Its in a dome so I guarantee the weather will be better. Drew Brees > Ben Roethlisberger Alvin Kamara > James Conner So, my question to ya'll . . . Can the Browns' defense stop the run - and - get to Brees at the same time?
I am looking forward to seeing what we really have, taking weather out of the equation. That weather last week didn't just effect our offense, our defense should actually be faster this Sunday also. I am very excited to see what this unit is capable of. Looking forward to the Buckeye connection... Denzel Ward vs. Michael Thomas. We'll get to see where the rookie is in his development. I thought he did well last week, but again, the elements may have helped or hindered him. We should get a good gauge this weekend. Stopping the run will be on the agenda for sure. I don't know yet if we have the right DC to do that. He is still dropping safeties deep, albeit 20 yards instead of 30. That means on a run play, the front 7 HAS to stop them, otherwise, the RB is getting a minimum of 7 yards on the carry. Brees was only sacked one time last week despite 45 pass attempts... I hope that is more because of a weak Buccaneer defense, but I don't think so. It might be a little togher this week to get to the QB.
Ha-ha, I'm hoping they won't have to!!! Ryan Fitzpatrick > Tyrod Taylor when it comes to the ability to score points. Tyrod just isn't built to take chances, which is what you need to have a high scoring offense. Tyrod will feed off the defense giving us short fields. I don't think he will excel in shoot outs.
Its always been my OPINION that poor field conditions adversely affect an O-line more than a D-line. D-lines, for the most part (with exceptions of stunts, etc.) go straight ahead whereas O-lines are normally sliding to the right or left on running plays or back peddling into pass protection.
Myles Garrett >>>>> Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense That's by himself. He can get to Brees. It'll be up to the linebackers to slow Kamara.
I agree in the trenches for the DTs Lym, but today's NFL, the DEs are some of the most athletic players on the field. They don't go straight forward and adverse weather means a footing issue which can limit their moves available. I do agree on the interior though 100%. Guards have a more difficult job in bad weather because, as you already stated, they are moving left or right much more than DTs do.
Re: DE's I agree with what you said for the most part. However, their 1st step is normally straight ahead. Plus, they can kind of dictate what the OT needs to do with their 1st step by changing their split (from the DT) prior to the snap.
I expect Brees will be getting the ball out early, so if we're planning to sit back in coverage, it will be a long day. That also, clearly effects the pass rush, having only 2 seconds to apply pressure. Tough! Kamara is a nightmare. Our porous run D from last week had better not show up. We will need the LB corps to be in top form. I expect the O to be much improved, with better conditions, more time together, and Tyrod hearing Mayfiield's footsteps. I remain concerned about our left tackle protection, but expect the run game to be a factor for us this week. I still can't understand why we threw the ball so much opening week, especially with conditions being what they were. Here's hoping we see a more disciplined team this week (in orange and brown), so we don't give our opponent any extra snaps. I think we will need and can expect some turnovers to go our way too.
I was watching the Saints game last week and noticed that they seem to be "saving" Kamara. There were whole drives where he just did not see the field, and it had me scratching my head. he still had a ridiculous game, but they're obviously looking at their season as a whole and doing what they can to preserve him for the stretch run.
Browns DE Emmanuel Ogbah avoided a high-ankle sprain. Ogbah did not practice Wednesday and is not looking likely to suit up for Week 2, but avoiding a high-ankle issue means he should be back sooner rather than later. Chris Smith should get the start with Ogbah out. Source: Akron Beacon-Journal Browns coach Hue Jackson said Josh Gordon will get more targets Week 2 against the Saints. Gordon played 69-of-89 snaps Week 1, but he was only targeted three times -- a fourth target was negated by a penalty. "When he’s going like we know he can, he has an opportunity to make plays," Jackson said. "We’ve got to give him opportunities, and I think we’ll do that." Source: Akron Beacon-Journal
If they were saving him, I hope they continue. I have Kamara in the Kennel Klub and could use 43 points a week for the rest of the season. {edit} After this week !!!
Believe it or not, I'm expecting a solid performance this week from Tyrod. No doubt the windy conditions on Sunday, made the ultra conservative Taylor, even more so...After re-watching the game, Tyrod did take a couple shots downfield that I wasn't giving him credit for. He wasn't good, but the Browns are committed to this, so it is what it is. He threw a pretty good deep ball to Gordon that should have been 6, but Haden got away with some early contact, and it fell incomplete. And also late in the game, we just barely missed on a couple plays that would have put the Steelers away. One was a rifle shot down the seam to a wide open Njoku, but the defender just got a hand on it. If Taylor puts just a bit more air under it, it's game over in dramatic fashion. Then there was a beautifully called screen play that had the Steelers hook, line and sinker, but Tyrod just missed Duke Johnson on what would have been a game changing play. Both plays, give me reason for a bit more optimism with Tyrod. The weather certainly didn't help on either play, but Taylor has got to make those if the Browns are gonna win. Even though it seems nobody is giving the Browns a chance in hell this week, I think they can absolutely pull the upset. After going toe to toe with Pittsburgh all afternoon, there's no reason for the Browns to be intimidated by the Saints. Two things they have GOT to improve on are the awful kick return game and they have to eliminate the penalties. Sunday was ridiculous. When the Browns return a kick, it's almost automatic that somebody will get flagged for illegal block in the back. That shit has to stop. We can't keep starting every drive pinned deep in our own end. I'm not ready to pick a score for the game in New Orleans, but I do like the 9 points the Browns are getting on the line. No respect.
2nd place in the conference awaits if we can pull off the W. Ravens / Bengals, one wins the other loses, and thus a 1&1 record nets us 2nd. That's the good news. The first quarter, our O is going to get mauled by a very "pissed" NO D. If we can survive that and be within a score, then I think we have a game. I'm beginning to believe that our D, while not yet truly a shut down D, is already an oportunistic one, and we "can" expect to get a few extra possessions, and some field position opptys. Let's roll.
Did a nice impression of one on Sunday. Is Big Ben's p^$$y going to be healed up enough to play on Sunday? I do believe his vajayjay sucked his balls right up into it's crevice and he spent a lot of time crying Sunday night into the wee hours of the morning, seeing Garrett's face coming at him. He may be regretting not retiring before THIS season as I am typing this out.
