Week 12 - 2014 - Falcons

In a season of odd games for the 2014 Browns, this one may have been the oddest.  They won on the road against the first place Falcons, 26-24.  The game was odd before it even started, as the first place Falcons were 4-6 in the NFC South and the Browns came in at 6-4 and in last place in the AFC North.  The big news was the return of Josh Gordon, fresh off a 10 game suspension.  The Browns, battling for their playoff lives, did all they could to win, then give the game away, then snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.  It was just a weird game, but the Browns won and the bottom line is that they are 7-4 and still in the thick of the playoff hunt. 

The defense and the running game carried the day.  It should have been much easier than it ended up being for the Browns.  Between turnovers, missed opportunities, and shoddy clock management (by both teams), they certainly made it hard on themselves.  But winning is hard as we've all seen around here for a long time, and the Browns keep winning, and that's what matters.  They won consecutive road games for the first time since 2008, and are 7-4 for the first time since 2007.  They also guarantee that they will not end the season with double digit losses for the first time in 6 years.  That is ridiculous. 

The defense played one of the best games they've played all season.  They held the Falcons to 63 yards rushing and a 2.7 ypc average.  That is outstanding.  They generated consistent pressure on Matt Ryan, led by Paul Kruger who has been awesome this season.  Kruger has 8 sacks on the season and 6 in the past 5 games.  He's been playing phenomenally.  Craig Robertson filled in admirably for the injured Karlos Dansby.  The defense looked faster than Atlanta's offense.  Joe Haden had another great game, and had his second consecutive game with an interception.  Donte Whitner dropped a pick 6, and Buster Skrine dropped an interception.  Those two plays could have made it easier, but the defense did their part, forcing two first half turnovers.  Hell even Justin Gilbert made what may have been the play of the game when he batted down the ball on the 3rd and 2 at the end of the game before Atlanta's field goal attempt.  That's how weird this game was.  The loss of Tashaun Gipson will be a big one as he suffered what looked like a pretty bad knee injury.  But the defense played well and that's encouraging after last week.

Offensively, welcome back Josh Gordon!  Gordon had a big game in his return, and man it would have been nice to have him all season.  He is big and fast and dominant when he wants to be.  It was clear that Brian Hoyer forced some passes to him, and clear that there are some chemistry issues with all that time apart, but there are worse players to force the ball to.  However two of Hoyer's interceptions came on passes to Gordon, the one in the end zone was clearly on Hoyer, and the second looked like a miscommunication but Gordon was wide open.  Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West both ran hard, and ran effectively.  This is the best situation for the Browns running game, having those two splitting carries.  Two's a company and three's a crowd.  The Browns probably should have run the ball more, they averaged 5.6 ypc on their 29 rushes.  Brian Hoyer made some uncharacteristic, careless mistakes and again struggled with accuracy at times, but he got the job done when he needed to.  That's 4 fourth quarter comebacks on the season for Hoyer.  He's 10-4 as a starter.  He's not going anywhere until the Browns are out of the playoff chase, the team is not going to dive into the unknown while still in the hunt.  He had back to back 300 yard games, the first Browns player to do that since Brian Sipe.  And after he tried to give the game away, he moved the Browns into field goal range in four passes, and the Browns won, and that's what matters.  And I'm as tough on him as anybody, but the Browns are 7-4, and 6-2 in their last 8 games, and it's a bottom line business.

The follies before the half in the Jacksonville game appear to have broken Mike Pettine.  Another game, another head scratching clock management issue at the end of a half.  The Browns were sitting on timeouts and didn't use them.  They cost themselves 20 seconds, and that forced them to attempt a 60 yard field goal.  The problem with that is that Devin Hester was waiting in the endzone to return the kick if it was short.  Cundiff kicked one and it was well short, but wait, Mike Smith called a timeout.  Instead of doing the logical thing, and either kneeling or throwing a hail mary, Pettine and that idiot Chris Tabor send Cundiff out again.  The kick was even shorter, and it took a hellava play by Joel Bitonio to save a touchdown after Hester returned the ball 60 yards.  That was pure stupidity.  Other than that Pettine was the better head coach on Sunday, as Mike Smith is in way over his head.  Smith helped the Browns by calling a timeout and saving the Browns from having to use theirs in the final minute.  He also was kind enough to sit back in a soft zone defense on the final Browns drive, allowing Hoyer to move down the field.  Mike Smith had a rough game.  Kyle Shanahan should have run the ball more.

