Jimmy Haslam sends stern message to “irresponsible” players
December 29, 2014What Connor Shaw’s performance taught us about Johnny Manziel
December 29, 2014The 2014 NFL season, at least the regular version, has come to an end. There were highs, there were lows. There was excitement, there was disappointment. There were winners and there were losers.
The lights have been turned on and Semisonic is blaring through the surround. Here’s the final round.
WINNER: Connor Shaw Let’s get this out of the way: Connor Shaw didn’t play well. His statistics were a mess, completing just 53 percent of his passes and failing to throw a touchdown. He was 1-for-9 under pressure, for Christ’s sake. But the kid went from the practice squad to starting an NFL football game against a perennial playoff contender, on the road, with very little in the way of weaponry.
Shaw won’t make anyone change their tune on the Browns and their need to find a quarterback, but the kid stood in their, took a few licks, and fell a quarter shy of being a hero. He may just be another name on the back of that Lakeside Avenue mannequin, but Connor Shaw did everything he was asked. I’m willing to grade him on a curve.
LOSER: Johnny Manziel Not helping the Browns’ first-round quarterback is the fact that Shaw produced a significantly better debut, on the road, against a tougher opponent, and with less at his disposal. I’m not mad about the alleged party—this stuff happens all the time—but I am disappointed in the fact that it was not more than a week ago that Manziel stood in front of his locker and told the fans that he was going to do what it takes to smooth his transition to the NFL and all of that 110 percent rhetoric. Being late for treatment is a really bad look. He’s officially on notice.
WINNER: Terrance West Welcome back, Terrance West. While the rest of his knucklehead teammates were off being knuckleheads, West had a hell of a week of practice and was able to reap the benefits against this hometown fans. Ninety-four yards (5.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown against the Ravens? Hell of a finale, kid.
LOSER: Josh Gordon I’d be shocked if this kid hasn’t played his final down as a member of the Cleveland Browns.
WINNER: Paul Kruger The first player to record double-digit sacks since Kamerion Wimbley back in 2006.
In addition to the sack, Kruger had three hurries and two stops. Sure, he had a few bust-type games, but pass-rushing ends will be hit or miss at times. THIS was the Paul Kruger the Browns thought they were getting a season ago. I’d hate to see where this defense would have been without him.
Bonus Paul Kruger Awesomeness:
WINNER: Joe Thomas Another season playing EVERY SINGLE SNAP. I fear that Thomas is going to be one of those players where fans have no idea what they have until it’s gone. Here’s hoping next season is finally the year he gets to the playoffs. Clock’s running out.
LOSER: Joe Haden Fresh off of that Pro Bowl recognition, Haden gave up another huge fourth-quarter pass to the Ravens in a game that was, at that point, very winnable.
WINNER: Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine Despite all of the calls for “accountability,” the Cleveland Browns will finally head into an offseason knowing who the general manager and head coach will be the following season. Both men, in their first year at their respective positions, had their wins as well as their shortcomings. As Craig laid out perfectly, this wasn’t Bill Cowher or Mike Tomlin taking over for their respective predecessor; it was two men jumping into one of the more toxic situations in the NFL. Continuity will be key. It’s now up to both Farmer and Pettine to improve off of their rookie season, just like many of the players whom were brought in under their collective watch.
LOSER: Browns fans Math is a funny thing. Had the Browns started 4-7 and finished 7-9, the city of Cleveland would be abuzz surrounding a team that is on the rise. Instead, they started 7-4 and the lost their final five games. The end result is the same, but the path taken was not the most desirable. The rest of the AFC North, once again, gets to play into January while the Browns, and their fans, are left looking forward to May. There are certainly some rays of hope to cling to, but man—that rope sure is slippery.
33 Comments
LOSER: JFF. You got outplayed by an UFA, who got NO starting reps all season. Practice or game. ZERO.
WINNER: West. Way to go out there show what you’ve got rather than pouting about last week. You and Crow are going to raise hell behind Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Greco and Bowie, next season.
