That's what I was thinking Irish. Why not start off with the up-tempo or hurry-up offense since they seem to do well with it? Then after the offense gets rolling, everybody seems to get in the groove of things, and we have some points on the board, then slow it down and grind it out a bit more with the running game. This would take a ton of pressure off since they wouldn't have the "must-convert or we lose" 3rd and 4th downs as time is running out. (But then again, maybe that's what this team, both offense and defense, needs for motivation at this point.) Oh, well. Regardless of how, it's still a big 'W' for the Browns. *BRAVO*
looking around the NFL, I get the feeling we are starting to see teams settled into what they are going to be. That includes teams who are "mature" teams. The first 4 weeks saw plenty of roller coaster rides. On that note I am happy to have stollen a W yesterday. I also want to heap praise on Shanahan and Hoyer for miraculously having t his Offense running well from the first game on. No samll matter, given the amount of change this team went through in the off season, and losing Gordon, and not having Cameron or having him at 80% over the first 4. I live near enough to Philly to be made all too aware of their team, who at 4 and 1, are just as questionable a team as Cleveland. Really. Even the team themselves isn't thumping their chest over being 4 and 1. The NFL is completely up in the air. Cleveland is one loss out of leading the NFL? What? Yeah it's only 4 games and Pittsburgh comes in this weekend, so the biggest test we face in the next 4 weeks is upon us. Should we find a way to win then I will be dreaming about leading the division in 4 weeks. Stupid talk. Yes, but when was the last time I could even imagine such a thing, so there you are. Homer all the way! The NFL zebras changed their stripes for once and we enjoyed if not a favorable, at least a fair calling of the game. I thnk we were due. Would I like a pretty, comfortable W? Sure, but W's become blow outs when you are looking at records, and rankings.
That was a big step for the Browns yesterday. I never sensed any panic in the face of the firestorm that was the first half. No doubt that comeback earlier this season at Heinze Field helped keep them composed. I totally agree with you guys about going up-tempo earlier in the game. We have some nice weapons on this offense (even without Gordon) but it all runs through Hoyer, and there is no question that he and the entire offense just looks better when they speed it up. I'm not certain if they are just taking advantage of certain personel groupings, or if it's just a rhythm thing with Hoyer, but watch out for that Cleveland offense when they stand on the pedal. It's fun to watch, and if Hoyer keeps this up they'll be singin songs about him soon. All I want is a WINNING Browns QB, and right now I'm feelin pretty good about Brian Hoyer...
4 games in. One quarter done. Likes: the O line nearly awesome The Running game also well above average, and becoming a great strength. WRs, who could have expected this mush production from a rag tag group of cast offs, has beens, and raw rookies? QB - incredible? Hoyer will never be mistaken for Dan Marino, but he was the right man at the right time. Whether that carries through the season, I don't know, but Johnny couldn't have gotten this team off the ground like this. Dislikes: Has anyone seen our corners? Did Joe miss the bus? How do you evaluate a D that gives up 28 one half then shuts down the opponent the last half. Dr Jekyl meet Mr Hyde 2nd Rookie corner in two years, who apparently cannot play?????????? Special mentions: Gabriel ! Who? Yeah that guy. What a surprise he has been. May be a keeper. Benjamin ? Jekyl or Hyde? Can't seem to field a punt, but then makes two catches for TDs Who is this guy? With an average D we already lead the division.
Gotta believe Pettine and co. are focussed on the D. With Big Ben coming in, we have to do more than pressure him. That is a statue with a seriously strong foundation, he doesn't go down. If we allow him to shrug off tackles, and burn us deep again, I think I will lose my mind (well some might say that ship has sailed). A shoot out with Pittsburgh, isn't something I want to watch. C'mon D
That's just it Duff, even in the up tempo, the running game works better...What we have that many other teams don't is a 3 headed RB system so that position never gets tired regardless of how many run plays we run. An advantage that they haven't really exploited yet.
