2017 Season The Good, Bad and Ugly

Here is where we need to make the next leap on defense as we stayed stagnant in 2017:

2017 Passing defense
Ave per attempt 7.4 (22nd)
opposing QB comp % 67.2% (28th)
QB Rating 103 (30th)

2016 Passing defense
Ave per attempt 7.7 (27th)
opposing QB comp % 63.9% (21st)
QB Rating 101.8 (31st)


So, to re-iterate

We need to fix the offense (big statement)
Add defensive backs, at least (1) CB and a FS

 

Do you even watch the Browns game? They have 8 guys in the box...why do u think QBs have a field day vs them

 

Because the focus thus far has been on building the personnel to stop the run. The only major effort for the passing game is Peppers...who is essentially a run stopping defender playing a passing defender position at the moment, because they don't have anyone better. The time is coming, one baby step at a time...

 

Oh, irony.

Percent of Snaps with 8+ Defenders in the Box

Week 1 (PIT): 14.81%, 24th
Week 2 (BAL): 21.43%, 24th
Week 3 (IND): 24.00%, 24th
Week 4 (CIN): 35.29%, 12th
Week 5 (NYJ): 9.09%, 28th
Week 6 (HOU): 16.67%, 26th
Week 7 (TEN): 50.00%, t-5th
Week 8 (MIN): 31.58%, 15th
Week 10 (DET): 9.09%, 32nd
Week 11 (JAX): 57.14%, 2nd
Week 12 (CIN): 21.74%, 19th

Twice in 12 weeks did the Browns use 8+ defenders around the line of scrimmage in Top 10 highest teams. Three times all season was it in the upper half of teams. The Browns actually commit 8+ defenders to the line fewer than most teams in the NFL. You would know that if you (1) watched games, (2) understood football, (3) had a modicum of research/data points to back up your increasingly inane and baseless claims, and (4) were aware of the nuances of the modern NFL game.

You possess none of those things. You're coming further and further unhinged in your wild claims (again, with almost zero data points to back them up) regarding the Browns. You're slipping further and further into the "troll state".

#DoYouEvenFootballBro

 

That was a fantastic throw and catch.

 

Game still very much in reach. Gordon is open on nearly every route. If Kizer can get accuracy improved in his direction, he can take it all the way.

 

I most definitely watch the games.....I see 8 guys in the box w a corner, corner and safety...of course when teams go 3 wide their not gonna play zero coverage....so that will translate to 7 in the box...please SAS anytime you want to get a lesson in football 101 let me know....you may be a stat geek but when it comes to football schemes, game plan etc you dont stand a chance

 

4-11 on targets=36% catch rate...I know Kizer's fault

 

You're the Hue Jackson of Football 101.

"You may have empirical evidence that supports your position, but I have gut feelings and a cursory read-through of 'Football for Dummies'."

#DoYouEvenFootballBro

 

Like I said anytime

 

Well, he completed 46.9% of his passes, so...



Dustin Fox, a former NFL player and professional sports radio host: "Kizer was not accurate at all on those passes to Gordon."

@showstopper, an internet troll: "u r dum... Kizer iz good...... Josh Jordan iz bust. druggie. sad."

 

I never once said Kizer was good

 

So was this...

Sarcastic incredulity or genuine acknowledgement? Sometimes it's tough to tell with you.

 

It was I knew it was gonna be Kizer's fault

 

GBU | Immediate Reaction

Good

The Roster. Despite low-football IQ posters (you know who you are) and the internet telling me Seth DeValve, Joe Schobert, and Larry Ogunjobi are "just guys", the Browns are getting some really good play out of their young players. They desperately miss Emmanuel Ogbah and a young, rebuilding team really shows its lack of depth when hit with injuries, but I'm still optimistic about a majority of the roster moving forward. This F/O has hit on more picks than it's missed out on, identified some really solid contributors, and is battle-testing these rookies/second-year players. It's ugly on gameday, but it could pay dividends (if the unpredictable owner doesn't napalm everything and start over).

Josh Gordon. Didn't look like he missed three years of professional sport and battled personal demons and disease. Remains to be seen if he can stay clean, but it would certainly shore up a massive position of need if he can continue to work at his craft and keep his addiction in check.

Bad

Playcalling. Not a shock as Hue Jackson is a colossal failure in this department. The Los Angeles Chargers were last in the League in run defense, so naturally Hue dialed up only 12 rushes with his running backs, despite a relatively close game.

Defense. Philip Rivers and the Chargers have been on a tear since starting 0-4, so the narrative that they're a bad team ought to change - if it hasn't already. That said, the defense did not get the stops it needed to consistently. Especially disappointing in this one was the pass defense. The usually reliable Jason McCourty was beat badly (albeit by a very good receiver) for a touchdown. It did seem that maybe the injury hampered him, but it didn't seem like the secondary was playing with a lot of intensity.

Ugly

Injuries. Every team deals with them, sure, but as mentioned above - a team like Cleveland really shows its rawness when challenged by injuries to starters. Now, Jabrill Peppers is in line for a Monday MRI and could potentially miss time with a knee injury. Seeing McCourty get tangled up in a tackle and have back/hip injury concerns around that is not a good feeling, either.

DeShone Kizer. Followed up a very strong showing with a very poor one. He's still getting absolutely dick in the way of help from his offensive coordinator, and he did make some really sharp throws - at times - but overall, he's simply too inconsistent and too inaccurate. Watching him melt down at the end of the game was like re-reading Mike Mayock's scouting report on him: "In 23 starts, what I saw this year, was that when the game got into the fourth quarter and the pressure got on, I thought he played his worst football because I think he was trying to do much." Can he be the future of the franchise? Probably not - for reasons both inside and outside of his control.

Shizer

The Record. 0-12 and careening towards a destiny intertwined with the 2008 Detroit Lions.

Jamar Taylor. Put me officially on the "cornerback with the Texan's first round pick" crowd. Taylor is struggling mightily for some reason (scheme change) and the Browns do not seem to have anyone behind him. And no, Joe Haden wouldn't have looked good because he gets annihilated in man coverage. Howard Wilson could be the guy, but it doesn't hurt to have a top flight corner just in case. Denzel Ward or Minkah Fitzpatrick (depending on if he's pegged as more of a safety or cornerback at the next level) please.

 

Wow no mention of Garrett

 

What did you want Hue to do give the ball to Mr playmaker Duke.....he had 7 carries for 2 yds...get a clue w that guy and needing the ball more...again getting crazy over guys that dont impact the game.....Devalve(2 catches 33 yds), Ogie(3 tackles)....HoF bound

 

Stats mean d**k... I know because a poster on these boards told me so.

 

Shizer

This crap from Hue:

The F/O isn't out there leaking to the media known lies and trying to re-write history. This is loathsome and churlish. The owner must fire him and fire him now.