Sorry To Say But Browns Need A QB!!
With the Browns not playing yesterday, I had the opportunity to follow games on DirecTV's Red Zone Channel. It's probably the best thing about the NFL's Sunday Ticket. I found myself paying attention to young QB's namely Andy Dalton, TJ Yates, Cam Newton, Christian Ponder and Jake Locker and it hit me: the Browns need to draft a quarterback.
I have wanted to believe that Colt McCoy was the guy that would lead the Browns to a championship. But after watching these other young QBs and comparing them to McCoy one thing was clear to me: these other young QBs can make plays to move their teams, I don't see that from Colt. All of the guys that I've mentioned can throw the ball long down the field. They can keep the defenses honest. The same can't be said for McCoy.
All of these young quarterbacks give their fans hope for the future and while they all did not win yesterday they were exciting to watch. Unfortunately for the Browns they will need to draft a quarterback in the upcoming draft. Depending upon where they ultimately finish, the Browns could possibly get a quarterback with their first pick in the first round. They could also package their two first round picks and trade with Indianapolis to get the first pick overall and select Andrew Luck. The Colts may be willing to do that if Peyton Manning is ready to play next year. As was reported on the CBS pre-game show, the Colts are concerned about how things would work if Manning is ready to play and they draft Luck. It's felt that Manning would not be a good mentor.
Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert need to understand that the fans of this downtrodden team cannot wait for a five year rebuild. We've been rebuilding for 12 years. They will need to score on their draft picks and need to sign free agents and I'm not talking about middling players. I'm talking about game changers. All we are looking for is some signs of hope that things are improving. Otherwise, we can be looking at another long five years ahead.
Browns Make A Mistake With McCoy
By now everyone knows about the hit by James Harrison on Colt McCoy that occurred Thursday night at Heinz Field. Whether the hit should result in a fine and suspension is up to the NFL. Over the course of the last several days there have been differing opinions about what should happen to Harrison. But as a Browns fan, my issue is with whether or not Colt McCoy should have been allowed back in the game.
The Browns contend that they performed testing which resulted in the team allowing McCoy back in the game after 2 plays. Are you kidding me??? Having seen the hit a number of times and McCoy's reaction immediately after the hit, it would not have surprised me that he had a concussion. McCoy's father, who is a high school football coach, said that based upon how his son's body was so rigid after the hit was an indication of a concussion.
If we are to accept the Browns contention that McCoy did not exhibit concussion like symptoms immediately after the hit, then how come he exhibited them after the game??? How come the press corp was told to dim their lights before McCoy came in for his post game press conference??? Unfortunately, I don't buy the Browns explanation. I don't buy the Browns story that they completed concussion symptom testing on McCoy in 2 plays.
The NHL has put a big emphasis on concussions since Sidney Crosby was knocked out for an extended period of time. They have instituted a policy that if a player takes a blow to the head that player must be sent to the locker room for an evaluation. If the player does not pass the evaluation they are not allowed back in the game. The same type of policy needs to be enacted in the NFL. McCoy should not have been allowed back in the game. He says he doesn't remember anything that happened after the hit other than the fact that he knew he cost the team the game.
The Browns risked this kid's health and in the process lost a chance to beat a division rival. The game is not as important as McCoy's well-being. For a team that has had issues with player health (LeCharles Bentley, staph infections, the Hillis situation), this is the worst yet. The truth will come out and when it does someone needs to be held accountable and the team needs to be fined substantially. This whole thing makes me sick and is another example of an organization which just doesn't get it.
Leafs Lose, Browns About To Lose & Yanks Snooze
The Boston Bruins showed why they are the defending Stanley Cup Champions last night dominating the third period as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. The return of James Reimer was not enough to give the Leafs their first win of the year against the Bruins. Reimer played well but the Leafs were unable to generate many scoring chances and their power play was non-existent. In the third period, the Bruins put on a clinic controlling the puck in the Toronto end as if they were a junior team playing a bunch of pee wee house league players.
The Leafs had difficulty getting any consistent offensive attack against Tuuka Rask and probably could have used the likes of Colby Armstrong and Mike Brown. Mikhail Grabovski was an offensive threat when he was on the ice and I think that Ron Wilson needs to use him more on the power play. Joey Crabb also played well but that was about it as far as offensive jam went. Jake Gardiner was the best defenseman on the ice last night for the Leafs. This kid is going to be a star in the NHL.
