Of Sports and Time Travel
September 18, 2009Looking Back As We Look Forward to the Weekend
September 18, 2009So, I was flipping through the channels last night, and NFL Network had a show on about the NFL’s “Greatest 4th Quarters”. Apparently, this show highlights three historic 4th quarters from matchups that are going on this weekend. And so it was that I forced myself to sit and watch Earnest Byner cut to his left, find a hole to the end zone, and have Jeremiah Castille rip the ball out of his hand at the two yard line. If this weren’t a family-friendly blog…
The Browns played two separate halves last Sunday against the Vikings: one good, and one very, very bad. The Broncos are coming off a fluke-play last second win (in which Brandon Stokley also channeled my freshman-year-of-college Tecmo Bowl move in running down the goal line to burn a few extra seconds… very nice…) against the ‘Nati. So, can the Browns rediscover what they did in the first half last Sunday and bring home a win? Will the Broncos again steal the life from the Browns with a late rally like they did last year? Without further ado…
The Browns Will Win If…
Craig: …they can get the passing game on track. Somebody is going to have to catch passes this week and it better not be Robert Royal again. The Browns need to figure out how to get one of the wide receivers going. Jamal Lewis can potentially catch out of the backfield. If Jerome Harrison is back, I would hope to see him. If Cribbs isn’t getting it done as a receiver go to Massaquoi. If he isn’t getting it done, try Robiskie. If none of them are working well in standard formations, then go to the four wide and have them start running slants like crazy. Denver’s defense shouldn’t be on par with Minnesota, so I hope to see the passing game look decent this week.
Scott: …they control the clock. It started off extremely well last week, but then the defense was on the field all too much in the second half. Couple this with the thin air, and it could be a long day if the offense cannot win the clock battle. If this means four- and five-yard passes, so be it. But three-and-outs will be detrimental to the Browns. This may go hand-in-hand with winning the turnover battle, but whatever Brian Daboll and the Browns need to do to keep Brady Quinn and company on the field, I’m in. Oh, and give the freaking ball to Jerome Harrison more than four times. Please.
DP: …they can run the ball with some degree of success and hold on to the ball. No one will confuse Brady Quinn’s performance on Sunday with Joe Montana (I can’t remember anyone ever trying to throw the ball and just losing it in their wind up that wasn’t a Dolphins kicker). Denver’s defense is not nearly the caliber of Minnesota’s, and the Browns did have small bursts of success against the Vikes. To take some pressure off of Quinn, it would be great if the Browns could establish something with some combination of their three backs (assuming Harrison plays). The Browns’ defense was not horrible in the first half last week, but the unit was forced to be on the field for so long in the second half that they just wore down. If the Browns can move the ball with the run and let their defense rest up, that will only help. Quinn not flinging the ball backward on a pass attempt and/or throwing it to the other team would help, too.
Rick: …the defense finds a way to play like it did in the first half of last week’s game. I actually like the Browns’ chances this week. Denver’s offense doesn’t scare me, and I thought their defense over-performed last week against Cincinnati. The Bengals don’t have a strong O-Line and gave up 3 sacks against the Broncos. 2 other drives were stopped because of interceptions. If the Browns can play smart football- eliminating stupid penalties and not giving the ball up they should win this one. I say Browns 24 Denver 13. Go Browns!
RockKing …someone covers Brandon Stokley on the last play of the game. If the offense can eat up some clock, that would help, too. Last week it seemed like, as usual, the defense wore down as the game went on. The Vikings had the ball for 7 minutes more than the Browns, which is about the same T.O.P. disparity as they had when they lost 31-0 to the Steelers in week 17 last year. This is something that absolutely must change is the Browns are ever going to start winning games. Brady Quinn is supposed to be a good game manager who can move the chains and keep drives alive. There’s no question the Vikings defense is great, but now it’s time for BQ to show that he’s worthy of being a starting NFL QB. The Broncos defense just might be the perfect place to start.
