Zero16Browns

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?

An anticipated return by Jake Delhomme was not seen until 25 seconds left in the second quarter. Did I say anticipated? In a game and a half, Delhomme has throw four interceptions to one touchdown and has a quarterback rating of 48.2 good for 37^th in the NFL. There was an obvious reason for Coach Eric Mangini and General Manager Mike Holmgren decision to go with Seneca Wallace for the start. Wallace is fresh, and almost untested as a fulltime starter in the NFL.  In fact, Wallace is ranked as the fourteenth best passer rating in the NFL.  Better than players such as Matt Schaub, Donovan McNabb, and Eli Manning.

The Browns may have been far better off had Wallace not gotten injured as they were leading the game heading into the second half. Although when Delhomme came in he led a good drive in the Browns opening possession of the third quarter, but fumbled at the two yard line and the Brown were forced to settle for a field goal. Mistakes happen. However, after the offense failed to take off, where was Josh Cribbs? Arguably the Brown’s best player, he ran the wildcat only three times. He had one pass for 10 yards, a reception for eight yards, and two rushes for 11 yards. If Delhomme was performing so badly, why was Cribbs not running the game? It certainly worked against a Steelers team last year, which had a twelve game winning streak against the Browns.

Peyton Hillis looked good as he had a thigh injury and played against the tenth-ranked defense in the NFL. The Browns defense, gave up 140 yards rushing to Michael Turner who only had 19 carries. Had the defense held, there might have been more of a shot to win and not give up the lead.  The Browns have had leads going into the second half four out of the five games they have played. This just goes to show the defense still needs a lot of improvement.

Looking at next week, Wallace appears to be on the mend with his ankle injury, Delhomme does not look fully recovered or even comfortable in the pocket to play, look for Colt McCoy to make his NFL debut Sunday. The Browns have a lot of work to do this week to prepare for a Pittsburgh team that went 3-1 without starter Ben Roethlisberger.

Final Score, Steelers 17 Browns 7

The Browns are back and it’s taken some time but we’re back too. There will be regular comments updated weekly.

Our current post is a brief review of the Falcons game on October 10.

Enjoy!