Et tu, Dwyane?
September 19, 2008Don’t Like the Play-calling? Too Bad…
September 19, 2008In our weekly installment, we examine what it’s going to take for the Browns to avoid an embarrassing 0-3 start on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
So, are the Browns fed up enough to finally get into the win column this week? Let’s hope so. Without further ado, The Browns Will Win If…
Craig: …they can score early and keep Romeo’s decision-making from harming them. But seriously, this has to be the game where the Browns get the running game going. So far this season, Jamal Lewis has 32 carries for 100 yards. That would be good if there was only one game in the books, but as we all know that is over two games. On the flip side, the Browns are facing an offense that needed an unlikely 38 yard scramble from Joe Flacco to beat the Bengals. The Browns need to make sure they don’t let this young QB build any confidence.
Scott: …they finally get their act together. This current team resembles nothing of what we saw last season. We need to see smart passes on Derek Anderson’s end, while receivers actually catching the ball on the other. We need to use Kellen Winslow more often than not, and establish the run as well. I honestly feel that our offense is better than their defense, and our defense is better than their offense. At least they should be. It’s a matter of executing early, and not letting up as the game progresses. We haven’t looked good, but we aren’t the Bengals. This game will be one step closer to .500.
DP: …they come out with a sense of urgency on both sides of the ball. They need to come out like they have no other focus than dominating the Ravens. The offense needs to score early and force Baltimore to play catch-up. The Ravens defense still has some “names” on it, but it’s not as strong as the previous two defenses the Browns have faced. Our o-line needs to dominate the line of scrimmage, create some holes for Lewis, and open up a play-action passing game for Anderson and company. Defensively, the Ravens o-line is suspect, and the Browns need Rogers to again create some pressure up the middle. They need to make Joe Flacco remember that he’s a rookie by mixing things up and forcing him to make decisions on the move, rather than sitting in the pocket and getting comfortable. I think by the middle of the second quarter, we’ll know how this game is going to end up; if the Browns come out like a house-on-fire and score early, and the defense forces Flacco into some mistakes, good things will surly follow and the Browns will build some momentum and have a chance to get back to .500 against Cincinnati next week.
RockKing: …Braylon Edwards pulls his head out of his you-know-where. Seriously, this game is all on the offense. The defense should have some confidence after containing Pittsburgh last week for the most part, and they’re facing a rookie QB on a team without a lot of dangerous weapons on offense. So it’s time for our own offense to wake up and start moving the ball. That will all start with Braylon. If I were the Browns, on the first play on offense I would throw some kind of quick pass, maybe a WR screen or a quick slant, something like that, just to get him going early and build up his confidence. DA needs to stop staring down his WRs, and they need to keep K2 involved early and often. At this point, K2 is our best player, and we need to exploit him more. Nobody in this league can cover Winslow, I genuinely feel that way, and so I want to see them keep getting him the ball. He’s an absolute beast. If they can get that going, it should finally open up the running game for Jamal a bit more, but the O-Line needs to play a little better as well. I think the injuries and lost time in camp is catching up with the offense, but this is Week 3 now…..time to stop making excuses and time to stop feeling sorry for themselves. It’s time to get this offense back on track.
Mike: …the defense brings the same intensity against the Ravens that they did against the Steelers last Sunday night. Sure, they Ravens will gain some yards on the ground, but if the Browns defense picks up where they left off then Ravens rookie Joe Flacco shouldn’t have a chance to beat them. Of course, this is assuming the Browns offense decides to show up. Where do we start on the offensive side of the ball? Derek Anderson? Braylon Edwards? Any receiver not named Winslow? The right side of the offensive line? No matter how you look at it, the Browns offense will have to pull their arses out of this collective slump and start putting touchdowns on the board. If not, the chants for Brady Quinn by the fans will be justified at the stadium during the next home game. Browns – 17 Ravens – 9
Rick: …the Browns are able to get pressure on Flacco and force him to make mistakes. They need to contain Rice and McGahee, keeping the Baltimore defense on the field. The offensive line must protect the QB, as I suspect Baltimore will try to bring the house against the Browns. Screen passes and draws gentlemen. Screen passes and draws.
What does everyone else think?
12 Comments
Get pressure on Flacco. Make him lose the game.
Where was the podcast this week?
…they bring pressure against Flacco. They need to come out hot with a bunch of crazy blitz packages and rattle this kid’s helmet. I’m not talking about the D-line who has been extremely average to this point, I’m talking specifically about Kamerion Wimbley who apparently still starts for this team. He needs to find a way past a lineman or two and get to the QB with a quickness. I think our offense will take care of itself against an aging Ravens defense, so our biggest hurdle is going to be pressure and coverage. Our secondary is as weak as their WR core, but given enough time (ala Romo) anyone can complete a pass. I think the target time for O-line penetration is ~2.5 seconds. We’re giving opposing QBs 2.5 minutes.
Pressure. Coverage. 1-2.
@Nicko: Regarding the podcast, several of us were without power earlier this week – also a reason for the slower posting on Monday and Tuesday. We should be up and running again next week…
… my car breaks down on the way to the game. Every time I go to a game they lose. Last year’s game: @ Cincinnati… we all remember what happened that day…
Wow, someone actually listens to the podcast. Who knew? 🙂
I look forward to it…
… They stop the run and force Flacco into passing. What’s that Romeo? “DAWWW-SON!! Get that little freckled leg of yours warmed up!!” Aw, geez …
…the linebackers recognize their gap responsibilities and shut down the run. I have nothing to add to the astute offensive conversation except that we need Tucker back in a big way. The right side of the o-line has been garbage.
…if someone else runs the clock mangement and challenges for Romeo. If Braylon puts glue on his fingers like the receiver in the Replacements movie. If DA stops staring at his receivers and making it so that my four year old daughter could tell where he was throwing. If we get K2 at least 10 receptions. And if one of our lame LBs actually makes it into the backfield and hurries Flacco.
If their offense comes alive. Are defense will handle Baltimore, we had their number last year so I’m pretty sure we’re good. Unless Flaco turns into another Big Ben, then again their receiving core is garbage. Who knows though I feel like every team that plays against the Browns shoots out another super star.
Stop McGahee, heavy does of Jamal, and Braylon steps up his game. We’ll be good.
If the offense scores more points than Baltimore’s.
Or, if the defense gives up less points than Bmore.
I think it’s important for the O line to establish themselves early and give Anderson time to throw. It also would be nice if the receivers would catch.
@Jeff – Coach, I look like I just jacked off an elephant!
Vastly underrated movie.
Also, I listen to the podcast, though I’ve yet to write a glowing review on iTunes. Maybe you guys will have to have DCBucks and I call in with a report from the parking lot of the Browns/Redskins game. Now THAT would be journalism at its finest.
ha! our offense gave up more points than our own offense got, so we lost.
NOBODY called that one. suckers.