Month: November 2019

Another Victory Monday and 1-0 for the third straight week. The Browns were laser focused and it showed. So much for off the field distractions. The Browns now stand at 5-6 heading to Pittsburgh for the rematch. All in all the Browns came out on fire and scored on 4 of their first 5 drives. So lets look at the the game, first the negatives and there aren’t many. The Browns came out a little flat in the third quarter and allowed the Dolphins to have a little hope. I bet everyone reading this thought, Oh-Oh they’re going to blow this. I was at the home of the Middle Tennessee Browns Backers watching the game and that’s what one of my friends said. Hopefully soon, the Browns will put together a complete game. When you have another team down, you have to keep the pressure on. The one trick play the Browns tried failed and could have been disastrous.

Again our defense allowed an opposing quarterback to rush for a touchdown straight up the middle. The good news, Ryan Fitzpatrick was Miami’s leading rusher, five for forty five yards. Still too many silly penalties, seven for seventy yards. The Dawg pound side of the stadium is where field goals go to die. Austin Seibert missed another field goal on that side of the stadium and kickers are now 2 for 10 on the Dawg pound side. The offensive line allowed one sack and Mayfield threw one interception, which could have been a mistake by Beckham. Beckham and Mayfield are still a little off, but are starting to show signs of life.

Now the positives. I have to give Freddie credit for incorporating Kareem Hunt into the offense so seamlessly. Nick Chubb’s touches have not decreased and Hunt has become a serious threat in the passing game. He’s a nice security valve for Mayfield. What can you say about Jarvis Landry, but wow. 10 catches for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nick Chubb again over 100 yards, 21 for 106, 1 TD and Hunt had 8 rushes for 37 yards, 1 TD. Beckham had 6 catches for 84 yards and a great touchdown catch. The offensive line played well, except for Tretter’s bad snap to Mayfield killing a drive. Robinson, since his one game benching, has played very well.

As for the defense, DC Steve Wilks called another great game with three of his four starting defensive lineman out. Sheldon Richardson had one hell of a game as did Chad Thomas and Porter Gustin who got his first career sack. Joe Schobert is a machine. Two more interceptions and is the true leader of this defense. Mack Wilson is all over the place and Takitaki made a great play on Miami’s attempt at a fake punt. Denzel Ward is a stud. I thought both TJ Carrie and Justin Burris played well. Greedy Williams is still making mistakes, but that’s because more teams are throwing his way. If he can tighten up a little in his coverage, both he and Ward could truly be special corners. I was really glad to see the special team looking for the fake punt.

Now on to Pittsburgh. The Browns haven’t swept the steelers since 1988 and this game hopefully won’t get ugly in a bad way. Lets hope cooler heads will prevail. The Browns are the better team and if they play like they did yesterday I don’t see any reason why they can’t win. They already know how to beat the steelers, don’t turn the ball over and play smart football. We know Ogunjobi will be back and hopefully so will Vernon. I would love for the Browns to be 6-6 after Sunday. As for the playoff picture, the Raiders lost to the Jets which helps and the Rams need to beat the ratbirds tonight. The important games for the Browns this upcoming Sunday are of course the Browns at Pittsburgh, Raiders at the Chiefs and Titans at the Colts. If the Browns take care of business and the Raiders lose, the Browns would be one game out of the last wild card spot. The Titans/Colts game helps because one will lose and both are in front of the Browns. So bring on the steelers and GO BROWNS.

Just a couple of quick thoughts on the Garrett situation and the Miami game. As we all know, Garrett’s and Ogunjobi’s suspensions were upheld and Pouncey’s was reduced by one game. I guess Rudolph’s penalty is not having his starting center for the Browns game. Since Garrett’s meeting with the NFL it was leaked that Rudolph called Garrett a racial slur as they were on the ground. First of all, (here comes every Browns fans disclaimer) we all agree what Garrett did with Rudolph’s helmet was wrong and should be punished. However I still have a problem with the swiftness of the NFL in handing downs the punishments without investigations. Hell, when deflate-gate happened, the NFL took months trying to get Tom Brady’s phone. Twelve hours after the incident still seems a little hasty to me.

Concerning the racial slur. I find it interesting that within minutes after it leaked on twitter, Rudolph’s lawyer had a statement posted denying it happened. And the NFL was very quick to say they had no evidence of it happening. First, I have no reason not to believe Myles Garrett. When someone punched Garrett as he sat in his car, he calmly wrote down the guy’s license plate number, instead of jumping out of his vehicle and chasing the idiot down. Doesn’t sound like a guy with a hair trigger temper to me. Now the talking heads are asking why didn’t he mention the slur prior to now? After the game, while standing at his locker, Garrett was asked by a reporter if Rudolph said anything to him and Garrett responded by saying listen to the tape.

