Kinda disagree here. We lost by 14. 7 of those was the DeValve fumble return for a TD. If you're in a one score game, the QB simply can't audible out of a play and call his own number without actually scoring! Then the red zone int to close out the game clinched it.
To his credit, he did throw it more than 10 yards a couple times this week. However, all positive production came underneath. A three-yard toss to Britt that he takes 16 more yards for a score has to be credited to the receiver. I won't beat him too badly for the INT - late game that's nearly over/out of reach and he's just trying to make a play. I will kill him for calling his own number on the goal line. Worse, it looks like he didn't communicate the audible to everyone else. Vitale and Duke both looked like they were expecting the run off the right side... Kizer didn't even run to protection.
How about the one play all season that the defense pulled the deep safety and they throw a simple screen up the middle for a TD...That doesn't get taken into account for another reason they lost this game? The defense gave up 31 points, while turnovers gave up 7... Both sides of the ball need to be good on the same day and we win games...and yes the turnover machine needs to shut down.
Defense absolutely has to do better. I liked Gregg Williams as a hire, but if losing him means I guarantee and upgrade at head coach (e.g., new head coach wants to hire his guy on defense) I'm for it. As long as we don't try to make the 3-4 scheme happen. At the end of the day, it's a performance-based business. Browns defense is 30th in points-allowed. If I'm killing Hue for the offense being 31st in points for, I have to give equal ire towards Williams.
I don't know what the hell that was before the half, other than a complete disaster. Even though Kizer made one of the worst plays in NFL history right there, shame on the refs for not flagging Detroit for simply laying on him for about 9 seconds. I think we could have salvaged some points there. That was bullshit.
I felt the refs were teaching the Browns a lesson. Ref: "Did they really just try that? Oh hell naw... I'm not giving them another shot at this."
Duke has to know better than to throw his helmet. For God sakes you're a Cleveland Brown. Somebody give him the "Dwayne Rudd" history lesson for crying out loud...Allthough I understatement the frustration at the moment. I'm pretty sure my hat hit the ground as well.
Where Do We Go From Here? Intrigue abound this morning. Browns beat writer (Daryl Ruiter) dropped a slightly cryptic tweet this morning: He followed that up on the Fan this morning saying there's potentially something happening within the football organization (new team president, perhaps?). Especially considering...
Which is why No. 1 overall will be used on a quarterback. Even showing "growth", Kizer is not now nor has he ever been a player who can put the team on his back and win games. Browns need to find that guy in the draft. Cough. Cough.
Browns Mock | Week 10 Edition Front Office Changes: President of Football Operations hired to oversee the coaching staff and front office with Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown reporting directly to them. This is the current rumor and best shot the Haslams have at avoiding a full-scale blow-up of the football operations. Notable Free Agent Signings: Terrelle Pryor, WR Washington: the Browns attempted to trade for him before the deadline and Washington balked. Fortunately, he's playing on a one-year deal and producing at a much lower level. He clearly misses the coaches and structure of Cleveland and would instantly make the WR room better. It remains to be see how Josh Gordon produces and whether or not he fits with the organization's long-term plan. Trumaine Johnson, CB Los Angeles: it's reported the Browns inquired last season but the price tag for trade was too high. The Rams could still tag and trade him, but it's risky since it would be the third tag in a row and cost nearly $20M for a cornerback. Johnson is familiar with Williams' system and would immediately upgrade Jamar Taylor (who's better in zone). Kellen Clemens, QB Los Angeles: good teams get their players poached and the Rams are no exception. The Browns clearly miss a veteran presence in the QB room and the other pending free agents are either still good enough to be starters (Bradford, McCown, Brees) or are former Browns (Weeden, Anderson, Osweiler) making them unlikely candidates. Clemens is a guy who can fill the veteran role while not challenging the younger players. Browns cut Kessler and Hogan to make room for... 1.1: Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma A solid outing against a well-below average defense does not a franchise QB make. Even if Kizer makes Herculean strides through the rest of the schedule, he's a big-armed