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 5 - 2013

 

 

Let's start with this.  The Cleveland Browns are in first place in the AFC North.  Process that if you can.  First Place.  Sure, they are only 5 games in.  But they are 3-2 for the first time since 2001.  Think about that.  It's been 12 years since the Browns were 3-2 after 5 games.  They haven't even been over .500 since the clock ticked off on the final game of the 2007 season.  This was a big time win last night, on national television, at home, in front of the best fans in football.  Here's some more food for thought - in the NFL, 50% of teams that start 3-2 make the playoffs.  Yup.  Playoffs. 

It was a big win for many reasons.  First of all, in a town with a psyche as fragile as Cleveland's, following the egg the Indians layed in the Wild Card game, there was a feeling of trepidation (for me anyway) going into the game.  Because just when things appear to be going right for Cleveland, the universe has a way of balancing itself out.  It started on Tuesday with the Indians, and seemed to be continuing from the opening kickoff, when Greg Little caught the kickoff deep in the endzone and jogged out to the eight before he was buried.  Despite the raucous crowd, the Browns seemed intent on finishing the let down the Indians started, on a week where Cleveland was going to be the center of the sports world.  Josh Gordon let a potential 80 yard touchdown slip through his fingers, and the Bills used good field position and a horrible pass interference call to jump out to a 7-0 lead.

Then the unthinkable.  The pin that popped the collective balloon.  Brian Hoyer laying on the field, legs crumpled under him, in obvious pain.  Injured.  Out of the game.  Local boy turned hero turned tragic figure.  In stepped Brandon Weeden, who promptly looked like Brandon Weeden while the boos rained down and the frustration boiled over.  The Bills kicked another field goal and led 10-0. Hope was lost, it appeared.  It felt like another Cleveland sports story.  You could feel it. 

Only this time, something different happened.  Maybe it's having a coach that understands the region.  And understands basic football principles, unlike his predecessor.  Maybe the players are mentally tougher.  Maybe it's just different this season.  But there was a spark, a flash, wearing a brown #80 jersey that turned the game around.  Travis Benjamin, on the strength of two long punt returns, one for a touchdown and one that led to a field goal, almost single handedly tied the game at 10.  The defense clamped down, led by a ferocious front 7.  And somehow, in spite of his shortcomings, (and his long holdings) and the rough start to the game, Brandon Weeden calmed down, made some decent throws, and staked his team out to a halftime lead.

Things appeared to be going right.  The Browns took the lead.  The crowd was wild.  The greatest player to ever wear a Browns jersey was honored at halftime.  Everything was going to be okay it seemed.  Then CJ Spiller blew past Barkevious Mingo for a 54 yard touchdown and the air left the stadium again.  And then the Bills scored again, although the drive cost them their quarterback, as EJ Manuel was cut down by Tashuan Gipson and injured his knee.  24-17.  Bills. 

 

Hope had left, for good this time it seemed.  Surely Brandon Weeden couldn't get the job done.  But then he did.  In the face of adversity he did.  A deep pass, thrown perfectly, (and caught!!) to Greg Little for 47 yards.  Then another, following a penalty, to Josh Gordon for a juggling 37 yard touchdown.  Pandemonium.  Tie ball game.  And then Ray Horton did his thing, and the defense did their thing.  They are fun to watch, this Browns defense.  And Weeden was sharp when he needed to be, making some clutch throws down the stretch.  And Jeff Tuel, Buffalo's backup, was not.  And TJ Ward finished the job with a pick 6 to end the game and start the party.  It would not be the same old story in Cleveland.  Not on this Thursday night anyway.  It was a badly needed win for the Browns, but it was a badly needed win for the area.  They had a chance to fold.  They had every excuse to be like every other Cleveland team that has faced adversity and let us down.  But not this team, not this team.  Not this first place Cleveland Browns team.

 

Random gifs

For some reason I can't stop watching this

This is what Texas football has become

LOL Jimmy Haslam LOL

Safety - My Take

Safety is another position of relative strength for the Browns, although I think letting Mike Adams walk was a mistake.  Adams started all 16 games last year and was always where he was supposed to be.  A great guy off the field and a leader in the locker room, I was upset when the Browns let him go.  However there are some players here, and if the Browns draft a corner early there's a possibility that Sheldon Brown moves from corner to free safety, further solidifying the position.  Currently the Browns have:

FS - Usama Young - played in all 16 games last year, starting 8.  Was injured in training camp and that slowed him a little.  Showed the ability to be a starter but was not a playmaker.

SS - TJ Ward - Injuries limited Ward to 8 games last season.  He has been a solid player in his first 2 seasons and should continue to improve.  Wish he had better hands but looks like he could be the real deal if he can stay healthy.

Backups

Eric Hagg - 7th rounder last year, will always be the guy that Heckert took instead of Sanzenbacher to me.  Played in the second half of the season and looked serviceable, whether he can be more than that remains to be seen.

Ray Ventrone - Special teams ace, marginal safety.


So safety may not be a high priority for the Browns in the draft, but both Ward and Young battled injuries last season and depth can be improved.  I don't think they'll take one before the mid to late rounds so let's take a look at some options that may be available.  It's also not a great safety class this season.


Some guys who may fit what the Browns want to do:

FS:

Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State - 3rd round - good size and functional speed (6'1 207, 4.6), inconsistent tackler who never flashed when I watched Ok State.  May always leave you wanting more.














Phillip Thomas, Syracuse - 3rd-4th round - Looks the part but could get stronger, does have character concerns.  Needs to prove he can be trusted but was a very productive player in the Big East and could develop into a solid center fielder.










Trenton Robinson, Michigan State - 4th rounder - I like the guy, doesn't have great size (5'10 195), but is a bit like Mike Adams in that he can play safety or corner.  Productive, 9 ints in 32 career starts.  Good character guy.






Christian Thompson, South Carolina State - 4th-5th rounder - Transferred from Auburn, is big and fast (6'1 211, 4.49).  Didn't have great production at a small school.  May need time to develop at the NFL level but with the right coaching could be a steal in the 5th.


Janzen Jackson, McNeese State - 5th rounder - another SEC transfer, from Tennessee where he made some really stupid decisions.  He's a high cut guy and could possibly play corner as well.  Offers versatility and is a good athlete but again teams will need to be sure they can trust him.  I think he can play in the league though.


Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State - 6th rounder - he looks the part and flashed in their bowl game, but will need to get stronger.  May need to be a special teams beast to make an impact.  Can play either safety spot.

SS:

Charles Mitchell, Miss St - 4th-5th rounder - 3 year starter in the SEC, production is impossible to ignore.  Not a playmaker but does flash in games.  Should be a contributor early.  Solid player.








DeQuan Menzie, Alabama - 4th-5th rounder - Versatile defender who played corner but may project better to safety.  Produced and was a leader on a tremendously talented team.  Teams will be comfortable taking him because they know what they'll get.  Worked his way back from a torn achilles in 09.

Duke Ihenacho, San Jose St - 5th rounder - Big physical player who should be a special teams demon.  Needs to learn how to cover but could be a solid in the box defender.  A bit like TJ Ward, though much more limited in coverage.













Cyhl Quarles, Wake Forest - 5th-6th rounder - Not a tremendous playmaker but a solid safety who can play both free or in the box.  Good size (6'1 213)  Should make a team and contribute as a backup early and special teams player and could develop into more with proper coaching.








Depending on what becomes of Sheldon Brown, safety may or may not be an area of need for the Browns.  It will be hard to replace Mike Adams in the locker room but they may look to replace him on the field, and there are some versatile safeties that may be targeted late that fit the bill.