Jeremy Hill: Browns didn’t do anything special
November 7, 2014The Legendary “Holy War” of 1993: A WFNY Oral History
November 7, 2014NFL pregame shows are the best, aren’t they? You have a handful of broadcast personalities surrounded by a bunch of former players, executives and coaches in oversized topcoats, discussing a game that’s about to take place though readily admitting that they have yet to watch a specific team play. Not long before former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner picks (along with the rest of his cohorts, mind you) the Cincinnati Bengals to win handedly over the Cleveland Browns, he admits have having not watched Brian Hoyer play. I don’t give the on-set folks much blame for their predictionsâthe Bengals were at home, a place they hadn’t lost in nearly two years, and the Browns were without much in the way of pass-catching weapons.
But it’s great when these types of admissions creep up. It’s even better when they get put to the test and the team that very few (save for ALL OF AMERICA, mind you) gave a remote chance not only wins, but dominates from opening kickoff to the final whistle.
WINNER: Brian Hoyer The Destroyer was more like The Ninja. Creeping out of the shadow, barraging the opposition with an array of play-action crossing routes and pin-point seam routes to tight ends, the Cleveland Browns quarterback excelled. He didn’t throw any touchdowns, but throughout the duration of the game it appeared as if he were always a step ahead. Hardly under duress, Hoyer often found his first option; when he didn’t, it was often due to a quality play from the Bengals defensive backs.
There were pre-game talks of this national televised Week 10 outing as being the beginning of a “referendum” on Hoyer’s future with the team. While we cannot use singular games as a snapshot of a career, this kid simply keeps winning football games thanks to largely mistake free play and top-flight leadership. Watching him go out of his way to hug and chat with Cincinnati’s defensive tackle Devon Still during his daughter’s mid-game ceremony was just another layer to the person that Hoyer is. He may not be the next Aaron Rodgers, but Brian Hoyer presently has a better passer rating than Matthew Stafford, Nick Foles and Cam Newtonâall players who were considered to be “franchise quarterbacks” heading into this season. Just saying.
WINNER: Buster Skrine Talk about a bounce-back. It’s amazing what can happen when a 5-foot-9-inch guy isn’t forced to cover a 6-foot-6-inch guy throughout an entire game, isn’t it? After being abused in the team’s win over Tampa Bay, Skrine came back to allow just two receptions on nine balls thrown in his direction. And while his opponents caught two passes, so did he, including this beautiful, full-out, over-the-shoulder pick.
The awareness is one thing. For a guy of Skrine’s size to be able to haul in that ball and maintain possession with a larger, presumably stronger individual trying to pry it away while the officials sort out the situation, that’s another. Everyone knew AJ Green and Joe Haden would be a match-up to watch. Props to Skrine for quietly shutting down Mohamed Sanu (one catch, two yards) on the other side.
LOSER: Greg Little Speaking of larger, presumably stronger individuals, Greg Little came into this game with a chip on his shoulder. Someone was going to pay, we were told. What did Little do? Well, he hauled in one pass on the day, totaling eight yards in addition to committing a 15-yard penalty. So while he didn’t drop a pass (shocker, right?), he provided a net of negative seven yards on the evening. Someone indeed paidâit just happened to be his own team.
LOSER:Â Andy Dalton Three interceptions with a passer rating of 2.0. There’s really not much I can add here aside from the fact that I’m glad he’s on the other team and that he’s still due a boat load of money.
WINNER: Desmond Bryant While the game was in-hand from a scoring standpoint, the Bengals were in the midst of actually moving the ball before the Browns’ bruising defensive lineman took over. Watch here as Bryant, in his first of two-straight sacks, runs a perfectly executed out-and-in move to get directly into the pocket, leaving the right tackle in his dust.
The second of the two sacks saw Bryant line up directly over the center who didn’t stand a chance. This was easily Bryant’s best game of the year.
LOSER: Jim Leonhard For all of the good that’s happened, the Browns’ punt return game woes continue. Josh Cribbs may not be the answer, and Ray Farmer can laugh the discussion off all he wants, but this unit has been a pain point all season long. Leonard may be able to catch punts, but for situations that require a return, the team has to figure something out if they want to eliminate any chance of a momentum-shifting play. They’re lucky the Bengals were awful or that fumble could’ve been costly.
