Quinton Spears Tweet Insinuates ‘Politics’ At Play On Browns Roster
September 9, 2012Sheldon Browns Suffers Shoulder Stinger In Browns Loss To Eagles
September 9, 2012The Cleveland Browns’ defense came out as if they were fired out of a cannon. The unit that seemingly never got off the field a year ago, was forcing turnovers, flying all over the place and making life miserable for Michael Vick and his receivers. D’Qwell Jackson played like the grizzled vet. L.J. Fort and Craig Robertson played inspired youngsters. Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker were the energetic new guys. Sure, L.J. Fort dropped an interception that would have iced the game, but it’s really hard to think of that as the key play of the loss for the Browns.
The key to the loss is undoubtedly the one-man turnover machine, Brandon Weeden. He’s a rookie and rookies throw interceptions, but today’s game was ridiculous. Weeden looked over matched, uncomfortable, unprepared and just downright scared at times. I can’t insult anyone’s intelligence and try and sugar coat a 12/35 passing performance with four interceptions. The best I can say for Weeden is that one of those interceptions really wasn’t his fault. It was a rocket at Greg Little, who allowed it to pop up into the air. It was especially unforgivable because it occurred inside the Eagles’ five yard line.
So, is there a QB controversy? I guess. You can’t avoid a controversy with a performance like that, no matter who the starter is and who is backing him up. If Tom Brady goes out and puts up a performance like Weeden did today, people will start to think about Ryan Mallett’s name and Belichick will remember the words “diminishing skills.” I’m not saying Colt McCoy should start the next game, but I am saying that even at his awful worst, Colt McCoy never turned the ball over like that. Many of McCoy’s critics have criticized McCoy for racking up meaningless TD passes in garbage time, but most of his interceptions occurred with the team down and chasing desperately. Some of you will think that this is precisely why Colt McCoy shouldn’t be here, but it doesn’t matter whose name you put in second. Seneca Wallace would be getting some serious love today too. No question.
Today’s game against the Eagles showed a brash carelessness by a rookie QB with a live arm. He’ll probably get better and learn, but everyone better hope that he has as short a memory as he claims to have as a former professional pitcher because he needs to forget about this game, and quickly.
Trent Richardson wasn’t great today either, and that was part of the problem for Weeden. It was reasonable to assume that Richardson might be rusty and green after missing all pre-season action. If there was one encouraging thing from the Browns’ offense today it was his ability to run the ball, take hits and not look the slightest bit injured. Yardage wasn’t good, but at least they looked healthy, right? And how about that head butt to Kurt Coleman that propelled his helmet 10 yards? Other than that? The offense was U-G-L-Y. I won’t bore you with the stats, but trust me when I tell you they were.
Lucky for them, they’ll be on the road next week in Cincinnati. Not that it will be an easier place to play, but it will at least give Brandon Weeden and his cohorts a chance to win back the home crowd without having to endure the live criticism. It’s criticism that they deserve, but it might be more constructive filtered through the internet and the media this week rather than experienced first-hand.
As always, this is far from it on this game. Make sure you tune back in all week as we break it down.
(Photo – Screencapped from FOX TV Broadcast)
73 Comments
I would’ve loved to see them try to run TRich somewhere besides right up the middle. He never really had a chance to get goin, it was always plugged up.
And if they didnt want to do that, atleast give Hardesty a few carries. We never tried to get the running game going, so the Eagles knew what we were going to do.
1 more thing. Why bring in Childress? Play calling was just the same as last year so it’s obvious Pat’s still the shot caller. If the O continues like this, they better let Childress have at it.
I’m not saying Weeden’s starting was the wrong decision, but leaving him in the whole game was. You have to stop the bleeding at some point. Not using McCoy as relief was strange, and betrays an inability on Shurmur’s part to adjust.
The first of what will be many games this season so get used to it now. The defense played well put tons of pressure on Vick which helped contribute to all of the turnovers but when a stop was needed they couldn’t deliver. One team will most likely go on to not repeat their performance today while the other will find other ways to end up with the loss.
I never thought the Browns would be in this game at the end of the 4th quarter. SUPREME effort by the D… so sad they couldn’t get a W. If Marecic, Little, or Fort make those catches, the BROWNS win. SO CLOSE!
The offensive line (Marecic included) gave Richardson no help in the run game. I swear, all or most of Richardson’s yards came from after contact. You could tell the Eagles knew the run was coming all game. Brandon Weeden is going to be a bust and take Richardson down with him at this rate.
Yup. They had 9 in the box all game b/c they knew Weeden wouldn’t hit the WR if he threw.
I’ll give the Eagles credit. There was about 2 or 3 times when a receiver was actually open. Great coverage.
Today was enough to get me to cut my ties to Shurmur.
1. Not going for two in a situation where there is no risk is sublimely dumb.
1a. Weeden is not an NFL QB. Colt should have been in this game.
I believe it was confirmed when Childress was hired that Shurmur was going to retain playcalling duties. I think Childress is there to make sure there are fewer handoffs to the TEs, maybe.
3 bad drops cost us the game.
