I am re-reading Jerry Kramer's classic book Instant Replay. The
Green Bay Packers roster in 1967 is listed and most lineman weighed
250 or so pounds. Peyton Hillis weighs 250 pounds. Today's
defensive backs like to make very aggresive "highlight film" tackles
and it's been fun to watch them bounce off of Hillis today. You
cannot tackle a 250 man with this showtime crap, ask Roy Williams.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
BL Live Blog: 7 Browns blitz, one Bengal scores........
The Bengals connected deep with Owens on a play where the Browns had 7
men rushing the passer exposing Brown to one on one coverage and Owens
burned him
men rushing the passer exposing Brown to one on one coverage and Owens
burned him
BL Live Blog: Bengals blitzing
Bengals D is blitzing more frequently and the Browns O cannot handle
it right now. Need to adjust, especially Hillis needs to stay aware,
he blew 2 blitz pick ups on that possession
it right now. Need to adjust, especially Hillis needs to stay aware,
he blew 2 blitz pick ups on that possession
BL Live Blog
Wright gets burned for a long one by Owens on this drive but salvages
something at the end by batting down a pass that could have been a
touchdown.
something at the end by batting down a pass that could have been a
touchdown.
BL Live Blog: Ben Watson blocking
on first and 5, on an off tackle run by Hillis, Ben Watson destroyed
his man, blocking him 5 yards off the play.
nicest block I've seen by a TE in ages.
his man, blocking him 5 yards off the play.
nicest block I've seen by a TE in ages.
BL Live Blog
Don't the Browns have access to TV? Watson dropped that ball, anybody
can see that. Why waste a challenge???
can see that. Why waste a challenge???
BL live blog: Zone blitz ineffective
Browns D is zone blitzing on every play and Carson Palmer is managing
it beautifully
it beautifully
Kosar on the Brown's wide receivers
Bernie Kosar sounds off in this linked article, about the Browns main problem, their wideouts.
Here is a key snippet from the article:
"Of all the guys, Josh [Cribbs] is probably doing the best job at receiver," said Kosar. "He is making a lot of progress. He's using his hands to get open. He doesn't get shoved off his routes."
What is happening to the offense in the second half?
"I don't think it's so much our lack of adjustments," said Kosar. "Eric [Mangini] and his staff are starting games with some really good schemes. The other teams adjust to us, and then it comes down to talent -- man-on-man. You can't out-scheme the other team for the entire game."
Friday, October 1, 2010
BL Predicts: Week Four vs the Bengals
Predicting NFL games is a mechanical exercise. Each week we consider and add up the following factors:
- the home team wins 57% of the games in the NFL, that's worth about 3 points
- compare the talent of the team's healthy players and their ability to play and execute the game as a team.
- Look for emotional factors that might give advantage to one team or the other.
Week 4 against Cincinnati stacks up as follows
- Browns are at home so they start with 3 points in the bag
- The Bengals are a balanced and talented team, capable of executing well at each position. The Browns have no talent at WR, a weak right side of the offensive line, a good TE, good QB's and average running backs. On D, the Browns appear highly motivated behind the creative leadership of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, albeit the Browns lack depth and talent on the defensive line. On talent let's give the Bengals a 7 point advantage on the Brownies.
- Emotionally, there is a bad sign for Cleveland. This week, Running back Jerome Harrison publicly expressed displeasure with Coach Mangini. A veteran player like Harrison won't normally openly rebel against the coach unless other players on the team share his opinion. Harrison's complaint may indeed be indicative of internal dissension in the Browns clubhouse. So far the Browns have played well in 2010 every game, right up until the moment that they have a gut check, and then they fall apart. Teams have a collective character, and the Browns offensive character is, well, offensive. Gauging this factor is very difficult and that's why not too many people get rich betting on NFL games. The best we can do is look at the clues and this week it looks gloomy. In football more than any sport, one man can lift an entire team out of the abyss with great effort, but the Browns only playmaker is Josh Cribbs and so far this season teams are doing everything they can to assure that Cribbs doesn't have the opportunity to lift the Browns spirits. Give the Bengals another 5 points for the emotional edge factor.
I hate to say it, but all signs point to an 0-4 start for the Browns. Once again I hope we are wrong.......
BL Predicts:
Bengals 21
Browns 12
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)