Welcome to the Browns Bye Week: While We’re Waiting…
November 16, 2015Analyzing possible Cleveland Indians outfield targets: MLB Trade Rumors
November 16, 2015If there is any one sequence that defines the 2015 Cleveland Browns, it came late in the afternoon this past Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers, with a substantial lead in the second half, were largely daring the Browns to run the ball, playing a prevent defense that would make Marty Schottenheimer blush. Nevertheless, Johnny Manziel manufactured a drive—what with his team leading the NFL in three-and-outs—that saw him scramble a la the 2014 Cotton Bowl against Duke, ultimately running the ball to what the officials deemed to be the 1-yard line.
- First-and-goal at the one, the team than rattled off the following:
- Touchdown nullified by a Cameron Erving hold
- Wildcat run by Isaiah Crowell nullified by an illegal formation
- Manziel sacked for a nine-yard loss
- Manziel-to-Andrew Hawkins on back-to-back plays for 18 total yards
- Manziel intercepted at the goal line by Pittsburgh’s Mike Mitchell; a holding penalty on Mitchell Schwartz was declined
The entire afternoon was an uphill battle of epic proportions. Penalties upon penalties. No yardage to be gained via the ground. When we look back at this season in a post-mortem fashion, this will be the drive we point to when we attempt to synthesize the year down into a few-minute stretch.
Oh, who am I kidding. Things can get much, much worse. They probably will…
WINNER: Johnny Manziel
Thirty-three completions. Three hundred and seventy-two yards. A yard-per-attempt total north of eight. A passer rating north of 95. Say what you want about the early-game fumble and the way the Pittsburgh Steelers were defending the Browns through the second half. Johnny Manziel was not the reason the Cleveland Browns were merely able to produce nine points on Sunday.
Did he hold on to the ball to long at times? Sure. That’s what a quarterback of his ilk is prone to do. Did he extend plays (and drives) with his legs once his receivers were covered? Sure did. Did he deliver strikes to receivers on crucial third downs? Sure did. Did he score with his feet only to be denied by the lack of a capable angle from the review team? Sure did.
The Cleveland Browns head into their bye week with a 2-8 record. While there will be plenty to discuss between now and their Week 12 contest, you’ll be hard-pressed to convince me of any reason to play Josh McCown from here out. And yes, I get that the head coach has to try and win games. This head coach needs to worry about spending less time worrying about the quarterback situation and more on fixing his embarrassing defensive unit.
LOSER: Mike Pettine
You can only blame the players for so long. The lack of preparation and discipline each week is reaching astounding levels. Just when you think it cannot get much worse, the Browns take to the road and drop one of the worst performances in the history of the NFL when it comes to penalty yardage.
Browns have 188+ penalty yards. First time in NFL since 1999. 9th time in NFL history. 4th time in Browns history. https://t.co/luSq9HhtAR
— Jacob L. Rosen (@JacobLRosen) November 15, 2015
This doesn’t even count the penalties that were not accepted. On a long pass interference of Martavis Bryant, the Barkevious Mingo was flagged 15 yards for hitting Ben Roethlisberger in the face. As noted above, on the late-game interception by the Steelers, a penalty on Mitchell Schwartz was declined.
While Eric Mangini may have not had many fans in his locker room due to how much of a stickler he was, ask Romeo Crennel how long a “player’s coach” lasts in the NFL. The most frustrating part: I have no idea what the answer is.
WINNER: Gary Barnidge
The CBS crew was lamenting the fact that Gary Barnkowski was a favorite target of Josh McCown but had yet to establish much of a rapport. How did the big man respond? Six catches on eight targets, 65 yards and another touchdown.
LOSER: Cameron Erving
I honestly don’t know where to begin. After looking like a competent NFL offensive lineman through most of the first half, Erving was absolutely obliterated throughout the second half. When he wasn’t getting blown up, he was called for holding. When he wasn’t holding as a left guard, he was holding as an eligible receiver. Just an all-around awful afternoon.
WINNER: Brian Hartline
Credit Where It’s Due Department. Six catches for 77 yards, one of which was a very nice route on a crucial third down.
