J.T. Barrett named Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist
October 14, 2016Browns will be “looking clean” on Sunday against the Titans
October 14, 2016Last Sunday was the version of the Cleveland Browns most expected to see in 2016. The New England Patriots might be sort of good at this game of American football, and Tom Brady was out to seek vengeance on the NFL. Somehow that vengeance takes the form of scoring a ton of points and helping the NFL’s ratings and popularity. Strange world.
The good news is that Cleveland swept Boston in the sporting games that actually mattered last weekend, and the Browns don’t have quite as tough an opponent this week. Marcus Mariota and company have a whole bunch of promise and potential, but much of it has yet to be realized. So, the Browns have a decent shot at putting up another one of their competitive efforts.
Browns offense versus Titans defense
Are the Titans a Top 10 defense?
Craig: There’s almost no way of knowing based on their schedule so far. They’ve played Minnesota before Sam Bradford started playing there, the Lions, Raiders, Texans, and Dolphins. They did get a chance to shut down Adrian Peterson in that opening week limiting him to 31 yards on 19 carries. I think they’re a good defense, but how highly they rank is still up for debate.
Joe: They may not be Top 10, but the Titans defense is pretty darn close to a Top 10 defense. It has a great coach in Dick LeBeau, who knows how to orchestrate a great defense. It features a solid pass rush behind the likes of Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan. In the secondary, Jason McCourty and Perrish Cox combine to make a solid starting cornerback duo. It is a good unit.
Michael: Did someone say Dick LeBeau against a rookie quarterback (Cody Kessler is expected to start). Auto-shivers on that one. The defensive schemes are top notch for the Titans, which helps them generate a pass rush, but they are willing to aggressively gamble on getting to the quarterback at the fault of opening up some running lanes. I’m interested to see if LeBeau copies Belichick’s script of shutting down Crowell instead. As for Top 10, probably not quite, but they might have those numbers at the end of the season given their division.
Josh: They may be ranked as so now, but they haven’t played many good offenses so far this season to truly see how good they are. They are a good defense, but top 10 worthy? I don’t know about that.
Scott: The Titans have a solid pass rush, undoubtedly ranking in the top 10, but their run defense (despite what they did to Peterson) has been average. The Browns should be able to run the ball, but equally troubling is how well the Titans have faired against No. 1 receivers. While several have eclipsed the 100-yard mark, its taken a ton of volume in the way of targets, and none have managed to score a touchdown.1 The Titans absolutely shut down the right side of the field (compared to the rest of the NFL), so it will be interesting to see how Hue Jackson decides to work around this headwind. They can’t help who they’ve played. I’d put them somewhere in that 8-10 range overall, so yes—top 10 seems fair.
Pat: I would love to see them against one of the better offenses in the league to know for sure, but I think they might be. The Titans have been very active in the free agent market with over half of their starting defense coming as unrestricted free agents. The best of whom is outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, who leads the team with six sacks and hasn’t had his annual injury yet. They also have quite a bit of drafted talent that is now coming into their prime. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey is a stud. Middle linebacker Avery Williamson has been a tackling machine. Jason McCourty has a pair of interceptions and has played well. The key to the Titans’ defense is Brian Orakpo, though. They don’t have another edge rusher on the team who can be counted on to get consistent pressure on the quarterback. If he goes down at some point, as he usually does, they’re in trouble.
Dave: I honestly don’t even know. I haven’t watched a single second of the Titans; I’ve only done the minimal amount of research needed to make puns about players names (Marcus Mariachi). I Googled it and in 2015 Dick LeBeau wanted them to be a top 10 defense, and they didn’t do it. So probably not.
How many quarterbacks do the Browns use this week? Which ones and how well do they do?
Craig: Josh McCown will play this week if I had to bet. There’s also a good chance he doesn’t finish the game thanks to an injured Joel Bitonio creating further movement along the offensive line. Bitonio getting injured with all the other things that have happened to this team is a giggle-fest because otherwise we might just start crying.
Joe: I believe the Browns use two quarterbacks, Cody Kessler and Terrelle Pryor. I think Kessler will continue his solid play. Pryor will hopefully just run the read option, because his arm is not great.
Michael: Kevin Hogan is on the active roster. Keving Hogan! That would be six quarterbacks in six weeks. Hey, we don’t have much to cheer for this year, so baseless trivia it is.