Matt Frattin had his worse game as a Maple Leaf as it seemed he had a difficult time throughout the game trying to get out of his own zone. Quite frankly, I have had enough of Cody Franson. If this kid has any trade value the Leafs need to move him. It would be best for him and for the team. Play Aulie until Kommisarek comes back.
The Leafs have lost two in a row after coming off a 3-1 road trip. It doesn't get any easier as they will take on the Rangers at MSG Monday night. The Rangers have won 5 in a row and have been playing much better since the last time the Leafs were in the Big Apple. Will be interesting to see who Wilson plays in goal against the Rangers. It is the first of a back-to-back as the Leafs play the New Jersey Devils at the ACC on Tuesday. The Leafs need to stop this mini losing streak.
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The Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens this afternoon at 4pm in Cleveland Browns Stadium. If the Browns are to have any chance today they will need to be able to run the ball. Peyton Hillis will be keyed on by the Ravens and it could be a long day for Colt McCoy. Not sure what to expect from the Browns. Their defense will need to play at its best and keep Ray Rice from running wild. I think it will be a defensive struggle but the Ravens will prevail.
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As we get ready for the Baseball Winter Meetings, reports in both New York dailies are that the Yankees will not be making a lot of noise. Brian Cashman is not interested in entering the free agent market for a pitcher since he believes that the going rate is too high. While there is always the possibility for a trade, it seems like Cashman will need to be blown away. In my mind, the White Sox have assets that could help the Yankees: John Danks and Matt Thorton. Danks is a 25 year old lefty who could slot in nicely behind CC Sabathia. Thorton is a lefty reliever of which the Yankees only have one: Boone Logan. Then there is always free agent Mark Buehrle.
Not making any moves means that the Yankees believe they have enough on their roster to win it all. But unless they get some help from the highly touted farm system, if Cashman does nothing all I see is another playoff appearance without a parade down the Canyon of Heroes.
In Next 6 Games, Browns Will Learn If They Need A QB
Yesterday the Cleveland Browns held off the Jacksonville Jaguars 14-10 brining their record to 4-6 on a what has been a very depressing season. As a Browns fan, I wasn't overly excited about the win. Quite frankly all it did was reduce the chances of the Browns getting a top 10 draft pick.
The biggest question the Browns face is whether or not Colt McCoy is a franchise quarterback. Over the course of the next six weeks, they will face Cincinnati, Baltimore twice, Arizona and Pittsburgh twice. The weather will be cold and the defenses will be tough in all but Arizona. If McCoy is truly the guy to lead the Browns to the promised land then he will need to show that he can make plays against divisional rivals particularly in December.
As I have said numerous times I want to see this kid succeed. But I'm not yet sure he is a franchise QB. Is he tough? Yes. Does he have leadership abilities? Yes. But the question is does he have the physical ability to make others around him better. Can he lift the offense. Can he perform well in hostile environments. Over the course of the next 6 weeks we will find out whether the Browns will need to draft another quarterback.
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Tomorrow's Tuesday's Thoughts should be a classic.
Browns Abysmal In 30-12 Drubbing
The score is not truly indicative of the beating that the Houston Texans administered to the Cleveland Browns yesterday at Reliant Stadium. It seems like it was 1999 as the Browns truly looked like an expansion team. The only bright spot on this team was Phil Dawson, who once again was the Browns main point scorer with two field goals. This game illustrated that the Browns need help just about everywhere.
You have to feel sorry for Colt McCoy. The kid took a beating and the play which characterized the beating was when he was hit after he threw a pass that was caught by Greg Little which set up the Browns only touchdown. McCoy was nearly drilled into the ground by a hard charging Texan defender. One has to wonder how long McCoy can take this type of physical beating. You have to wonder if this kid will regress because of the physical pounding. It kind of reminds me of Tim Couch and we know how that story turned out.
