Ohio State-Toledo: What To Watch For
September 10, 2011Indians Fall in Chicago on Walk-Off Grand Slam
September 11, 2011I think the Browns are going to look good on offense throughout the game, but the Bengals’ defense isn’t one we can just walk all over. Cleveland’s running game is a bit questionable right now because we didn’t get to see it on display during the preseason much, and the offensive line is shaky too. Dalton is going to have a tough time to start off the game, and I see Cleveland jumping out to an early two-possession lead. From there, I expect Cincinnati to grind things out on the ground and Dalton to start hitting a couple of throws to put the pressure back on Cleveland. The Bengals will score with a couple of minutes left in the fourth quarter, but Cleveland will close out the game from there.” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs by Nature]
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Areas of concern for the as the Browns kickoff the 2011 season: The truth will play out on the gridiron. Until then, those five concerns could make or break the 2011 season for the Browns.” [Lane Adkins/OBR]
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Getting off on the right foot – a rarity since ’99: “The Browns kick off the 2011 NFL season on Sunday at home against Cincinnati, looking to do something they’ve only done once since 1999 – win their season-opening game. That’s right, the Browns are 1-11 in season openers during the past 12 years, with the lone win coming in 2004 as Jeff Garcia led the team to a win at home over Baltimore. What better way to open the new and improved Pat Shurmur era than with a win against the Bengals – who have lost their last three season openers. Shurmur is looking to become the first Browns coach to win his debut since Bud Carson in 1989. Since then, Bill Belichick, Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini have all failed to win in their debuts.” [Red Right 88]
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Almost: “The best thing about the Browns’ off-season is that they took no shortcuts. No veterans with a year or two left were signed to long-term deals. . . . No big draft-day deals designed to win now. . . . No huge promises came from the new coaching staff about how 2011 can be a breakout season. When it comes to the Browns, the story is: Not yet. [Terry Pluto/The Plain Dealer]
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Carrasco injury and the unfortunate Lee deal: “In addition to the information given to them by the other club, the Indians can give the player a thorough physical evaluation. After the physical and review of medical records, the doctors will either clear or not clear the player and based on that finding it is up to the front office to make a decision. In the case of Carrasco and Knapp they were both cleared by team doctors as there were absolutely no red flags, so the Indians okayed the trade. As a result, the Indians had no idea how damaged Knapp’s shoulder or Carrasco’s elbow were. If the Indians could have had an MRI performed on them, trust me, they would have. It is just an unfortunate outcome for them with the trade, and another example of how there is never a guarantee with any player received in a trade.” [Tony Lastoria/Indians Prospect Insider]