Second, the NFL has stated there is no audio of the slur. You’re going to tell me there is no audio of the incident from a prime time game, the only game being played. That the NFL, NFL films or the YouTube show Building the Browns had no audio of the incident? Remember when Ray Rice beat his girlfriend in a hotel elevator and the NFL said there was no video of the incident. Well TMZ investigated and obtained the video. That beeping sound you heard was the NFL back tracking. Third, the NFL claims their officials didn’t hear the slur. I’m supposed to believe that NFL officials have better hearing then eye-site? That’s like asking the get away driver if the other person in the passenger seat robbed the bank. Hopefully in the off season the league will rule time served and let Garrett participate in the off season workouts. Remember when the worst things this team did was when our quarterback supposedly didn’t shake another players hand and stormed off when a Cleveland reporter kept asking a stupid question? Good times.

Now to the game. Miami has a few things going for them. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is 5-1 lifetime verses the Browns, they are the least penalized team in the NFL (I wonder how a rookie head coach manages that) and some experts are calling this a trap game. The only real weapon they have on offense is WR DeVante Parker. Only two wide receivers have more than 80 yards receiving against the Browns, the Rams Copper Kupp and the Titans A.J. Brown. I know the Browns will be short on safeties with Murray being ruled out, but Ward will be all over Parker. Miami’s offensive line is the worst in the NFL against pressure, so the Browns will have to create pressure without Garrett and Vernon. Chad Thomas, Devaroe Lawrence and Bryan Cox are going to have to step up. The Browns just activated DT Brandin Bryant and DE Porter Gustin from the practice squad for depth. The Dolphins are 2-0 when they win the turnover battle and 0-8 when they don’t. So the Browns need to continue the no turnover streak.

As for this being a trap game, I’ve heard the Browns players are mad as hell about the Myles Garrett ruling. I fully expect them to come out firing on all cylinders and take their frustrations with the NFL out on the Dolphins and the win streak continues. Because of the report of the slur, Browns fans again will have to listen to Sunday pregame shows give their expert analysis about Garrett and the Browns. Then after this Sunday’s game, we’ll have another whole week of this prior to the steelers game. Cleveland against the world. GO BROWNS.

Victory Friday? What a mess. Last night I’m sitting waiting till the game is over to pump my fist in the air and do my happy dance when all hell breaks loose. First let me say Myles Garrett deserves whatever punishment the NFL dishes out. You can’t use a helmet as a weapon, period. However, he is not the only guilty party. Steelers QB Mason Rudolph did attempt to rip Garrett’s helmet off as they were on the ground and did kick and punch Garrett in the nether region. Let’s face facts, if Garrett was an average player he would have been cut first thing this morning. And speaking of average players, what in gods name is Larry Ogunjobi doing pushing the opposing QB from behind? This the most immature and undisciplined Browns team I’ve ever seen.

So what happens next? As I write this, Garrett has been suspended indefinitely, Maurkice Pouncey has been suspended three games and Larry Ogunjobi suspended one game. All three have been fined. The NFL states that additional players will be disciplined. All penalties are subject to appeal. For context, the longest fine for an one time on the field incident was five games for the titans Albert Hansworth in 2006. He stomped Cowboys center Andre Gurode in the head after Hansworth removed Gurode’s helmet and caused thirty stitches. He appealed and got it reduced to three games. I fully expect Damarious Randall to be fined for his helmet to helmet hit and for all the players on both teams who left the bench during the fight to be fined as well. In addition both teams have been fined 250,000.00 each for the incident.

Okay, lets talk about the game. The Browns win, they are 2-0 in the AFC North and have defeated both Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the same season for the first time. First the negatives. Kareem Hunt didn’t have a carry in this game. Yes, he and Chubb helped to open up the passing game and Hunt did have some great pass receptions. But Freddie needs to let Hunt carry the ball. He lead the NFL in rushing two years ago. The only steeler touchdown was aided by four stupid penalties by the Browns defense and at the time seemed like the Browns were about to let this game get away from them. Seibert missed two field goals, but it seems the dawg pound side of the field is becoming a field goal kicking nightmare. Kickers are 2 of 9 on that side of the field. Nick Chubb did have 92 yards, but he has started to dance a little before hitting the hole and missed a couple of outside running lanes. And Beckham and Mayfield seem to be playing on different teams.

The positives. Mayfield seems to have found his grove since the bye week. 63% passing, 898 yards, 6 TD’s and 1 Int. And he’s done this against four top ten defenses. After the game, his interview was spot on and proved he is a team leader. Jarvis Landry is a stud, as are Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. I just hope Freddie rediscovers the screen pass. On defense, John Dorsey needs to sign Joe Schobert to an extension right now. He was all over the field and set the tone for the defense. Denzel Ward is back to being Denzel Ward and until they were hurt, Morgan Burnett and Juston Burris were both having great games. Mack Wilson is no longer a rookie and is playing great. Chad Thomas also had a good game as well.

