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Since when are the Browns are in the making the NFL’s best teams look like some of the worst teams? Mike Holmgren and Eric Mangini have built this team to succeed.  Colt McCoy, as young as he is, has taken command of the Browns and has them prepped to become a winning team this season. With Peyton Hillis running the way he is, the Browns could finish out with a winning record or as a potential playoff team.

At the midway point of the season, the Browns record stands at three wins and five losses, good enough for third in the AFC North. With the next eight opponents having a combined record of 29 wins and 35 losses, a very favorable lineup. The only teams that would pose somewhat of a threat would be the Browns week 16 and 17 opponents: the Ravens and Steelers.

Regarding the New England Patriots, the Browns held them to only 14 points and considering the Pats rank first in the NFL in most points scored per game, that’s a feat that only the Jets have achieved. Ironically the Jets are the next team the Browns face and they are no pushovers. Their defense ranks 6^th overall in yards and 4^th overall in rushing yards. They Browns need to attack the secondary that is ranked 18^th overall however McCoy must be accurate as it contains names like Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, and Kyle Wilson. 

 

 

Although the Browns were on a bye week, many things have happened during their time off concerning both the AFC North and roster changes. The Ravens were the only other members of the AFC North that had a bye week while the Bengals and Steelers did not. Both teams lost, putting the Browns into the possibility to finish higher in the division and exploit both team’s losses.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy is primed to start his third straight game against the New England Patriots this Sunday. The Patriots have the 28^th ranked defense so look for the Browns to pass more than usual with McCoy. The Browns should continue to deploy the same strategy of defense against the Patriots as they did against the Saints.

The Browns also signed for Ravens wide receiver Demetrius Williams and running back Thomas Clayton. They then waived running back James Davis and wide receiver Yamon Figurs.  Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace have yet to practice this week yet as well.

Seneca Wallace has been very vocal about the Browns picking a quarterback and sticking to him. The reason behind this may be that Wallace has long waited to be a starter in the NFL, having sat in a backup role for seven years of his NFL career. The thing is though, the more experience McCoy gets, the better he gets. Nowadays, rookies are drafted to start immediately. They are trained to be NFL ready by the end of their college careers. Take Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, and Sam Bradford for instance. Stafford has done exceptionally well his first two seasons, while Sanchez has been astounding, leading the Jets to the AFC championship and one of the best records in NFL this season. Sam Bradford, arguably has been the most successful, currently projected to throw over 20 touchdown passes and lead the St. Louis Rams to an 8-8 record. Recent history has shown – go with your rookie quarterback.

Hopefully the Browns do the right thing and finish with a respectable record.

 

This past Sunday the Cleveland Browns beat the Super Bowl Champion Saints…who would have thought? The Browns special teams and defense stood out the most, performing spectacular plays all over the field. The defense’s highlights of the day were intercepting Saints quarterback Drew Brees four times, and returning two of those picks, for touchdowns.  The special teams started off with a bang with a punt return thrown across field from Josh Cribbs to Eric Wright who, proceeded to run 62 yards downfield, which set up a Phil Dawson field goal.

Following into the second quarter, with the Browns leading 10-0, the Saints scored on a Garrett Hartley field goal. The Browns in their next drive, called another special trick play by special teams. Punter Reggie Hodges took the snap and ran 68 yards downfield. It was the longest run by a punter since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. This set up another Phil Dawson field goal giving the Browns at 13-0 lead. The defense however was not done.

After David Bowens intercepted a pass for a touchdown to close the second quarter, the Browns defense continued to hold. They allowed no points scored in the third quarter and again David Bowens scored on an interception. The Browns defense showed up. They played excellent, and showed how good their potential is.

The offense even managed to hold up committing no turnovers and running the ball with effectiveness. Colt McCoy looked even more comfortable in the offense controlling the clock, and making wise decisions with the ball. The line protected him, and receivers made catches when they needed to.

If the Browns continue this type of play, having a tough defense and controlling the clock, they could possibly finish out the season with six to eight wins. With New England up in two weeks with the 29^th ranked defense and the 19^th ranked offense, the Browns could possibly pull off another upset, and many others for weeks to come.

 

Although the Cleveland Browns lost today against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I am proud to say the Browns have a future at quarterback. Colt McCoy looked excellent today against a defense ranked 6th overall in the NFL. He completed 69% of his passes finishing with an 80.5 good for first among all rookie quarterbacks. The Browns may have had a fighting chance had Josh Cribbs not been knocked out of the game with a helmet to helmet hit from James Harrison. Even Mohammed Massaquoi got knocked out a few plays later, minimizing the Browns chance to score points.

The Browns defense did admirably well in the first half only allowing a touchdown but proceeded to allow the Steelers to add on 21 more points. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdowns to only one interception in his first game back from his suspension. The Browns also allowed the first rushing touchdown of the season to Rashard Mendenhall. Considering that they were last team to have not allowed a rushing touchdown that would be something pretty special for the Browns I’d say.

Many things that need drastic improvement are the Browns pass defense, which has been their cancer throughout the season already. Cleveland is ranked 21^st out of 32 NFL teams defending the pass and have allowed 11 passing touchdowns tied for 4^th in the NFL. If the Browns want to win upwards of 6 games this year, the secondary needs to step their game up.

Regarding the Browns offensive game, McCoy flourished in the Browns system throwing for 281 yards with a touchdown to tight end Ben Watson. However, he also committed two turnovers in the form of interceptions. Peyton Hillis also performed well, racking up 90 yards from scrimmage. Ben Watson and tight end Evan Moore ended the game with 88 yards and 84 yards receiving respectably. McCoy sure does love his tight ends; look for them in the future to be his top receiving threats.

Some fun facts/side notes for today’s game: Phil Dawson passed Hall of Famer Lou Groza nicknamed “The Toe” in field goals made good for first on the Browns career leaders in field goals made. Rookie Joe Haden picked off his first pass returning it for 62 yards, and nearly scoring a touchdown. And last but not least rookie safety T.J. Ward leads all rookies in tackles in the NFL with 54 and good for 5^th in the NFL.

 

Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace did not practice Wednesday….at all. Can we say Colt McCoy?