The defense is a legit concern, but I wonder if it's the players, or the playcalling. I truly don't know, because so far I can't trust ANY of the amatuerish and generalized descriptions I've read.
We have the cornerbacks for man coverage, and if you can press-cover the top two recievers (and have two linebackers and one safety able to stay with even the better TE's) You can send more people. Are they doing this, or is it just Peek, McGinnest, and/or Wimbley--only on third and longs?
Are the lighter, younger, faster DE's ever being allowed to shoot gaps or stunt, or are they expected to engage the big monsters and then try to get off the blocks? Is Smith going to play inside where he belongs, or outside where he's inadequate?
Bud Carson knew this: If you attack an offense they have to adapt to you. If you don't, they call the shots. If you attack you sometimes get burned, but MORE OFTEN get interceptions, tackles for losses, strip-sacks and fumbles. Even Marty, when he had Dixon, Minnifield, and Wright turned the dogs loose. His was mainly a two-gap defense, whether 3-4 or 4-3, but even Marty knew when to let them penetrate.
If they play it by the book against Pitt, Pitt will march up and down the field and wear them down again. The result is utterly predictable. If they ATTACK, who knows? Now, which gives the Browns the better chance to win DUHHH?
Ok but all this Pitt will get to Anderson stuff is dumb. This is not the same offensive line as the brand new one in week one. This offensive line all but shut down the Seahawks pass-rush, and athleticly is an ideal match for LeBeau's 3-4.
Further, Anderson was always more decisive and quicker than Frye, and now has a bunch more experience with these recievers. If Pitt's D has any weakness, it is it's secondary.
Don't worry about Jamal Lewis. Two, one, four, two, seven, eight, one, twelve...do you understand? And in this game he'll probably be an outlet--which places him on the edge.
The Browns will probably go 2-back a lot. I've been impressed by Chud using Heiden as a fullback sometimes. The backs are there to pick up the zone-blitzes. Often, they're reserves--if this athletic, quick offensive line can pick up the blitzers, those guys are uncovered recievers. Heiden can even go right up the gut, chipping as he goes.
Another thing is, throw out the mobility thing with Anderson. He's much faster than he looks, and Chud knows it and uses it. That's why near the goal line he'll roll out, and often keep it. Even under pressure, he's escaped or minimized sacks with a step or a dive.
Anderson uses Jurevicious. Frye didn't. Chud sends K2 deep. Nobody has been able to stop Edwards--double-coverage is a given, and he beats that too. K2 and Edwards are just as advertized--no defense has enough people to cover them. They have to treat Jurevicous as an afterthought! Can't press them, either, and they block downfield.
This is why the Browns pass first. The more-experienced Anderson checks down and fires quickly. Blitze all you want--if the ball is gone, it's gone.
And these are the new Kardiac kids! Nowadays, when they're down by 14 or 17 points, you're not changing the channel. You still really don't know who will win.
How many times has Anderson converted third and fourth and longs? How many times have the Browns had false starts, holding, etc. penalties in sequence and still got first downs? I swear it's just astonishing--who ever thought that Anderson would be THIS good, this soon? The worse it gets, the better he gets!
And I've got to say this about the defense: Man--when the game is on the line, they match Anderson. Third and inches. NOPE. 4th and inches. STUFF. Between the 20's they get pushed all over the field. They give up big plays, too. But in the red zone they get tough.
So it's not all bad. If you break the defense into phases, they're very good in short yardage and the red zone. They just suck everywhere else, is all.
And special teams. Maybe this will be the game Cribbs breaks one. Maybe he'll turn one of those great stops onto a fumble.
Everybody is raving about Pitt's offense, but in my opinion, the Browns offense is better. Maybe not by a lot, but better, and still improving. The Browns special teams are better, too.
...but they probably lose because of the defense. Dammit.
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