Ready for this spin?

[Greythan]

Maybe we're actually better than we think.

As we all know, we've managed to compile a 2-2 record thus far including a winnable game against Cincinnati. Only the loss to the Titans was a "game out of reach". Sure, the opponents are questionable but in this age of parity winning games is winning games.

We've compiled this 2-2 record while seeing a complete merry-go-round in our offensive skill positions outside the QB.

WR sets mixed and matched from MoMass, Robo, Cribbs, Little, Norwood, and Moore.

TE rotations including Watson, Smith, and Moore.

RB's from Hillis to Hardesty and Marecic.

Offensive sets including 2 RB, 1 RB, to no RB. Shotgun, under center. 2 TE's, 3 TE's, 4 WR's. I mean we've seen it all.

We have all theorized what this must mean and the consensus is that Shurmur was still "seeing what he had". Now, perhaps that has come to an end.

Here's Shurmur on what we can expect after the bye:

You'll probably see more of certain guys in the game than you may have seen

So, maybe, just maybe, we'll see a more defined set of roles for the offensive skill players and maybe, just maybe that clarity of role will be the catalyst to McCoy breaking out. So, maybe, just maybe we're better than we thought and possibly further down the road?

Yeah, I'm a homer.

[next2nothing]

I don't know if we'll come out on top in the W-L column or if more work is needed... but I'll buy into this spin Greythan because I think it's pretty close to the actual truth. We all knew the off-season was going to be impacted by the lockout but I don't think we thought the lockout was going to last till a month before the season started. For a new coach and scheme, the mini-camps and the OTAs are vital to getting your guys working in the new system. We missed out on all that. Yeah there were a few "Camp McCoys" but that isn't close to the evaluation or work needed.

I think you're spot on as to the reasoning why we've seen so much of so many different players. The coaches needed to see what they had. The staff and players pretty much have gone through, what? Like 3 or 4 months of work and personal decisions in 4 weeks time. That's a lot of work to squeeze into 4 weeks and I hope that the young guys continue to grow and learn.

With that being said, we're 2 - 2 after the first quarter of the season. Let's see how the next 4 weeks go, starting with Oakland.

[damajuki]

I'm not buying, Grey, but I like your thoughts.

The reason I'm not buying it: barely escaped 'Fins, barely escaped Colts, easily could have been 0-4.

Yes, I agree some of that is parity but our actual performance -- especially on offense -- has been pretty bad.

Add that fact to the injury list on D, and things are not looking good for the next month or so.

UNLESS...Shurmur reorients this offense back around Hillis, Watson/Moore and a healthy mix of Little and MoMass for balance, and McCoy gets his accuracy back to move the chains. Then, maybe, maybe, maybe we remain competitive in some games.

But our talent level is still obviously low so scheme better catch up quick.

[Brown Warrior]

Our offense has been really disappointing. But I'm willing to set it all aside and see what we can do on Sunday for a few reasons: The "extended preseason" concept, McCoy not quite getting it yet, Pashos injury, and Robiskie's inexplicable inclusion in the rotation. I also think Sunday will be the first time we'll go into a game fully confident in our RB tandem, for one reason or another.

There aren't many excuses left. If I hear it's all about Alex Mack, I'll throw up. My mother was forced into the OL for Green Bay the other night and Rodgers still had 400 yards.

[Thaid_Up]

Originally Posted by Greythan

Maybe we're actually better than we think.

As we all know, we've managed to compile a 2-2 record thus far including a winnable game against Cincinnati. Only the loss to the Titans was a "game out of reach". Sure, the opponents are questionable but in this age of parity winning games is winning games.

We've compiled this 2-2 record while seeing a complete merry-go-round in our offensive skill positions outside the QB.

WR sets mixed and matched from MoMass, Robo, Cribbs, Little, Norwood, and Moore.

TE rotations including Watson, Smith, and Moore.

RB's from Hillis to Hardesty and Marecic.

Offensive sets including 2 RB, 1 RB, to no RB. Shotgun, under center. 2 TE's, 3 TE's, 4 WR's. I mean we've seen it all.

We have all theorized what this must mean and the consensus is that Shurmur was still "seeing what he had". Now, perhaps that has come to an end.

Here's Shurmur on what we can expect after the bye:
So, maybe, just maybe, we'll see a more defined set of roles for the offensive skill players and maybe, just maybe that clarity of role will be the catalyst to McCoy breaking out. So, maybe, just maybe we're better than we thought and possibly further down the road?

