Antonio Brown kicks Spencer Lanning in the face
September 7, 2014Ben Tate out, Isaiah Crowell arrives
September 7, 2014The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t that good. They didn’t really improve their roster as they waved goodbye to veterans. And yet, the eight-win Steelers plastered the Cleveland Browns in the first half of the first game of the 2014 season. The Browns got down 27-3 in the first half. Three touchdowns and a two field goals to the Browns’ field goal. 27-3. What went wrong? Other than everything? Inconsistency across the board.
The Browns couldn’t get the passing game going consistently. They couldn’t play defense consistently. They couldn’t stop the running game consistently or maintain pressure on Ben Roethlisberger consistently. The only thing the Browns did consistently was give up ground on the scoreboard and disappoint their fans.
Was there anything positive?
At one point in the first quarter, I loved what I was seeing from Karlos Dansby. All pre-season, I’ve talked about the presumed upgrade that he would bring from D’Qwell Jackson. Instead of just being a player, I was hoping the Browns were getting a playmaker who could actually make a few big tackles behind the line of scrimmage. It was encouraging to see him sniff out a hole, explode through it and tackle a Steelers runner for loss. Then he followed it up with a big play intercepting Ben Roethlisberger in coverage on the outside like a corner would. Watching Roethlisberger shake his head was awesome. Sure, the Browns didn’t capitalize, punting, but that’s not Dansby’s fault.
Other than that, I guess Jordan Cameron and Brian Hoyer connected on a huge pass play over the top, which led to a Browns’ field goal. But I wouldn’t pretend that this could gold-plate the first half excrement that was the Cleveland Browns opener.
I never expected the Browns to be good, but I thought they could be average. I think the Steelers are and have been average in recent memory. If that’s the case, and the Browns lost the first half of the game 27-3, then the Cleveland Browns must be…
It’s going to be a long year, I guess.
6 Comments
This is a disaster……They are just not a well coached team….they look undisciplined and disorganized….the talent is not that different….but the coaching is….oh and the QB position….but then that really is all that counts in the NFL anymore….Coaching and Quarterbacking…
Playing like a Brown. Punked at Heinz, physically, mentally, talent-wise.
How them FA receivers working out for you so far, Ray?
Hoyer seems to have lost his ability to know where and when to get rid of the ball – 2 sacks totally his fault. Suddenly looking as much like a strictly Norv creation as Ubaldo was a Callaway creation.
O’Neil looks every bit the first-time DC. Whose guys give up big plays deep, short and middle. Tackling like they gave up early second quarter. Who simply weren’t ready to play today, who have zero confidence. And those defensive veterans who know how to win, how’s that working out?
Pettine had months to get a team ready to play competitively, even if they don’t win. Complete capitulation.
Fiasco.
oh sure, make me look the fool coming out like that after the Steelers smoked some celebratory halftime blunts.
gotta love it
Ok…My random thoughts and observations…
As usual the Browns have NO ONE WHO CAN EVER MAKE A MEANINGFUL PLAY WHEN IT COUNTS….On offense or defense….who didn’t know we would go 3 and out and punt and let the Steelers win on the last play???…..because we NEVER HAVE ANYONE WHO CAN STEP UP AND MAKE A MEANINGFUL REAL WINNER PLAY….we get beat by a chump like Marcus Wheaton who DOES MAKE A PLAY….
West and Crowell are the real deal and going to be a meaningful tandem….get rid of TATE NOW….HE CANT PLAY IN THE NFL BECUSE HE CANT STAY HEALTHY!!!!!!!!
Shazier is the real deal….way better pick than our Justin Gilbert…..
Is it me or does it always seem like we can NEVER get separation in the passing game….unbelievable….even as every Steeler receiver GETS separation…..HOW?????????
WHY HAVE A FG KICKER IF HE CANT KICK A 54 YARDER OR YOU DONT HAVE FAITH IN HIM????
That punt was the dumbest play in the game. Either kick a field goal or go for it.