Skrine. Against mediocre receivers he now looks like a very decent #2 CB. He’s concentrating so fully on technique that I think he had 2 interceptions bounce off his back. He has good hands, and if he gets more comfortable those could be picks. Haden did not have penalty yesterday- first game this year?
-Chud: he’s a rookie coach who is not acting like one. Totally appears to know what he’s doing on the field and is imparting a philosophy into the team off of it. He has shot up the learning curve, so where is the Chud Love?
Hard to argue, Rick, with your assessments; but I will make one differentiation: I don’t consider McGahee a “loser.” He’s only doing what his legs can do, and I appreciate his drive. He just doesn’t have it anymore, and that’s too bad. That “loser” slot needs to go to the FO for not finding a better option.
And I can’t say enough how much I loved Bess pulling it together. That’s what a pro does.
Another winner: Kruger. I know he didn’t have a ton of “big” plays, but it’s obvious what he does to the outside of the offensive line and the run game. Love what he brings to the team, and I think he showed it yesterday. The front 7 has developed a collective personality and attitude that is fun to watch. It might be Horton, but I think it also has a lot to do with Kruger. When Mingo learns the ropes the combination of those guys with Sheard is going to be really hard for anyone to beat.
Nobody good. But then again, if they were good, they wouldn’t be out there. I think Thigpen is probably the best of the trash heap (unless you are one of those crazy Tebow-people).
Very true… actually, I wouldn’t mind having Thigpen at all. He’s had a slough of successful games for some really awful coaches.
I’m not a crazy Tebow person, but I’ve been thinking: If Campbell goes down (please, NO!), would we rather watch Weeden incomplete every pass and get sacked 10 times a game, or watch Tebow incomplete every pass, but break a couple of sacks and gain some yards with his feet? If those are my only 2 options, I’m going Tebow all day long.
Essentially, it comes down to this: At least Tebow has the eye of the tiger. (Another Rocky reference!) Weeden has the eye of . . . another nickname for a housecat . . . begins with “p” . . .
“… I’m going Tebow all day long.”
Aye, would there but be a way to unread words.
The words aren’t the problem. The problem is in your head. Consult your avatar.
Every team needs that narcissistic ego to get teams fired up. I wouldn’t mind letting Little be that guy from time to time.
Any one else think that Jason Campbell looks like Lionel Ricthie with that mustache?
I know it when I see it. And avatar is muy expensivo.
Ah, bringing a little Potter Stewart into the mix. I like it.
(There’s nothing funny in that sentence, is there?)
There’s actually only 7 games left for the Browns… bye week is this week. I’m not sure that 5-2 or even 4-3 won’t do the trick… depends on how things shake out. The Browns would seemingly be fighting with either the Jets, Chargers, Dolphins, or Titans for that final wild card spot and none of them look to be a better team than the Browns. Dolphins and Jets still play each other twice, so it’s probable that one knocks the other one out of contention. Hopefully it’s the Jets, and then the Browns manage to beat the Jets.
Wait why am I talking playoffs? Way too early to get my hopes up for that.
Yeah, I can’t count to 16 apparently…
Loser: Everybody in the division except us. And I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the last few minutes of the Steelers loss to the Patriots after our game ended. Thanks CBS!
Winner: my chances of seeing the Browns on TV in central Ohio during the second half of the season. (Booooo crappy internet stream!)
it’s a fair point. When neither can throw the ball, at least Tebow can move.
Also, we’ll all be spiritually healthier for it.
Or we could win the division. If Cincy continues to slide, I don’t think it’s unreasonable. I think they have a legitimate shot to win each of their final games but 2 (Bears, Patriots).
He also led a team that was not unlike the Browns are today (though they had a good RB) into the playoffs and victory over the Steelers. You never know . . .
You stop this Tebow talk right now, mister. We need a QB that can throw it to a receiver, not vaguely at him. If we want frustrating QB play, just put Weeden in.
We need to basically sweep the rest of the season – especially our divisional games. 10-6 may do it (which tells me we can lose to New England in December, but to no others), but we need to have the head-to-head against Cincy for it to matter.
Agreed… and I think they have a great shot to beat the Bears, their defense is miserable this year and the Browns get them at home.
Listen, I know you’re right. I need to stop. But I can’t. Those few seconds of Weedenball yesterday were enough for me to start fashioning a noose out of bedsheets. (“Hon, do you think 13 loops around the knot will be enough to snap my neck?” “Stop it, Garry, and make the bed.”)
If we don’t find another QB this week, well, well, well, SOMETHING!!!
All I know is that TEbow is available. It’s a name. He can play football. I’ve seen it; and I maintain that frustrating Tebow play would be much, much better than frustrating Weeden play. At least for my neck and those bedsheets.
(By the way, fitted sheets make really weird nooses.)
will only add one:
winner: dez bryant. good game for him!
Winners:
Joe Thomas and D’Qwell Jackson. The only two men in the organization who have suffered through this god awful losing streak. Good for them.
Losers:
Baltimore. For at least 2 weeks they are going to have to gaze into our big ole dawg butt every time they look up in the standings. Look out! it can get a little messy down there.
Cuttlefish and asparagus every night for dinner!
Eric Mangini feels you. Norv does not. Norv believes, strongly, in the rule changes and sleeker ball shape that encourage the forward pass. Norv says he made you think peripatetics like Hoyer and Campbell are viable starters, so give him a break. Norv says: not even Haslam bothers him with this stuff, either give him the benefit of the doubt or go root for Buffalo, or take the Nestea plunge with your bedsheet necklace. This is what Norv says.
WINNER: The Browns drafting consortium.
The more I see Campbell and Hoyer play, the less likely we’ll need to draft a QB with the 1st or 2nd round picks. Instead use those picks on a WR or RB.
You’re a really bad, bad counselor.
You heard it here, community. When ‘ol Garry is swinging from the ceiling fan, blame Harv. Or “Norv,” I guess.
Okay, so I’m starting to get really uncomfortable with this suicide talk. That stuff really impacts people. I’m sorry for bringing it up. It’s not funny.
Tell you what: You tell Norv to go find us a gunslinger, then. Tell Norv that the only requirement is that he must be better than Brandon Weeden. You tell him. Tell him!!
I think the Bears are beatable with Cutler out.
Zo, it zeems only one of us has a beef with Norv, no? Write Norv a letter. I dink dis is important.
No. Get a QB.
Jets have a pretty favorable schedule.