backup at best in this League as he lacks the ability to read a defense, execute an offense, or effectively manage the football. After passing on top tier talent at the position the previous seasons, the Browns simply cannot afford to pass again and will take a QB with its top pick for the first time since Tim Couch. Mayfield draws comparisons to Brees but Russell Wilson is a better comp as, like Wilson, he's much more sturdily-built. He uses his mobility to extend plays and make them from outside the pocket but isn't a run-first quarterback. He's got elite accuracy at all levels of the field and a very strong arm that can make every NFL throw asked of him. For two consecutive seasons, he's the top-graded QB in college from an analytics standpoint - so he passes literally every mark except the height check. Wilson isn't 5'11" and if you could re-draft 2012, would be the first overall pick even over a healthy Andrew Luck. Mayfield may only measure 6'0" on the nose but he's an elite talent who can carry a team, has an NFL arm, and the je ne sai quoi "it factor" of a Deshaun Watson. Even if Kizer comes back, it won't take long for the ultra-talented rookie to take over the starting job and change the Browns' fortunes. 1.6 (f/Houston): Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS Alabama The lack of a true center field safety is apparent as Derrick Kindred performs well against the run but is a liability in coverage and Jabrill Peppers - a coaches' favorite - is playing as a punt returner on the defense. Both are better as in-the-box safeties and unfortunately, we can only field one of those at a time. Seeing the he was a first round pick and early favorite of Gregg Williams, Peppers gets the role change and the Browns bring in Fitzpatrick as the starting free safety. Fitzpatrick can be this defense's version of Jalen Ramsey, a big-bodied safety who also can play cornerback. Minkah has the size (6'1" 203) and versatility to excite defensive coorindators and challenge offensive coordinators. He displays the ability to cover receivers while also having the athleticism to truly cover the deep halves. After foolishly passing on Malik Hooker in 2017, they redeem themselves here and make the easy choice. 1.22 (f/Dallas): Courtland Sutton, WR Southern Methodist Cleveland trades the two acquired second round picks (#38 - Houston, #64 - Philadelphia; 790 points) to Dallas for #22 overall (780 points). Browns pick up another missing component - and major need - in Sutton. At this stage, the reviews are tepid at best for this season's wide receiver class so Sutton may be available here. There's a chance he makes it to the Top 10 when all is said and done, however, so this is far from a lock. He's got the size of a true No. 1 receiver (6'3" 218 pounds) while boasting the fluidity of a much smaller, slot receiver. Sashi Brown indicated this was going to be their most "aggressive" offseason yet and trading two second-round picks to get back into the first would fit that bill. Much like with Njoku, the Browns can trade up, get a pass-catcher, and have the bonus of the optional fifth-year deal. This team could go from starting Corey Coleman, Kenny Britt, and Rashard Higgins in 2017 to Josh Gordon, Terrelle Pryor, and Courtland Sutton in a single off-season. 2.33: Nick Chubb, RB Georgia Isaiah Crowell is likely gone in free agency and Duke Johnson Jr. appears to only rate as a change-of-pace back for this coaching unit. We also know that they don't value the running back position very highly, which is why they pass on Barkley in the first. In Chubb, they get a potential every-down back who is able to create yardage when the blocking isn't perfect - unlike Crowell who needs a gaping hole to be successful this season. We saw the potential of the Browns' running game in the loss to Detroit and a big (5'11" 228 pounds) runner with an excellent speed/size combination could excel in our scheme. Chubb also holds up pretty well in pass pro. The only area he needs to work on his catching the football out of the backfield where he only has 29 career receptions - 18 of those coming in his freshman season. 2.38 (f/Houston): TRADED 2.64 (f/Philadelphia): TRADED 3.65: Micah Kiser, LB Virginia Joe Schobert has shown some promise in the MLB spot but the depth there is simply not NFL-caliber. Likewise, there is still the Browns tradition of being soundly beat over the middle of the field. Kiser is a sure-tackling linebacker with plus size (6'2" 240) who also can add a pass rush dimension as a blitzer. He's the best player and centerpiece for Virginia's defense so one would assume there's a leadership quality that comes along with that as well. In three seasons as a starter, he's notched 354 tackles, 32.0 TFLs, and 19.0 sacks. In the passing game, he's added 12 passes defenced and 1 interception.