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Now, for the other side of the coin. Last year, I channeled Rick Pitino and said: “John Elway is not walking through that door. Karl Mecklenburg and Steve Atwater are not walking through that door. Sammy Winder and Bobby Humphrey are not walking through that door.” Well, also, Jay Cutler is not walking through that door, since he almost single-handedly destroyed the Browns in the fourth quarter last year. The Broncos have a new, former-Patriots-assistant-coach and new quarterback of their own. What do the fans of the Broncs think about this game?
We again reached out to John Bena at the Mile High Report to get his take on the game. Mile High Report is the premier site for informed, positive analysis of the Denver Broncos, and is proud to be a member of the SBNation Sports Network. Mile High Report is also the home of MHR Radio, a weekly Wednesday night radio podcast dedicated to the Denver Broncos and their fans, and the “Chalk Talk” series, which gives an inside look at the inner workings of pro football offensive and defensive schemes. Without further ado…
The Broncos Will Win If…
…they are efficient on offense, stout on defense and mistake free in Special Teams. Under new Head Coach Josh McDaniels the recipe for success is simple.
Much has changed in Denver since these two teams met 10 months ago. Obviously everyone knows that Mike Shanahan is gone, as is his quarterback, Jay Cutler. In comes Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton and a storm of criticism and negativity from media and fans alike. What we saw last Sunday is a glimpse of why McDaniels took the chance he did with the quarterback situation. Both the Bears and Broncos were in close games. The Broncos won theirs (yes, on a fluke play, but luck is preparation + opportunity), the Bears, behind 4 Jay Cutler INT’s, lost. That is the method behind the Josh McDaniels madness. The Broncos just aren’t good enough to make up for multiple turnovers. Under Jay Cutler it is always a possibility. Under Kyle Orton, not so much. Perhaps that is the reason Cutler is 17-21 as a starter while Orton is now 21-12.
On offense, look for the Broncos to try and establish the running game. With Correll Buckhalter, 1st rounder Knowshon Moreno, LaMont Jordan and Peyton Hillis, the Broncos have a solid stable of running backs, with a solid pedigree. Behind a solid offensive line, the Broncos are going to try and control clock and tempo by running the football. That would open up the passing game, which needs opening up, but the Broncos under McDaniels are going to be a patient team on offense, feeling a well-placed punt is as successful as a scoring drive at times.
When the Broncos do throw the ball, this could be the game Brandon Marshall re-establishes himself as a top-notch wide receiver. For one, Marshall needs to start performing if he is going to get that big money contract he so desperately wants. The other reason has to do with Browns DC Rob Ryan. Ryan, of course, was the DC in Oakland last year. During Opening Weekend, Denver travelled to the ‘Black Hole’ without Marshall. No worries, the Broncos had a rookie named Eddie Royal. All he did was torch the Raiders for 9 catches and 120+ yards. Ryan has professed that he will not be “Royal’d” again this weekend. Enter Marshall.
If Marshall continues to struggle, the Broncos still have plenty of weapons with last week’s hero Brandon Stokley, TE Tony Scheffler and TE Daniel Graham. WR Jabar Gaffney will get a bunch of opportunities as well.
The defense has completely changed from 2008, and that’s a good thing for the Broncos. Gone is the ‘read and react’ defense of the past couple year. In is Mike Nolan’s 3-4, an aggressive-style of defense the has the lookf and feel of the Baltimore Ravens 3-4. The Broncos will show a lot of men at the line of scrimmage, forcing Brady Quinn and the O-Line to determine who is coming. It gave Carson Palmer problems last week, and they still have plenty of weapons downfield.
