Browns-Ravens preview

[BernietheKid]

Browns-Ravens preview
		By Don Delco OBR Browns Reporter Posted Dec 23, 2011 Browns’ much-maligned run defense expects another heaping serving of Rice on Christmas Eve. 3 Comments
If the Cleveland Browns have been consistent in one area in the last 12 seasons, it has been the team’s inability to stop the run. That has been well documented. On Dec. 4, the Browns showcased that consistency in a 24-10 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In that first meeting, Ray Rice finished with 204 yards on 29 carries. In all, the Ravens ran the ball 56 times. Heck, even 34-year-old Ricky Williams found his pre-pot smoking, yoga-teaching form, as he rushed for 76 yards on 16 carries. On Saturday, the Browns play the Ravens again, this time in Baltimore. “Obviously some things (in the run defense) broke down,” Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said at his Wednesday press conference. “It wasn’t always the same thing. Everybody’s got to do their job on every play. I’ve got to make better calls, I’ve got to play them better, people have to stay in their gaps, but it’s not consistently one thing. Again, their scheme is very good. They are a very talented team. They do a nice job with it.” Baltimore made no qualms in the first meeting. The Ravens were going to run the ball and run the ball often. They dominated the line of scrimmage, they dominated the ground and they dominated time of possession (37:37-22:26). Don’t expect the Ravens to change their plan of attack this Saturday. The Browns are ranked 31st in the NFL allowing 145.4 yards rushing per game and one of the season’s worst performances came against these Ravens. Although that stat isn’t pretty, since the Ravens loss, the Browns defense held Pittsburgh Steelers’ Rashard Mendenhall to 76 yards on 18 carries and Arizona Cardinals’ Chris “Beanie” Wells to 51 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. “We’re not big on numbers except for that ‘W’,” Jauron said. “We’re still not winning and that’s the deal. “I believe that our guys are obviously at this point in the year they’re a little bit familiar with what we’re doing every week. They get a little more experienced every week. They’re good guys. They’ll play hard. They sell out for you and we’ve just got to hope it keeps going that way, keeps trending and getting a little better all the time.” Colt McCoy does not appear to be getting better. He is out for Saturday’s game giving Seneca Wallace another start. Whether it has been McCoy or last week with Wallace, this offense has struggled. The Browns had their moments last week against Arizona with an impressive opening drive that resulted in a touchdown. Peyton Hillis finished with 99 yards rushing. Greg Little finished with 131 yards receiving. In the end, the Browns blew a 17-7 fourth-quarter lead and the game ended in familiar fashion – with a loss. That makes it four consecutive seasons with at least 10 losses. And now, the Browns play a team they haven’t beaten in seven consecutive tries. Wallace is no stranger to the Ravens. He faced them last season with the Browns and when he was in Seattle. In order for the Browns offense to be productive in this rematch, he said the key is first down. “You’ve got to do your best to keep it manageable on third down and stay out of those third and longs,” Wallace said. “You know you’re going to get those exotic blitzes, that’s what they’ve been known for years. We’ve got to make sure we keep the down and distance very manageable.” Two games remain for Cleveland against its two biggest rivals. Once again, it is Baltimore and Pittsburgh positioning its playoff spots while the Browns are simply playing for pride. Will pride be enough to overcome a playoff-bound team? Probably not, but since the game is on Christmas Eve, there has got to be some eggnog within reach to help pass the time. http://cle.scout.com/2/1141691.html

[golfer704u]

As I said before, these next two games are in my opinion all about whether or not this team really does like and respect their coach. A less talented team was 1-11 in 2009 and won 4 straight games including beating the Steelers to finish out the season playing hard for thier coach. Why should we expect less now that the team is more talented?

How this team plays will say a lot about what they think og Shurmur and company.

[Thaid_Up]

And I agreed with ya, Golf. SHOW UP, GUYS! I'm starting to think we might actually win this one. The D will have extra motivation to stop Rice and Boldin is out with injury. Secondary not bad and who knows what Flacco will do with game on his shoulders. Oh, wait, rat's D isn't bad. Oh well, Hillis got back into a groove last week and if we actually use him as a receiver out of the backfield who knows? Hillis played pretty well against them last year and if he wants to show he's still got it (for the Browns or another team) he could have a stellar day. Maybe the WR's will only drop a couple and we win 20-17. Hey! It's Christmas time. All I want for Christmas is a ratbird loss.