Yeah, I'm a homer.

What??!! What are you saying, G? That there's a plan? That there's an actual method to this mayhem? Agree with you all the way. As has been said in numerous posts new systems, new coaches new players, and so on. Let's play some games and see where we stand. Now we're off the bye week and let's see some continuity to this team. Is it that far fetched to think these guys know what they're doing?

HOMER all the way, bro.

[hammertime]

optimism returns. (right on time seeing as there was a bye week )
maybe, maybe not.

[pl4tinum]

If they can keep the right people on the field for longer, find a way to get a guy like Evan moore into the lineup for more snaps, I think we'll be OK. 8-8 might still be doable.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

Our offense has been really disappointing. But I'm willing to set it all aside and see what we can do on Sunday for a few reasons: The "extended preseason" concept, McCoy not quite getting it yet, Pashos injury, and Robiskie's inexplicable inclusion in the rotation. I also think Sunday will be the first time we'll go into a game fully confident in our RB tandem, for one reason or another.

There aren't many excuses left. If I hear it's all about Alex Mack, I'll throw up. My mother was forced into the OL for Green Bay the other night and Rodgers still had 400 yards.

While then throw up.........This isn't GB with Mathews kicking ass on defense and we don't have Rogers. Two first year players barely holding their own inside and now a backup replacing a pro bowler, yea.....go throw up. Because the pressure will be coming hard from the inside which will disrupt the running lanes also. Doesn't mean all is lost but it will be a big factor in how the offense plays.

Losing Mack is worse then losing Joe Thomas. At least on the outside you can chip the rusher or run to the other side. When you are weak in the middle you can't step up in the pocket. If they are smart they move the pocket and roll McCoy out.

That said, Haden will be missed even more.

[Brown Warrior]

I'm less worried about Haden considering we aren't facing one of "those quarterbacks." I don't see Jason Campbell lighting us up.

Green Bay's defense has been lame most of the season and Matthews is getting neutralized. But it's true: We don't have Aaron Rodgers. Dude is nothing short of amazing. Some of the throws he makes... nobody else makes. 40 yards downfield on a rope, on the money, in stride? Like Dilfer said, from the backside angle, it looked like a special effect.

But why does a backup center have to suck so bad that it has a huge impact on the game? It just doesn't work that way on good teams. Is Vallos a total stiff or something?

We just seem to have an endless reservoir of excuses...when actually it's the same stuff everybody goes through in the course of a season.

But I'll admit this: I was you... for Tim Couch. I was so caught up in having the Browns back, I made every excuse in the book. So I get it.

[Masters]

Originally Posted by damajuki

The reason I'm not buying it: barely escaped 'Fins, barely escaped Colts, easily could have been 0-4.

Barely escaped the Colts? CLE won by 8 points, was up at half time, up after 3 quarters, and had a 15pt lead with 3 minutes left in the game. They gave up a garbage TD with 20 some odd seconds left to make that game even close.

I get the barely escaping the Fins game, but saying CLE barely escaped the Colts game is quite the stretch.

[damajuki]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

While then throw up.........This isn't GB with Mathews kicking ass on defense and we don't have Rogers. Two first year players barely holding their own inside and now a backup replacing a pro bowler, yea.....go throw up. Because the pressure will be coming hard from the inside which will disrupt the running lanes also. Doesn't mean all is lost but it will be a big factor in how the offense plays.

Losing Mack is worse then losing Joe Thomas. At least on the outside you can chip the rusher or run to the other side. When you are weak in the middle you can't step up in the pocket. If they are smart they move the pocket and roll McCoy out.

That said, Haden will be missed even more.

Funny, you mean the offense needs to be strong at the point of attack? You mean having a top center makes a difference to an offense? Madness!

Anyway, losing two of our two six players is a MAJOR problem.

And yes, BDubs, you are right we are full of excuses. The only excuse that matters, however, is that we don't have many good players. Which we don't. So we only need one excuse!

[damajuki]

Originally Posted by Masters

Barely escaped the Colts? CLE won by 8 points, was up at half time, up after 3 quarters, and had a 15pt lead with 3 minutes left in the game. They gave up a garbage TD with 20 some odd seconds left to make that game even close.

I get the barely escaping the Fins game, but saying CLE barely escaped the Colts game is quite the stretch.

Fair enough, Masters. I was thinking of the fact they were in it longer than they should have been and we didn't put it away until PH's final TD run. So, let's switch "barely escaped" with "let them hang around uncomfortably long." How's that?