The strength of the Broncos defense is the backfield. Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman at Corner, with Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill at Safety. A veteran group, for sure, but it allows the Broncos the ability to blitz and bring pressure, leaving the vets to fend for themselves a bit. The Broncos will likely roll coverage towards Braylon Edwards, meaning the Browns will have to find someone else to win the game. Of course, with the running backs dinged up, that someone is likely Josh Cribbs. If the Broncos decide to punt to Cribbs it could be the difference between a win or loss. For what it’s worth, just kneel down on 4th down and let brady Quinn try to beat us.I expect a close game, where an ill-timed mistake could be the difference between a win or loss. If we learned anything from last week, it truly isn’t over until it’s over.
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What does everyone else think?
30 Comments
I don’t even care at the moment. Grossi reported this morning that the Browns will be wearing the turd pants on the road all year. I am hugely depressed by this very unfortunate news.
When we fought Modell to keep “our team, our name, and our colors,” we were not fighting for turd pants.
Some people don’t care about uniforms, and that’s fine. But lots of people do care. I want my traditional Browns look, not some crap forced on us by an outsider.
Men, grab your pitchforks!
Once again, it’s down to Mangini’s defense (or lack thereof). Will it hold or fold (again)?. Keep a weekly tracker on the following:
1.) Will Mangini make the adjustments required in the second half, or again
get out-maneurvered and fold in the second half.
2.) Weekly 2nd Round Draft Tracker:
-Brian Robiskie: Will the NFL’s most ready receiver PLAY?
-Muhammed Massaquoi: Will this high 2nd round pick impact?
-David Vekune: Will this high second round pick PLAY?
“I am hugely depressed by this very unfortunate news.”
We should have had you prepared weeks ago… Even worse is if Denver opts for their warmer white jerseys and we’re all brown…
@#1Mr.Cleaveland: the “turd” pants were at the sole decision of one Eric A. Mangini, who noted that they look great and are “comfortable”. Could it also be that they match his drab and lifeless personality?
At least Lerner hasn’t tried to change our colors to claret and sky blue.
Mangini said the Turd pants will be standard fare for ALL road games the rest of the season. Dqwell notes the players love them.
@#2 – I didn’t view the defense as the main problem last week. If the offense could have done *anything* at all to stay on the field and let the D get some rest… the D was successful in the first half.
And, for whatever it’s worth, you couldn’t have expected the Browns to hold a future Hall-of-Fame running back to 25 yards in the second half, could you? Yes, 155 was painful to watch. I think the defense–IF they bring the intensity and wrinkles they brought in the first half last week–will be the strength this weekend. The Broncos’ line isn’t near what the Vikes’ is, and they don’t have anyone in their backfield as good as either of Minny’s RBs, IMHO. Does Kyle Orton worry you?
This game falls squarely on the shoulders of Quinn and Daboll, again IMHO.
There needs to be a consistent effort on the defensive with a minimum of first down runs of 5+ yards and Quinn must find a rhythm–maybe he can imagine that Mike Furrey is Jeff Samardzija running around out there.
All in all, I feel that this game is winnable and, like the masochist that I am, I am looking forward to Sunday….
I really hate the turd pants. But if they make the team win I don’t care what the hell they wear.
“consistent effort on the defensive side”
my bad . . .
I’ve seen a lot of chatter among Browns fans on the interweb bemoaning Robert Royal getting as many targets as he did. If we’re moving the ball and scoring consistently, what’s it matter who catches passes? If Royal happens to get the majority of catches in any given game, and we get the W, I say throw it to Royal all game if he’s producing.
“(I can’t remember anyone ever trying to throw the ball and just losing it in their wind up that wasn’t a Dolphins kicker).”
I can — Dave Krieg QB. It was because he had small hands. And you know what that means.
#12. x-small gloves?
@ #12 – If he also smells like cabbage, he’s a carnie.
For a good time, tune into the NFL Network right now, they are showing the Fumble. Over and over in slow mo.
