The one common theme since this sad sack franchise returned in 1999 is that they stink. No matter what, no matter who the coach is, no matter what offensive and defensive system they run, no matter the players, since 1999 (save 2 decent seasons) the Browns STINK. Based on the first 3 preseason games, they show no sign of stopping anytime soon.
It took three meaningless preseason games to kill any optimism I had for this team this season. If anyone can make me feel better about this team based on what they've seen by all means let me know. I'm dry. I've got nothing. It's the same play with a different cast.
Understand that I hate Jeff Fisher more than any other coach maybe ever. That guy is a Class A Moron, a scumbag of incredible proportions, a man who colluded with the sanctimonious Tony Dungy to keep the Browns out of the playoffs in 2007, and the man who got Bernie Kosar removed from the preseason broadcasts. Seriously I'm not even sure Solomon Wilcots watches the same game as I do. So I hate the Rams. I hate them, I hate Greg Williams he's the POS who had the bounty program in place in New Orleans. Has a team ever had two coaches look like bigger sex predators? I'd guess no. I hate Jeff Fisher. So there's that, and it makes me even more upset with the way the Browns played.
So okay rant over - and ok, I understand it's the preseason. These games don't count ultimately. The Browns probably didn't gameplan for the Rams. They probably aren't showing their full offensive or defensive playbooks. They were down an all pro cornerback. I get all that. But there is something really really wrong with letting Austin Davis and Shaun Hill march a team up and down the field against your starting defense. There is something horribly wrong when the opponent converts 7-10 third downs against your starting defense. There is something absolutely dreadfully wrong when you let the freaking RAMS convert on third down and 25, 19, 12 and 11. When your first round pick can't even be bothered to attempt to tackle a wide receiver, instead opting to allow Chris Givens to run 75 yards into the endzone you've got problems. And there were problems aplenty with the defense. No pass rush to speak of, no sense of urgency. Mingo runs around like a chicken with his head cut off on at least 50% of the plays he's in on. They just looked bad.
And that's only the defense, supposedly Mike Pettine's specialty. Jeez if that is the strength of our team we're in big big big trouble.
On offense, I'm glad we cleared up this Brian Hoyer/Johnny Manziel thing. Because Hoyer, with all his studying and working hard, looked so much more in command of this superpowered offense. What a joke. What the hell are we watching? Hoyer had a fumble and threw a horrible interception. He completed his first 3 passes (all near the line of scrimmage). He didn't once put the ball downfield. Kyle Shurmur, offensive genius, brought him out into the 3rd quarter to let him hand off 3 times and punt. Yeah we don't need to work on the passing game. Let's bring our starter out (because we barely had the ball in the first half between the offensive ineptitude and the defensive incompetency) under the guise that we need the work, and HAND THE BALL OFF 3 TIMES. Good lord IS THIS WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO? Hoyer was awful I will not sugarcoat anything. In case you're keeping score we've played three games and looked horrible in all three, on offense and defense.
Manziel came in and scored a touchdown, and also looked for more decisive than he had previously. Unfortunately he's playing with a collection of turnstyles dressed up as offensive linemen. Those guys all suck. Cut day is Tuesday, most of those jokers will be looking for a new job. I actually long for Tuesday, so that Tank Carder can finally be put out to pasture he makes me so sad everytime I see him on the field. All I know is this - if this is the best that hardworking studious Brian Hoyer can do, then I'd much rather have Manziel with all his supposed "struggles with the playbook" as my quarterback. I understand that it is impossible for these old-guard NFL west coast offense morons to tailor their plays and gameplans for their personnel, but seriously even if Johnny can't call the plays he is at least exciting to watch, and also the future at the position. Brian Hoyer is a 6 year vet who can't score touchdowns against preseason defenses WHAT THE HELL. He has a command of the playbook. Ok well - he can't execute the plays in said playbook, or said playbook sucks. Because this offense looks stuck in the mud every time he's in. Long story short Hoyer needs to play a hell of a lot better.
So here we are. Two weeks from today the Browns will play a game that counts, against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. We have seen nothing to inspire confidence, nor will we because the last exhibition game is a joke. In two weeks, another season of Browns football kicks off, and lets hope that somehow, despite all we've seen so far this preseason, it won't be the same as all the others.
No comments:
Post a Comment