DC Steve Wilks called a great game and the Browns defense dominated the pop gun steeler offense. As I said earlier this week I thought this game would be a great opportunity for the Browns to force some turnovers and boy did they. The Browns doubled their season total for interceptions, however they need turn those turnovers into more points. The steeler defense forced no turnovers as the Browns had better ball control for the third straight game. All in all it was a good game for the Browns.

Moving forward, the Browns are short on safety’s and defensive linemen. The team needs to get both Vernon and Murray back before the Miami game. Luckily they signed Bryan Cox and ten days should be enough time to get him caught up on the scheme. It looks like Burnett maybe lost for the season, so the safety position is a concern. I’m sure the agents for free agent safety’s are calling John Dorsey today. Unfortunately this fight will be on a continuous spool on ESPN and the national talking heads will spit out hate about the Browns for the next ten days. I’m angry the league dished out their punishments in less than 12 hours without further investigation and Mason Rudolph received no suspension. But it sounds like this is bringing the team together even more. So enjoy your Sunday off Browns fans and lets get ready for Miami and hope calmer heads will prevail. GO BROWNS.

I know a win is a win, especially for this team at this time, but it is victory Monday. So lets get going. First the negatives. The Browns goal line offense is down right offensive. Thirteen goal line plays and one was negated because of a false start by RT Chris Hubbard on a fourth and one from the one. Which, thank god it happen because it forced Freddie to go for the field goal and at that point in the game was desperately needed. Previously in the game, ten plays from the goal line failed for several reasons. Some were mistakes in play calling and some were execution. Chubb seemed to make a few mistakes, either not hitting the hole fast enough or not running to the pylon on another play. On those twelve goal line plays, Hunt and Chubb were on the field at the same time for only one play. Even if you’re not going to run the ball, play action to either one would have worked. Both are great blockers and the defense would have to respect both players.

After the first fourteen to fifteen scripted plays, the offense seems to lose it’s way. The urgency and execution just seems to be missing. I know you can’t script an entire game, but maybe script plays for certain situations during the game. The defense needs to figure out how to stop running quarterbacks. Ever since the Baltimore game NFL quarterbacks are running against the Browns and scoring touchdowns. As for special teams, the punt return game is not working. I’m not going to get mad at Seibert for missing a 48 yard extra point, but I did have a flashback to the Tennessee game. Landry needs to calm down. The taunting penalty, making it 6-0 and not 7-0, almost came back to bite the Browns. The offensive line was hot and cold, sometimes playing well and sometimes playing bad. Sometimes you have to give the offensive line a chance and call better plays. As an example, deep in your own end of the field, don’t call a pass with an empty backfield. Freddie did and the Browns give up a safety.

Now the positives. Four penalties and no turnovers for the second straight game. The Browns no longer lead the league in penalties. Looks like the practicing is working. Mayfield finally came through in crunch time. Game winning touchdown with 1:44 left in the game. It looked like he called the play himself. We can take Hollywood Higgins picture off the milk carton. Mayfield since the bye, 65.7% passing, 705 yards, four TD’s and only one Int. He’s done this verses the #2, #3 and #4 ranked defenses. I just wish he and Beckham would get on the same page. Beckham had 12 targets and 5 catches. On the other side of the coin, Landry had ten targets and nine catches, the best catch was right before the Higgins TD to the Buffalo seven yard line.

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are a dangerous duo and the offense should run through both of them. Between the two of them, they attributed for 195 yards. They were on the field at the same time twenty eight times and I want to see more, and like I said earlier, in the goal line offense. On defense, Sheldon Richardson stepped up and played a great game. As did Chad Thomas, Denzel Ward and Mack Wilson. Wilson is still making some rookie mistakes, but they are becoming fewer every game. My one problem with the defense is turnovers. They only have nine turnovers after nine games. Myles Garrett came close to causing a fumble, but it was ruled an incomplete pass. I’m still waiting for Garrett to be a game changer on defense, but he seems to be held on just about every play. Have I said how impressed I am with Austin Seibert? The kid looks like a veteran kicker out there.

So now it’s steelers week and the Browns have three days to get ready. I don’t see any reason why the Browns can’t win this game. The steelers defense is legit, but their offense is not that impressive. They do take the ball away and that helps their offense. So if the Browns can control the ball and don’t turn it over, they should win. Myles Garrett should harass Mason Rudolf all night and the defense has their best chances for turnovers. RB James Conner was still questionable as I write this and with out him the steelers can’t run the ball. The Browns need to use the steeler aggressiveness on defense against them like they did against the ravens.

