What to Do with Grady Sizemore’s Option
September 21, 2011Buckeye 12-Pack: The Miami Game
September 21, 2011The Browns were beating the Colts 17-12 in the fourth quarter, but it was starting to feel like the Browns weren’t winning at all. The Browns led 14-12 in the third quarter and went Peyton Hillis fumble, punt, punt on offense for the entire quarter. Thanks to Usama Young’s interception, the Browns led off the fourth quarter with a field goal drive to bring it to aforementioned 17-12. The Browns had finally pulled away by more than a field goal, but it wasn’t enough to make anyone I know feel comfortable. The Browns punted one more time after Owen Marecic failed to convert on 3rd and 2. The Browns defense held yet again and then Alex Smith made my new favorite play of the game.
Yes, Josh Cribbs returned the ball to the Colts 28. Yes, Kaluka Maiava and Ray Ventrone sealed the first wave of Colts defenders as Josh Cribbs made his first cut to daylight. But for my money, it is Alex Smith cutting in front of a Colts defender and springing Josh Cribbs deep into Indianapolis territory by standing straight up throwing his hands in the air like a silly goose and avoiding even the appearance of a penalty for blocking in the back.
Yesterday we talked about unintended consequences of rule changes. Guess what? They don’t teach Alex Smith’s “blocking” technique in any football camp, I wouldn’t imagine. Then again, today, I am calling the cut and stretch block as practiced by Smith a brilliant and perfect technique considering the way the league has become with illegal blocking calls and player safety.
Josh Cribbs didn’t take it to the house, but the momentum he generated by getting it deep into Colts territory almost certainly had something to do with Peyton Hillis’ 24 yard touchdown run a few plays later.
And speaking of “little things that allow bigger things,” it is important to note that the much maligned Brian Robiskie and pulling guard Shawn Luvao had plenty (and I mean plenty) to do with Peyton Hillis breaking free for that score. Robo had Justin Tryon absolutely blanketed and sealed to the outside and Luvao, while late, eliminated the one major unblocked would-be tackler as soon as Hillis evaded him slightly.
11 Comments
Great post. I noticed both Smith blocks, and that on a McCoy rollout at the goal line he rolled well with Colt (though the ball was thrown too late and he was too close to the sideline by then and it was incomplete). Note that this is our #3 tight end – I don’t think people have really thought about how valuable the Browns’ trio of tight ends really are, particularly on a team with average WRs at best.
I think you mean Justin Tryon.
Ty Tryon is a failing professional golfer
Love it. The kind of space for running backs you usually see when the Browns are on defense causing me throw things at my TV.
Robo=Waldo
Well, if that’s Robo’s contribution to winning we should grab Vickers when he’s cut and split him wide. Saint Lawrence would have pancaked that skinny little dude.
Thanks DC. All I saw was Tryon on the back of the jersey and my brain didn’t come to Justin first, unfortunately.
I’ve seen that spread-eagle style block twice now, both times I really liked it. No way anyone’s getting flagged for that, and it’s very effective.
Maybe it’s time for Robiskie to bulk up and become a blocking tight end.
“like a silly goose”…Jim Norton style, I like it.
How come Peyton Hillis looks 10x bigger than Owen Marecic? Either way, they do need a lead blocker for him when in power formations.
@ jared (10)
I’ve been saying that since the first preseason game. Marecic looks like freaking Mini-Me next to Hillis