This Browns team has found a way to win games that previous Browns teams would have lost.  Brian Hoyer led the comeback.  They should have won the game much more easily, but they won.  They have Josh Gordon for the rest of the season.  They have two rookie running backs who appear to be more than capable.  They are in the thick of the playoff chase.  It's going to be a fun ride the rest of the season.  There has been too much losing around here to be mad about how they win.  Yes it was an odd game, there have been many of them this season.  But victory Monday always feels good, so let's enjoy it.  Eat drink and be merry, the best holiday of the year is Thursday.  There is plenty to be thankful for with these Browns.


Random gifs

They finally fed the Crow.  Crowell runs farther on this one play than Ben Tate did in his last three games.

Lots going on here at Tennessee for a touchdown against Missouri.  They haven't had anything to celebrate there since Alabama's last national championship though. #sec

OBJ.  This is just amazing.

Bonus pic.  Amazing.

Preseason Game 1

I hate the NFL Preseason, it's an incredible tease.  However, it's football, and football kicks ass, and garbage football is better than no football, so FOOTBALL.

It's hard to know what exactly to takeaway from exhibition football games, even ones with Johnny MFing Football making his debut, but here's what I gleaned from the Browns 13-12 loss to the Lions in the famed GLC, the greatest of all meaningless preseason football games.

Sorry Brian Hoyer fans, but this will be Johnny's team, and soon.  We all know what Brian Hoyer is.  He's the girl next door.  Somewhat attractive, nice, friendly, easy to like.  Johnny Manziel is the stunner, the beauty queen.  Supercharged, smokin hot.  There's a chance he'll break your heart, but if you have the beauty queen you don't take out the girl next door. 

Hoyer had some decent moments, as he should as a 6 year vet in a preseason game with Josh Gordon to throw to and two pro bowl linemen in front of him.  He wasn't pressured.  He still doesn't look like he fully trusts his knee to me, but he looked exactly as he should, maybe a little better coming of the ACL tear.  And that's not to say that's a bad thing.  With the trash I've had to watch at quarterback the past few years I'd take it.  But Hoyer has a problem - Manziel can do things that Hoyer can't, and (probably soon, based on the rate he's supposedly picking up the offense) can do everything Hoyer can.

Manziel has plenty to learn, and was still pretty quick to take off when his primary read was covered, but it was tough to gauge with the trash playing offensive line in front of him.  Everything looked disjointed while he was in, and he was still able to move the ball.  (CATCH THE GD BALL WILLIE SNEAD)  He showed a live arm, quick feet, and after a couple of hits, figured out to slide and get out of bounds on two separate runs.  The game will slow down for him.  It will be his team soon though.

Manziel needs some time with the ones, with the starting o-line in front of him, to fully evaluate his comfort level within the offense.  But rest assured Brian Hoyer, Johnny's coming for you, and soon.

Speaking of the second team offensive line, they are terrible.  The problem in the NFL is that there are more roster spots around the league than there are good linemen to fill them.  Offensive line depth is an issue with most teams for that reason.  It's hard to find good linemen. 

At running back, you have to like watching Ben Tate see the hole and hit the hole.  Terrance West had some decent runs as well.  The Browns look to be in pretty good shape with those two.  Dion Lewis fumbled, and probably won't be on the final roster.  Edwin Baker or Chris Ogbonnaya should fight it out for the third running back spot.  MarQueis Gray is above average at fullback, a decent pass catcher who at least gives you that option off play action.

