Ohio Bobcats drop Cleveland State to 2-7
December 14, 2015Waiting for Terrelle Pryor
December 14, 2015Complaining: Cleveland’s chief export.
After what was a decisive win against an obviously inferior opponent, there remained a faction of fans who either opted to remain radio silent or somehow turn a victory in to a reason to complain about something else—draft position is a popular topic.
It’s a bizarre, case study-worthy existence wherein fans of a team find something to complain about regardless of the outcome. Had the Cleveland Browns lost to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, a game where they were favored by two, one would have assumed that this would have been more worthy of such angst. But here we are, roughly two weeks before Christmas, searching for something on which to hang our collective hats, and fans want to use a win as ammunition for some otherworldly hot take.
Look: There’s no reason to be happy about what may very well be a 3-13 season. There’s no reason to suddenly use a game against another disaster of a franchise (at least this year) as some referendum on changing tides and what not. But the Cleveland Browns won a game at home thanks to a complete effort from both sides of the ball. The offense was clicking on the ground and in the air. The defense was stopping the run (finally!) while getting to the quarterback (finally!). If not for Glen Winston and Chris Tabor, hell—we could have called this one perfect. Awfully tough to complain about that. (Though that won’t stop some from trying.)
WINNER: Johnny Manziel
You don’t have to like the kid. You don’t have to think he’s the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns’ future. Hell, you don’t have to think he should be the quarterback next week. But there’s absolutely no way you could have watched Sunday’s game and have not been at least somewhat entertained by what Johnny Manziel was doing, both inside and outside of the pocket. Facing a defense that obtained most of its pressure from its two outside linebackers, the game plan was set up perfectly for someone like Manziel to be able to exploit the opposition both on the ground and through the air.
There was undoubtedly some improvisation. There were a few errant passes, especially early. But there were also a host of plays—one specific hot route to Brian Hartline jumps out—where the kid looked like a legit NFL quarterback who was reading the pre-snap defense as well as making decisions on the fly. Manziel was solid throwing deep and looked great under pressure.
Here’s PFF:
The bottom line is that Manziel has at least shown something for the Browns this season, in a league where far too many quarterbacks see the field who don’t show anything. He has produced positive grades in his last two starts, and in pretty much every game he has played this year he has made a couple of big plays — even if they haven’t always outweighed the bad.
Johnny Football was never likely to be a prototypical NFL passer, but what always intrigued teams was the X-factor he brought to the game that few others could. The way Brett Favre would always make occasional “wow” plays, often before making other “oh, wow” bad plays, Manziel has the ability to improvise and succeed when the script runs out of instructions.
This season, while most quarterbacks see their passer rating under pressure drop by over 30 points, Manziel’s only slips from 91.9 to 84.2, and it actually went up against the 49ers — to 116.7 — when they were able to apply heat. He still makes plenty of poor plays when pressured, and his overall grade is far worse, but the encouraging part is actually how he has played when kept clean.
Sure, Manziel threw that dreadful interception before the half, but it was also the first thing he mentioned during his postgame address, taking full responsibility for the poor, cross-field decision. I take that back. The first thing he mentioned was before the press conference when he was on the field with FOX Sports’ Pete Schrager when he applauded the defense and the running attack. The kid gets it. He may not get it off the field and respect the game as much as many of those who came before him, but he’s a ridiculous competitor who made Browns fans smile for at least one Sunday. That’s not too much to ask.
Take it from Travis Benjamin: “That guy’s a baller. It doesn’t matter if he sat out for two weeks and came back or sit out three weeks and came back. Each and every time he comes out there, he’s willing to set the tone and make plays that matter.”
https://vine.co/v/iZLaEtIwKwD
LOSER: Chris Tabor
What the hell, man? I get that you have survived a few regimes and that you once coached Devin Hester and that Travis Benjamin has played well for you, but come on. The tape is out. If you want to continue trotting out a field goal blocking unit that has two incapable rookies in the middle, you’re going to continue seeing these kicks blocked. You already cost this team a win. The Browns should’ve had at least three more points on Sunday. Get it toghether, stat.
https://vine.co/v/iZLaqlZmrnm
WINNERS: Alex Mack and Joe Thomas
You don’t produce a running attack like the Browns did without the help of your stalwarts. Thomas was once again fantastic in all facets of the game, especially when the pocket was forced to move to adjust for a mobile Johnny Manziel. Mack led the way on several big runs from Isaiah Crowell who used this run to propel himself to one hell of an afternoon.
https://vine.co/v/iZ3VhDtdAH7
LOSER: Cameron Erving
As if being outplayed by Austin Pasztor wasn’t enough of black eye, the snaps Erving did get resulted in that blocked field goal above.