Wow. i just watched the game over, and confirmed everything everybody already knew. The Browns make it easy for the opponent by contributing to their own demise every single week... Those final 7 minutes or so of the 2nd quarter were really something special. Big credit to the Lions defensive back that made the play on DeValve. That was an awesome effort, and typical of the kind of things Browns fans witness every Sunday. After re-watching the game, I do believe we could have overcome that one. But not after Kizer's now infamous "QB sneak" from the 3 yard line with no timeouts. smh...That was a huge swing in momentum, and just flat out embarrassing. We can't seem to get through a game where we don't have that "Benny Hill" music moment, and that was certainly it yesterday...I say it every week, and I'll say it again; Browns fans deserve better.. The defense truly fell apart. What can ya say? If it was flag football the results would have been the same. The Lions were gashing us the entire second half. Eric Ebron never got that wide open in his life. The bubble screen was just ridiculous....It's like, once Collins left the game, we had nobody else capable of of tackling the Detroit ball carriers...Hard to watch. Very aggravating from a Browns fans perspective, as always...
Where have I heard that before? Arm strength improved season-to-season? Huh... where have I heard that before?
Well, we're eight starts in. With a better offensive line, better tight end group, worse wide receiver group, and the same running back group, here's how Kizer and Kessler fared through their first eight starts. Kessler 128 completions, 195 attempts (65.6%), 1,380 yards (7.2 YPA/10.8 YPC), 6 TD (3.1%), 2 INT (1.0%), 153.3 YPG, 21 sacks (9.7%), 92.3 QB rating 0-8 record Played through two concussions, bruised ribs. Benched twice. Benched. Determined to not be a capable starter for the franchise. Kizer 132 completions, 250 attempts (52.8%), 1,376 yards (5.5 YPA/10.4 YPC), 4 TD (1.6%), 12 INT (4.8%), 172.0 YPG, 16 sacks (6.0%), 54.3 QB rating 0-8 record Played through migraine (Week 2). Benched three times. Still the starter. May have "played his best game". This coaching staff is a joke.
That if the Browns ran the football, they'd be competitive in almost every game? Runs by quarter: 1 - 9 2 - 9 3 - 14 4 - 1 We fell behind in the fourth quarter with 10:46 left to play. We were averaging 6.1 yards per carry and had the best starting drive of the season to kick off the second half, running at will on Detroit for 85 yards and a score. 10 rushes, 2 passes.
It's not rocket science. Take a look at the Houston Texans. Prime example of what a huge difference a QB makes. With Watson, they were a contender, and a threat to beat any team. Without Watson, they may not win a game....For further evidence, see Brett Hundley and the Green Bay Packers. They are a completely different team...QB is everything. I say it all the time because it's true. When a team has a good one, everyone feels it, everyone elevates their game, and everyone expects victory... The Browns have some good players...We don't have a SB roster, but we could certainly be in the hunt with a talent like the two glaring ones that we passed on (Watson and Wentz) taking snaps...When we get that position squared away, the Browns will be back. Why it's taken 19 years and counting, is one of life's great mysteries. Hopefully our FO finally removes their heads from their rear ends, and finds us one soon...It seems almost impossible that one franchise could miss so many times on the games' most important position, but here we are, and we are no closer to solving the puzzle than we were in 99... look around the NFL. The struggling teams all have one thing in common. QB issues...I realize everyone knows this, but I just get tired of hearing how we have "no talent" on the roster, because I know that isn't true. This is a young team that is starved for somebody to believe in at QB... If I had to roll the dice on a QB right now, it would be Baker Mayfield, without hesitation....I believe that guy has the "it" factor, and he can truly carry a team. He's got the kind of intensity and passion that really could change a culture...I don't care that he's not the ideal height. Mayfield is built solid, and understands how to find those throwing lanes...He unfairly gets the Johnny comparison, which doesn't bother me. Hopefully he just uses that as fuel...His teammates play their asses off for him because they believe in him...I just don't see that fire with any of our current QB's.