Josh: Two. If both are healthy, I expect Josh McCown and Cody Kessler to get some reps on Sunday. Both of the quarterbacks can do decently well depending on how much time their offense line gives them in the pocket. Considering they have no shot at the postseason this year, would love to see Kessler start the rest of the way though just so the Browns can find out exactly what he has.
Scott: I’ll go with two, one of which is Terrelle Pryor along with whomever gets the start.
Pat: This question is so incredibly depressing. I was not a fan of Kevin Hogan coming out of Stanford, and I’m not a fan of him as any sort of answer for the Browns going forward. If you’re a quarterback whose best attribute is that you’re a “consistent winner and tough” at the college level, then I’m not interested. This is just one analysis, but matches up well with what I saw from Kevin Hogan in college. The negatives are overwhelming. I am hoping that Cody Kessler is feeling much better by the start of the game on Sunday as I’d like to continue to see his progress. Based on how this season is going though, I’ll guess that we see all three of Kessler, McCown, and Hogan on Sunday.
Dave: If we piece together the non-injured body parts of our QBs were are getting damn close to a full human. Also The Friday Fumble is prepared with the Standford fight song for the Kevin Hogan watch.
Do we finally get a big Gary Barnidge week or does anyone else step up?
Craig: Gary Barnidge hasn’t really had a breakout week yet, and I’d feel silly predicting it now. Hell, I don’t even know who is playing quarterback or blocking for that quarterback.
Joe: I think Gary Barnidge will have another solid week, but I don’t see a huge 100-yard receiving day like last season. His role as a receiver is just not as big as last season.
Michael: With Kessler starting, yes. It is also time for a touchdown reception from the big man though he doesn’t have to repeat his butt-catching theatrics. I won’t complain if he does.
Josh: I feel like Terrelle Pryor may be taking the majority of Barnidge’s touches, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is what it is. With the Browns struggles on the offensive line and trying to keep a quarterback healthy, getting the tight end healthy is the least of my worries right now.
Scott: Breakout? Nah. He’ll get a few looks. Maybe a touchdown. Regardless of what he does, he’ll be the second-best tight end on the field.
Pat: Probably not. He just doesn’t seem to be a big part of Hue Jackson’s game planning, for whatever reason. I’m guessing we will see a lot of Isaiah Crowell, Terrelle Pryor, Duke Johnson, and Andrew Hawkins since that has been the norm lately.
Dave: I have to believe it will be Barnidge and Pryor will be the focus again. And I’m hoping for a bounceback from Crowell. Or maybe just futility again…this is making me tired.
Browns defense versus Titans offense
Marcus Mariota doesn’t put up big numbers (Titans bottom third in most passing categories and overall scoring) nor do they seem that efficient and the Titans have not yet started winning. How good of a quarterback do you think he is?
Craig: I still like Mariota’s prospects, but I fear that he’s not going to end up becoming as good as his potential. The idea that the Titans entrusted the future of their team, specifically Mariota, to Mike Mularkey is mind-boggling to me.
Joe: I think Marcus Mariota will be a good quarterback, but not an elite one who can be the main reason a team goes to a Super Bowl. He reminds me of Michael Vick. His athletic ability is a plus, but his arm talent is not elite enough to be a great quarterback. But, that does not mean he can’t be a Super Bowl winning quarterback. He just needs help around him.
Michael: Mariota has such a fun style of play. He puts the ball on the spot while mobile and he’s willing to sacrifice his own stats to help put up big numbers on the ground (his own legs or that of a teammate). He hasn’t reached the “carry the team” stage of his career, but I don’t think it is unreasonable that he grows into such a role. Right now, he’s an average NFL starter with upside for much more.
Josh: I would take him as the Browns quarterback any day of the week. Whether it’s with his legs or arm, the kid can make plays on his own. Just wait until he gets some legitimate playmakers on the outside.
Scott: Young and mobile with some upside. I agree with Craig that Mularkey is a joke of a head coach. The Titans are lucky they have an incredible running attack (talk about a segue), because right now Mariota looks average (QBR notwithstanding). Good news is, if you’re going to have average, young average is much better than having a guy like Alex Smith.
Pat: I think he’s a good young quarterback, but he needs a more creative offensive mind running the show, and he needs more help from his receivers. Tajae Sharpe is going through some growing pains after being anointed as the Titans’ top receiver. The run game looks solid, but the passing game needs a shot in the arm.
