Josh McCown’s Shoulder Injury Appears to be Serious
September 19, 2016Report: Carl Nassib broke hand vs. Ravens, will undergo surgery
September 19, 2016Week 2 in the NFL was home to a slew of tough losses. The Green Bay Packers and All-World quarterback Aaron Rodgers saw their hopes dashed with an interception during a two-minute drill. Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts scored with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, only to see the Denver Broncos pull away late.1 The Detroit Lions dropped a sloppy one in front of the home crowd, allowing the Tennessee Titans to squeak out a 16-15 victory in the game’s late stages. No game, however, saw a complete momentum pivot occur on a blocked extra point quite like the Cleveland Browns losing to the Baltimore Ravens, 25-20.
Eerily similar to the Kick Six game that occurred in 2015, the Browns’ special teams unit was manhandled at the point of attack, a Ravens defender facing next to no opposition en route to getting a hand on the footballâa hand that was so square that the ball careened right to an edge-rushing (read: very fast) member of the Baltimore special teams unit, thus allowing for two of the hardest earned points one will ever see in a football game.
“I’m sure when you look at the point swing, that is what people will point to as the difference,” said Browns head coach Hue Jackson. “Obviously it had a huge effect on the game, but there were so many other plays that I saw where we had chances.”
To say that the Browns did not improve between Weeks 1 and 2 would be a lieâthe offense was night-and-day different, and the interior run-stopping efforts of a woebegone defensive unit were impressive. But to have a game swing on the fortunes of a point after attempt is the most Browns thing to happen in this very young season. That is unless you want to nominate the game-deciding penalty at the end. That one’s up to you.
WINNER: Josh McCown
There was a moment early in the game on Sunday as the Cleveland Browns were racing out to a 20-point lead where the offense was facing a crucial 3rd-and-8. Josh McCown got the Browns to the line with plenty of time to spare, walked up behind center Cameron Erving and called out an interior blitz blitz before heading to his shotgun position several yards back. He received the snap and promptly fired a seam shot to Gary Barnidge for the first down. The subsequent touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman will be the one that makes the highlights, but it was that third down play that should be commended.
Throughout the entire contest, McCown stood in the pocket and fired laser beams to his receivers. On the opening drive it was a slant route to Duke Johnson. Later it was the pass to Barndidge. And when he was under pressure, knowing a hit was coming, he was putting the perfect amount of touch on passes to allow receivers to bring in over-the-shoulder grabs for six.
https://vine.co/v/5nMQY1umv77
Any reader of our Week 1 Film Room would quickly point to these variables as the stark difference between McCown and what Robert Griffin III was unable to do during the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s a shame that the veteran will likely miss some time, sustaining an injury to his left shoulderâan injury with which he played for the final three quarters of the game. When asked why he continued to play despite being in obvious pain, McCown had the following:
“I have two little boys that are playing football now. They get hit and they get banged up, and I am trying to teach them what toughness means. For me, it is those things and just knowing the window for me right now and understanding that I donât want to miss snaps. I donât want to be out there without my guys. Unless it is going to fall off, letâs try to make it work and make it go. That is my mentality.”
The exact kind of mentality that fans can (and should) rally around. Here’s hoping he gets another crack at that window before this season is complete.
WINNER: Corey Coleman
Lined up exclusively on the outside, Coleman flashed everything the Browns had hoped to see when they used a first round pick on him this past spring. Coleman obviously delivered on two long routes, one for a touchdown and this one for 40-plus yards on the right side of the field.
https://vine.co/v/5nq5QDdKQb7
When it was all said and done, Coleman finished with five receptions for 104 yards an two touchdowns. All of this said, getting out of bounds with 47 seconds remaining in the contest may have been the rookie’s most astute play of the game. What began as a quick 10 yard in turned into a few yards after the catch, but more importantly, several missed tackles that allowed No. 19 to get out of bounds and put the Browns in a position to win the football game.
There are a lot of folks rightly comparing Coleman to Steve Smith Sr. and Odell Beckham Jr. The size comparisons are there, and we’re finally seeing some of that competitive, fiery attitude as well. Coleman’s 15-yard penalty late in the fourth quarter may have been just enough to cause Patrick Murray to miss a field goal that would have put the Browns up one. If the kid can find a way to manifest this competitiveness into something holistically positive, he’s going to be a lot of fun to watch over the coming seasons.