The wideouts dropped way too many passes, across the board.  Miles Austin and Josh Gordon both should have caught big passes from Hoyer.  Willie Snead and Jonathan Krause may have played their way off the roster.  Charles Johnson is an intriguing prospect who is worth watching more as the preseason goes on.  It should be noted that Jordan Cameron, Nate Burleson, and Travis Benjamin all didn't play.  I'm a big Andrew Hawkins fan.  I think he's going to be very good in this offense.  Gary Barnidge stinks.  But these guys need to catch the ball.

Defensively, the line is stacked.  Armonty Bryant is a stud, he's going to be hard to keep off the field.  With Rubin on the nose and Taylor, Winn, Des Bryant, Hughes, Kitchen the Browns are in really good shape.

Paul Kruger just does nothing for me, he did his classic hesitate, then slam into a blocker move a couple times and it was as ineffective as it always is.  Sheard and Mingo should be out there.  Robertson and Kirksey are going to battle it out to see who starts next to Dansby, both guys played pretty well.  Depth at linebacker is a concern, Tank Carder was embarrassing himself out there.  I'm rooting for you Justin Staples.

Come back soon Tashaun Gipson, I do not want to see Jordan Poyer as my starting free safety.  And welcome to the NFL Pierre Desir, you aren't at Lindenwood anymore.  He's clearly a work in progress.  It would have been nice to see Justin Gilbert out there.

I would have like to see what guys like Connor Shaw and Isaiah Crowell could do, but it's possible that the Browns are going to hold them back to sneak them on their practice squad and don't want to give other teams a look at them.

Also, NFL officiating still SUCKS.  And so does Soloman Wilcots GIVE ME BACK MY BERNIE!!!!!!!!!

The best thing that happened in this game is that no one got injured.

All and all it was a typical Browns game, a bunch of field goals until they find a way to lose in the end.  But Manziel is coming, and so are touchdowns and playoffs and excitement.  Hey it's early but we can dream, right?

Draft Thoughts Day 2......

 

I don't have a lot of time this morning but wanted to get a couple thoughts out there.  First of all, Thursday was a great night for the Browns.  Don't forget that.  Friday had the sheen stripped off with the Josh Gordon report, and I fell into it as well.  I was pissed.  What an idiot, if that is true.  Seriously he must be one of the dumbest humans on the planet.  Whether or not the punishment fits the crime (if it's for marijuana it doesn't, but he HAS to know better) he just threw away millions and millions and millions of dollars.  I'm not going to dwell on it, all I'm going to say is we don't know all the facts.  And there is not a 3rd round receiver that is going to come in and take the place of an All-Pro wideout, so save that outrage.  It is what it is.

Regardless, the Browns got better on Friday.  Joel Bitonio was the pick at 35, and he is a perfect fit at guard for Kyle Shanahan.  He should come in and play.  He played tackle at Nevada and played outstanding against fellow draft picks Anthony Barr and Demarcus Lawrence.  He's got the right amount of nasty in his game, he can get out and move, and he instantly upgrades the line.  Almost every scouting report says the same things.  Nasty, strong, smart, and tenacious.  Sounds like a great offensive linemen.  A scouting report here, this is a great pick.

In the third the Browns took Christian Kirksey, linebacker from Iowa.  He'll play the weakside backer in the Browns 3-4, next to Karlos Dansby.  He was an every down player at Iowa, and was versatile enough to take on linemen in the run game and play one on one coverage against slot receivers.  This is nice.

When one of your ILBs has the versatility to play press-man on slot receivers, it really gives you flexibil... https://t.co/YZytF6AJL5
— Brendan Leister (@BrendanLeister) May 10, 2014

He can run, he's more of a sideline to sideline player than a physical thumper.  He was a two time captain at Iowa and his intangibles are off the charts.  He has a lot of fans on draft twitter, a lot of people like the pick.  He should step in and immediately upgrade the linebacker spot that Craig Robertson occupied last season, opposing quarterbacks will undoubtedly miss throwing at him.  Pretty thorough write up here.

And at the tail end of the third the Browns moved up, giving up their 6th rounder this year to select Terrance West, the running back from Towson.  If you do any research on this guy you'll find it nearly impossible not to root for him.  Good quick read here.  He was a man amongst boys at Towson and fits the AFC North bill of big power backs.  The best way to counter a possible Josh Gordon suspension may be to run the hell out of the football, and now with Ben Tate and West you have a couple horses to ride.  His game against Eastern Illinois in the FCS playoffs is the stuff of legends.  Highlights here.