The Browns coaches make it sound like he simply needs to get stronger. I’m seeing a guy who looks completely overmatched every time he takes to the field.
WINNERS: Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson
While I’m cautious and want to put most of this on the dreadful San Francisco 49ers defense, this is the same team that made Adrian Peterson look human earlier this season. Using a 54-yard run as a launching pad, Crowell churned out what may have been the best game of his career, one that kept his name at the top of that fantasy football ticker all afternoon. One hundred and forty-five yards and two touchdowns later and the Crow was undoubtedly fed.
https://vine.co/v/iZ33WODalF2
Spelling Crowell was Duke Johnson (“Duuuuuuke”) who banged out 78 yards of his own on just 13 carries. While neither were necessarily involved in the passing game, they didn’t need to be.
“It was very contagious, especially when the guys up front are playing the way that they are,” said Johnson. “Crowell was finding a rhythm. Then I came in and found a rhythm, and we just kept it going back and forth.”
It could have been a product of game flow, but hopefully this game showed John DeFilippo that abandoning the run might might not be in his team’s best interest.
WINNER: Brian Hartline
Another Sunday, another solid outing from the veteran. Eight receptions for 107 yards and Hartline was merely picking up where he left off. Since the bye, Hartline has averaged eight catches for 88 yards per game. It really makes you wonder what he could have done if implemented much sooner in the season.
LOSER: Brian Hartline
Unfortunately, this will have been the last we will see of Hartline this season as he will need to have his broken collarbone surgically repaired. Tough way to go out, but hopefully there’s plenty more to come.
WINNER: Gary Barnidge
Big Play Gary does it again. Five passes on seven targets for 84 yards and touchdown while slaying it in the running game. Heck of an afternoon and a perfect way to celebrate that new contract.
https://vine.co/v/iZ3LEdIddxX
WINNERS: Desmond Bryant, Armonty Bryant, Nate Orchard, Tramon Williams and Charles Gaines
The Browns’ pass rush was on fire, getting to Blaine Gabbert at times when they were rushing just three. This rush allowed the cornerbacks to play extremely well one week after they were abused by Andy Dalton, targeted a combined 14 times, and allowing just seven catches for 91 yards and no touchdowns.
“You see guys go out and get their sack, and as a teammate, you want to go out and get yours, too,” said Desmond Bryant following the game. “We were really working together. We knew we had to stay in our rush lanes. (49ers’ QB) Blaine (Gabbert) has been good at running the ball so we had to keep them contained so guys would get back there and make him run and somebody else was ready to take him down.”
WINNER: Mike Pettine
Tough to pick on the guy after a win, even if it’s with a quarterback he can’t stand.
LOSER: Ray Farmer
In what language does “Bowe” translate into “Healthy Scratch?”
And finally, the fans:
@WFNYScott johnny effing football is a winner. /column
— Ethan Miller (@EMiller518) December 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/ARalsto/status/676146118028214272
@WFNYScott Winners: Mobile QB talking points for Brady Quinn, Manziel, Defilippo, RBs
Losers: Mangini, Chris Tabor, Cam Erving (again)— Jamin Dunn (@jamin_dunn) December 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/amccartney85/status/676150384373682184
@WFNYScott Winner: @brianhartline for going hard every play of every game. Sorry to see he's out.
— Stephen Martin (@screevo) December 13, 2015
@WFNYScott Paul Kruger wins every week just because of his hair.
