Browns vs. Rams – What We’re Watching For…

Much like last week’s installment, we’re here once again to run a few quick out routes and think a little bit about what we’d like to see from the Browns this weekend in their second pre-season action, this time against the St. Louis Rams.

Again, much like last week, now that we’ve seen an exhibition game, where do we set our expectations? Against a bottom-feeding team like the Rams, I think the temptation is there to set the bar a bit higher. Hopefully the “starters” will get a bit more time this week. So, other than reading into who’s getting more action with the 1’s, what are we here at WFNY looking for tomorrow night?

What We’re Watching For:

Scott: I’ll be looking for two things: 1) That the offensive outburst we saw last weekend was not a fluke, and 2) Improvement by the first-team defense. The fact that the Browns are playing the Rams will not allow for much leeway on either point.  The first of which may be a lose-lose; they’re playing the Rams, of course they moved the ball.  But in the event that they sputter…not good.  And to the latter point, the Browns will no longer be facing Aaron Rogers and Greg Jennings.  I’ll be looking to see if they can get to the QB – Bradford was crushed a few times last week – and can keep up with the receivers.  Laurent Robinson and Donnie Avery are not household names, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play at an NFL level against a young defensive backfield. Oh, and any pressure they can add to Steven Jackson and the run game is an added bonus.

Rick: There are a few things I would like to see. First and foremost, I want Delhomme to play three series minimum, unless the patch-work right side of the line is going to get him killed. Then I suggest we let Ratliff hand off all game. I’d actually like to see more of the running game this time around. Defensively we need more pressure and better communication in the defensive backfield. Last week the only returning starter in the secondary from last year was Abe Elam. Brown was with the Eagles and Haden and Ward were in college. Some of the coverage lapses were to be expected, especially against a stud QB like Rodgers. You would think against Bradford the Browns would look sharper. Like Craig, I want to see the Browns get pressure without sending more than St. Louis can block.

DP: I am looking for a few things. First, I’d love to see the same consistency on offense that we saw in the first half last week. It would stand to reason that Delhomme will get a few more series under center, so it would be nice to see him pick up where he left off last Saturday. I’d like to see more of a commitment to the running game as well. Mostly what I’d like to see if more defensive consistency. I want to see some QB pressure, especially since the Rams gave up six sacks last week to the Vikings. And, it will be interesting to measure the secondary against an offense that’s a little less polished than that of the first team Packers’ offense. Speaking of specific players, I’ve hitched my wagon to Marcus Benard. I want to see if he gets to play with the first team, and if so if he brings the same intensity and high-motor that he did last week playing with the third-and-below teamers.

Craig: I want to see Sam Bradford on his back.  The only complaint I had in last week’s contest against the Packers was the number of times that the Browns blitzed unsuccessfully.  If the Browns are going to blitz as frequently as it seems they are, they better at least be able to crush the QB against lesser competition.  The Packers are one of the best overall teams in the NFL and the Rams are not.  So, all those corners, linebackers, etc who are blitzing need to learn to disguise their moves and finish off the play against a young QB.  If it results in incompletions, QB sacks or interceptions, I will consider the blitzing a success.  I hope we see a lot of all three…. when the Browns defense is on the field.

Bowers: I’d like to see the first team Jake Delhomme led offense go for a touchdown and no turnovers. He doesn’t have to throw it in, but I’d like to see him engineer a TD scoring drive. If after that its a FG or even a punt, I don’t really care. Just don’t turn it over, and let’s keep it moving from game one. Defensively, as others said, I’d like to make Sam Bradford look exactly like a rookie QB in his second preseason game playing for a bad team. Likewise, I’m hoping Browns defense makes the Rams offense look the way you’d imagine the Rams offense would look. Essentially, a step forward on D and more of the same offensively is what I’m looking for.

Andrew: Obviously, I think the first thing all of us want to see is to what degree the success the first team offense had last week can be replicated once again this week. As great as the offense looked on that one drive, it’s ultimately meaningless if that’s the best they ever get and they are unable to repeat it. So I’m looking for some consistency on offense. Defensively, I thought TJ Ward and Joe Haden had a rough introduction to the NFL last week. Sure, everyone struggles to stop Aaron Rodgers and Donald Driver, but Haden was especially victimized on the Packers’ first TD drive. Struggles are to be expected for rookies, so I’m not worried about last week. However, what I’m looking for this week is progress out of the 2 young DBs. Ward made some really nice tackles, but he missed on a couple others and seemed to be late in getting into coverage a couple times. I just want to see these guys keep getting better week in and week out at this point of their careers.

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What about you, folks?