So as easy as it may be to be upset about Josh Gordon, it is undeniable that the Browns and Ray Farmer are killing it in this draft.  They are left with 2 picks today, a 4th and a 7th.  I'm still holding out hope for Jared Abredderis, and I wouldn't be shocked if they took a flier on either another wideout, corner, or quarterback in the 7th.  This team is on the right path, and I'm in the minority but I'm happy that Ray Farmer didn't jump off the path after the Josh Gordon news.  Keep taking good players, that's the way to build a team.  Go Browns.

Week 15 - 2013

 

The eloquent Josh Cribbs once stated about the Browns "We almost always almost win."  That's the story of the Browns.  They dropped another close game, 38-31 to the Bears yesterday.  They guaranteed themselves another season with ten plus losses, their sixth in a row and twelfth (!!!) since they've been back.  That is amazing.  That we as fans still pay to watch this team, buy jerseys, waste time writing and reading about this team is a testament to our loyalty and flat out proof that Cleveland Browns fans are the best in the country.  You don't believe me?  Did you see the "crowd" at the Steelers game last night?  Those fairweather cousinbangers in "Steeler nation" turned their back on their team after one losing season.  The Browns should be thanking their lucky stars for their fanbase, and they better start winning to reward our patience.

The game itself was unremarkable.  It was entertaining for a while, then the Browns found a way to lose.  That is pretty much the best case scenario as far as this team goes, but it still sucks every time.  I love Jay Cutler.  I'm not sure I'd love him if he played for the Browns, but I love him on other teams.  He has two giant and talented wide receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey, and a great running back in Matt Forte.  The Bears have a great offense.  And they looked great at times against the Browns defense.  The Browns defense looked great at times as well, returning an interception and a fumble for touchdowns by Tashaun Gipson and TJ Ward, respectively.  They also looked awful at times, their inability to get off the field on third down is maddening.  The pass rush that looked so good early in the season has not been great lately.  Joe Haden left the game in the third quarter and never came back.  And they game up 38 points.  Not great.  I still believe in the defense.  I think they are young and good and only missing a few pieces. 

But they have been exposed in some games this season.  The inside linebackers are exposed in coverage every single game.  I'd expect that position to be a priority come draft time.  Leon McFadden is growing up on the job and there have been bumps in the road.  I've always been a Tashuan Gipson fan, and I think they should resign TJ Ward.  There are still needs to be addressed.  And at times their scheme leaves something to be desired.  I like Ray Horton, but they have got to get off the field on third down.  That's the key problem with this defense.

On offense, we all know what the key problem is.  Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback.  Jason Campbell.  Not a great game.  How do you have a receiver that has been as dominant as Josh Gordon has been and not get him the ball?  Big time wide receivers need the ball early in the game to get them in rhythm.  The Browns threw Gordon one pass in the first half.  Genius.  Literally the only thing that could stop Josh Gordon is Jason Campbell.  They also couldn't run the ball effectively against a team that had given up a hundred yard rusher in six straight games.  Nor do they commit to running the ball anyways, but that's beside the point.  And Devone Bess can go away.  Gimmie Josh Cooper or someone else that will catch the rock on third down.  I can't watch him drop passes anymore, I see enough of that with Greg Little.  Come draft time, I'd expect a quarterback, a wide receiver, and a running back at some point pretty early.  The Bears offense would be my model.

Again there's not much to say.  The best thing to come out of this game is that the Browns have moved into the top 5 in the draft.  There are two more games, against the Jets and Steelers.  Two more writeups on another lost season of Browns football, then it's draft and free agency and hope and promise.  And maybe less almost winning and more actual winning.


Random gifs

This is what a punter getting hit so hard his jaw breaks looks like. 

This is how I feel everytime I see Jeff Triplette is officiating

Oh Dez.  You're my favorite.  Sorry about your quarterback.