WINNER: Joe Thomas Is there a more underappreciated player in the league? The Browns are 6-3 and fans want to talk Hoyer and Tashaun Gipson and on down the line, but it’s the Browns’ left tackle who may be having the best season of all. Thomas was, once again, flawless throughout the entire contest. For the fourth time this season, Thomas didn’t allow a single pressure to occur from his quarterback’s blind side. And the Browns’ running game (more later)? That was hugely impacted by Thomas’ ability to set up cut-back lanes for Terrance West and company. The guy is simply incredible.
WINNER: Joe Haden He may not be yanking down interceptions like his fellow free safety, but Lockdown Joe has found a way to be in the right place at the right time for two consecutive weeks. Check out what may very well be the longest fumble I’ve ever seen.
Add in the fact that Haden limited AJ Green to just three catches (on six targets) for just 23 yards, and you have a guy that is more than earning his keep. It’s great to have him back after such a woeful start. He’s going to undoubtedly draw a fine for those awesome camouflage Pro Combat pants, but it’s money well spent after this one.
WINNER: Browns running game For the first time since Eric Metcalf, Earnest Byner and Leroy Hoard in 1994, the Cleveland Browns had three different running backs find the end zone. After weeks of wondering what the hell happened to this unit as a whole, the running game came out swinging. Combining for 48 carries, the trio of Ben Tate, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell tallied 169 yardsâall three managed to average at least 3.4 yards per carry. It was the model of a committee, each back getting the chance to shine, and each back doing just that.
PIZZA LUNCHABLES! Also, mad props to West who, after his nail-biting touchdown dive, provided us with one of the better shoulder shimmies that we’ve seen in quite some time.
Honorable mention: Paul Kruger, Phil Taylor, Craig Robertson, K’Waun Williams, Miles Austin, Gary Barnidge, and the entire Browns offensive line.
Happy First Place Friday, you guys. Enjoy it.
187 Comments
So did Times Square. And they just announced they’re raising prices. Jerks.
Danielson?
Savannah is at least 20 years behind the rest of the civilized world.
Maybe 30.
JORTS
#sonotcrow
Check yourself b4 you wreck yourself son!
He was more of a KR.
Winner Kruger – playing like a boss against run and pass. Loved when Cincy went to 3-steps and no-drops, the D-Line was batting balls down.
bangwagon lurker. j/k. feelz good.
In fairness, he got hung out to dry by Hoyer on that last concussion. If he doesn’t go all out he’s not “trying hard”. This is why you take the guaranteed money when you can.
THere is no reason to trade him at all. The idea is to have depth and competition at all places. Definitley agree.
I thought your post was outstanding, up until the part about Joe Banner giving Andy Reid a brazillian? I can’t scrub that image out of my head now (and btw Andy Reid is eating a meatball sub)
In all seriousness, Pettine was a find. He may have been a case of a blind Berean squirrel finding a nut…but my God, I’ll take it. He’s good the look of a coach. He’s got the demeanor. He’s got the men playing hard for him. He’s got them not just saying, but really living, the “next man up” philosophy. I still can’t believe with all the hands tied behind our backs (injuries and suspensions), he’s got us positioned squarely atop. Notwithstanding a few minor brain cramps on clock management and minor nits—OUT–effing–standing coaching job thus far.
good list.
I forgot to mention – and i don’t think anyone else has either – the screen pass to Ben Tate on 3rd and 2 from their own 11 yard line. It was a very important play at the time because of momentum and field position, even though it was 24-3. It was the play on which Tate got the 15-yard facemask penalty. It was an absolutely BRILLIANT call.
haha!!! LOVE IT!! JORTS!!
something inside of me tells me he really did make that video but he is just pretending he didnt
considering this is the Browns we are talking about, we can probably do this until the middle of next month…
Underrated great call: The 3rd and very long on which the Browns threw it about 7-8 yards and Austin (?) was barely tackled before the marker with effectively Benjamin and someone else screening for him at the first down marker. That was brilliant and while it didn’t work, it was incredibly close (and moved field position nicely).