LOSER: Gordon. Seriously, do you even care?
WINNER: The Connor Shaw Era. Hoped for more, but he still looked better than Manziel.
LOSER: “If you had told me in August that the Browns would finish 7-9, I’d be happy.”
WINNER: “If you had told me on Nov. 7 that the Browns would finish 7-9, I’d be very unhappy.”
LOSERS: The Apathy Brigade: Johnny Hangover, Josh Whatever, and Justin Goldbrick. In the immortal
words of Mike Singletary, “Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can’t do it. I want winners. I want people who want to win.”
WINNER: Merrill Hoge. Johnny just loaded another shell in the cannon for him. (We should all go to the Muni Lot and hold a mass burning of Manziel jerseys.)
LOSERS: Us. We waited nine long months for this season, and with growing optimism.
WINNER: Pettine. I love you, man.
WINNER: Scott. Thanks for taking the torch and continuing with Winners and Losers this year. It’s one of my favorite things on this site.
Where was Crow yesterday? I don’t mind riding the hot hand as West was yesterday, but just surprised we didn’t see a little more of the Crow.
And Scott – “I’m not mad about the alleged party—this stuff happens all the time.” Not mad at all? I get it, not all players are boy scouts that go to bed at 8pm during the season. But c’mon – he couldn’t have waited a few days? And Gordon too – all he did is just show who he is loyal to: himself and his friends, not his teammates or front office who stuck by him and gave him more chances than he probably deserved. Again, I’m not saying don’t party, but just because your season is over doesn’t mean everyone’s is.
Loser for the season: QBs Coach – Darrel Loggains. The whole running to Jimmy with the “Wreck this league” text was classless. After a full season under his “tutelage” Manziel was garbage, Hoyer appeared to regress as the season went on and the practice squad guy who had no contact with him looked better for it.
Winner: Joe Haden. On the field when his team needed him despite having the flu and a bum shoulder. He could have easily just passed on this game but he sucked it up and did his best out there, other than giving up the one big play, he was good in coverage the rest of the game.
Loser: Jamie Meder’s chin-strap. C’mon man, keep your damn helmet on. Plus your bare head made you easily identifiable when you were standing around doing nothing while team-mates were pursuing plays.
Loser: Run defense. Another week another 100+ yard performance from the opponent’s RB.
Johnny favorites this post.
WINNER: Shaw. Yes, he looked a bit lost and shellshocked (ala Johnny in his first start), but he showed more poise and ability with very little prep. His game reminded me if Johnny and Hoyer merged skills sets (Johnny’s legs and physique and Hoyer’s arm which unfortunately includes lack of downfield ability). He could be a nice project to develop…at least worthy of backup consideration.
WINNER: Hoyer. (mindbogglingly) Despite the fact he had a Weedenesque stretch of terribleness, his stock seems to be rising among fans simply because of what has come after him. So now the narrative that seems to be catching on is that we should re-sign and commit to Hoyer because he’s the best we have had since Tim Couch. Dear God, please stop this madness in its tracks. This is battered fan syndrome. We can’t leave him because he’s the best we can do.
WINNER: Dudes who love to talk draft. Now is your time, kipers.
Loggains is worthless. He was probably at the party wreckin’ it with JFF.
Pettine needs to fire his arse.
A healthy Hughes, Winn and Taylor will fix that run D.
WINNER: Me for not watching the game yesterday.
Joe Haden was good on the big play too. That was just a ridiculous pass and catch. Flacco has a real knack for sleepwalking through a game and then pulling these plays out of nowhere. Sometimes you just need to tip your cap. Skrine was getting abused all day – he was a loser if anyone in the secondary was.
don’t understand how Shaw is a winner at all. He is a bad QB. Manziel played against a Cincy team that could go to the Super Bowl. Sure, he stunk, but don’t pretend that the Bengals are even with the Ravens. They’re way better. But that’s besides the point. Shaw is not good, and I am glad that everyone who was saying how he should tear it up can now realize he was on the practice squad for a reason.