Barry might be sleeping, but this whole thing is creepy all the way around.

BONUS CUTLER FACES

 

Week 14 - 2013

What a joke.  The NFL should be ashamed of the performance of Jerome Boger and his crew.  NFL officiating has never been worse than it is this season.  At least the replacement refs had an excuse.  This sham of an officiating crew did their best to give New England the game, and with the help of Fozzie Whittaker and his inability to grab a football on an onside kick, the Browns lost an absolute stunner to the Patriots, 27-26.

Seriously I'm not sure I've ever seen a game like that one.  It's hard enough to beat the Patriots, and nearly impossible when Tom Brady is allowed to call his own penalties, but the Browns were in position.  And then they gave up 13 points in 30 seconds, aided by two absolutely appalling, deplorable penalties and an idiotic play by Fozzie Whittaker.  The first penalty, unnecessary roughness in the endzone was called on Jordan Poyer for hitting Julian Edelman in the shoulder with his shoulder.  Apparently now shoulders are off limits to defensive backs also.  Enjoy seeing more ACL tears like the one that happened when TJ Ward hit Gronkowski, NFL.  Players can't hit anyone high, all it will be is blown out knees and broken lower halves.  That penalty on Poyer was a joke.  It moved the ball up 15 yards for the onside kick attempt, which New England recovered.  They were then aided with one of the worst penalties I've ever seen called, a pass interference on Leon McFadden in the endzone with 40 seconds left in the game.  That put the ball at the one yard line after the 29 yard penalty, and basically decided the game, although Billy Cundiff had a chance but was short on a 58 yard field goal.

It wasn't just those two calls.  There were multiple instances throughout the game of these referees being influenced by the Patriots.  Tom Brady talked Boger out of an intentional grounding penalty, while Boger called Campbell for a less egregious penalty later in the game.  Rob Chudzinski had to use 2 challenges on simple calls, one on an embarrassing spot given to Willis McGahee on a 3rd and 1 and one on a bouncing pass that was called complete to Edelman.  There were other calls, like the juggling catch that was called incomplete by Josh Gordon, and the questionable false start on Jordan Cameron.  I've said a million times to anyone that would listen that the NFL should allow the public to see the grades officials are given.  How incompetent does a NFL ref have to be to get canned?  Jeff Triplette is the worst in the league, made another critical error in this weeks game (I didn't see it so I don't know how bad) and is still allowed to work games week in and week out.  It's a joke.

To that point, let's revisit the last time Jerome Boger's crew worked a New England Patriots game.  Here's the recap. 

So let's see, Boger and crew cost the Patriots a game earlier in the season against the Jets with a controversial call.  The Patriots, with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and Roger Goodell's BFF Robert Kraft.  And then Boger gets assigned to another Patriots game.  Against the lowly Cleveland Browns.  And then what happened happens.  The NFL is a joke.  Their officials are a joke.

That's not to say that the Browns could not have won the game.  They are a stupid football team that makes stupid plays.  All Fozzie Whittaker has to do is grab the football and the game is over.  And not that it matters but why the hell is Greg Little on the hands team? 

The end of the game spoiled what was one of the finest coaching jobs Rob Chudzinski had done all season.  The gameplan was outstanding.  The players were executing.  Jason Campbell looked good.  Josh Gordon is incredible.  Jordan Cameron played his best game since the first half of the season.  The defense played well until the fourth quarter.  They should have won the game.  In May, we'll be happy that they lost.  But it hurt yesterday and it hurts today.  And please don't be fooled by Jason Campbell's game.  Just because he wasn't bad doesn't mean he's good.  The Browns need a franchise quarterback.

So that was that.  Another soul crushing Browns loss in Browns fashion.  But the real story is the embarrassing performance of the Jerome Boger and his crew.  They were a joke and they played a huge part in this debacle.  Seriously though, what else is there to say, other than - Only in Cleveland.


