ESPN: Final drive was a QBR killer
September 8, 2014Tribe sleepwalks through make-up tilt
September 8, 2014First-round draft pick Justin Gilbert may not be in a position to allow the game-winning drive to unfold come Week 2. In his post-mortem press conference on Monday afternoon, Browns head coach Mike Pettine stated that not only did he give the rookie cornerback too many snaps in Week 1, he may receive fewer of them come the team’s Home Opener against Drew Brees and the vaunted passing attack of the New Orleans Saints.
In the team’s loss to the Steelers, Gilbert played in 59 of the team’s 71 defensive snaps—good enough for sixth most of all Browns defenders. Of 87 cornerbacks to play during the NFL’s first weekend of the 2014 regular season, he ranked 80th (via Pro Football Focus), allowing 16.2 yards per completion. No completion, however, was worse than the final one of the game, Gilbert slipping on the grass and allowing Pittsburgh’s Markus Wheaton to gain 20 yards. The play lead to the Ben Roethlisberger spiking the football with the clock winding down, and Sean Suisham ultimately kicking a game-winning field goal.1
Interestingly enough, following the loss, Gilbert said that he learned nothing in the way of lessons from his first game as a pro.
“Everyone was aware what was going on,” Gilbert said. “We were all just trying to make a play. We’re letting the routes develop, but at the top of the route, I kind of slipped.
“I just got to play ball,” Gilbert said. “I know they’re going to come after me, so there’s nothing to learn from this game because I already knew what was going to happen.”
The Saints will come into town with tight end Jimmy Graham, and wide receivers Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks who combined to haul in 20 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown in their Week 1 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. It’s safe to expect third-year cornerback Buster Skrine to get extended time on the outside along with Aaron Berry, K’waun Williams and a possible activation of rookie Pierre Desir.
The Browns still have high expectations for Gilbert, and that they need to “walk the fine line” between not impacting his confidence and doing what’s best for the team. “Life in the NFL for a rookie cornerback can be tough,” Pettine said. “Not many come out and are special right away.”
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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
- For what it’s worth, one of the seven cornerbacks below Gilbert after the first week is teammate and All-Pro Joe Haden who was tagged with a 26.2-yard average and a touchdown, the busted play that wound up in the hands of wide receiver (and perpetual thorn) Antonio Brown. [↩]
18 Comments
I don’t read a whole lot substantively into his “I learned nothing.” He was responding to a what-did-you-learn question. As he showed in the preseason when he had to be dragged back to speak by a staffer, he’s not yet mature enough to face the media to talk about his failure. Even if he’s studying a lot of of film and working to improve this is a 22 year old who’s probably always been one of the best players on every field he’s ever stepped upon.
Welcome to the merciless NFL. Very few CBs start out great from their first game. This stuff will haunt him a little and then, hopefully, he’ll toughen up.
Gilbert was the classic embodiment of the (sadly familiar) phrase, “finding a way to lose.”
Everybody makes mistakes, but Jeez, he killed us. Not sure if him having a short memory would be a good thing. He might want to remember yesterday’s performance just to remind himself what not to do again. (Gaak, I just invoked the dreaded “learning experience.”)
Lot’s of carries for Crowell = Less plays for Gilbert.
Right?
😀
He’ll be back as soon as Buster plays back to his norm.
the guy relied on his athleticism in college to a fault. He has bad technique in a position where technique is paramount. I was a huge fan of his selection but now I’m worried that he won’t be able to outrun his hubris.
Booooooooooooooooooooo.
C’mon, he has played ONE game.
he looked poor in the preseason, too.
I’m not trying to trash him, i’m just being honest with my appraisal. The athletes in the NFL are superior, and only superior athletes can get away without using proper technique. The good – and even marginal – NFL wide receivers know how to exploit poor technique.
I’m not calling him Bustin Gilbert yet, and i REALLY REALLY hope i never have to, but he just looks lost. On every play.
This thread has Bode written all over it.
…waiting…
Why would you boo this secondary and this defense will be much better once Gilbert finds his legs and learns how to play like a pro?
Who?
I think you are reading way to much into his struggles way to much.
I boo because I’m not rooting for or expecting a player the Browns have invested two years into to “play back to his norm.” Also, I want any player who starts to start because he was the best player not because the guy in front of him wasn’t.
$hamrock finds that to be an acceptable answer. However, this defense will be better when Gilbert finally plays.
Wait, are you one of those sports guys who refers to himself in the third person?
$hamrock does not understand the words coming out of your mouth!
https://rheyofsunshine.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/tumblr_meyhmhybnz1rbq997-1.gif
The force is strong with this one! 😉