LOSER: Terrelle Pryor
It may not have been his fault, but that 15-yard taunting penalty was just as big (if not bigger) than the one issued to Coleman on the preceding drive. It will be very interesting to see if the league comes out and issues some thoughts on the call as subjectivity deserves clarification.
WINNER: Isaiah Crowell
According to the Cleveland Browns, thanks to an 85-yard touchdown run early in the contest coupled with some garbage time in the first week of the season, Isaiah Crowell is first in the NFL in yards per carry (6.5), third in total yards (195) and third in rushing touchdowns (2). To get to his 1,000-yard goal, Crowell needs to average just 58 yards per game from here out. A goal that seemed pretty far-fetched before the season is suddenly much more realistic. If Cody Kessler is under center for Week 3, Crowell may get 40 carries. Here’s hoping game flow doesn’t become too much of a headwind.
LOSER: Hue Jackson
When you have a 20-2 lead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter and a team that will not have many chances to win throughout the course of the season, you have to bring that one home. That this all occurred in front of the home fans, a group reeling after a 19-point loss during Week 1, it becomes that much more imperative. Add in the fact that his players are dropping like flies, and he’s staring at a final 14 games wherein several positions are going to be filled by reserves, and this past Sunday was there for the having. Sympathy should be given as so much of what unfolded on Sunday was out of his control, but losing a game like that is not a way to usher in a winning culture.
âWeâre not going to make excuses. We just need to get better.â â Hue Jackson#BalvsCLE
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 18, 2016
Yepâjust like that. Better.
WINNER: Whoever made this sign
Just a friendly reminder at todays #Browns game. #Cavs pic.twitter.com/V3EVQVJFG9
— DavidDermerPix (@DavidDermerPix) September 18, 2016
LOSER: Patrick Murray
As if that missed field goal in the fourth quarter wasn’t bad enough, this team simply cannot afford to miss extra points.
https://vine.co/v/5nqrW5z3O2l
That this one turned into a three-point swing ended up being a game-changer. Make this extra point and it’s 21-19Â Browns in the fourth quarter instead of 22-20 Baltimore. Chris Tabor has to be on borrowed time.
WINNER: Joe Haden
It could be argued that no player needed a bounce-back game in Week 2 more than Joe Haden, and dammmmmmmn did he deliver. After getting obliterated in Week 1, Haden stepped up and provided the Browns with a bit of a throwback performance. Haden was thrown at nine times and allowed just four receptions and 57 yards. And while he technically allowed a touchdown early, he added two interceptions to the mix, the most impressive being on this fade route along the right sideline.
https://vine.co/v/5nqKX0P90EW
What made that second pick most impressive was that it came immediately after a questionable-at-best illegal contact call that gave the Ravens a first down. The Ravens swapped in fresh legs on Haden, who had been on the field through the entire drive, and he still came out with that pick, high-pointing the football as if he was still playing for Urban Meyer down in Florida. Huge game for No. 23.
LOSER: Cameron Erving
I honestly don’t know what to make of Erving any longer. In addition to getting flagged for being an illegal man down field on a huge would-have-been first down, the second year center injured himself late in the fourth quarter when he crashed to the ground while missing a block. (I’ve never seen anything like it.) The play itself resulted in Erving forcing the Browns to take a time out as was in the final two minutes of the game, and he later left the stadium by ambulance.
Cam Erving left stadium via ambulance strapped to stretcher w neck immobolized.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) September 18, 2016
Erving was diagnosed with the medical equivalent of a bruised lung. He remained in the hospital for further evaluations but was released early Monday morning. There is no timetable for his return.
LOSER: Carl Nassib
When it rains, it pours.
#Browns DE Carl Nassib suffered a broken hand yesterday, source said. Heâll have surgery, and theyâre assessing how long heâs out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 19, 2016
WINNER: John Greco
Whoever is behind center when the Browns head to Miami will likely be behind John Greco who moved over when Erving left the field. Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio (and Malcolm Johnson) created that giant hole for Crowell above, and Austin Pasztor played well on the right side of the line. McCown took some hits on Sunday, but it could be argued that the offensive line played well.
“I told (John) Greco he did a heck of a job sliding over,” McCown said. “He did everything he could for us. The snaps were great. It is a hard to just slide over to center and be in the shotgun right away. Grec did awesome, and we were moving the ball down the field.”
