Week 11
Wow!! Who'd a thunk we'd have the game of the week?
Some amazing things happened.Brady Quinn got some wide open recievers early,and had the protection neccessary,and the arm to get the ball there,for a comfortable lead.But,in the climate controlled,windless Ford Field,Mat Stafford was able to pick apart the Browns enough to tie it at 24.
Why we faked a FG before the half with so little time was amazing.Things that make you go,hmmm?
Then late in the third quarter,Jason Trusnik safetied Stafford.But the officials didn't notice his knee was down,but awarded the browns with a safety anyway,for int.grounding.Trusnik deserves a sack.
Then,in the fourth,we score,putting us up 4.Excitedly Mangini immediately realizes we should go for two.I have no idea why.In case they score two field goals?I think that was a blunder.Suppose the Lions score a TD,and we have time to drive for a FG.If we don't make the try for 2,a FG only ties it.If we just kick the extra point,a TD + 1 only puts us down two,enabling a FG to win it.Or maybe he was hoping for another Rogers block.
Then our offense can't pick up two first downs,so we rely on our defense...and they held on,and won the game.You can't sell that pass interference to me.The player whose number was called was Hank Poteat,and while I haven't thought of him as an NFL quality player since Dennis Northcutt burned him time after time in the "03" playoff game,he wasn't the guying laying out C. Johnson,he was the guy at the back of the endzone,standing between a reciever out of the back of the endzone,and the play.He was called for pass interference because his back was to the ball.But the ball wasn't even close to them,with Johnson and Pool in their tussle,and Mike"Pops"Adams with the easy pick,at least 5 yards in front of the "so called" penalty.
Didn't surprise me.Those had to be the bottom of the barrel,when it comes to officiating.That's what ya get for being 1-8,and playing another team that's 1-8.
But they did get what ensued right.
The official rules states that a team without any timeouts can get 1 injury timeout,without penalty.
But the injured player must leave the field.
Too bad our Mangenius didn't know that.Or consider it.The Lions sent Dante Culpepper in to QB,and it appeared we had a great chance of stuffing him if he tried a keeper,or being successful regardless what he tried...But Mangini either recognized that we will likely be lowering ourselves on the draft board come April,or that our defense wasn't under his complete control,and therefore destined to fail,so he called time-out.Doh!
I believe that a new position is needed.Awareness Coach.A guy to make the correct technical decisions under duress.Someone who knows all the rules,the numbers,the clock,etc.,like the "consigliere"in the Godfather.Have him speak directly to the officials,after/while conferring with the Head Coach.(I'd do it in a heartbeat.)
Well,we weren't going to the playoffs anyway,so why not move up a notch on the draft board?That's every round.Watching the two teams it's pretty clear we both need alot,but,if BQ can settle in now,and keep improving the way we all expect,neither team will be looking for a QB.So we get first dibs at Berry/Suh...I don't want another Mangini draft,so someone needs to be here for that.Holgrem has shown interest,as reported by NFL network,following the game.
On the bright side,BQ did look very good,and he's capable of being a great one,with beautiful touch.That throw to Jennings(wheel route) was just perfect.And besides that drop,Jennings looked like he could be a starter,with some good,hard running.Mass,Stuckey,Cribbs,and Gaines all had TD catches.Gaines looked impressive,bullying his way into the endzone,when it appeared he'd be stopped short of the goal line.Coleman and Bowens both played well,proving once again these guys are worthy,even though they were ex-Jets.Reggie Hodges did great punting.And we likely moved up in the draft.(As consigliere,I would have suggested that).
On the down-side,Our D couldn't hold a big lead,and gave up too many yards.Combination lack of pass rush/lack of coverage skills.Our Head Coach looked more like Homer Simpson than an NFLer.Where was Rob Ryan?Up in the booth?Veikune isn't getting it done,so he sat.Harrison can't pass block,so he sat.
Overall,I'm not dissapointed.I know Rob Ryan(the guy needs a nickname) will get the D back on track.And our offense just poured one big helping of DW-40 on all of it's squeaky fans.
Is anyone else excited about the big BQ-Gradkowski showdown?
Go Browns!!!
Im just going to give a bright side cause im sick of all downside...
