TSX: Browns' Week 14 Grades

[BernietheKid]

TSX: Browns' Week 14 Grades
		By The Sports Xchange Posted Dec 14, 2010 Poor grades ascend upon Browns after season's worst performance vs. Bills. 1 Comment
The Browns set a new low for performance and a new high for frustration in Sunday's loss to Buffalo. After winning two games in a row, Cleveland played dismally Sunday in a 13-6 defeat. The loss raised every question about the team's future: coaching judgment, conservative calls, over-reliance on one player offensively, the lack of playmakers on the offense. The Browns turned to Jake Delhomme at quarterback, and he came up with an 86-yard, one-interception, one-fumble game. Coach Eric Mangini never thought of going away from Delhomme. Peyton Hillis started quickly, but the game turned on one of his early fumbles, and he never recovered -- adding two more fumbles later. Once Hillis was lost, the Browns lacked the passing game to compete. Mangini also eschewed a fourth-and-1 attempt for a touchdown on the game's first possession, taking a field goal, a curious decision for a 5-7 team. The Browns could have been buoyed when fortunate breaks went their way late in wins over Carolina and Miami. Instead, they played tentatively and poorly in a game that was winnable. It's the kind of loss that can reverberate after the season. REPORT CARD vs. BILLS PASSING OFFENSE: F -- The passing game was never a factor in the loss. Jake Delhomme did not play well, but he was also hampered by a game plan so conservative Newt Gingrich would look twice. The Browns simply do not throw the ball down the field, instead relying on a running game and the tight end. They might not have the ability to throw down the field, but if Peyton Hillis is slowed and Ben Watson is doubled, the offense struggles. It's only compounded by the play of the quarterback, which Sunday was weak, at best. RUSHING OFFENSE: C-minus -- Peyton Hillis started fast, but things went downhill from there. Once Hillis fumbled in the first half, and once he fumbled twice more as the game went on, the running game became a turnover waiting to happen. Hillis might have needed time to clear his head, but he won't get that with Mike Bell as his backup. The Browns traded their change-of-pace back and second option when they sent Jerome Harrison to Philadelphia. As Hillis goes, so go the Browns. On Sunday, Hillis was in a funk. PASS DEFENSE: D-plus -- The conditions never seemed to bother Ryan Fitzpatrick. He threw for 142 yards and ran for 49 more, a pretty productive effort on a day not meant for great production. The Bills did not score a lot, but they did move the ball. They had 19 first downs to the Browns' nine, and 323 yards to the Browns' 187. Fitzpatrick's efficiency was the key reason. RUSH DEFENSE: D -- The Bills ran far more effectively than most thought they would, totaling 192 yards. Almost 50 of them came from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but they were all important as Fitzpatrick kept drives alive with his legs. Fred Jackson topped 100 yards, and C.J. Spiller averaged 4 yards per carry. All in all, it was not a good day for the Cleveland defense. SPECIAL TEAMS: C -- Reggie Hodges had another strong game punting, Phil Dawson made both his field-goal attempts, and the coverage units again were strong. But the absence of a big play in the return game has haunted the Browns all season. This was a game in which a Josh Cribbs return might have made a difference; he had 7 yards on one return. COACHING: D-minus -- Eric Mangini continues on his path of teeth-gnashing losses. It's tough to explain why a losing team would go for a field goal on fourth-and-1 on the team's first drive, but that's what Mangini did. His explanation: The game would be close, and he needed the points. It almost sounds prophetic -- or as if he did not believe his offense could score or his team could control the game. Then there is the (over)reliance on Hillis. He has been outstanding for the Browns this season, but he can't carry the entire offense. Not every game. When he is shut down, the Browns struggle. The way the Browns played this game makes the previous two seem more than lucky. Cleveland continues to believe in mirages; it is simply not a good team

Scout.com: TSX: Browns' Week 14 Grades

[BernietheKid]

Loss worsens fans' SAD
Latest defeat endangers Mangini
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Dec 14, 2010




Buffalo Bills' David Nelson (86) catches a touchdown pass under pressure from Cleveland Browns' Mike Adams (20) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/David Duprey)


As snowstorms sweep through Northeast Ohio this week, it would have been nice if the Browns had given their loyal supporters something to brighten their dreary days.