The Browns running game yesterday was a total joke. Neither guy should be playing in the NFL let alone getting major carries. The offensive line is in complete shambles. If Tony Pashos is on this team next year then there should be an investigation. I'm also getting tired of Mohammed Massaquoi. The kid is injury prone and I think as long as he is with the Browns he will never be more than a mediocre receiver. The Browns only offensive threat is Josh Cribbs and the team refuses to utilize him more by putting him in the backfield.
Defensively, the Browns were gashed on the ground as both Arian Foster and Ben Tate rushed for over 100 yards each. If TJ Ward is out for an extended period of time the Browns secondary will only get worse. Matt Schaub had all day to throw and it was a good thing that Andre Johnson didn't play because the score would have been worse.
The St.Louis Rams come to Cleveland next week and it is not a given that the Browns will win. The Rams are playing better football and Sam Bradford is back. If the Browns do not win next week, it's quite possible that they won't win another game this year. Last year 5-11 and this year 3-13. Do you call that improvement?? It's time that Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert come out and explain to the greatest fans in football what is happening to their football team. It's time that they explain what the game plan is and how they are going to right this ship. A ship that has been going in circles since 1999. Holmgren and Company came into Cleveland giving us hope. But it's tough to believe when this team continues to be an embarassment week in and week out.
Browns Offense Sputters, Again!!!!!!
The Cleveland Browns were defeated by the San Francisco 49'ers yesterday and the score was not indicative of how bad the Niners beat the Browns. Once again the Browns offense was absolutely putrid. Granted they were without Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty pulled up lame early in the game but its not an excuse for the terrible play calling. When Pat Shurmur was hired we thought that because he was an offensive coordinator with the Rams that the Browns offense would take a step forward from the Mangini-Daboll era. But what we have seen over the first 7 games makes me yearn for the days of the Wildcat and the hurry-up offense, which by the way seems to be the only way this offense can move the ball and Shurmur refuses to use it more.
One of the criticism of the Daboll offense was when the Browns needed 6 yards for a first down, there would be a dink pass to a receiver or back that would go for 3 yards and then they would have to make up the remaining yardage for the first down. Invariably the punt team was coming onto the field. We saw more of that yesterday which really begins to make me wonder if the Browns don't truly need an offensive coordinator. Early on many people criticized the Browns for having Shurmur call the plays. At the time, I didn't think it was a bad move since Shurmur was (supposedly) an offensive-minded coach and there are other head coaches in the league who call their own plays. But it's becoming increasingly apparent to me that Shurmur is in over his head. I am not calling for a new head coach but I'm suggesting that he needs help on the offensive side of the ball.
Josh Cribbs' comments after the game are a little bit annoying. Cribbs hopes that Browns fans are not going off the deep end and that while they started off slowly they finished the game like a Super Bowl team. Really, Josh!!! Super Bowl team??? Are you kidding me??? Cribbs says that we should be proud of the fact that this team doesn't quit. Josh, you guys get paid millions of dollars and how dare any of you quit. As fans we expect you and your teammates to play hard every down. Quitting is not an option.
I watched some of Colt McCoy's press conference last night and the kid gets it. McCoy basically said that its not enough to say that we kept fighting, that we didn't quit. The kid quarterback said: "its about winning. We have to start winning." That's the thing about McCoy that makes you want to see this kid succeed. He's been a winner at every level. You could tell on his face that he was sick about that game not to mention the physical beating he took. But I still wonder if this kid has the ability to take the Browns to the Super Bowl. Shurmur has not figured out a way to use McCoy's strengths: his ability to throw on the run, he's athletic and he's smart. I honestly believe that is why this offense moves the ball in the hurry up sets and if you remember the Browns were successful in the hurry up last year with McCoy at quarterback.
Nobody expected the Browns to be a playoff contender this year. However, we did expect to see some progress. Defensively, I believe this team has improved. The goal line stand yesterday was impressive and they basically won the game last week against the Seahawks. But offensively this team has regressed. If anything it should be plain as the nose on your face that this team misses Peyton Hillis but somehow I have a feeling that the Browns will let him slip away. The jury is still out on Hardesty but it seems clear that this kid is injury prone. In the meantime, Browns fans must continue to deal with an offense that is inept. It's as bad as when Luke McCown was quarterbacking in 2004. Things are so bad that many of us who live outside of Cleveland have to consider dumping the Sunday Ticket. There are certainly better things to do on a Sunday than watch an offense which couldn't beat any of the top college teams in the country.