Dave: I’m told that the Browns draft is a failure because we didn’t get Mariota. So there you go.
Is DeMarco Murray and the quite good Titans OL the first team to put up some serious running numbers up against the Browns?
Craig: It will be one of the biggest tests for the Browns yet this season. So far after games against the Eagles, Ravens, Dolphins, Washington and New England, the Browns haven’t faced one of those top-level running backs to date.
Joe: The Browns run defense has been solid this season. The Browns should be focused heavily on stopping the Titans run game because that is the center of their offense. So, I do not think DeMarco Murray and the Titans will put up huge numbers.
Michael: The Titans offensive line is monstrous. They knock the crud out of opposing teams and I don’t think that the Browns defense has seen anything close to it yet this season. Adding to the worry is that while Shelton, Ogbah and Davis have been good in the run prevention market, the Browns have not had a disruptor there.
Josh: The young front seven of the Browns better know what they’re in for on Sunday. This is one of their first true tests of the year against one of the best run offenses in the league. If the defense doesn’t come ready to play, the Titans will run all over them.
Scott: First? Did Washington’s 145 yards on just 26 carries (5.6 yards per carry) not count? That said, the Browns’ front seven is going to be in for a helluva long day. I’d put Tennessee’s rushing attack in the top three of the NFL, potentially interchangeable with Dallas and Atlanta. If they couldn’t tackle Matt Jones, they sure as hell will have a rough afternoon trying to bring down DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry (who rattled off 54 yards on just seven carries a week ago). While it won’t be the first time the Browns will have been gashed, I have a feeling it will be the worst gash yet.
Pat: I doubt it. I think the Browns do have a legitimate rush defense this season. Danny Shelton has consistently graded as one of Pro Football Focus’ best run stuffers. Emmanuel Ogbah has provided a huge boost in the run game by containing the edge (a fact I wasn’t aware of until Michael Bode and Joe Gilbert brought it to my attention). Demario Davis is your classic run-stopping middle linebacker who struggles to cover receivers and Christian Kirksey has been equally as reliable. The run support from safeties Ibraheim Campbell and Derrick Kindred has been very good. I think we can hang our hat on the rush defense.
Dave: Probably? Nevermind. No. They wont.
After the Patriots exposed the Browns linebackers in coverage on tight ends, how scared are you of Delanie Walker?
Craig: Of course I’m scared of Delanie Walker. I don’t think anyone has a two-headed monster quite like New England, but until proven otherwise, you should FanDuel the hell out of tight ends on weeks they play the Browns. I don’t feel like it’s been a disaster so far, but it could be at any moment. I have zero confidence the Browns can stop a decent tight end plan.
Joe: The Browns cannot cover tight ends and Delanie Walker will be a huge mismatch for the Browns defense to defend. Walker is one of the most talented tight ends in the NFL. He should have a huge day against the Browns defense.
Michael: Not one of those problems that can be fixed easily with schemes and Mariota’s ability to break the pocket and eye his tight end increase that issue. Walker and Barnidge should both be huge targets this week. Walker is just more likely to get those big gainers. And, often.
Josh: I’m scared of any tight end that the Browns have to try to defend in pass coverage, truly because no matter who it is, they can’t defend them whatsoever.
Scott: I’d argue the Browns defense was exposed during Week 1 when Zach Ertz and Brent Celek were doing work. Then again with Dennis Pitta (nine catches, 102 yards). And again with Jordan Reed (nine catches, 73 yards, two touchdowns). The Patriots were just the most recent on a long list of teams that will destroy the Browns with incredibly talented tight ends. Seven catches, 80 yards, and a touchdown seems about right. Can’t wait to answer this same question next week when they face Cincinnati with Tyler Eifert likely to have his first fully healthy game. Should be a party.
Pat: Frankly, I am terrified. I think Walker lights us up for 100+ yards and two scores this week. If we could sneak Demario Davis onto the Titans’ defense, Gary Barnidge would have a career game.
Dave: To be honest with you, I am not scared. If I met him in person he would probably be physically intimidating and all, but his name is Delanie. (please do not tell him I said that).
- Will Fuller V found the end zone for Houston, but he’s the No. 2 receiver [↩]
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https://media.giphy.com/media/KGLKvGNxFvUqs/giphy.gif
that’s about right for the Browns injured state too
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