Instead, the team exacerbated seasonal depression throughout the region with its dreadful 13-6 defeat against the Buffalo Bills.

After two consecutive victories, after Browns coach Eric Mangini began to win over more fans, after another strong finish appeared to be on the horizon, the Browns (5-8) laid a dud against one of the worst teams in the NFL.

They should be past the point of losing to teams like the Bills (3-10), but they simply are not there yet. As a result, Mangini's future with the Browns appears to be in critical condition with three games remaining this season.

Of course, if the Browns triumph in their upcoming ''Battle of Ohio'' against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-11), they could still lift the spirits of their fans. Unfortunately, the following report card probably won't do the trick:

OFFENSE: F
Quarterback: F. In his third consecutive start, Jake Delhomme left Browns fans longing for rookie Colt McCoy's return from a high-ankle sprain. Delhomme completed 12-of-20 passes for 86 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. Both turnovers occurred in the fourth quarter, killing the Browns' chances of producing a late rally. Delhomme, though, wasn't solely responsible for those crucial miscues, but I'll get to that later.

Running backs: D. How could Peyton Hillis finish with 21 carries for 108 yards (5.1 average) and still receive a low grade? Well, he fumbled three times. The persistent rain at Ralph Wilson Stadium created slick conditions, but that doesn't excuse Hillis for repeatedly dropping the ball. After the game, Hillis said ball carriers must adjust their styles in bad weather. Then why try to hurdle Bills safety Jairus Byrd, who forced the fumble Hillis lost? Why?

Wide receivers/tight ends: F. Delhomme completed only two passes farther than 10 yards — 34 yards to wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and 15 yards to wide receiver Brian Robiskie. Massaquoi led this group with three catches for 43 yards. Tight ends were targeted only twice. Benjamin Watson had one catch for eight yards, and Robert Royal watched a crucial third-down pass zip through his hands with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter. In his Monday news conference, Mangini said the wide receivers and tight ends need to find better ways to get open. Wide receiver Josh Cribbs also fumbled while trying to run an end-around.

Line: D-. These guys paved the way for Hillis early, but they left no holes when it mattered most. On third-and-goal from the Bills' 1-yard line, Hillis was stuffed, influencing Mangini's choice to settle for a field goal on the next play. Also, this group shares blame for both of Delhomme's turnovers. Left tackle Joe Thomas was beat in pass protection by linebacker Arthur Moats, who recorded a strip-sack, and right guard Floyd Womack didn't hold his ground against safety Bryan Scott, who hit Delhomme's arm as he released a high, underthrown pass that was picked off.

DEFENSE: C+
Linebackers: B-. Finally something positive . . . Chris Gocong played his tail off, recording a career-high 10 tackles and a strip-sack. Matt Roth had eight tackles. Jason Trusnik added six and almost intercepted a pass he deflected near the line of scrimmage. Marcus Benard recorded the team's lone sack and batted down a pass on third down, but he also was called for one of the Browns' two penalties because he was caught offsides.

Line: C+. Nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin had nine tackles. Shaun Rogers helped Benard record his sack by grabbing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's jersey. Rogers, though, also drew a penalty for being offsides. Like the linebackers, this group did a poor job containing Fitzpatrick (four carries for 49 yards) and running backs Fred Jackson (29 carries for 112 yards) and C.J. Spiller (eight carries for 33 yards).