[Solon16]

Just Gross...Browns verses prentender Browns...yuck! can we go egg modell's house now?

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Thaid_Up

And I agreed with ya, Golf. SHOW UP, GUYS! I'm starting to think we might actually win this one. The D will have extra motivation to stop Rice and Boldin is out with injury. Secondary not bad and who knows what Flacco will do with game on his shoulders. Oh, wait, rat's D isn't bad. Oh well, Hillis got back into a groove last week and if we actually use him as a receiver out of the backfield who knows? Hillis played pretty well against them last year and if he wants to show he's still got it (for the Browns or another team) he could have a stellar day. Maybe the WR's will only drop a couple and we win 20-17. Hey! It's Christmas time. All I want for Christmas is a ratbird loss.

2 thumbs up to that! Believe it or not, I enjoyed the way the team played last week for the entire 60 minutes before overtime began. Losing is never wonderful BUT I can accept it better when I see the entire team competing at their highest effort. Even better, when we don't beat ourselves for the opponent. That's when I can accept a loss without a lingering sour taste.

If we press the Ravens for 60 minutes without beating ourselves, it's acceptable to me. I have a hard time thinking team leaders like Joe Thomas or D'Qwell Jackson will fanny pat half-stepping professionals making 6-7 figures. The Head Coach won't have anything to do with the effort today or next week. Having said that, I can't speak for those looking forward to greener grass elsewhere. If that's the case, the venom is probably aimed more at the front office than the Head Coach who had nothing to do with Mangini's firing. Come to think of it, I doubt he hired himself either. I have to stop taking all my impatience and had enoughsies out on Shurmur. He wants to succeed every bit as much as Mangini. Let's just hope he has a better front office making winning a little more realistic.

Merry Christmas folks!

[Sez.EJ]

Well It's aroung 9:25 PM in Arizona.. Just finished watching the game I recorded on the dvr.. My thoughts...

The team is fighting for Shurmur and did not give up.. He called a good game and mixed it up well......... EXCEPT WHEN IT MATTERED MOST..

Opening series.. we have 3rd and 1/2 a yard and we are in Balt. territory.. Run the ball right? NOPE.. We throw a pass for an INT. Arghhh!!! NO.. Like the announcer said.. we are 4-10 with nothing to lose.. you run the ball twice if needed and get a first down..Hillis is gashing them for 5 a pop.. Terrible playcall...

The running play before halftime..utter buffoonery.. any high school coach knows you don't run the ball with no timeouts and 11 seconds on clock when you still need 3 yards for a TD.. Worst call I've seen all year...

Going for it on 4th down in our own territory at the end of the game was ok as we had no timeouts.... but not the situation you want to be in.. Shurmurs gamecalling today at the critical moments of the game... was embarrasing... I hope an OC in the offseason can help him get his head out of his butt.

Colt McCoy is definately not the problem with the offense. We must have a go to guy at WR.. Little has potential..but he's a #2.. We need a WR in round 1, and 2 free agents brought in to compete for starting jobs.... show the door to the guys who don't measure up.

Anyone who thinks Wallace is an upgrade to McCoy needs their head examined. This guy makes a living throwing passes falling backwards.. even if there is no pressure. He had Hillis wide open for a td..but he decided to fall backwards and dropped the ball a yard short. "Step up and throw the ball you wimp. " Wallace spends timeouts like a drunken sailor... or maybe he thinks timeouts are unlimited in football games. We had no timeouts at the end of the first half.. and he left us without timeouts at the end of the second half too. Pathetic.. "Hey Wallace, you get paid to think too."

Our outside linebackers are slower than snails.. None of the LB's can cover a RB or a TE even if their life depended on it.. all too slow and too stiff. .. DQJ gave up 2 td's in coverage today. 3 of the 4 spots on the DL are in good hands with Taylor, Sheard and Ruben. There is optimism on the DL if we add a DE this offseason.
Mike Adams has no sense of football at all.. he always seems late to the party, and a big play has been made before he shows up. Sheldon Brown may or may not have another year in him.. We need another CB.

Hillis: Just pay the man! He's not worn out or run down.. This guy is the real deal.

Pashos is too inconsistent. one minute he's a turnstyle another he looks OK.. He's a backup and needs to be replaced. Our Guards are hightly inconsistent. I saw Hillis run into Pinkston's CHEST after a handoff.. Why is Pinkston facing backwards on a run play? He got smoked that's why. We need to say a lot of prayers for the recovery of Steinbach and draft a guard or bring in a free agent. Having Pinkston at guard or RT causes me great concern for next year.. and I don't get a lot of comfort from Lauvoa either. Joe Thomas and Mack are studs. Cribbs.. returner extraordinaire.