Random gifs

The snow broke Megatron

Defensive linemen are dirty mofos

Matt Prater Record Breaker

Bonus pic because it's awesome

Week 13 - 2013

 

I didn't even want to write anything today.  Not about this team.  Maybe it's the Monday after Thanksgiving hangover effect.  Maybe it was all the actual good football I watched all week.  Maybe it's because on Saturday I watched two of the best football games I've ever seen, in Ohio State-Michigan and Auburn-Alabama.  But more likely it was because of Brandon Weeden and Alex Mack and all the other Browns who make football in Cleveland unenjoyable.  And they did their part on Sunday.

Losing to Jacksonville at home is not easy.  It's downright hard, really.  They are not very good.  And Chad Henne is awful.  I like Gus Bradley and all but it takes a lot to lose to the Jags.  And the Browns did.  All it takes is a second quarter flame out, (sound familiar?) Brandon Weeden, and a lack of pass rush.  That's the formula.  Everything else being equal, that's how the Browns lose every week.  32-28 Jacksonville.  And honestly I hope they lose every game for the rest of the season, and get a real quarterback.  Until that happens, they will continue to suck.  Just like the have for the past 15 years.  They SUCK.

A funny thing happened though.  I felt nothing.  An empty void.  I would normally have been screaming at the TV.  Kicking the air, swearing, throwing clothing.  Not this game.  Nothing.  I said the Browns couldn't have paid me to come to the Factory of Sadness for this game, and I meant it.  They have reached the level of shittiness where I, emotional ticking time bomb Browns fan, don't care.  Lose to the Jags you bums.  Get your butts kicked all over the field against the Steelers, lose to the Jets, I don't care.  Get a higher draft pick.  Maybe don't screw it up this time.  But I don't care.  Trot out Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden, Alex Tanney, Dennis Northcutt, I don't care.  They all suck.  The season really ended with that flameout against the Bengals, then in case there was any feeling left there was the punch to the balls by the Steelers.  Every single year, right around Thanksgiving, usually on the third or fourth quarterback, this happens.  And every year, in April, I get excited again.  And every year, in August, I'm convinced that this is the year.  And then comes November.  Rinse.  Repeat. 

It's like getting hit in the face with an elephant dart everytime Brandon Weeden drops back to pass and fumbles, or throws the ball to the other team, or finds some way to suck worse that he did 5 minutes ago.  A concussion, Brandon?  Really?  It's always something when you spectacularly flame out.  A thumb one week.  A concussion.  I didn't even know you could get a concussion in your VAGINA.  You are the worst, Brandon Weeden.  The worst.  You make me yearn for Doug Pederson and Thaddeus Lewis.

And Alex Mack.  They tell me he's good.  He's not.  He's probably one of the worst picks since the Browns have been back.  A center.  A GD center in the first round of the draft.  Over Clay Matthews and Percy Harvin.  He gets a crucial penalty every week, usually having something do to with the snap count.  Alex, buddy, you're the center.  IT'S YOUR JOB TO KNOW THE SNAP COUNT.  This week he snapped the ball ten feet over Brandon Weeden's head.  Brandon, so full of football instincts, kicked the ball from the goal line out of bounds for a safety rather than attempting to, I don't know, pick it up and throw it away.  This is seriously the stupidest football team I've ever seen.  Alex Mack also calls the protections.  He stinks at that too.  I beg you to not lose any sleep over the fact that the Browns have made no effort to resign him.  They are getting it right.

I wish I had recordings of all the fools at the trade deadline saying the Browns should trade Josh Gordon for a second round pick.  Right Dustin Fox?  He's the only real player on this offense (except Joe Thomas of course).  I said it last week and I'll say it again, Jordan Cameron has packed it in.  Maybe playing with a real quarterback would help him.  Who cares.

So, four more games.  Who's excited?  Start scouting college quarterbacks.  My money's on Derek Carr right now for the Browns but who knows if we keep losing we may get Teddy B!  Get pumped!  The nightmare is a month away from ending, and the promise of the draft will take over.  And in a year, maybe there won't be late November sadness.  But for now fill that empty void with dreams of competent quarterback play, with college football, with holiday spirit.  And next year, maybe around this time, maybe there will be a team worth feeling something about.