Seriously SAS, most people that look at this game know that if Locker finishes this game isnt even close...I guess people dont know how bad Whitehurst really is...mayb they can look bak a few yrs ago 9-6 Browns beat Seattle...QB was......Whitehurst lol 2nd point....Tenn had as much do this w this game as the Browns....lack of coaching and discipline was the main factor along w losing their QB...did I already say that? 3rd point...no way the "Browns" won this game....Hoyer won the game....who caught the winng pass....Hoyer? Final point, how come people praise Hoyer w the comeback, but neglect the fact the comeback was needed since the offense he led was so BAD in the 1st half...make those kind of comebacks on the road from true contending teams and then I will give him credit(Seattle, SF, Denv, Cincy, SD, etc)
..."The debate over whether or not Johnny Manziel should start has died in all places except the minds of the dumb or clinically insane." *CRAZY*
When in history has a QB ever made a game winning drive where you couldn't say "if he had done it earlier, we wouldn't have needed the final drive" ? I'll wait
LMAO! About that first "point"...hey coach stopper, wasn't it the Browns defense that was responsible for the fact that Whitehurst was in the game in the first place? as for your 2nd "point"...."Tennessee had as much to do with this game as Cleveland"...wow. that is brilliant! now I totally understand it all...Sorry I ever questioned your football IQ. and the third "point"..."There's no way the Browns won this game"....whew. now it all makes sense to me. Are you sure you aren't akin to the Lombardi's or the Shula's?
(raises hand) Ooh! Ooh! Me next!!!! Regarding Locker being knocked out of the game and if he had been in the whole game and thus dropping 40+ points on the Browns: Remember that first game of the year (or does Stopper consider that the past already?) against the Steelers? 27-3 at half time. Big Ben and the Steelers are much better than said Titans and Locker. Steelers had Big Ben in the whole game and they got one field goal at the end for a total of 30, yes only 30 points and the win. Care to take a mulligan Stopper? Or shall we just continue spewing mindless opinions with no footing in fact?
The Browns haven?t gotten much from their two first-round picks so far this season. Barring an injury, there?s not much reason to think that will change soon for quarterback Johnny Manziel as Brian Hoyer has played well in the first four games of the season. Justin Gilbert could be back in the picture this week, however. Joe Haden injured his hip in last Sunday?s comeback win against the Titans and coach Mike Pettine said Monday that his status is ?potentially up in the air? for this week. If Haden can?t go, Gilbert, who has played 23 snaps the last two weeks, will be called on to play a bigger role. If the injury doesn?t keep Haden out, Pettine explained what the rookie needs to do to get back on the field. ?Practice,? Pettine said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. ?Just keep getting after it in practice. In the history of our system ? I spoke on this a long time ago ? we haven?t given up on Justin ? but it?s something [where] he has some stuff he?s just got to work through at practice and get the point where he can trust the coaching and trust his technique. We?ll get him back out there.? It?s not the start the Browns envisioned for the eighth overall pick, but a 2-2 start makes it a little easier to be patient with Gilbert as he tries to find his footing in the NFL.
Just a random thought about Justin Gilbert. Clearly he has struggled to get a grasp of the NFL game and his confidence undoubtedly has been shaken. This isn't rare at all for rookie CB's, but obviously deeply concerning for the Browns. Gilbert was the #8 overall pick in the draft and he's being outplayed by an undrafted rookie from Pitt. That's not good...Why not try to get him going through the special teams? He was a spectacular kick returner in college. It's not like we have anybody lighting it up in that department. I mean, if he's only on the field for a handful of defensive plays anyway, why not? I'd like to see what he could do...Most kickoffs sail through the endzone anyway these days but occasionally you see a return. Maybe he could pop a big play for us...
Ya Browns Def is great....Locker is a different QB compared to Ben....he can scramble and make plays by running the ball....Ben will hold the ball and try 2 make plays in the pocket....he was a sitting duck at times in the 2nd half cause of his nature of play...Browns had 00000000000000000000000 chance if Locker remains in the game....u can believe what u want
