Totally agree on the 'so fucking what' thing and if its a penalty, call it. This point your making raises another issue I have... there is wayyyyyyyyyy too much ref personal discernment/judgement/discretion involved. If you have the refs calling what they actually see with their eyes instead of having to think and calculate so many variables, it might help the whole damn process. These guys are human and under a world-wide micro-scope... call what you see and also have a back-iup system, somewhat related to what the NHL has, and using a review center at "NFL Headquarters", take the time and get it right. There is also the 'fine-line' of how much human element vs video replay or freeking sattlelight shots from space do we need. As it stands right now, just call what you actual saw and by all means ask for help from the other hurds of zebras on the field. Fans (like me) and players must also recognize and realize, its a human being game where humans are being human.
No offense to you or TJ Watt, but I have watched more Steelers games this year than ever because we have been expected to be in the hunt all year and Watt is an incredible force, but he also gets doubled teamed on sacks, well...never. That doesn't happen to Garrett. Yes, Watt has similar numbers, but they aren't playing from the same set of circumstances, Garrett plays predominantly from the right, meaning the opposing teams best linemen, LT, is his opponent vs. Watt who plays exclusively from the left going against the opposing teams RT.. and rarely gets double teamed (15%), while Garret is double teamed 31% of the time. I always argue that the two best in the league are in the same division, but let's face the facts, they aren't equal. Garrett is the best defensive player in the NFL next to Micah Parsons. We can have an argument about those two. And, I have gotten used to it, but it also changes the scope of the game when you are calling penalties on some players and ignoring them on others. It becomes an unfair advantage and frankly should be investigated since they investigate any other thing that could be construed as unfair advantage to professional sports. Why should a TEAM be penalized because they drafted/signed a player that is so much better than anything they can line up across from them on offense? We shouldn't have to "get used to it", the ownership should be outraged. They aren't outraged because, like QBs, there are only a handful of players that it effects. So, they could never get enough owners (because the major majority don't have the player to care) to complain to the point where something is done. Through Dec 19th: Having to account for Myles Garrett is the predominant reason why the Browns defense is the best in the NFL this year. They have great DBs as well, but Myles makes those DBs even better because the QB doesn't have as much time to make a decision.
You can argue all you want about TJ and Myles but TJ has better stats across the board since they both came into the league in the same year. But when they aren’t double teamed then the olinemen hold more one on one and That’s worse than a double team block. It’s easier to hold Watt than to double team him and that seems to be the game plan is to hold him because the refs won’t freaking call a hold. I believe the league feels guys like Watt and Garrett have unfair advantages over the oline and purposely tell the refs to ignore it so that they don’t take over the game and keep the scoring too low.
Here are the eight possible scenarios that will land the Browns in the playoffs after this week: CLE win + CIN loss + DEN loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + IND loss or tie OR CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + DEN loss or tie OR CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + KC win + IND win + JAX loss OR CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + IND loss OR CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + JAX loss OR CLE win + CIN-PIT tie + BUF loss + IND win + JAX loss
Ok... so you're comeback argument is that it is easier to hold on a one on one block than a double team, so that makes what Watt accomplished better? A) I disagree 100% that a hold is worse than a double team block to gain a win %. Four hands pushing against you from either side vs. two hands grabbing what ever they can... B) He is getting his 1 on 1 action against lesser caliber opponents, unless you are going to argue RTs are better than LTs in the NFL.... can't wait for this one. C) whether being double teamed or single, Garrett is still getting held. It isn't exclusive to one on one matchups that he is being held. So, would you at least agree that being held while being double teamed makes your life on the field diffcult? But, come on man... the game plan is to hold him because that is easier and the refs won't call it... That's a tough sell buddy.
Cleveland has forced more three-and-outs than any other defense in the NFL with 55 and tops the league with a whopping 34.4% three-and-out rate. No other defense is even above 28%. In Sunday's comeback victory over the Chicago Bears, the Browns forced eight three-and-outs. That was a major reason Cleveland was able to give its offense a chance to rally from the double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter for the 20-17 win. -- Jake Trotter
File under "Strange but True" Dustin Hopkins needs two field goals (or a total of 6 points) over the next three weeks to Surpass Jim Brown for the Browns single season points scored record.
Amari Cooper is just 15 yards shy of his 7th career 1000 yard season, which would make him the first Browns pass catcher in team history with back-to-back 1000 yard seasons.
And a 53 yard pass to Cooper on the first play of the game makes him the first. That pass was on a dime!
TV graphic (in case you aren’t watching)….. In the last 3 quarters Flacco has 453 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. Also is averaging around 20+ yards a completion thru the first half.
Okay, hypothetical here, is it possible that Flacco could be considered for MVP if he keeps this up for the rest of the season? He won’t have half the game time and stats as some front-runners but so far he has got this banged up offense absolutely humming. I think just about every talking head had wiped out the playoff hopes when DTR looked in over his head. They thought the defense might be able to help limp across the finish line for a playoff spot. But now with Flacco just lighting it up, I don’t think there’s a team the Browns don’t have a chance to beat in the playoffs.
Cooper makes history! It was a legendary performance from Amari Cooper on Sunday. In the Browns' blowout win over the Texans, Cooper exploded for two touchdowns, 11 catches and 265 YARDS RECEIVING -- which set a Cleveland franchise record for a single game (Josh Gordon held the previous record of 261 in 2013). Joe Flacco has been the Browns' savior, but Cooper is right behind him in terms of team importance. He's been fantastic this season.
Merry Christmas lounge houndz May you all find yourselves surrounded by friends and family this year.