1. Little dropping the ball that became an INT at the 3-yard line (-4 points)2. Marecic dropping the 3rd down pass before halftime that let PHI get the ball back (-7 points)3. LJ Fort (-7 points). (Sorry – he HAS to make that catch, that’s what WINNING teams do)
The Browns have a WR coach and an extra offensive coach to help the WRs. At a certain point, if Little and Marecic can’t catch, they are just losers.
Weedon
good-
great timing on many of his throws
poise in the pocket
bad-
didn’t look off defenders
tried to force throws
looked like he lost some confidence late
Also the drops didn’t help. If Little catches that pass I wonder if his confidence doesn’t soar. All in all, I think its something he can build on. I tried to keep in mind this is a very very good eagle defense
I hear Donovan McNabb’s available, and he’s almost as young as Old Man Weeden. Seriously, McNabb would be a HUGE improvement until we could find someone better.
Play calling was not the same at all. There were many more deep balls – the problem was that they were into tight coverage. Also a lot less running plans. Not more run on 1st, run on 2nds, pass short of the 1st done marker on 3rd. If Weeden made decend (not even good!) decisions, browns would have won, but I guess the same could be said about Vick. At least Weeden didn’t get the beat down that Vick did. Man that guy took a serious beating.
An in even more INTs or more balls in the dirt?
I think you could have brought McCoy in when we were running the last 1 minute drill. I don’t know what that would do to Weeden’s confidence – but he’s a rookie, and rookies can’t run 2 minute drills with no timeouts.
Colt isn’t an NFL QB either. Seems like they should have gone for Flynn or someone.
Yep. I’m about done with the Greg Little experiment. Either start catching the ball or get someone in there who will. You’re a WR. Catching the ball is the most important thing you do. That drop was huge. The Browns get any points at all on that possession and we win. That, and the game sealing INT that wasn’t. Catch the ball, LJ!!!
Hat’s off to the defense…I’ll take 17 points allowed against that team any day. They were aggressive and forced 5 turnovers. Can’t ask for much more. Gotta shore up the run D, though. Not sure why Andy Reid felt the need to keep throwing when McCoy was gouging us all afternoon.
Give up some modicum of a competent offense and we will be OK.
Give the guy more than one game. Manning was 3-13 or something his first year. Not saying he’s Peyton but lets give him a few games before we crucify him
I remember watching Peyton’s first year. I don’t ever recall seeing him look as bad as Weeden did today. There is a difference between knee jerk reactions on a guy who could have played better and a guy flat out looking like he isn’t ready in the slightest.
Colt is an NFL qb, if only a backup. Weeden looked like a border line third stringer today. The decision makeing, the accuracy, the absolute refusal to go through a progression. Say what you want about McCoy and his check downs but I’ll take a four yard check down route over 4 Int’s any day of the week.
In the second half, Weeden looked very much the rookie in his first start, but for goodness sakes, 35 throws, and so many third and longs? With no running game there was no way to ease him in against a very aggressive defense.
If they didn’t put McCoy in today in a “winnable” game I think it’s fair to assume the only way he ever sees the field is if Weeden gets hurt or in garbage time. It’ll take a series of games like today where it’s very discernible that Weeden wasn’t ready to start from day one before a change and even then I’m not sure it would happen.
No offense but what game were you watching? Weeden looked worse then even I expected. That being said I agree with you about Little but this guy did the same thing to McCoy last year so why should things change now. It’s days like this that reinforce the thinking of people like myself who said this team needed to bring in a veteran WR. They didn’t and already after one game you see it showing up.
yeah but Manning was the exception. All I’m saying is, if Manning didn’t start out as an all pro how can we judge Weedon on one game against an extremely aggressive and top notch defense. Now if 4 games in there is no improvement then I say its Barkley (sp?) time
Spelling test!
Let’s all do it together. Shurmur, Weeden, Haslam, Holmgren… Maybe it’s unfair, but I instantly discount any opinions in the comments that consistently misspell key people’s names. A typo is one thing…
I really don’t mean to be a jerk, but come on.
I blame Homgreln for this mess. He hired Shermer and made Hekkert draft Weedon. Total dizaster.
That was a big drop by Fort, but Fort is an undrafted free agent, thrust into starting duty, and came up with a sack, an INT, 2 passes delfected and a tackle for loss. I find it hard to pin any blame on LJ Fort, drop or not. With all due respect to Chris Gocong, Fort and Craig Robertson (his backups) played masterfully.
Little’s drop was the play of the game, moving the Browns from at least 3 points, to none whatsoever. In a game like this, those misfires come back to bite you.
can’t even remember the play by play guys saying anything about not going for 2. i was going crazy – you must go for 2 when you’re up 5. Shurmur – Dummy.
The thing about Weeden that makes his performance even worse is that he is already 28. This guy doesn’t have much time to learn and make mistakes. At this rate, by the time he gets it, Trent Richardson will have already signed a free agent deal with the Redskins.
totally agree on the WR thing.