And now, the fans:
Winner: Isaiah Crowell Losers: Tie between the refs and Cameron Erving
— Chris Wilson (@ccwillie03) September 18, 2016
official Wayne Mackie is a winner. he obviously had money on the Ravens. #allrefssuck
— the8oh8 (@dantehicks037) September 18, 2016
winner: mccown's orthopedist
— Eric Anderson (@emande) September 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/jworn330/status/777612629993000961
- Twenty-nine penalties? Really? [↩]
37 Comments
Winner: Our collective mental health.
2016 Browns losses don’t even induce a fraction of the mental anguish they used to. This is progress.
Loser: Golden State Warriors
After establishing a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals.
WINNER: Me! I had my had my hands full with this, so I missed the game…
http://www.arcticblubber.com/gallery/d/867-2/0918161413.jpg
The score came on TV and the wife asked “20-9. How is that happening?”
I said “Because McCown is playing…”
I haven’t seen a vid of Care Bear’s injury, but I surmise his bruised lung is the result of getting trampled.
winners : c.coleman , crowell & haden … all had fine games.
losers : erving – man , i actually feel bad for the guy.
… mmmmmmmm
(Repost)
**** 2016 WFNY PREDICTION GAME ****
Updated. No changes. Lucky you, RGB. Let’s see if you luck holds out against Miami.
NOTE: SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED. GOOD LUCK.
See who’s safe, on the verge of winning/losing, and who lost here:
http://numutango.blogspot.com/
See all of the entries here:
https://waitingfornextyear.com/2016/09/10-bold-predictions-for-the-2016-browns-season/
WINNER: Care Bear. He doesn’t have to get humiliated by Suh next weekend.
Winner: Me. Despite the loss, the Browns did a much better job against the run and on their own running game. Very pleased to see this.
Going to add myself to the Winners column as I’m a late CAR touchdown away from going 12-5 ATS. CHI (-3) tonight. Fading Carson Wentz.
the crowell / coleman watch :
crowell – on pace for 1,560 yards & 16 td’s
coleman – on pace for 56 rec. – 1,384 yards & 16 td’s
no , they probably won’t post their “on pace for” numbers , but i am going to keep you posted just the same.
If I had a TV/DVR I’d post a Vine of Erving’s injury. It was one of the most ungainly sequences of physical movement I’ve ever seen from a pro athlete. He sort of targeted a Ravens defender, ran at him like a bull at a matador, stumbled, and fell in a cartoonish heap on his left shoulder missing the defender completely.
If anyone played Bill Walsh College Football on Genesis, it reminded me of when you hit the button on defense that caused your defender to lunge forward and fall down.
Carl Nassib: on pace for 8 broken hands đ
LMFAO !!
I do too. All the physical attributes are there, he just doesn’t have “it”
Losers: Erving: Don’t forget the drag ball penalty. Never seen one of those before. And the bruised lung, missed block, belly flop had me on the floor laughing. I feel for the guy, but it was hysterically bad.
Officiating: Would have had several sacks if not for pretty much constant holding by Baltimore’s o line. Both taunting calls were iffy as well. And the challenged catch, sure looked like the ground aided the catch and I thought that wasn’t allowed.
Winners: Us. much more entertaining game. Coleman looks like a legit first round pick. How many times can we say that of a rookie first rounder?
‘Tis better to have led by 20 and lost than to never have led by 20 at all.
Big loser is the meaning of the word “taunting,” which in Pryor’s case took a McCown-like beating yesterday (had friends visit yesterday and they wanted to watch the game, so I watched from the apathy bandwagon).
I wonder if this is a consequence — intended or not — of the micromanaging brought about by replay review. With booth reviews (and hence referees) being judged with freeze-frame, microscopic precision, have the refs been brain-washed into calling every little ticky-tacky violation — real or imagined — they see or think they see lest Big Bother [sic] write them up on Monday?
Booth reviews are way overdone, and they’re hurting the game. I’d eliminate reviews of catches (anyone with common sense knows what a catch is, regardless of whether the ball moves a quarter-inch or not) and the spot of the ball where the knee touched down. For generations no one ever had a problem with these decisions, and now they’re dragged before the tribunal and put on trial.
This definitely would’ve been a better entry.
… good post , NP.
WINNER: Youth! Starting to show signs of growth. Yay growth.
LOSER: Injuries. BOO INJURIES!
Why wasn’t this on the loser list last week (maybe I missed it)?