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I'll comment on the Leafs loss to Ottawa tomorrow in Tuesday's Thoughts along with the constant whining and complaining of Bills fans about the games in Toronto. Don't forget Wednesday Part II of Yankee Rumblings.
Browns Win But It Is Brutal To Watch
Had the opportunity to go to yesterday's Browns-Seahawk game. I was hopeful that the Browns would be able to get a win and that Colt McCoy would give me something to believe that he is a franchise quarterback. The Browns did win but it was painful to watch and McCoy deserves full marks for withstanding a physical beating. However, I didn't see anything to make me believe that he is a franchise quarterback.
The Browns defense had a great game registering 3 sacks and continually pressuring Seahawk quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. They also shutdown the small Seahawk running backs but to be fair did not have to deal with Marshawn Lynch who had back tightness during pre-game warm-ups and was held out of the game. That notwithstanding, the defense played very well and there is reason for hope. The defensive front four played really well. Jabaal Sheard and Jaime Mitchell each had a sack and Ahtya Rubin was a problem all day for the Seahawks. Chris Cogong registered a sack and the second year tandem of TJ Ward and Joe Haden made an impact once again. The transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense has gone very smoothly to this date. Tom Heckert has done a very good job in building the defense through the draft as evidenced by Haden, Ward, Sheard and Phil Taylor.
The offense is a whole different story. The Cleveland brand of the West Coast offense is boring and ineffective. The Browns had nearly a 3-1 time of possession advantage yet only managed 6 points. Montario Hardesty rushed for 98 yards but it took him 33 carries to do it. On one of the most promising drive of the day, McCoy threw an interception as he was trying to hit Evan Moore. The play would have brought the Browns into the red zone. McCoy on numerous occasions was running for his life and the Seahawks corner blitzed at least 4 times and the Browns had no answer for it. One would think that on those plays someone would be open.
To make matters worse for this offense, guard Shawn Lauvao, wide receiver Mohammad Massaqoui and tight end Ben Watson were all knocked out of the game. Losing all three will certainly hurt an offense that seems to be regressing as the season rolls along. One has to begin to wonder if McCoy needs a good supporting cast to be a good NFL quarterback. That is not the making of a franchise quarterback. While I love McCoy's intangibles, I really am starting to believe that he is not the answer. In his defense, the offensive line has been woeful in pass blocking and the receivers are less than stellar. However, a franchise quarterback can make his receivers look very good and I think Greg Little has the talent to be a go-to-receiver.
Next week the Browns head to San Francisco to take on a vastly improved 49er team whose defense is one of the best in the league. The young Browns defense will certainly be tested as they will face Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. Unfortunately, this one could get ugly very early. In a season where Browns fans were looking for some improvement, it seems that it is going to be more of the same. While most fans were not expecting a winning season, we were expecting improvement particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Instead it seems to be regressing. Can't wait for next Sunday in San Francisco. Oh Brother!!!!
Hillis Situation Reflects Badly On Browns
This past week, Mike Holmgren indicated that there was nothing new to report on the Peyton Hillis situation. Hillis currently makes $650,000 a year and his contract runs out at the end of the season. He has indicated that he loves Cleveland. He is the sort of players that blue collar Browns fans can relate to and he is the type of back you need on cold November-December days when protecting a lead. Yet, from where I sit it appears that the Browns may be willing to let Hillis go at the end of this year.
Holmgren indicated that the team had no intention of trading the bruising back nor were they thinking about franchising him. He basically said that the Browns would seek Hillis' services but the running back will have the ability to explore all options. To be honest with you I don't get it.
Probably one of the most dominating drive that the Browns have had since they have come back was last year against the Patriots. After New England had scored in the fourth quarter to cut into the Browns lead, the offense got the ball and it would be imperative to run off some time on the clock to leave Tom Brady as little time as possible to mount a comeback. The Browns mounted an 11 play drive which saw Hillis carry the ball 9 times and rip off chunks of yards including a touchdown which put the game away for the Browns. It was the type of running that the Browns have not seen since Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner.