The stupid playcalling from the coach was the most upsetting thing about this game. The team played hard.. as I said earlier.. I hope that if he gets an OC in the offseason it will help him.. Otherwise we are looking for another coach at the end of next year.. I hate thinking that way. Going backwards all the time.. I hope he can overcome his mistakes of this year.. Sorry folks.. but that is what I came away with from todays game.

Pittsburgh next week and another lousy season behind us.. 6 picks in the first 4 rounds.. that's my cause for optimism.

[hiwaygal]

Originally Posted by Solon16

Just Gross...Browns verses prentender Browns...yuck! can we go egg modell's house now?

I'll meet you there!!!

[Sez.EJ]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

Well It's aroung 9:25 PM in Arizona.. Just finished watching the game I recorded on the dvr.. My thoughts...

The team is fighting for Shurmur and did not give up.. He called a good game and mixed it up well......... EXCEPT WHEN IT MATTERED MOST..

Opening series.. we have 3rd and 1/2 a yard and we are in Balt. territory.. Run the ball right? NOPE.. We throw a pass for an INT. Arghhh!!! NO.. Like the announcer said.. we are 4-10 with nothing to lose.. you run the ball twice if needed and get a first down..Hillis is gashing them for 5 a pop.. Terrible playcall...

The running play before halftime..utter buffoonery.. any high school coach knows you don't run the ball with no timeouts and 11 seconds on clock when you still need 3 yards for a TD.. Worst call I've seen all year...

Going for it on 4th down in our own territory at the end of the game was ok as we had no timeouts.... but not the situation you want to be in.. Shurmurs gamecalling today at the critical moments of the game... was embarrasing... I hope an OC in the offseason can help him get his head out of his butt.

Colt McCoy is definately not the problem with the offense. We must have a go to guy at WR.. Little has potential..but he's a #2.. We need a WR in round 1, and 2 free agents brought in to compete for starting jobs.... show the door to the guys who don't measure up.

Anyone who thinks Wallace is an upgrade to McCoy needs their head examined. This guy makes a living throwing passes falling backwards.. even if there is no pressure. He had Hillis wide open for a td..but he decided to fall backwards and dropped the ball a yard short. "Step up and throw the ball you wimp. " Wallace spends timeouts like a drunken sailor... or maybe he thinks timeouts are unlimited in football games. We had no timeouts at the end of the first half.. and he left us without timeouts at the end of the second half too. Pathetic.. "Hey Wallace, you get paid to think too."

Our outside linebackers are slower than snails.. None of the LB's can cover a RB or a TE even if their life depended on it.. all too slow and too stiff. .. DQJ gave up 2 td's in coverage today. 3 of the 4 spots on the DL are in good hands with Taylor, Sheard and Ruben. There is optimism on the DL if we add a DE this offseason.
Mike Adams has no sense of football at all.. he always seems late to the party, and a big play has been made before he shows up. Sheldon Brown may or may not have another year in him.. We need another CB.

Hillis: Just pay the man! He's not worn out or run down.. This guy is the real deal.

Pashos is too inconsistent. one minute he's a turnstyle another he looks OK.. He's a backup and needs to be replaced. Our Guards are hightly inconsistent. I saw Hillis run into Pinkston's CHEST after a handoff.. Why is Pinkston facing backwards on a run play? He got smoked that's why. We need to say a lot of prayers for the recovery of Steinbach and draft a guard or bring in a free agent. Having Pinkston at guard or RT causes me great concern for next year.. and I don't get a lot of comfort from Lauvoa either. Joe Thomas and Mack are studs. Cribbs.. returner extraordinaire.

The stupid playcalling from the coach was the most upsetting thing about this game. The team played hard.. as I said earlier.. I hope that if he gets an OC in the offseason it will help him.. Otherwise we are looking for another coach at the end of next year.. I hate thinking that way. Going backwards all the time.. I hope he can overcome his mistakes of this year.. Sorry folks.. but that is what I came away with from todays game.

Pittsburgh next week and another lousy season behind us.. 6 picks in the first 4 rounds.. that's my cause for optimism.

[Greythan]

Really liked that post huh Sez?