Well when we blew the game the first thought in my head was, at-least this way we showed more potential but Mangini still gets to get fired. I don't understand how going into playing one of the worst teams in the NFL he makes 3 of our rookies inactive. This would have a great game to have Robiskie get some work, it infuriates me that he did not play. Veikune didn't look that good in the preseason which is partly Mangini's fault since he made him learn 2 more positions but he's gotten no work in the regular season and thats unacceptable for a 2nd round draft pick especially when both starters at his position got hurt. I also think that Bowens is doing a much better job at ILB then Barton was doing, you think that all those years Mangini spent with them he would've known who was better. And Poteat had another poor performance and its beyond me why Francies has not been given much of a chance, someone should tell Mangini that our special teams is pretty good so we don't need all our rookies to contribute to it.
As far as Brady Quinn goes he looked much better. The secondary play by Detriot was dreadful but on the pass to Jennings (which was dropped) was great and he showed he had the arm to make any throws. Im excited to see how he plays against Cincinnati this week who has a good defense but not an elite defense.
Jennings also showed a lot of great ability (besides the drop). Im hoping that Jennings becomes the starter and Lewis comes in strictly for short yardage situations, but i don't expect that to happen. I still think Harrison has potential even if he struggles with pass blocking. Id still like to see him get some reps and maybe even lineup in the slot a little.
This would've been a big win for us considering our next 3 games are against Cincinnati, San Diego and Pittsburgh. After those 3 games we will most likely be 1-13. Leaving us to play Kansas City (who just beat pittsburgh), Oakland (who just beat Cincinnati) and Jacksonville (whos 6-4). I think we have a chance to beat Kansas City and Oakland but by that point Mangini's browns will be so morally beat that we wont be able to pull it off IMO.
This might sound odd, or dumb but WHY IN THE HECK HAVEN'T WE SPOKEN TO HOLMGREN YET??????????????? The dude already said that he'd like to come here and help out...the guy lead the Bay to 2 Super Bowls (winning 1) AND the Seahawks (seahawks, for goodness sake) to the Super Bowl against the squealers (remember the "5 super bowl club?") so he would be able to help us out, i think. the second...SECOND I found out he said he had interest, (if I were Lerner) i would have given him a call. how come only fans can think of these things? please tell me if I am off with my calculations on this one, Gents.
I'm almost positive Lerner has talked to Holmgren. Jim Brown hinted that he was talking to him at a meeting and if thats a lie then theres no way after Holmgren said he was interested that Lerner did not contact him. I would absolutely love for Holmgren to come in here as the VP/GM or whatever and hire his own coach someone who he knows can succeed as a head coach. Anyone know who he could possibly be intrested as coaching his team?
Having Holmgren in charge of 11 draft picks is something that can give Cleveland fans something to smile about
The latest I've heard,and what I'd most like to see, has a possibility of "The Big Tuna" coming to town.He does have an out in his current contract,and he is a two year "fix it" man.Then bring in Charlie Weiss,as offensive coordinator.That's assuming his days are over at ND,which I'm fairly certain of.
Randy Lerner did say last week that he "plans" on bringing Mangini back next year.Sure,as of the now,he is in the plans,but I'm almost certain it will be up to the next GM,be it Holgrem,or whoever.So unless the GM is willing,Mangini won't be around.
As for the rookies not playing,I think Mangini is busier trying to get back to 4-12,at least,to make him appear worthy of another year..He should,and should have,been worrying about showing us fans/Mr. Lerner that he's trying to build a winner,and that HIS draft choices aren't total busts.Sitting Veikune,Francies,and Robo was just another example of Manginis' ignorance.The only thing that might give him an out,would be if Lerner is telling him he'd better win,and play the best at each position,as of now.Remember,he's got 4 home games left.
What I have noticed throughout this season,and I guess the OC should take some blame for this,is that when Harrison is in the backfield,the box gets stacked,and the Ds blitz.Watch Ray Lewis push him aside like a mannequinn,and dump BQ,in less time than it takes for BQ to set his plant foot,and you'd be hesitant to play him,too...Earlier,he used to get ops without the Ds blitzing.Now,they key on him,when he's in.So,if we're going to play him,we'd better make him a reciever.Let Jennings have his reps in the backfield.I like Jennings,alot.Just a wee-bit slow,to these eyes.We should be drafting one of the top running backs,anyway.
One more thing.Daboll should work a few plays for Gaines in the offense.The rollout right that Heiden used to do so well,etc.He could/should be a keeper.
Did anyone hear Dan Marino blasting BQ,saying the Browns should stop wasting their time,and get DA back starting,before he doesn't want to play for them,either?...No wonder he never won a Super Bowl.That dog can't hunt.
Go Browns!!!
