In Browns folklore, this playoff loss does not rank with the most heartbreaking, however the game truly was a sign of things to come under Marty Schottenheimer. With a 21-3 lead and 11 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, Marty choose to try to run the clock out against Dan Marino. In effect, he played into Don Shula's hands who dared Marty to pass the rest of the game. With a young Bernie at the controls, a few first down passes might have locked this one up for the Browns but Marty had to play it by the book right up to the bitter end. There is no doubt that during the regular season, Marty's obsession with playing the percentages was in fact the smart approach. But come playoff time, you simply gotta roll the dice sometimes. It turned Schottenheimer's stomach to take risks, even in the playoffs, and the price paid was that during the prime of Kosar's career, the Browns never made it to the Super Bowl. If we had to label this game for it's infamy, the best title I can come up with is "foreshadowing the drive" because it was the same fear of winning the following year, that led Marty to play bend but not break when we had Elway pinned at the 3 yard line with 5 minutes left.
Monday, August 30, 2010
One more pre-season game and then its primetime
with one game to go in the preseason, it's clear that there is much to be pleased about with our Browns. Fundamentally, our first team offense has had no trouble all pre-season moving the ball. That is a strong contrast to last year's regular season in which the Browns offense was non-existent. Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are a major upgrade over Quinn and Anderson. So scoring doesn't look to be an issue.
Where we do have a major problem, as this article from the Lorain Journal aptly points out, is on the defensive line. A couple of stats that will scare anyone. So far this pre-season there have been 96 passes thrown against the Browns and we've managed to sack the QB one time. Worse, the starting QBs of Green Bay, St Louis and Detroit completed a whopping 83% of their passes thrown.
Houston we have a problem.
If Shaun Rogers ever returns that will help but for the moment, nobody has a clue as to when that will be. On the plus side on D, our defensive backs have been great. Ward and Haden are a major talent upgrade and will contribute this year in a big way.
Other observations from the Lions game. Colt McCoy certainly firmed up his status as the number 3 QB with a decent showing, though he still struggled to move the team when a score was needed and the pressure was on. In any case, he also showed some flashes of his potential. He made the team Saturday and like most young QB's he simply needs time to develop.
Where we do have a major problem, as this article from the Lorain Journal aptly points out, is on the defensive line. A couple of stats that will scare anyone. So far this pre-season there have been 96 passes thrown against the Browns and we've managed to sack the QB one time. Worse, the starting QBs of Green Bay, St Louis and Detroit completed a whopping 83% of their passes thrown.
Houston we have a problem.
If Shaun Rogers ever returns that will help but for the moment, nobody has a clue as to when that will be. On the plus side on D, our defensive backs have been great. Ward and Haden are a major talent upgrade and will contribute this year in a big way.
Other observations from the Lions game. Colt McCoy certainly firmed up his status as the number 3 QB with a decent showing, though he still struggled to move the team when a score was needed and the pressure was on. In any case, he also showed some flashes of his potential. He made the team Saturday and like most young QB's he simply needs time to develop.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Grossi insights - Must read
Tony Grossi has an inside line to key Browns decision makers and the attached article is a must read for anybody who wants to know what is going through Mike Holmgren's head right now. The biggest surprise? Colt McCoy is fighting for his job. I am convinced that McCoy has a future in Cleveland but with today's NFL economics, even unproven rookie QBs who we plan to sit on the bench, have to show something to justify their salary. The problem with McCoy is that in two games he has looked quite lost. Right now the game is just too fast for him and it is tempting to management to save money but cutting ties now. Especially considering how good the top two guys have looked.
My guess is that the Browns are simply sending a signal to McCoy that he needs to have a sense of urgency. McCoy will make the team.
As the Brown Log has already pointed out, Carlton Mitchell is also on the firing line. I think the world of Mitchell's potential but to use a baseball analogy, he is a player who clearly needs a year or two in AAA ball. Whereas QB is a position in which the Browns can invest a roster spot for one year, it's not the case for receivers. If Mitchell cannot produce he will be cut loose and will have to find a spot on another NFL team or perhaps the CFL where he can work on his skills.
On the positive side, Joe Haden is clearly a winner. I was surprised during the Green Bay game at how good Haden looked returning kicks. In spite of a fantastic college career, Haden "fell to" the 7th pick in round 1 because he was relatively slow in the 40 yard dash at the combine. We all know how the Brown Log feels about using track meet data to judge if someone can play football and it looks like Haden is further evidence that football players cannot be judged only by track meet data. He may be slow on the track, but this guys recognition and guts give him that extra edge that makes him look blazing fast on a football field.