I stopped reading the Broncos response after trying to see him justify the fluke play through opportunity and preparation.
with dawkins and champ bailey out there im a little worried about our offense, especially since we only have one (sometimes)legitimate receiver in Braylon. Let the kids play, run some wr bunch formations opposite BE and spread the defense out. dink and dunk, establish a run and just keep the ball moving.
and for god’s sake, put stripes on the the turd pants!
@11: Exactly.
I don’t know what everyone else calls 3 completions for 4 yds. a piece, but I call it a 1st down.
@11- I dont have a problem with Royal getting targets… if he catches them. He had 9 targets, and a mere 4 completions. Being under 50% on target/completions is why people are complaining. Lets see old trusty Heiden.
Isis- since when is like the 50 and 52 pick a high second round? Robo is the only high one, and Veikune did play… its ok though, your right.
Its all about the Browns O. The Broncos D in my opinion is underrated, esp. looking at the Bengals game last week. If our line blocks like last week, then it falls upon the RBs getting at least as a team over 100 yards on the ground, and Quinn being able to get 1st downs especially on 3rd. Brady needs to play a lot more like he did in preseason as opposed to last week.
[…] as I wrote in the lead for the Browns Will Win If… post, the 4th quarter of “The Fumble” game (1987 AFC Championship, played on January 17th, […]
@#7DP-my point was that the Vikings switched blocking schemes in the second half and Mangini didn’t adjust, which is his wont. Unfortunately for the Browns defense, the game is two halves. Sure they played well in the first half defensively, and I credit them for that. The point is, will Mangini make the half-time adjustments this week? (whether they be offensively or defensively). I’m not personally concerned about BQ because I think he’s a natural leader, it’s the defense that needs help.
bobby-ALL #2 picks are high picks, don’t try to deflect the issue. #2 picks are expected to be impact/starting NFL players-more so on rebuilding/rebounding teams. OK…….Robo was one of the top picks in round 2, the others were picked later in round 2 if it makes you feel better. They all were picked WAY above other teams projections………Mangini better be right in this his first draft. (take a gander at all the players on the board that the Browns passed on in round 2 please).
The Broncos will win…if they show up.
Isis… the second half didn’t come down to adjustments. It came down to execution as I told you earlier this week. The Browns threw a quick interception in the third quarter that ruined the defense for the rest of the game because they spent 12 / 15 3rd quarter minutes on the field.
Then the penalties started occurring.
If you want to call that on the coach, fine, but don’t call them half time adjustments. It was poor execution. You can’t scheme your way around that.
I agree that BQ is a good leader, but it’s hard to lead when you’re turning the ball over and your offense isn’t doing anything but going backward because of false starts.
I’m sure there are/were defensive adjustments that could be made; I don’t mean to dismiss that out of hand. But, it sure would have been nice if the Browns could have possessed the ball longer than 10:32 in the ENTIRE SECOND HALF (and that’s despite a 1:32 three-and-out by the Vikes AND Peterson’s one TD run taking only 13 seconds). You can’t expect your defense to be out there for almost 20 minutes in a half and NOT start to give up some yards on the ground.
“…the Broncos have a solid stable of running backs…”
I see what you did there. Those SBNation bloggers think they’re soooo clever.
Dan Majerle? Is that you??
I can’t believe no one said the Browns will win if Quinn doesn’t suck. Come one people that game last week was awful and everyone was blamed for the loss but him. He is a good leader? Really? Where is the evidence there? I’m not saying I want DA in there cause I don’t. I don’t hate Quinn either I like him. But it’s simple. The quarterback has to run the offfense, period.
Come on, JM:
“No one will confuse Brady Quinn’s performance on Sunday with Joe Montana (I can’t remember anyone ever trying to throw the ball and just losing it in their wind up that wasn’t a Dolphins kicker).”
That doesn’t count? I lobbed a Garo Yepremian across his bow!
[…] game in Baltimore coming up next week. DP, with input from the WFNY staff, puts together an excellent preview every Friday afternoon which should be appointment reading. I am going to take a look at exactly […]