PS.Hopefully,no rookies will read this.I wonder who's gonna get suckered into driving out to the sticks for the free turkeys this year?Maybe they could have Maiava chase them down!
I think I'd rather have Holmgren then Parcells. I dont trust the browns organization, even if Parcells fix's us in 2 years we could easily blow it as soon as he leaves. I think Holmgren can make the browns a legitimate franchise for decades to come.
Im thinking were ganna have the first overall pick. My draft plan changes week from week but right now I think we should get Russel Okung, giving us one of the best o-lines in the league for years to come and then Jermaine Gresham in the second round. If Gresham can go into the NFL without worrying about his injurie and be his old self he could be an ELITE tight end. Solidifying up the o-line and adding a huge offensive weapon would be a great step. Theres also a lot of good linebackers in this draft so we should be able to get a good 1 or 2 in the 3rd round.
I really like how we have been picking up excellent O-linemen in the first round. we need to keep that up until we are full (complete front 5) we have Joe at LT Alex Mack at Center now, just get some more good picks (11 this season) and then hopefully, the receivers can keep catching like they did in Dorktroit and I think Cincy (it seems all too long ago) and we can be respectable again. Bring in our excellent football mind and hopefully kick the crap out of the AFC north for a change...get out "lifetime series" back to respectable levels again and send "Squealer Nation" back into hiding where it belongs.
Side note...like real browns fan was saying, maybe we could get weiss unless daboll keeps his head out of his hindparts (i hope it isn't illegal to say that on here) and keeps us going like last week
We already have over 100 million dollars tied up in the oline, we really don't need to take one 1 or 2 overall and pay him another 70 million dollars, especially to play RT. We can get good FA linemen to fill the RT and RG holes. We NEED playmakers, pure and simple. I still say Suh or Berry in the first, and go all offense with the second, third, and even forth rounders. Or trade back, get Rolando McCLain or such, and then go offense.
We already have over 100 million dollars tied up in the oline, we really don't need to take one 1 or 2 overall and pay him another 70 million dollars, especially to play RT. We can get good FA linemen to fill the RT and RG holes. We NEED playmakers, pure and simple. I still say Suh or Berry in the first, and go all offense with the second, third, and even forth rounders. Or trade back, get Rolando McCLain or such, and then go offense.
-zaklco
I see your point. I think we could draft a RT in the second round and still get a really good player for not that much money and then go to free agency for a RG. I like the idea of getting a major playmaker in the first round but offensively there arent that many great playmakers. Jonathan Dwyer might be one of my favorite offensive players but im not saying we should draft him. Defensive playmakers is also a choice but in my mind the farther we get into the season the more bust potential Berry is getting. I love Berry but hes not having the season he did last year. In 07 he had 86 tackles and 5 ints, in 08 he had 72 tackles 3 sacks and 7 ints. This year he has 75 tackles and only 2 ints. It could be that teams are throwing away from him but the thought of drafting him so high and having him not work out scares me, but just so everyone knows im still a huge fan of Berry. As far as Suh goes I love him. I have nothing bad to say about him hes a great player and I think he will be a pro bowler for years to come. But so far our defensive line has been the strongest part of the team.
I dont really like the idea of trading down and getting McClain because I dont think he stands out that much between the other LBs in this class that we could get later on. If we dont wont to spend a-lot more money on the o-line maybe Suh is the best choice. The bengals did a good job last year of taking the most talented player instead of the position that they needed and look where they are now.
We already have over 100 million dollars tied up in the oline, we really don't need to take one 1 or 2 overall and pay him another 70 million dollars, especially to play RT. We can get good FA linemen to fill the RT and RG holes. We NEED playmakers, pure and simple. I still say Suh or Berry in the first, and go all offense with the second, third, and even forth rounders. Or trade back, get Rolando McCLain or such, and then go offense.
-zaklco
Ding ding ding. We have a winner.
Suh, Berry, McCoy with our first pick. If we trade down, go with Rolando, Cody, Jerry Hughes, or Joe Haden.
If we don't draft defense in the first with all of this talent in the 2010 draft, we don't deserve to be a franchise.
Honestly, this is a bad draft to want offense because we could really stockpile picks in the defense and make it great.
However, I can't go another year watching Brady throwing passes that are dropped because these kids are idiots and can't catch. I'd also like for Brady not to have to run for his life all the time, and to have a reliable TE option. Did I mention a running game?
Dear God.