LOSER: The entire Browns defensive unit
No one gets an exemption this week. While you could say that the run defense played well because they didn’t get carved by Dangelo Williams, they let a less-than-100 percent Ben Roethlisberger carve them through the air. Whether it was Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant (cough), Heath Miller, or a guy the Steelers fans thought was Heath Miller, there was nothing the Browns could do without getting flagged.
This was simply a microcosm of the day:
Bonus ‘loser” points on every member of the defense for not planting Brown on his ass after he pulled this move in the end zone:
WINNER: Guys looking to be a defensive coordinator at the NFL level
Look. I have no idea what the Browns will do with Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine, but I know one thing: There is absolutely no way Jim O’Neil is here next season. Jimmy Haslam has said no changes will be made during the bye, but this simply gives the team a few extra weeks to scout out his replacement. Dead man walking.
LOSER: Anyone with this (completely empty) logic
@WFNYScott The Browns need a number of things. The aversion to drafting WRs is a myth. A fun one, but a myth
— Pete Smith (@_PeteSmith_) November 15, 2015
The Browns have a slew of issues, but to pretend that drafting quality receivers is at the bottom of the list is a complete farce. Ray Farmer is on record stating that resources on a wide receiver are misallocated due to the lack of touches per game. Justin Gilbert was inactive once again, and not even four hours later, Odell Beckham Jr. broke off an 87-yard touchdown for the New York Giants. Martavis Bryant had just four receptions and completely dominated the Browns secondary. Anyone pretending that this isn’t a giant issue looks more and more foolish with each individual tweet.
That said…
WINNER: Travis Benjamin
Hauling in that touchdown pass would have simply been some extra credit on a solid afternoon. While the Steelers were largely in prevent for much of the second half, rushing just three linemen at times, Benjamin put up a solid statistical afternoon. He’s a slot receiver being asked to play a No. 1 role due to the lack of substance at the receiving corps. Kudos to him for stepping up while the rest of his colleagues continue to look woefully overmatched every time they step on to the field.
LOSER: Ray Farmer
I think he’s going to need another towel.
And now, the fans:
@WFNYScott Winner: Kevin Love
Losers: Browns— Ben Cox (@WFNYBen) November 15, 2015
@WFNYScott 1) There were several plays where you could see bigger receivers would have made a difference.
— Sean Moss (@VigothePainting) November 15, 2015
https://twitter.com/Pchopz_/status/666001779050590208
@WFNYScott winner: the marketing team that came up with "Lock Down the Lake." That phrase is super cool. (1/2)
— Matt Dudash (@that_mattdudash) November 15, 2015
@WFNYScott loser: the actual players in charge of keeping the lake locked down. (2/2)
— Matt Dudash (@that_mattdudash) November 15, 2015
@WFNYScott winner: lovers of books / television / movies
— Adam Rossi (@AR1519) November 15, 2015
@WFNYScott winner: Johnny losers: Pettine, Farmer, Gilbert, Erving
— chris wilson (@chrswlsn) November 15, 2015
You can scream about draft picks, Manziel, and Farmer all you want. The downfall of @Browns lies on D. (Pet & O'neil) @WFNYScott
— Danger6 (@ECMcCune) November 15, 2015
@WFNYScott Winners: Johnny. Duke Johnson the couple times they remembered he was on the team. Kruger
Losers: Erving, the secondary, coaches— One of the Lesser Johns (@JohnBilancini) November 15, 2015
@WFNYScott Winner: Barnidge. Probably getting a free vacation to Hawaii.
— Fantastic Mr. Fox (@kingF0X23) November 15, 2015
@WFNYScott winner: Johnny, who earned the starting job ROY. Loser: Pettine, who has no leg to stand on if he wants to start McCown.
— The Keymaster (@Sarkastik_Pupil) November 15, 2015
@WFNYArticles @WFNYScott @crobarred Winners; fans as its bye week. Losers; fans as it's the same old, same old.
— Larry (@LarryWCartier) November 15, 2015
https://twitter.com/burkepatrick/status/666045384561528832
31 Comments
LOSER: Anal-Retentive Referees, Replay Officials, and Rulesmakers. Manziel scored on that run. For a hundred years, that’s a touchdown and nobody thinks twice about it.
