Josh McCown appears to be done talking about his demotion (Video)
November 19, 2015Johnny Manziel, Buckeyes, and Ronda Rousey – WFNY Podcast – 2015-11-18
November 19, 2015The Cleveland Browns are going into the bye week at a putrid 2-8 record, after being beaten by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-9 on Sunday. The Browns were completely dominated by the Pittsburgh passing game led by the injured Ben Roethlisberger. The game was filled with mistakes and just plain old bad performances.
The Browns limp into the bye week with huge problems on both sides of the ball. In this week’s film room, I will examine some of the biggest problems the team faces going into their bye week and illustrate the problems using this past week’s loss to Pittsburgh.
So let’s take the Browns’ biggest problems going into the bye week, illustrated through the Browns loss to the Steelers.
Browns Film Room: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10
Offense
The Browns offense is ranked 28th in scoring, averaging 18.6 points a game in its first ten games of the season. The unit has been led by both Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown at the quarterback spot, but for the most part, these two have not been the biggest problems on the offense. They have led an offense that is 12th in the league in passing yards per game. The biggest problem on the offense has been the run game. The Browns rank 31st in rushing yards per game, gaining only 75.6 yards per game on the ground. Let’s take a look at what is causing this poor run game.
This is one of a handful negative or no gain runs the Browns had versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the game, they rushed for only 15 yards as a team. That is in line with most of the season’s lackluster rushing attack. The culprit for the poor run game has been a combination of bad blocking and lack of confidence from the coaching in the running backs or the run game overall.
This negative run by running back Isaiah Crowell is blown up because of bad blocking. Center Alex Mack is completely beaten off the snap by Steelers defensive lineman Steve McLendon. McLendon keeps away from Mack and rides him up field to make the big tackle for a loss. Crowell had no chance for success on that run play. Bad blocking has really plagued the run game. It seems like on each run attempt, there is at least one blocker getting beat for the Browns.
Here is another one where the blocking failed in the run game. Crowell gains just one yard because of the lack of blocking on the play. Multiple defenders get past their blockers, filling up the running lanes for Crowell. There was no chance for success once again for Crowell.
As I have shown in a previous film room, the Browns running backs have also been part of the problem for the run game debacle. The combination of bad blocking and the lack of a true number one running back has caused the coaching staff to go away from the run game. There is so little confidence in this area that the Browns do not keep with the run game. Towards the ends of games, the Browns are squarely a passing team. This is because of the lack of confidence and in many instances because the team is behind.
Defense
The defense has been a disaster this season, ranking 29th in scoring defense, allowing 27.7 points a game. There is really no bright spot on the defense side of the ball. The biggest problems have been the poor run defense, no pass rush and injuries in the secondary. Here are some examples of each problem.
Poor Run Defense
The run defense has so many problems to have to fix. The unit is undisciplined at times, losing contain on the edge for opposing team to gain big yards outside. The players on defense are also very inconsistent in tackling, missing tackles because of bad technique. But, the biggest problem might just be lack of talent to get off blocks and make stops.
As you can see in this shot, the Browns defenders are all mostly stuck on their blocks. The defenders can only get a hand on running back DeAngelo Williams, which is very unlikely to ever bring down a back. The Browns defense just does not have the talent to beat their man and find the ball carrier on a consistent basis. Even though the Steelers only rushed for 60 yards, the Browns run defense broke down late in the game when they truly needed stops, giving up 59 yards rushing in the fourth quarter.
No Pass Rush
The Browns defense rank 22nd in the league in sacks with 16. The defense has really struggled to consistently put pressure on the opposing quarterback, which has allowed teams to throw with much more ease. The two plays above show the lack of pass rush. Ben Roethlisberger had time to wait for the routes to progress and then step into the throw without any sort of pressure. He has a clear window and pocket to find his receiver and put the necessary zip on the ball. Without the pass rush, the secondary, especially the hobbled one, has no chance to lock down an opposing offense for that long period of time.
Injured Secondary
The Browns have struggled in coverage this season, ranking 25th in passing yards allowed per game this season. One of the bigger reasons, besides the lack of pass rush, for the struggle in the secondary has been the rash of injuries in the secondary particularly to Joe Haden, Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson. This has forced the Browns to play the younger and less talented backups. This was seen on Sunday versus the dangerous Steelers passing game. In clip above, Johnson Bademosi, someone who should only play on special teams, and Pierre Desir, a young developing corner, are beat for big plays. The missing starters have put the secondary in the tough position of playing players who should not be playing in those situations.
Coaching and Mental Mistakes
A lot of the problems this season has come in coaching and mental mistakes. Outsiders and even some inside the locker room have criticized the Browns coaches for some of their decisions. The playing times for players have been a source of criticism, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Johnson Bademosi playing over Justin Gilbert or Duke Johnson not playing more are some of the controversies regarding player roles. The coaches must address these issues or they will be gone by the end of the season.
Along the same lines of coaching mistakes, the Browns have had a ton of mental mistakes. This week was a big example of this when the Browns committed 12 penalties for a ridiculous 188 total yards. The Browns have committed the 6th most penalties in league with a total of 72. Besides penalties, the Browns have had problems with drops, being out of position and playcall confusion. It is just another problem for a team with a lot of them.