Don’t forget that Baltimore was basically without their entire starting defensive backfield.
Winners: everyone who played yesterday. They battled all game and showed respect for the team and fans.
Losers: the three idiots who didn’t.
WINNERS: Everyone who doesn’t have to watch this anymore!
LOSERS: Everyone who will have to read/listen about this team from here on out.
Winner: Terrence West. The guy wanted to play in front of his hometown crowd. I just wish he could have put up those numbers all season long.
Winner: Haden. I disagree with your sentiment Scott. He had the flu and a bad shoulder yet played well knocking away multiple passes. The pass to Torrey Smith was just a perfect pass. If you would have put Skrine on the loser list i would have agreed with you.
Winner: Kruger. The only guy that put any sort of pressure on Flacco.
Winner: Scouting department. Kuwan Williams, Isaiah Crowell and to a lesser extent Conner Shaw. All undrafted free agents that were signed and made a good contribution to this team.
Winner: Pettine. First year head coach where most people thought the team would go 5-11 and the team improved to 7-9.
Loser: Gilbert Another guy who was drafted in the first round and gets outplayed by an undrafted free agent. So much so that he was a healthy scratch in week 17.
Loser: Johnny Football. You were outprepped and outplayed by a guy who is an undrafted free agent. At least you have your money sign and your 1.2 million twitter followers.
Loser: Mingo. Another game where Mingo made no impact on defense. Yet another first rounder not living up to expectations.
Johnny meant to say “wreck this team” but it autocorrected to “wreck this league”
I think he’s a winner in that he showed he’s an NFL back up. He can stay in the league and get paid for a few years.
The Judges say that’s a good explanation. 200 points for you.
when i heard Mingo’s name called at one point, i thought to myself: “geez, when was the last time the Browns hit on a first-rounder? cripes.”
Certainly not in the past three years and they’ve had five opportunities. Two more shots next draft Farmer better be getting to work already. Make or break IMO.
Exactly! The season was going to be over in 2 days. Was the Friday banger really necessary?
This is perfect.
Well, for starters, the party apparently wasn’t a “party” at all. It was, per Manziel, just a few friends in town. And yes, while he could have waited a few days, players have away game events all the time. LeBron does it almost every time he’s in Toronto. Kosher was on The Fan today saying that his era of players ALWAYS did stuff like this—the difference is they showed up for work the next day. Therein lies my issue.
“Dudes who love to talk draft. Now is your time, kipers.”
The wannabe GM bat signal.
“I disagree with your sentiment Scott. He had the flu and a bad shoulder yet played well knocking away multiple passes. The pass to Torrey Smith was just a perfect pass. If you would have put Skrine on the loser list i would have agreed with you.”
Fair.
Kosher = Kosar?
“This is battered fan syndrome”
HE ONLY THROWS BALLS 10 YARDS SHORT BECAUSE HE LOVES US!
Ha, I was confused too. Great (assumed) autocorrect.
I’m sure the truth about the “party” lies somewhere in between and we’ll never know the truth. Lebron has EARNED the right to do this – both with his talent and the level of trust he has built. I’m with you – the issue isn’t wholly about the night of the party, it’s how it affects the next day.
I finished 2nd in my fantasy football league so put me in coach!
He was going to call, but his money phone battery was dead, or out of range, or the dog ate it, or somethingorother…
http://i.imgur.com/yvNDAu4.png
Woohoo! I’m Number 1!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFoS89NfRYY/U_K0om8_CyI/AAAAAAAAJdk/mQE_yT3OHo8/s1600/6.gif
you forgot Taylor Gabriel in the undrafted list.
Loser: Officiating… Is it me or has this past season been horrible for the Browns and the refs? The no call pass interference (T. Benjamin) seem to change the momentum. There were a few more I saw, damn refs, thanks for a crappy officiating season.
Yes…my mistake.