I certainly hope it does not get left off any subsequent weeks. Thank you for remembering
Yeah, I never root for injury, but this is clearly addition by subtraction. Another blown pick
Liked for your description as well as your not creating a Vine of the television.
i wonder if we’ll bring the Matthews kid back … good genes.
QUESTION to anyone who was at the game: I’m just curious, did any of the Browns kneel or raise a fist during the National Anthem yesterday?
To toot my own horn shamelessly:
“McCown is a much better QB”
– Me, in June, 2016
“The Browns just got better”
– Me, last week after the opener
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/17/article-0-1B5655F8000005DC-797_634x340.jpg
McCown cannot stay healthy
-anyone that has followed his career
Just making sure you don’t get too big of a head đ
Winner: McCown. Much as I’ve dissed him for his regular spasms of brain lock, which result in interceptions and sacks at the worst time, he may be the toughest hombre we’ve seem play QB. He knew Kessler isn’t ready and he kept running back in to be the pinata. If you’re his teammate, how can you dog it?
Loser: Uh, Hue, is being the HC and OC maybe a little too much on your plates? Look up from your laminated play list now and again and you’ll see your only bona fide QB’s left wing is dangling helplessly at his side. So maybe not a great time to intentionally run an option to the right. Borderline lunacy. Also, if 2 receivers draw taunts it’s fully on you. Know the league trend, know your players, instill a culture and enforce it – hard. You championed one, drafted the other. The stupid peacock stuff is on you.
Loser (reluctantly): Chris Tabor. Ok, this is something of a mission impossible, what with herding 14 rookies and numerous fringe young numbskulls. But these basic breakdowns are soul-crushing. Extra points cannot be blocked up the middle. And Traymon Williams returning punts – what the hell is that? He’s not fast and, as shown yesterday, his hands aren’t so great either. This is like playing an obese Jose Uribe at third – if he can’t do anything it’s pointless. C’mon, this is a sifting year – go pan for gold, Chris, and if someone muffs it, so be it.
Winner: Nassib. As soon as he left the pocket pressure dropped noticeably. Already looks indispensable.
Loser: Cameron Erving. Looks like nothing so much as the huge neighborhood fat kid who everyone said was good at football because he was huger and fatter than the neighborhood pipsqueaks he trampled. That he was a good player at FSU I cannot explain. Thanks, Ray-Fahma.
I imagine coach Teflon using such wording in his defense this offseason as he continues to retain employment by the Cleveland Browns
Winner: Lawyers.
There are lawyers in any courtroom, but the real winners are the “lawyers” who manage the NFL into the most litigious, OCD, and fine-print/replay-obsessed game on earth. Every snap is dissected and discussed like a CSI rerun of a crime that just happened!
I can ad lib an entire segment of TV just from my absurdly detailed knowledge of the NFL process:
“Let’s see the toe area of his right foot on that that play, the rule is that both feet must be in, a toe counts as a foot, but did he catch the line?, he needs both feet and it’s hard to tell from this angle, let review from another angle, see…still hard to tell, they’ll need more than that to overturn the ruling on the field. I don’t know…I see some evidence of the line, the grass is kicked up, but it’s pretty hard to tell…We’ll have to have them put his shoe in a sealed bag and send it to the stadium lab, They’ll perform a turf-paint-spectrometry to establish which blades of grass did in fact make pre-foot-to-endzone-impact with the leading edge of his toe-box area…because he really needed to make sure the front, and front-top area of the trailing foot comes down onto Earth with a visible marker of being inbounds, no other way to at this level, it’s like, you’re a professional now young man, welcome to the NFL, …Jim….Back to you.”
good post … i didn’t have the heart to call Hue a loser. i was screaming for some screen passes , or quick passes to barnidge , to slow down the pass rush.
Browns on track for 16 different starting quarterbacks.
Thank you! I had been struggling for nearly twenty minutes to scrape my ballooned head through the doorway until you reminded me of this.
I’m here to help
Loser – our front office brain trust. After watching Wentz again last night, it is clear to me that he will be a top flight QB for years to come. What makes it worse is that our front office preferred Goff, who has been compared by NFL scouts to Jimmy Clausen.
Seriously though: I really hope Josh gets to stay on the field a lot this season. He’s tough, resilient and a great teammate. He deserves a little success at the tail end of his career. If he can keep scoring, the Browns defense might get a little bit more inspired too, so it’s not impossible to win some games.
we’ll see if and when he gets back first. I haven’t seen a definitive timeline yet.
BTW- is it week 2 or week 3 winners and losers?