Suh or Berry with the first pick but i think its crucial we get a TE this year too. Gresham in the second round or dickson/pitta in the third.
Anyone think we could rip off Al Davis? Derek Anderson for some good draft picks? Hes got a big arm and made the bro bowl in 07. sounds like something Davis would kill for.
We do need a TE. We need a RG, RT, 2 WR's, TE, and a RB. Potentially need a QB as well, but I'm going to say no for now because you can't determine a bust or not after just a few games, especially when there's no talent around that player.
I highly doubt Gresham will be around in the second round.I think Gaines can get open,and is a possible replacement for Heiden,should his days be over. We have to go talent,so it's Suh.Berry to follow,then McClain.But if we trade down again,and get a good RT,in the mid-late first,and get at least equal value in picks for it,I'm good.We could really use the extra picks.Last year we tried to find a RT in free agency,and it didn't work.And trading down for Mack is looking better every week.He's got Pro-Bowls in his future.
Go Browns!!!
P.S. Week 11;Gotta say.Went to friends and watched the game WED. night,again.At least it was on the TV.Had pass interference shown to me.Both Poteat and Elam were flagged for pass interference.Neither were looking for the ball.....But that's not all...same play,Shaun Rogers was blatantly shoved in the back by an offensive lineman,right next to Stafford,and impossible for refs staring at the play to miss.Shoved in the back about five yards.Even a close-up view in the re-plays.But no call...fast forward to TD play,Kenyon Coleman gets chop-blocked,and does a cartwheel right in front of Stafford as he throws the game winner.No call.I guess you could say those refs were rooting for the home team.It makes me want to puke.That,or all the cough syrupy jeiger bombs!
Yeah, I agree I thought I saw Coleman get Chopped on Thanksgiving Day football yesterday, but like you said...no call. do you think refs are EVER going to be non-biased? the cincy erroneous FG in the only other game that we played well in
My fingers are crossed that Gresham falls to the second round, I think TE is an often overlooked position. Its very important to have a good TE especially when developing a young QB. If we can't grab Gresham then drafting Pitta or Dickson is a must.
We need a RB but I don't see any worth taking with a high pick. Maybe Charles Scott from LSU in the later rounds.
My fingers are crossed that Gresham falls to the second round, I think TE is an often overlooked position. Its very important to have a good TE especially when developing a young QB. If we can't grab Gresham then drafting Pitta or Dickson is a must.
We need a RB but I don't see any worth taking with a high pick. Maybe Charles Scott from LSU in the later rounds.
-gobrowns216
A guy I'd love to see in Brown and Orange next year is Anthony Dixon. I've watched a lot of SEC games and he's about the only offense Miss State has. He's a prototype AFC North runner being a tough, north/south guy who has the speed to cutback outside if needed. He's also been a decent receiving option out of the backfield.
The whole game in DET completely messed up everything I thought we needed. it was a great game, but Mo did good again, Stuckey was impressive, Mike Gaines had that catch for a TD...however, everyone has to play like that against teams better than the lions AND the D can't buckle like that we have to hold them like when we played our ancestors (balt)
Wow I'd never heard of Anthony Dixon before today but now I'm a fan. Walter Football has him going in the middle of round 2. Do we have 1 or 2 picks in round 2, i forget?
Could anyone see us going into next year with Chris Jennings, James Davis and a rookie as our RBs next year?
Also adding Matt Roth this week could be huge for us. He had a really good year last year starting for the playoff making Dolphins.
The whole game in DET completely messed up everything I thought we needed. it was a great game, but Mo did good again, Stuckey was impressive, Mike Gaines had that catch for a TD...however, everyone has to play like that against teams better than the lions AND the D can't buckle like that we have to hold them like when we played our ancestors (balt)
-hvlkbrownsfan
I still wouldn't think that we don't need a TE or WR.
Mo Mass is still inconsistent. Young, but inconsistent. Remember he dropped two balls, one that could have gotten us inside the 10 for a score.
Stuckey was impressive, but he's still no more than a #3 or #4 WR, IMO.
Gaines is a nice addition, but he's primarily a blocker in the form of Heiden. A great blocker but nice, big goal line target. It'd be nice to have a pass catching TE, which is why I wish we could have given Martin Rucker and opportunity.
But I think the Lions game showed us that with a few more studs on this D, we could be good. The D just can't keep it together for the entire game, and that's because a lack of depth. We get a guy like Suh or G. McCoy, and we can rotate more on the DL keeping guys fresh, same thing if we get an OLB in round 2.
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