OK, so the skid stops at 2, and the mash unit can lick their wounds and take their meds, before we face Pitt. How do we spend those ten days? What should be the priority? I know there's plenty of thoughts. Have at it
Getting healthy. Trying out a punter last week seemed to light a fire under Jamie Gillan, who had a career game. Might be time to try that approach with wide receivers and defensive coordinators. Obviously, the biggest question going into this game is about Bake - will his inflammation go down enough to allow him to play? Baker at 60% is better than a healthy Keenum but the biggest question here, since the re-injury, has to be the risk of long-term damage. IF he plays and re-injures his shoulder against a very good and very aggressive defense, mind you, he risks long-term damage that isn't in his - or the Browns' - best interest. Is Keenum good enough to beat the Steelers with a depleted roster? Bluntly: no. He could barely eke out the win against a very bad Denver squad and any of this throws over about 10 yards showed why he's a backup in this league. Priority #1 for the team is to get healthy. A nearly healthy Nick Chubb paired with D'Ernest Johnson should go a long way towards controlling the game. A healthy JOK should help make up for the glaring coverage issues in the secondary. And of course, we need Myles Garrett to want to eat people in this one.
Things already looking better on the medical front. Barring any setbacks, Nick Chubb expected to be back in the line-up Sunday...
Big win. Early line has CLV -3.5. Given our injuries and QB uncertainty, that feels right. A lot can certainly change between now and Sunday but I'm taking Browns by 2.
Not trying to look ahead a week, but tough not to see Cincinnati right after and think that'll be a brutal game, too. Given how poorly our defense plays against good quarterbacks/receivers, I think I'd rather rest Baker this week and plan to have him in a shootout game against the Bengals than trot him out there against Pittsburgh and their tough defense to get beaten up some more. Also have a sneaky suspicion (hope?) that Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase will be the catalyst for Joe Woods being the first in-season coach firing this year.
We're fans. We're aloud... AFCN = best division in football. Cincinnati wasn't an easy out last year...The battle of Ohio is regaining the significance that the rivalry had in the late 80's. Fun times on I-71.
I think we'd all agree that "health" is the #1 priority. I'd feel better if the starting 5 O linemen are ready to go, first and foremost.Then Chubb, and Jarvis. On D: Denzel Ward is a question mark I think, but the good news is Newsome and Greedy have been pretty damn good. The safeties are where the big question marks remain, and it was good to see JJ up closer to the line, where he was very effective. Thankfully Big Ben's days of extending plays are over, so for the most part the D backfield doesn't need to stay with their men for long plays. It'll be the short and middle depth where they'll look to do damage IMO Got one thing I gotta share: I think Stephanski is more comfortable with Keenum out there than Baker. I think he's too risk averse, and last week's game only reinforces that attitude IMO. I appreciate how he's corralled Baker's wilder tendencies, but there's a trade off there too, and we may get away with it vs Pitt, but come Cincinnati we won't have that luxury, again IMO On the Baker issue: I'd like to see him sit this one out, but at the same time I really want this game. I would let chase have another shot, given the O line is intact, and Chubb will be back. I worry more about the D in this one (well really all of them). If they can make the Steelers work the short game, and take clock, I think our run game can make the difference, and Keenum won't be asked to win it. That feels like the recipe to me.
TD & SAS - You're spot on: Cinci is for real, and while it's easy to point at Burrow & Chase (which is what Baker OBJ was supposed to be), I gotta say that their D made Lamar & co look bad last week, and can't be taken lightly either. They've become a "team" that has to be dealt with.
No doubt about it. The Bengals have drafted really well of late and it shows...I was in the Penei Sewell camp. Can't deny I was critical of Cincy's drafting of Chase. I was wrong on that for sure.....And the 2nd rd. pick of Jackson Carman looking pretty good too...Bengals legit as shit and I'm sure Browns taking notes. I can't wait to see the "Battle of Ohio" as the featured Sunday afternoon game. lol!
Believe it or not, my wife the Bengals fan was pissed when they drafted Chase and let AJ Green go. I told her think of a younger better version (I’m not sure I believed it at the time, but I was actually only trying to calm her down) of Green, who comes in with chemistry with your starting young QB. Now, she’s STILL saying, well think of how good they could have been if they had kept Green… can’t you be happy they are in first instead of 3rd or last like they have been with Green lately? I didn’t get a “you’re right”… that’s when the gloves come off and the “Yep, better than your Browns” Yep, write it down and put it on the fridge for when the Browns beat the Bengals and she claims I am mean for rubbing it in.. free pass ..gotta win first..
Gettin the O line healthy is critical. Got feeling we're starting Case again, and he'll need protection if we are to pull this one out. Chubb is another big piece, but his yds vs Pitt is pretty uninspiring. Let's hope that changes. The thing that always sticks with me about Pitt, is once they get momentum, it doesn't stop, and that almost always comes from their D. Keenum under pressure is a little scary, but he has been there done that before, so I gotta believe that while he won't be able to carry the team, he probably won't make a critical mistake either. Turnovers may well decide this one.
Baker gets the nod and here we go! I thought it was trending in the other direction. I feel like Stephanski won't hesitate to put Case in if he thinks Baker's play is being affected, and I think that's wise. Coming back against Pitt after embarassing them at the end of last season, should be a real test. Tomlin will want this one pretty badly, and I gotta believe there will be a lot of bad blood, as this once fearsome rivalry returns to the spotlight. Has the balance of power shifted in the Browns favor or does the Pittsburgh pride carry the day? Shoulld be a real barn bruner of a game.
This game is a must for both teams. With each team well rested, I'm expecting a battle. Should be a fun watch. Myles Garrett doesn't like the Steelers. Dude will be gettin after it tomorrow. Ben better have his head on a swivel. #95 has a tombstone in his Halloween display with Roethlisberger's name on it. lol! Having the offensive line healthy and ready to rock is absolutely huge for the Browns. Always gotta be concerned about Watt, but I'm expecting a big day from Nick Chubb. I could see Baker having a sneaky good game with the help of a strong running game and healthier WR's.
Key word of the day… healthy do we have the entire online back? Least I heard we will have them all on the field together for this one. The other question is DE, Clowney still down? Tak McKinley could be put also.. need one of them healthy so Myles can tee off. this is going to be a fun one!
It's time for Cleveland to put a complete game together, offensively, defensively and special teams. LET"S GO BROWNS!!!