I was watching more the timing of throws.IMO at this point the reads wont be there yet. but the arm and timing was, when receivers were open. I was a big Colt fan, but honestly his arm is nowhere comparable to Weedon’s. Now I wanna see where his head is at 4 weeks from now. We watched the Packer’s Niner’s game after and its amazing how much more open their receivers were. I just think Weedon hit throws that were in rhythm right on the money. now he has to stop staring down his targets and start reading the defense
sorry I’m a math guy not an English guy. Thank god for spell check
Weeden’s got a great arm but that’s about it. Where was this Gordon kid, who we gave up a 2nd rounder to get? he was hardly noticeable. Little stinks – let’s get rid of his stone hands now.
I can’t agree that Fort’s drop was an easy play. he was going backwards in one direction and he had to swivel and jump to catch the ball. It’s akin to the play Wes Welker didn’t make that would have clinched the Super Bowl last year.
creg lindle pls
This is an English blog, not a math blog, so …
cut a poor carpenter a break!! đ now if any of you need an algebra problem solved look me up
in all seriousness. Just because I’m not good with grammar doesn’t mean I’m not smart enough to have an opinion. I will try harder to not misspell things. But please understand not everyone walks in the same circles in life and it is those different walks that lead to good discussions
The defense played great today. As for the offense…I say throw out the game footage, and start fresh on Tuesday.
I’ve seen some bad Browns games in my day, but I’m having a hard time recalling a game where there were absolutely no positives to take away on offense.
Wait…just remembered one. It was the Charlie Frye game that got him shipped out of town after just one game as a starter. Today was a close second.
one last thing, Anyone see Andrew Lucks numbers? 3 picks and a fumble
you’re fine. I’m just busting your chops, and if we won today Craig wouldn’t be annoyed with anyone’s spelling.
I guess I’m a little sensitive when it come to my own faults. No worries
Blah, blah, blah….same old same old. Not good enough, talented enough, lucky enough. Haslem doesn’t have enough $$$ to change that reality. Another season of woulda, coulda, shoulda…closing in on 48 years of championship-less life, and my time on this rock grows short. This is my salvation? Give it up my fellow Brown’s fans…there is no way this team, or any Cleveland pro sorts franchise for that matter, will be part of a headline that says…THE WORLD CHAMPION……!
I thought it right away, and to their credit they did bring it up briefly, but the game was already moving. I did not understand not going for two, and I think Lynch said “for the life of me I don’t know why Shurmur isn’t calling for two there.”
1) leave Weeden under the flag next time.
2) Marecic is garbage. Call Smelley back, or Vickers NOW.
3) No more wide receivers who were suspended/injured their final year. Min req: 3+ years as a COLLEGE starter.
Hahaha. No one picked the Browns to win this game at all. The level of pessimism is stupefying. Yes some of the same miserable issues that have plagued this offense for the last 13 years, continue. The defense was nearly excellent today. The offense was, well, really awful. Special teams were above average. I have seen enough to be excited to continue to watch this team. Of course this may change by week 8 or so, but really, c’mon. One game. Moral victory, no, but certain things to be encouraged by, yes, and certain things to be concerned about, yes. Take it for what it is, build on the positives, learn from the negatives, and get better. It is that simple. If they don’t get better in the areas where they are not good, then it will be time for changes, but really, get a grip. Ever been super prepared for something and have it go completely wrong? I thought so. Did you learn from it and get better or did you continue to repeat the same mistake? I thought so. Lighten up. Sure talk to me in week 12, but week one, really?
if you put that on a t-shirt I’m buying it.
The defense definitely deserved better. Note that both touchdown drives came at the end of halves, when they were completely gassed (36-24 Philly in time of possession!) and when it was harder for them to make adjustments. I think the defense played championship caliber D today, and if there were an even average offense out there to help them the Browns would have run away with this one.
I get that Richardson didn’t have a preseason, and hopefully he’ll get better – and both of the only runs where he got through the hole he looked nice on – but he really wasn’t getting or hitting any holes. I get that Weeden was in his first start, and his arm looks nice, but those picks (excluding the Little one) weren’t just bad throws, they were horrible decisions. Those can’t even be blamed on the pass rush (the Browns’ line wasn’t fantastic but it wasn’t horrible either today). And if the only pass he can hit is a slant, it won’t take more than a couple plays for teams to start sitting on that (as Philly started to).
I’d love to spin today as “if the D keeps this up, and the O comes around to be half-decent, against most teams the Browns can actually win some games!”, but that was atrocious offense today.
LOL! Yeah, cuz Colt is surgical! Gimme a break.
don’t apologize to these jerks.
Who has ever benched their #1 draft pick QB during their home opener? That’s a pretty stupid idea.
Deserved better? I think the assholes who run the Browns got just what they deserved. Bad people running the organization and it bleeds onto the field. Might be a different story in the future. For now, these guys are all crooked jokers just lying and making moves to justify their decisions and egos. Cant wait until Holmgren, Heckert, Shurmur are all fired.
The WR corps will be just as big a problem for Weeden’s development as anything. Whether it’s no free agent or higher draft pick or even signing a veteran cut as training camps ended the organization did their rookie QB no favor.
Which reminds me, where did the TEs disappear to again? You would think they would be a rookie QBs best friend but yet again the great offensive gurus show they are in over their heads.