My guess is that the Browns are simply sending a signal to McCoy that he needs to have a sense of urgency. McCoy will make the team.
As the Brown Log has already pointed out, Carlton Mitchell is also on the firing line. I think the world of Mitchell's potential but to use a baseball analogy, he is a player who clearly needs a year or two in AAA ball. Whereas QB is a position in which the Browns can invest a roster spot for one year, it's not the case for receivers. If Mitchell cannot produce he will be cut loose and will have to find a spot on another NFL team or perhaps the CFL where he can work on his skills.
On the positive side, Joe Haden is clearly a winner. I was surprised during the Green Bay game at how good Haden looked returning kicks. In spite of a fantastic college career, Haden "fell to" the 7th pick in round 1 because he was relatively slow in the 40 yard dash at the combine. We all know how the Brown Log feels about using track meet data to judge if someone can play football and it looks like Haden is further evidence that football players cannot be judged only by track meet data. He may be slow on the track, but this guys recognition and guts give him that extra edge that makes him look blazing fast on a football field.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Browns vs Cardinals
Even though the Browns lost to the Cardinals 19-17, the second exhibition game of the season brought more good news than bad.
On the positive side, Jake Delhomme continued to show he can lead the Browns offense and that is of major import to the success of this years team. On offense, the only negatives were rookies. Carlton Mitchell once again struggled. Against Green Bay he couldn't get open and against the Rams he dropped the two passes thrown his way. Wide receiver is probably too critical a position to invest in Mitchell while he learns on the job, I'm afraid he is headed towards the waiver wire even if I still believe his upside will eventually result in a permanent NFL job. Colt also looked bad, though it's clear the Browns will give him the time he needs to help him adjust to the speed at which the NFL game is played. For now Colt is clearly out of his league.
On D, the line must improve. Right now our defense is weak and it is the defensive line play that is the source of the problem. Shaun Rogers return will help but not enough.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Vintage Browns: 1992 Mike Tomczak
Check out this sequence from the 1992 season in which former Ohio State great Mike Tomczak leads the Browns on a touchdown drive vs the Oilers.
game 2 preseason: Browns vs Rams
The Browns face off against the Rams tonight in their second exhibition game.It will be interesting to see if they can build on the Green Bay game. Everyone realizes that this is the exhibition season but the Green Bay game in any case gave some very good reasons for all Browns fans to breath a sigh of relief. It can only be seen as positive that the Browns were well organized and ready to play against Green Bay. Against St Louis what we should look for is progress. Can the Browns defense put pressure on Sam Bradford. Will Jake Delhomme look good playing a few more series. Can the Browns passing attack stretch the field a bit more.
All important questions, let's see how it goes.
All important questions, let's see how it goes.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Browns history: Dub Jones
Dub Jones played 8 seasons for Paul Brown and the dynasty Browns, from 1948 until 1955. He was a key role player and play maker on those dominant Browns teams, a sort of 1950's version of our Josh Cribbs, he did it all.
In 1951 in a game against the Bears, Jones scored 6 touchdowns, a record that only two players, Ernie Nevers and Gale Sayers, since have managed to tie. Another note of interest, Jones' son Bart went was a QB in the NFL during the 1970s and was once league MVP.
BOXSCORE OF DUB JONES RECORD SETTING GAME
Chicago Bears (6-3-0) 21
Cleveland Browns (8-1-0) 42
Scoring
2nd CLE Dub Jones 2 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 0 7
CLE Dub Jones 34 yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) 0 14
3rd CLE Dub Jones 12 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 0 21
CHI George Gulyanics 3 yard rush (George Blanda kick) 7 21
CLE Dub Jones 27 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 7 28
4th CLE Dub Jones 43 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) 7 35
CLE Dub Jones 43 yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) 7 42
CHI Ed Sprinkle 55 yard fumble return (George Blanda kick) 14 42
CHI Chuck Hunsinger 19 yard pass from Bob Williams (Wilford White kick) 21 42
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Nice win Browns
Browns won today and looked quite good in winning. I was very impressed with Delhomme, Seneca Wallace, and TJ Ward.
Of all the free agent prospects, I thought DE Cliff Geathers showed the most. He didn't dominate but he held his own and showed flashes of real potential.
Colt walks off injured
Live from Lambeau
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