Secondary: C. Bills wide receiver David Nelson beat defensive back Mike Adams' coverage in the end zone to score the game's only touchdown. Safety T.J. Ward went for an interception but whiffed, allowing tight end Jonathan Stupar to turn a short completion into a 35-yard gain that led to a field goal. Rookie cornerback Joe Haden looked sharp in coverage. He broke up a fourth-down pass and later guarded Bills standout wide receiver Steve Johnson well enough in the end zone to force Fitzpatrick to throw high and incomplete. As a whole, the defense failed to get off the field throughout the game, and it couldn't stop the Bills from winding down the final 3:51.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C+
Mangini said the special teams didn't give the Browns an edge against the Bills because they were ''hot and cold.'' The Bills virtually took Cribbs out of the return game, limiting him to just one punt return for 7 yards. Meanwhile, they used short kickoffs to avoid him. Phil Dawson made both of his field goals (19 and 25 yards), and two of Reggie Hodges' four punts were downed inside the Bills' 20. But the Browns also allowed Spiller to break off a 33-yard punt return.

COACHING: F
On fourth-and-goal from the Bills' 1, Mangini should have let his offense go for it early in the first quarter. Against most teams, I would have agreed with his decision to take the points with a field goal, but the Bills have the NFL's worst rushing defense. Hillis ran 21 times and was the target of five passes, meaning he was at the center of 26 of the offense's 45 plays. Once the Bills clamped down on Hillis, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll needed to adjust and prove he actually developed a backup plan.

Ohio.com - Loss worsens fans' SAD

[Masters]

That first article, with it's comment about not going for the TD on 4th and 1 at the goal line (not saying I wouldn't take the points) reminded me of the CAR game. In the 4th QTR, up by only 1 point, EM elected to go for it on 4th and 1 at the 25 of CAR. The game was in doubt and on the line (CAR promptly went down field and kicked a go ahead FG) then. Yet in the 1st QTR, on the first drive, you don't go for it on 4th and 1 at the goal line? Things like that are why people often scratch their heads on game day decisions. You have confidence with the game on the line to get a yard, but zero confidence in the first couple of minutes of a game...

[Sez.EJ]

Hindsight is 20-20..

[Riffer X]

They took the points cuz they didn't want to come away empty after running it right down their throats, especially in a game that could have been very low scoring with the elements. I agreed at the time with reservation. My problem was on second or third down they could have done any kind of PA or misdirection and scored at will, instead they ran right at Poz and Buffalo's strength behind the right side. In hindsight, it could have been the right call if Hillis doesn't fumble and they go up 10-0.

Even Criqui (an alltime Browns homer) was intimating the Browns could do whatever they wanted, and to come away empty there would have been a major buzzkill.

If Colt or even Wallace played in that game the Browns win, hands down. There were so many opportunities for Jake to run for yards or at least create in the pocket and instead he DA'd it with no pocket presence. It is a shame Thomas gets blame for the pick when any QB with sense could have stepped up in the pocket. Colt already has this move down to a tee and how a vet can't do it I have no idea, blows my mind. You don't have to have Vick wheels to move around a little in the pocket, and it's not like he was looking downfield anyway.

This was a game I can put squarely on the coaches. One, for sticking or even starting Jake and two, for not using the running game to set up some PA or misdirections. I don't care what team you are playing in the NFL, you are not going to line up and run right at them all game long like a big time HS team to a shitty HS team.

Buffalo is not the shit team everybody thinks, they lost two OT games and another by three points. They aren't good, but they don't suck like people seem to think, especially at home. This is another reason the Browns made a huge mistake by thinking they didn't need to get any kind of fancy on offense.

[hiwaygal]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

Hindsight is 20-20..

+1

And totally on point, Riffer!

[Greythan]

Unreal.

There's really a ton of second guessing on a shitty weather day, first drive decision to take the points? Its damn near a no brainer to take points there. Hindsight, as already stated, is indeed 20-20. Imagine the teeth gnashing we'd see from the anti-coaching staff folks on this board if we'd gone for it and come away empty. Again, unreal.

Also, grading a defense with "D's" across the board when they give up 13 points is just stupid. Could the defense have played better? Sure. Could they have won the game as they did the week before with a big play (turnover)? Sure. Did they give up 13 points and lose? Yes. That's at worst a "C".