Do you know the mechanics of a tag and trade? What does the “traded to” team end up with salary wise as they’re getting a guy who has a top tier tag salary? Does the “traded from” team get some kind of minimum trade value (draft pick) due to the tag?
And this appears to be his best year yet.
I’m also fond of Buster. I think because that little guy (“5’9”? riiight) can get beat like a drum and draws a PI penalty every game but never backs down and ends up making plays at some point. And, actually, I think he’s still improving a little.
as long as everyone agrees, there is (or at least used to be) a lot of wiggle room on what happens there. when we were considering tag & trading Derek Anderson, there were a lot of differing rumors of who was offering what (mostly between Miami & Dallas).
they won’t (IMO)
gonna wreck the league
Seems like this might come into play more for Hoyer than Cameron; more in return.
đ
It’s not polka, but…
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/media-center/videos/Browns-Insider-Cleveland-Browns-Fight-Song/a4eabc72-a995-4d40-ac24-1898ee330ad8
not sure they give Comeback Player to a guy who is establishing himself for the first time post-injury.
Ok one negative I took from this; LOSER: the browns blocking in the secondary. I wish I had the time to put together some gifs, but there were more than a few moments where a wide receiver made a snag, and then the other receivers threw very weak blocks or none at all. I remember specifically on a 3rd and 15 we threw it into coverage and either Gabriel or Benjamin was running after the catch and didn’t make it but could have if Austin would have thrown one decent block. Maybe its a philosophy thing on the part of the coaching staff (remain healthy its not worth losing a WR for a few yard gain??). But my relatively naive opinion would say the browns WR core could be helping each other a bit more downfield with YAK.
To steal from a Chris Berman / Chris Carter phrase…..Miles Austin….All he does is catch 1st downs !!!!!!
Seriously though….does Miles have any YAC at all this year??…..love how he always seems to know exactly how far to run that route…..don’t underestimate how important that is to us…
WINNER: Me. For accepting a free ticket to the game with pre-game field access.
For the long-time WFNYers, I’m still just so happy that we get to see both Jake Locker AND Ryan Mallet in the same season. Living the dream!
The Battle of Brady Backups!
Agree wholeheartedly. Given the atrocities at QB that Cleveland fans have been forced to watch these past 15 years, i still can’t figure out why a vocal portion of the fanbase isn’t on-board with this guy. He may not be a hall of famer but he’s no fluke either. Turns out there’s a place on winning teams for gutsy smart QB’s that make quick decisions and crisp throws.
Manziel’s time will come and he will eventually get his chance. Nothing is lost having him soak it all in and making him work his tail off to get what he wants…Steve Young and Aaron Rogers are great examples to follow.
>>>but I think they believe strongly in their scouting/evaluation and JM was and is their long term choice to man the helm.>>>
And that’s why they passed on him at 4. And 8?
If this team get’s QB play that wins 10 games this year, I don’t think they are going to change the QB for what’s behind door #22.
Yeah, that was bad..
And Chas Whitehurst is my go-to hope-for, so that’s a trifecta.
If they had other players rated higher does that negate that a subsequent QB could still be the future? Can he only be the future if he is rated as worth taking at 4 or 8? Given the wisdom of hindsight would you reject out of hand Roethlisberger, Flacco, Rodgers, Brady, Brees or Wilson because no team saw fit to select them in the top 10 if given the opportunity to hop in your way-back machine and change this teamâs fortunes?
You may be right in surmising that choosing him 22nd is indicative of a lack of certainty on their part of his future success but it seems counterintuitive that they would have given up assets to move up to secure his services if their confidence was so tepid.
I suppose weâll just have to wait and see.
Stranger things have happened. Not disagreeing, I’m in your camp; I want Hoyer to continue what he started assuming the rest of the season continues on its current trajectory. Nonetheless, stranger things have happened.
Atlanta finally has one excellent pizza – Antico Pizza Napolitano. Good Italian food is non existent.
I would kill for an Alesci’s to open anywhere here in Atlanta.