Highlight of the Game
The highlight of the game was quarterback Johnny Manziel. Johnny Manziel threw for 372 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss to the Steelers. He was a lone bright spot in very ugly and tough game. Manziel completed 73.3 percent of his passes on the day, showing improved patience in the pocket and smart decision-making. He was the only source of offense for the Browns on Sunday. He looked better than the previous week, giving some hope for a possible future.
Lowlight of the Game
The lowlight of the game was the Browns run game. Even though the Browns have struggled running the ball for most of the season, this week was particularly horrible. The Browns were only able to garner 15 yards rushing in the game. 15! That is a horrendous performance for the Browns running backs and blockers. It caused the Browns to put all of their offensive weight on Johnny Manziel. The Browns run game is a complete mess right now.
24 Comments
Don’t show PFF those gifs! BROWNS O-LINE IZ ELITE!
I’ve been stewing on that crapola notion for weeks. But, but, it’s statistics! You can’t argue with numbers?!
That first gif sums up what I’ve noticed about Mack. He’s been poor to awful this year. I never got the hyped up love that people heaped on him (which frankly I always thought was more of a product of people’s ire for Banner & Lombardi). But that aside, I just think the O-line has been overrated immensely. Maybe it’s a bit of scheme, but man they suck at straight line run blocking. No push or holes to be found.
There are PLENTY of holes…in their pass blocking.
man, have to go dig up some gifs from either before his injury in ’14 or his play in ’13. Mack just brutalized people at the point of attack and was getting major credit by Shanahan and other players for constantly calling out blocking schemes to counter the defensive fronts. he was an elite guy.
’15 Mack is not that guy. still worth keeping, but he’s not the same player (hoping first year back from injury is the issue).
good job JOE … the first thing i notice on the first running play : sure , there is no blocking , but crowell should never be running sideways or wide … if he immediately cuts-back to the right , he at least makes a modest gain.
ANSWER : get elliot , henry or fournette , or another stud RB that can take the ball to the house , in the draft & watch the difference.
and on the poor defense : what stands-out , as always , is watching dansby get pushed-back 10 yards & can’t get off his block , and then gets knocked on his ass for good measure.
ANSWER : replace all the LB’s except for orchard & kirksey , and maybe a.bryant … if we wanna play a 3-4 well , get some LB’s that can make plays.
LB’s / defense – draft some buckeyes !!
i’d be happy with any of these 2 buckeyes in the first 2 rounds : bosa , perry , lee , elliot or thomas.
MANZIEL LOST A FUMBLE ON THE FIRST SNAP OF THE GAME.
All caps. Intentional. Details: Pay attention to them.
Second item: Injuries to DBs are not the problem, even with Haden, Gipson and Whitner in games we were giving up 300+ passing yards per game.
I feel like Mack is intentionally sabotaging the line, calling out wrong blocks and miffing on his guy.
On the Crowell run play, where is the hole suppose to be? Between Mack and Grecco? Mack and Erving? I’m wondering if Crowell should have cut back to the right and let Mack push his guy right past?
That rat. The secret life of Alex Mack…
The hole is between Erving and Thomas. Erving sealed his side but Mack’s guy went right into the hole, blocking his running lane.
I think they haven’t been healthy all year. Haden and Gipson with nagging injuries even when playing and whitner with age.
” The Browns were only able to garner 15 yards rushing in the game. 15! ”
Only because Manziel ran for 17. The rest of the team had -2 yards rushing in the game. -2!
He excelled at zone blocking but really has been average with other schemes.
I thought Shelton was the only one getting knocked out of the play repeatedly…hmmm.
Yep…they all were dealing with hammy’s (except Tramon) during training camp.
I don’t think the Flipper operates a “pick-a-hole” run offense.
hi DAN … but at least shelton is being double-teamed most of the time … the LB’s can’t even shed a single blocker most of the time.
I wouldn’t think any any college or pro team (that doesn’t have Trent Richardson) operates a “pick-a-hole” offense . It’s hard for me to tell where the hole was supposed to be. Mack, Thomas are pushing left, Bowie (#61 I think? or is that a TE), Erving, Grecco are blocking right, the TE blocks right before releasing. I can’t tell if there was suppose to be a hole or the play was to the outside. Maybe it’s my lack of oline knowledge, but it looks like the play was fubar from its design.
I disagree about the double-team with Shelton…It’s not happening much.
His bad technique is allowing him to be beaten one-on-one or the opposing player is using Shelton’s push (strength) against him and away from the play. Or, lastly, he is getting in a standoff with the other team but again only one player.
Isn’t zone blocking a bit like pickahole?
That aside, I understand your point.
Ah, good question, I don’t know. I would think every running play is designed to open a specific hole so the RB knows where to go, but as i said, layman here.
you have a good point … it is also validated on the running play above … he is one-on-one & should’ve made the tackle on this play.
i will still give him the benefit of the doubt for being a rookie … our LB play is still much much worse.