But no-ooh, not with the ridiculous hyper-scrutiny of today’s NFL, because apparently the outer atoms of the ball had not reached the outer photons of the plane of the goal before the outer atoms of Manziel’s knee entered the orbit of the outer electrons of the ground. This micro-officiating is garbage.
LOSER: Stupid Steelers. Instead of just running out the clock, they throw deep for the end zone. They get an interference penalty for 1st and goal at the one. THEN they take a knee. WTFF?
LOSER: Antonio Brown. Too bad he didn’t tear up his ACL on that flip.
/ Remember that advertising insert that used to appear in the Sunday Plain Dealer around Christmas for a Browns model train set that you could put around your tree? Here’s this year’s version:
WFNY PREDICTION GAME
BROWNS RECORD = 2-8
CURRENT WINNERS
Garry Owen = 7-9
Harv = 6-10
Josh = 5-11
The Real Shamrock = 5-11
B-bo = 5-11
Scott = 4-12
Saggy = 4-12
6thCity = 4-12
Hopwin = 4-12
Nj0 = 4-12
ON THE BUBBLE
Craig = 8-8
Joe = 8-8
LOSERS
ME = 12-4
Michael = 9-7
Pat Leonard = 9-7
WINNER: Johnson. Continues to play his arse off in spite of the charlie foxtrot surrounding him.
WINNER: Johnny. There are infinite caveats to throw in this sentence, but I will forego all of them. The season is more than lost. Manziel appears to be making progress with each start. Let’s see if that can continue.
WINNER: Me. I actually turned the game off at halftime! (but then I turned it on again midway through the third…) Baby steps.
LOSER: Everything else about the team. There is no joy in Mudville.
I take it back. Barn+Bridge, Hartline, and Benji had good games too. So we’ll just say WINNER: Passing (kind of).
Am now 8-2
Reposting here:
@ Jets – L (CORRECT)
vs Titans – W (CORRECT)
vs Raiders – W (INCORRECT)
@ Chargers – L (CORRECT)
@ Ravens – L (INCORRECT)
vs Broncos – L (CORRECT)
@ Rams – L (CORRECT)
vs Cardinals – L (CORRECT)
@ Bengals – L (CORRECT)
@ Steelers – L (CORRECT)
vs Ravens – L
vs Bengals – L
vs 49ers – W
@ Seahawks – L
@ Chiefs – W
vs Steelers – L
This is getting ridiculous…
Winner: Bend-don’t break defense. (For the Steelers).
Loser: Run-defense. We didn’t blitz at all because if we had DeAngelo Williams would’ve put up 150 on us.
My prediction now requires we go .500 the rest of the way. I do not like my chances. Here we go, Brownies…
4-12 is looking unlikely. I miss Mangini.
Nice job, Hop. Enjoy it while you can because those two projected Browns victories looming ahead will almost certainly put a dark stain on your otherwise sterling record.
I know…
Lot of winners on an offensive unit that produced only two scores. Not saying you’re wrong. But man, how can a team put up so many yards of offense and so few points? It doesn’t seem possible.
Steelers bend-don’t break defense did what they set out.
That’s a good point. It was a lot of puff and not a lot of substance…but it was a glowing achievement when compared to the defense and the run game.
We are all going to get eliminated. No way this team reaches the lofty goal of 4 wins.
You’re going to be incorrect two more times.
My Brother in law (steelers fan) asked me if Pettine makes it past the bye. I said yes, because there isn’t anyone else they could give the job to. Coach Flip doesn’t have experience and O’Neill? I couldn’t stop laughing at that possibility.
Winners:
Johnny: I think the Steeler game gives him an extended look until the end of the season. They aren’t making the playoffs. Might as well see if the kid is going to stick or if you are drafting Goff or Cook in the first round next year.
Duke: When he’s on the field he makes plays. I just don’t understand why they tend to sit him in the second half of some games. It can’t be fatigue…they aren’t on the field that long.
Gaines: He gets the start, gets torched by the Steelers WR but doesn’t give up and gets the strip on the play. Heads up play.
CBS for switching the national feed to a more competitive game in the 4th. (The Browns were the 1pm game in ATL)
Losers: too many to mention. The OL for the constant penalties, the Defense for the PI calls (although the last one against them was BS. Brown pushed off the DB.)