Random gifs


I love you forever and ever Marcus Hall.

I told you all a hundred times Jeff Triplette is the worst ref in the league.  Now this lady knows.  Great job Jeff and crew screwing up another game.

Yes this really happened.

And a bonus for all the swearing today

Week 12 - 2013

I honestly didn't see that coming.  I should have, because I've been burned before.  But I didn't.  I thought it was going to be different.  It wasn't.  I thought the Browns were the better team.  They weren't.  I thought the coaches would have the Browns ready to play.  They didn't.  I thought the Browns would win.  They didn't.

Does that about sum it up?  Another game against the Steelers, at home, and another loss.  Another lifeless performance, not one but two Brandon Weeden sightings, passive coaching, poor special teams.  Awful all the way around in a 27-11 loss to a lousy Steelers team.


Ben Roethlisberger, sex predator, essentially treated the Browns defense like they were guests in his own personal barroom bathroom.  He did whatever he wanted.  The Browns generated no pressure, they gave Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders ample room, and they allowed Le'Veon Bell to run through them.  They were powerless at times.  The offense certainly doesn't help the defense by constantly turning the ball over and failing to score when given good field position, but the defense needs to create turnovers and pressure quarterbacks.  And the defensive players took shots at the offense after the game.  CHEMISTRY!

Jason Campbell apparently has a rib injury.  It must be bad because getting tackled by the ankle even aggravates it.  If he's hurt then he shouldn't be playing.  He had ample time in the pocket for most of the first half and generated very little, especially when gifted good field position.  If Chris Ogbonnaya can't hold on to the football then stop giving it to him.  Give it to Willis and Fozzie.  They only run the ball ten times every game.  Let's minimize some risk here.  But an ankle tackle forced Campbell out of the game in the second quarter, and Weeden came in and promptly fired a fastball that a quickly regressing Jordan Cameron dropped.  And then the wheels came off, Antonio Brown ran past Joe Haden for a touchdown, then Obie fumbled and Pittsburgh got three more points.  At 13-3, the Steelers had it essentially wrapped up at halftime.

The Steelers knocked the fragile Campbell from the game for good in the third quarter, then the home crowd was treated to some more Brandon Weeden.  He only fumbled once and threw a pick six, so all and all a pretty decent game out of him.  Josh Gordon is the only weapon on this offense now that Cameron has packed it in, and he was uncoverable.  Imagine what he would do with a good quarterback.  He had 14 catches and 237 yards.  He's a stud.  This is a team that is moving towards unwatchable territory.  The pillow fight next week between the Browns and the Jags should be epic.  I might be secretly hoping for a Browns loss, one step closer to a franchise quarterback.

The one thing that the Browns do better than anybody in the league, possibly any other team in the history of football, is throw the ball short of the first down marker on third or fourth down.  IF YOU NEED FIVE YARDS RUN A FIVE YARD PASS ROUTE!  NOT 4 NOT 3, FIVE STINKING YARDS. 

3-10-PIT 36 (7:56) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 15-D.Bess ran ob at PIT 31 for 5 yards.

 

3-5-CLE 25 (14:20) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 18-G.Little to CLE 29 for 4 yards (20-W.Allen).

 

3-7-CLE 28 (6:53) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass short left to 15-D.Bess to CLE 34 for 6 yards (22-W.Gay).

 

4-16-CLE 30 (1:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass short right to 15-D.Bess to CLE 38 for 8 yards (22-W.Gay).

It is the most maddening thing.  I don't understand.  It's going to be a long five games.

Anyways for the 24th time in the 29 regular season games that the Browns and Steelers have played since 1999, the Steelers won.  I don't even know why I'm surprised.  I don't know why I expect anything different.  It's not different.  It won't be until we get a real quarterback, not a fragile journeyman or a 30 year old baseball player.  A real, legit quarterback.  If you think you can win without one in the NFL, you can't.


Random gifs

Pictures is a man's game

This is a pretty solid td dance

Oh Braxton.  Be careful.

#BeatBlue

 

 

 

 

Edit Had to add this gem of two drunk Bears fans racing