Somehow I'm not so sure that Pat Shurmur is all that enamored with Hillis and Holmgren & Company must feel that he is not a fit for their West Coast offense. An offense that has been putrid this season. If you are ultimately going to let one of your best players go after the season, why not trade him for a draft pick. Certainly the Browns need more talented players. But that's why this whole thing makes absolutely no sense. You have a player who wants to stay in Cleveland. A player who has talent. A player who the fans can identify with yet the team does not seem to be all that interested. I can't understand it. But then again, it's difficult to understand anything that this team has done since 1999.
Were We Better Off If The Browns Never Came Back??
Typically after another disappointing Browns loss I ask myself the question, "Would we be better off if the Browns never came back?" I have followed the Cleveland Browns for 50 years. In the 60's, the Browns were always contenders and they actually won the NFL Championship in 1964. In the 70's there was a down period until toward the end of the decade when Brian Sipe and the Kardiac Kids bursted onto the scene. After Sipe, there were the Bernie years. Bernie Kosar led the Browns to the AFC Championship 3 times, twice having victory stolen from them by the Denver Broncos late in the game. Then they moved to Baltimore where they ultimately won the Super Bowl.
In 1999 the NFL graciously allowed Cleveland to have a football team again and it has been misery ever since. In one year during the Butch Davis era, the new Browns made the playoffs blowing a first half lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers and being eliminated. Then they went 10-6 under Romeo Crennel but did not make the playoffs as Derek Anderson couldn't distinguish Bengals from Browns and the Colts decided they were going to rest everyone against the Tennessee Titans. Absent those two years, to be a Browns fan has been terrible.
Yesterday continued the misery as the Browns lost to the Oakland Raiders 24-17. The score doesn't really indicate how bad the Browns played. In spite of all of that, the Browns had a chance to tie the game after recovering an onside kick with about 1:20 left in the game. Yet, not one play was directed to the endzone. All dink and dunk passes. They needed a touchdown to tie not a field goal. Just terrible.
I so wanted to believe in Colt McCoy but after watching yesterday's game I really believe that this kid doesn't have the physical ability to win in the NFL. He is too small and his arm strength is average at best. The kid's got a great head on his shoulders and is a solid citizen. Mind you the offensive line has been terrible. It seems like McCoy doesn't have much time to set up and it also looks like the O-line can't run block either. It's pretty basic that in order to slow down a pass rush you need to be able to run the ball, something it seems that the Browns can't do anymore.
Not sure what to believe anymore as it pertains to Peyton Hillis. Initially it was being reported that Hillis tweaked a hamstring and would not play the rest of the game. On a FOX game it was reported that the reason Hillis was out was a "coach's decision." Then it comes out that Hillis will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the hamstring injury. If Hillis is out for an extended period of time, the Browns will have to solely rely on Montario Hardesty, who has shown very few glimpses as to why Tom Heckert moved up in the second round two years ago to draft him.
What was also odd was that Hillis started the game and had six carries. He then was out and came into the game in the third quarter for a series before being banished to the bench again. If the hamstring injury pulled him out of the game in the first half, why was he put back in the game in the third?? Did Hillis push the coaching staff to go back into the game??? One thing is clear, in order for the Browns to win they must run the ball 20-30 times because the dink and dunk passing is not getting it done. And if Hillis is out for an extended period of time, the Browns are in trouble.
Let me be clear, I did not expect the Browns to make the playoffs this year. I understand that they were at a disadvantage with the lockout since they were bringing in a new coach with a new offensive and defensive system. But we are going into Week 7 and I'm not seeing any improvement, especially on offense. My hope was that with an offensive minded coach we would see some creativity. But quite frankly it doesn't seem to be that much different than the moribound Brian Daboll offense. Which brings me back to McCoy. Is the problem that Pat Shurmur is in over his head or is the problem that McCoy doesn't have the ability to throw down field??
I want to give Shurmur and McCoy a chance but I am getting tired. Tired of having my hopes raised only to be left watching terrible football. I'm tired of every Sunday knowing that there is a better than even chance that they are going to lose. I'm tired of believeing that its only going to get better when it seems to only get worse. That's why I wonder, would be better off if the Browns never came back? My heart says no but my head says yes.
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