Special mention to Bademosi who jumped up and down during a fumble on special teams and said we had the ball but pointed towards the Steelers end of the field. In his defense, at least he got the call right.
You guys might need Bob Barker to sound a buzzer and announce that everyone has over bid and now needs to re-bid at 3 wins or less.
“the outer atoms of the ball had not reached the outer photons of the
plane of the goal before the outer atoms of Manziel’s knee entered the
orbit of the outer electrons of the ground.”
That’s BRILLIANT. It was obviously a touchdown. Hate to say it, but I’m almost at the point where I can’t watch the NFL anymore — and not just because the Browns are a punchline. Every year there are more arbitrary and silly rule changes, while referees hijack games with prejudice against teams and players they don’t like.
Granted, the Browns had many stupid penalties yesterday, but the officiating was garbage — and it’s league-wide.
I’m not a basketball aficionado, but I like how refs in the NBA let play continue in the post-season — they just don’t seem to call as many piddly fouls.
Over-officiating is making the NFL unwatchable.
Oh and Cam…
hi BEN … and pettine will reward manziel by starting mccown in 2 weeks.
Sadly, it wouldn’t surprise me.
Two words: Running game. Fix this, you fix a whole world of things. At this point, they need to create it. It’s inhuman what’s (not) happening in the running game (and in RB pass blocking). Which leads me to believe that the season is being tanked intentionally.
The 2015 Browns Campaign: Reek for Zeke!
You probably saw this on another thread since I am dumping it everywhere… our 2015 running game in a nutshell:
See my gif below for our 2015 running game. Erving gets blown up, Joe Thomas is holding while another guy beats him outside and our two guards just wander up the middle of the field.
I think Mack is sabotaging by calling out bad blocking schemes at the line. And I do mean intentionally sabotaging. He refused to waive his no trade clause while simultaneously refusing to agree to not take his player-option at the end of the season. He wants to go and wants to make sure we get nothing in return.
Browns suckitutde not withstanding, I agree COMPLETELY about the way the game is officiated. Everyone thought replay would make things better, but the law of unintended consequences rears its ugly head.
Maybe we still have a shot at Arians??
https://waitingfornextyear.com/2013/01/nfl-rumor-bruce-arians-wanted-browns-coaching-job-badly/
Loser: The last shred of love I had for the expansion Browns. Actually I discovered that it is completely and probably permanently lost during that horrible series after the Manziel not -touchdown. I watched that unfold with what I would describe as a detached sense of… amusement isn’t quite the right word. But there was…. nothing,
Years ago such a series would have caused me to swear up a blue streak. 3-4 years ago such a series would make me groan or a least yell “C’mon!” once. The past 2-3 years I would shrug and say to myself, “Well that figures”.
Yesterday, I just watched and… Nothing. I may have grunted “hmmf” after the interception but I’m not really sure. I watched Brown do his little touchdown flip but it didn’t bother me. Not even a little. If the Browns don’t care why should I or anyone else care?
I used to think feeling awful about the Browns was sad. Turns out worse yet is simply not feeling anything. At this point I don’t care if Manziel starts or Mccown. I don’t care why Gilbert was a healthy scratch, Bowe plays or whether or not Pettine and Farmer are pals. I don’t care what happens during the bye week or if they take the team with their new uniforms to LA or Anchorage or London or the moon in the off season. I don’t care if they lose the rest of the season. I don’t care. I don’t.
And that’s sad to me.
Here’s a wild idea. Trade a 7th rounder to the VIkings for back-up OT Mike Harris. Get him back down to 327 lbs, where he ran a 4.64 40 and 6.81 3-cone at the 2012 combine. Put in him in the backfield at FB to pick up that DE or OL or safety who keeps getting past the TE, or to add a block on the outside on sweeps and off tackle running plays. Given that our premier TE is a receiver, not a blocker, and that our existing FB does not appear to be a blocker, we could do worse….
Points scored when Manziel starts or plays a large chunk of game: 0, 0, 10, 28, 9, 10…..1-5 in those games….but he’s improving. I’m all in!