— Kelly Michelle (@KellyMichelleL) December 13, 2015
@WFNYScott Winners: JFF, RBs, OLine, Pass Rush, Big Play Gary
Losers: Manziel's Surface, Ray Farmer's iwatch, Hartline, Bowe, Mangenius
— Andrew Reid (@AndyLReid) December 13, 2015
@wfnyscott W's = Manziel looked in control and kept team competitive. Crow, got going early…kept feeding him. D-Line…finally showed push
— Danger6 (@ECMcCune) December 13, 2015
@wfnyscott #Browns Losers Hartline had a great game, then collarbone. Tabor, easily the most glaring L of the day. From FG/XP/and coverage.
— Danger6 (@ECMcCune) December 13, 2015
@wfnyscott Final loser had to be Ahmad Brooks…is that allowed?
— Danger6 (@ECMcCune) December 13, 2015
@WFNYScott winners: Crowell, Manziel, Jim Oneil, Barnidge. Losers: people angry about losing the first pick
— Kevin Hagan (@KevinHagan3) December 13, 2015
Winner Armonty Bryant. Crow Loser Cam Erving, FG protection unit AGAIN https://t.co/b07EiHBd9r
— Craig Lyndall (@WFNYCraig) December 14, 2015
@WFNYScott winners: armonty Bryant, Crow, Duke, O-Line, Johnny, Gar. Losers: Cam Erving, special teams
— Sam Heintz (@Sam_Heintz7) December 14, 2015
@WFNYScott Winner: Nate Orchard serving up some of his hard cider.
Losers: Shelton & Erving allowing 3 blocked kicks in 3 weeks #GetThemOut— Clout (@irundownhill) December 14, 2015
65 Comments
RIGHT! AND NOBODY MADE THE ROSTER!
Cute…
http://25.media.tumblr.com/9db41ea6c7a4a27a8f8a608cf725ef8c/tumblr_mu3jof44Yv1stmjkwo1_500.gif
http://mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/A-Job-Well-Done-Deleting-Your-Browser-History.gif
Crickets, you are correct. I was referring to Vince Mayle, so 4th round.
Here’s my problem with your point, and I think it’s a fair one by the way, but to me this is why I’ve never understood Farmer’s critics.
Most of the outrage directed toward him has to do with him neglecting to take a WR in a WR-deep draft. Now, if the Browns were playing great defense, running the heck out of the ball, had a competent QB who just couldn’t find open receivers I would have more truck with this criticism.
The fact is the passing game of the Browns has been literally the least of our worries this year. Again, literally not figuratively. Dwayne Bowe is a healthy scratch because we have plenty of other options, all of whom have performed admirably. So who cares about not drafting Watkins or Bryant or whomever if your passing game flourishes despite those supposed infractions.
To me, it only bolsters Farmer’s pet theory that you don’t need high-priced WRs to be great. Look at Seattle and New England. Also take the inverse of that and look at the three best receivers, Dez Bryant, Megatron and Julio Jones — all on deadbeat teams.
hi SCOTT … right on with the FG unit , shelton & erving are getting pushed around bad … and i’m sorry , but what does ray farmer have to do with bowe not playing ?? pretty sure this is pettine’s call.
Best defense I’ve seen.
LMAO !! … GARRY you ARE a winner … and gosh darnit , people like you.
farmer brought bowe in … bowe was hurt the entire pre-season , thus the others were entrenched in front of him (?).
i’m pretty sure it’s pettine’s decision to not play bowe , not farmer’s … i would think that bowe could’ve at least done what gabriel’s done this year.
When everyone in the world knew that we needed a wide receiver!
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But the larger point is that Bowe is indicative of an organizational problem. So you can move the goal posts by putting him in your vacuum, but Achilles was specifically speaking to the larger picture and bigger problems.
Nah, I didn’t move the goalposts. That sounds like hard work. I’m not into that.
I still think the Bowe contract exists on its own. If Jimmy wants to let Ray spend $9 million of his money on a guy that Ray thinks he can fix, and do it without impacting the rest of the team, that’s his call. The Bowe contract didn’t impact anything at all. It was just a failed gambit. No actual harm came from it.
But it did, that 9 million could’ve locked up Gilbert, Benjamin, Barnidge, etc.
But . . . Benjamin and Barnidge are locked in, whilst carrying that $9 million. Gilbert? I’d release him before I lock him up. (Assume you mean Gipson? If so, it wasn’t $9 million that prevented the Browns from extending him. It was negotiation. The Browns have tons of excess cash. They just didn’t do it.)