The Browns get their first home win and it may have been ugly but again, a win is a win. With the next two games at home, the Browns can build on this one and hopefully string some much needed wins together. 10-6 is still possible, but it all starts with the next home game. Go Browns.

Last, because it’s Veterans Day, I was pleasantly surprised to see CBS show the WW II submarine the USS Cod when they came back from a commercial break. It’s next to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame and my late Uncle Bill served on the Cod. As a matter of fact, he was the radioman on the Cod and his picture is on the radioman’s shack door. He had some Big adventures on that sub and I was lucky enough to have him tell me about them.

No I’m not talking about Jermaine Whitehead’s tweets. It’s been 48 hours, so lets get to it. So according to the head coach of the Cleveland Browns the first eight games don’t matter. Really? They sure as hell mattered to me and a ton of Middle Tennessee Browns Backers I know. The key word in practice this week wait for it…is execution. The Browns had ten drives and seven of them reached inside the Denver 30 yard line. Seven. Execution or play calling? The red zone execution and play calling in this game was horrendous. Might as well call the Browns red zone the dead zone. Why on third and short is the best player on this team on the sideline? I like Hilliard as a player, but Nick Chubb, even as a decoy, is better than Hilliard. And again for another game, where the hell is Higgins?

In the third quarter on fourth and one from the Denver four yard line, instead of bringing out your most important offensive weapon, Austin Seibert, you go for it. Kick the field goal and the score is 17-15, in the THIRD QUARTER. Kick off and hope Wilkes has the right defense to stop the Broncos and get the ball back. No, our fearless leader calls a sneak and then challenges the spot, wasting another time out. Put Chubb out there on third down and roll the dice. Look at Carolina, OC Norv Turner rides his stud running back Christian McCaffrey, and the Panthers win. Turner did the same thing in Dallas with Emmett Smith.

Is Freddie in over is head? Could be, but first year head coaches in the NFL struggle. Only one has a winning record this year, but he has Aaron Rogers as his quarterback. My worry is what this is doing to Baker Mayfield. You can ruin a young quarterback in a season like this. If Freddie is retained, which I think he will be, new coordinators need to be hired, starting with an experienced quarterback coach. Mayfield is thinking too much. Sure defensive coaches are throwing the kitchen sink at him, but the offense has to find a focal point and let Mayfield feed off of that focal point and that focal point needs to be Nick Chubb.

The offense needs to find a handful of plays that Beckham is successful at and run them at key points in the game. I saw this online from Paul Hembekides, OBJ on 3rd & 4th down this season: 83 routes run, 42 rec. yards, 17 targets, 7 receptions, 3 first downs and 2 drops. Not acceptable and that’s play calling and execution by the quarterback. Mayfield just hasn’t come through in the clutch. The end of the Rams game, the Seattle game and Sunday against the Broncos. Where’s the QB that beat The Ohio State in Columbus and the guy who played against Georgia in the playoff game.

The positives: Only 5 penalties and zero turnovers. Apparently, whatever they did in practice last week worked, so lets do the same with play calling and execution this week. Remember in the preseason when we all worried about the kicking game? Seibert has been great and the special teams has been the only prepared unit on this team. Another positive for the Bills game is the return of Kareem Hunt. I hope this coaching staff uses him correctly and doesn’t screw this up. I want to see both Chubb and Hunt on third down this week. PLEASE.

I’ve seen a lot of talk about the season being over. I’m a very optimistic kind of guy and still have hope. But as all Browns fans know, when the wheels fall off this team, it’s usually in a spectacular way. To make the playoffs, 10-6 is the safest way to make it happen. History lesson time, the last time the Browns had a winning streak, Eric Mangini won the last four games of his first season as coach. He was rehired and guess what, the wheels fell off. The franchise record for a win streak was six games in 1972. So to achieve a 10-6 record this team has to win eight in a row. Can it happen? Sure. In 2016 the Cavs came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat a 72 win Warriors team on the road. I know, Lebron isn’t walking through that door, but maybe the football gods will look down on us and the Browns will win their first home game of the season against the Bills. (What, are you kidding me, November 10 would be the first win at home?) Sorry, still can’t believe it. Lets start that eight game winning streak this weekend, right Browns fans? Next home game is against Buffalo. GO BROWNS.

One last thing, the first college football rankings come out tonight and The Ohio State University better be in the top four. My top four are 1) LSU, 2) The Ohio State, 3) Alabama and 4) Penn State. This weekend will clear up LSU/Alabama and a week from Saturday will clear up The Ohio State/Penn State. Whoever wins LSU/Alabama will make the playoffs because there is no team in the SEC east that can beat either in the SEC championship game. If The Ohio State runs the table, they’re in the playoffs no matter who they play in the Big Ten championship game. Go Buckeyes.