Browns vs. Bengals Preview

[Enigmatic Evil]

All those injuries made me think of this political cartoon I saw the other day, the wife asked the husband what the score was and he replied "Two pulled hamstrings and three concussions." >< I think it's going to be a long season for the injury bug, or at least until the players get up to game speed.

[hiwaygal]

A League of Their Own - Best Scene - YouTube

[Thaid_Up]

Cleveland Brown's fans injury status

Injury: Broken hearts every year since 1999

Out: NEVER
Doubtful: No doubt we will be cheering every game
Questionable: We may question players, coaches, bosses but never question our love for this team.
Probable: PROBABLE??? How about DEFINITE!!! Game 1 folks! GO BROWNS

[Riffer X]

Pashos inactive.

Cousins to start.

[BernietheKid]

57 minutes ago - by Marty Gitlin - Browns inactives
Browns inactives: RT Tony Pashos, QB Thaddeus Lewis, WR Carlton Mitchell, DB Eric Hagg, LB Titus Brown, OL Steve Vallos, TE Jordan Cameron. Oniel Cousins will start in place of Pashos (ankle). Browns RapidReports
Tags: inactives

NFL News Updates - CBSSports.com RapidReports

[BernietheKid]

Sept. 11, 2011 11:36 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - 5 keys to victory vs. Bengals: No. 1 - Stay on the field
The accuracy of QB Colt McCoy and talent of featured back Peyton Hillis should result in ball control. If the Browns avoid turnovers, they have a strong shot at leaving the stadium with a 1-0 record. Browns RapidReports

Sept. 11, 2011 11:34 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - 5 keys to victory vs. Bengals: No. 2 - Shut down A.J. Green
It remains to be seen if they match up premier CB Joe Haden on rookie WR layer class=player title=Green,A.J. idref="1673207">A.J. Greenlayer> or allow the Bengals to line him up against Sheldon Brown. Either way, keeping Green off the board could keep the Bengals off the board. Browns RapidReports

Sept. 11, 2011 11:31 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - 5 keys to victory vs. Bengals: No. 3 - Special teams
The Browns struggled on special teams in the preseason and a lot of new faces could result in a long runback. They don't boast the offensive weaponry to withstand a quick seven. Browns RapidReports

Sept. 11, 2011 11:28 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - 5 keys to victory vs. Bengals: No. 4 - Find the hot receiver
TEs Benjamin Watson and Evan Moore are the Browns' best pass-catchers. At least one WR must establish himself as a threat to get favorable matchups for Watson and Moore. Browns RapidReports

Sept. 11, 2011 11:23 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - 5 keys to victory vs. Bengals: No. 5 - Control Cedric Benson
The Browns have been traditionally porous against the run and their defensive line is painfully inexperienced. Aggressive rookie Jabaal Sheard often overpursued and was burned on run plays in the preseason. Browns RapidReports

NFL News Updates - CBSSports.com RapidReports

[BernietheKid]

Sept. 11, 2011 11:05 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Clouds and rain possible in Cleveland
It's partly sunny and 67 degrees at Cleveland Browns Stadium currently, but the game forecast is for heavy clouds and intermittent rain. The conditions shouldn't greatly affect the game plan for either team. Browns RapidReports

NFL News Updates - CBSSports.com RapidReports

[Sez.EJ]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

Sorry guys but this is as simple a game plan for victory as it gets.

Stack 8-9 in the box to stop Cedric Benson.. Make the Rookie QB Dalton (first NFL game) throw the ball to his unproven recievers (one rookie). Hang on, smother like peanut butter the TE Gresham all game and don't let him breath even for one second.

Don't turn the ball over on offense.. don't make special teams mistakes.

= WIN THE GAME

I posted the above keys to vitory 2 days ago.. here are the results

1. Stack 8-9 in the box to stop Cedric Benson. = Fail.. gave up 121 and a td.. inexcusable.

2. Make the Rookie QB Dalton (first NFL game) throw the ball to his unproven recievers (one rookie). = Fail.. Dalton threw when he wanted to because we did not stop Benson.

3. Hang on, smother like peanut butter the TE Gresham all game and don't let him breath even for one second. = Fail.. 6 catches 58 yards and a TD.. Epic fail. We all know a rookie QB will rely on the TE..

4. Don't turn the ball over on offense.= Fail Colt did throw 1 int.. In his defense..the OL was terrible the whole game and no one can pass without a pocket..even on the rollouts they read it and were right on him. We are lucky he is still alive to play next week.

5. Don't make special teams mistakes= EPIC FAIL: 4 terrible punts really cost us (20 yarder , a 30 yarder, a 28 yarder, and a 35 yarder, giving Cinci great field position).. Cribbs was lolligagging on the ball when it went out of the endzone.. He was trying to be too cute and could have easily downed the ball inside the 5 yardliine.. and ended up giving a touchback costing 19 yards of field position at a critical time of the game. We need a new Punter..tomorrow..there has to be someone better than this guy out there..He is killing us..

* I did not mention stupid penalties in my preview as that's a given..but 10 penalties in the 1st half..most of them really dumb stuff.. WOW..

You cannot win without executing the simplest things in football.. blocking, tackling, kicking, and making dumb penalties.

It's a young team.. If Haden does not give up that score to Green.. we would have won this game... Ugly... but we would feel a whole lot better right now with an ugly win...

Indi is going to be pissed at getting embarrassed this week.. We go to their house.. We have to play much better..