tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Browns Respectable, But Lose 14-3

The Cleveland Browns were not embarassed on national TV. They had chances to pull off a huge upset but unfortunately it was not to be as Ben Roethlisberger pulled a Lazarus-act, rising from what looked like a severe injury, to lead the Steelers to a 14-3 win over the Browns. There were many opportunities for the Browns to win this game. In the first half, the Browns had numerous great drive starts only to have punter Brad Maynard continue to hem the Steelers deep in their own zone.

In looking at the game several things stand out. First, it is clear that the defense gave the Browns a chance to win. They forced 3 turnovers and made a tremendous goal line stand in the 4th quarter. I thought that the Steelers should have gone for a field goal there but they didn't and you had a feeling that something special was going to happen here.

Secondly, while watching the game I was on a roller coaster ride in evaluating Colt McCoy. At times he looked good, making good reads and moving out of the pocket to avoid a sack. There were the continued drops by Greg Little and you had to think that if McCoy had some quality receivers things would be different. But then you had the interceptions with the biggest one being made by William Gay in the end zone late in the 4th quarter after a Mike Adams interception gave the Browns great field position. McCoy admitted that he under threw the pass and did not give Massaquoi an opportunity to catch the ball. This was not the only time McCoy has under thrown a receiver and once again calls into question his arm strength.

Third, once again I find myself questioning decisions made by Head Coach Pat Shurmur. On the opening drive, the Browns methodically moved down the field setting up first and goal from the 3 yard line. After Colt McCoy was stoped at the one foot line, the Browns ran an off tackle play with Peyton Hillis that resulted in a 2 yard loss. It was a terrible play call as tight end Alex Smith was blown up by a Steeler defender. If Alex Smith is one of your blocking tight ends then you are in serious trouble. But then, Shurmur decides to kick a field goal. Why??? Well, in his press conference, Shurmur said that it was early in the game and he felt they needed to put points on the board. Nonsense!!! Your team is 4-8. You have a chance to send a message to the Steelers. You have a chance to let your offense build up some confidence. Instead you meekly kick a field goal and once again the Browns don't get in the end zone.

The other questionable decision was putting Colt McCoy back in the game after the cheap shot he endured from James Harrison. Seneca Wallace came into the game and threw a nice pass to Evan Moore that gave the Browns a first and goal from the 5 yard line. It was at that point that McCoy was sent back into the game. An intentional grounding call and then the fateful interception that ended the game. You have to wonder where McCoy's head was when he was sent back in. He said he doesn't remember the Harrison hit. Wallace looked crisp when he was sent in. Maybe Shurmur didn't want to start a quarterback controversy if Wallace led the Browns in the end zone. But that's faulty logic since the season is over and we know what Wallace can do. This should have been about winning the game against a division opponent.

If this game shows us anything it's that this league is a quarterback league. When Charlie Batch was brought into the game, the Steelers could do nothing. But a one-legged Ben Roethlisberger was able to pull out a win. Roethlisberger, even on one leg, made plays. Unfortunately, Colt McCoy could not make plays to win this game for the Browns. He had chances but couldn't capitalize. The hard question is whether McCoy's inability to lead his team into the end zone is a function of the players around him or his lack of ability to be a top flight quarterback in the NFL. Unfortunately, it might be a little bit of both and if that is case the road to respectability is even longer than we thought.