1: The Jets missed field-goals skewed things somewhat. The Jets should have won in regulation. I hate writing that as much as homers will hate reading it.
2: However, the Jets are the most balanced and talented team the Browns have played thus far, including (and this part I like writing) the Stoolers and Ratbirds.
3: The Saints, and now the Patriots, have beaten the Stoolers--vs. the Pats, it wasn't even close.
4: McCoy came from behind, in the clutch, to send it to overtime. It's been years since I've had this feeling about a quarterback. What's more, he pretty much had the overtime victory nailed down til Stucky fumbled.
4a: Stuckey should not be benched or cut-don't even start. He's the most reliable wide-out the Browns have.
5: Hillis can't take better care of the ball. Overpowered defenders go for his legs or the ball, and if he didn't have those huge guns, he'd have fumbled a whole lot more. Statisticly, he's still got pretty good security numbers.
6: The defense got worn down when the Jets found ways to stop Hillis in the second half. The offense sputtered, and the defense paid for it. It sure didn't help that Edwards deliberately speared Sheldon Brown out of the game.
7: Anal-ists criticized defenders for trying to take Sanchez down high. Well, sometimes that's all they had when reaching past blockers, and more importantly it's now illegal to go for the quarterback's legs...which is rediculous. Still, they should have wrapped him up.
8: Coverage was generally excellent. Most of the Jets big completions happened when Sanchez shook off tacklers and had all kinds of extra time. If you expect D. Revis or any other cornerback to cover any NFL reciever for 7-10 seconds, please resume taking your meds.
9: Cribbs' injury was critical. He'd been drawing heat away from Hillis. Nice game-plan by lynch-mob victim Brian Daboll. Now that they got rid of Rodney Harrisonfield (dammit), they had to scrap it when Cribbs went out.
The Browns remaining schedule is tough, but they've played the best three teams, and won two of them. They have proven, repeatedly, that they are a match for any team in the NFL. Were you expecting this? Are you raising the bar again now?
Holmgren platitudes aside, you had to know that he wasn't expecting this team to go to the playoffs this season. He wasn't expecting McCoy to be this good this fast. He couldn't have anticipated beating New Orleans and New England.
The plan--regardless of what he said--was to prepare McCoy for next year (not "two or three years" like some clowns said), get another draft and some more free agents, and go after the division title net season.
Now, before this next talent-infusion, they're going toe-to-toe with the NFL's elite.
They almost certainly won't make the playoffs this season--but only because it's just too late. They're already among the NFL's best teams--warts and all.
Now, they can go into the off-season knowing that they've got a quarterback. They can focus on wide recievers, depth running backs maybe, defensive linemen, safeties, etc. Now, they'll START net season expecting to contend.
No, you didn't expect that. And as dear to you as your hatred of Mangini and Daboll is, start facing the reality that you were full of crap, and move on.
After gathering and alalyzing recent actionable intelligence, I am revising my win/loss projection to 10-6.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Deep Thoughts on Ryan vs. Ryan
1: Rex probably can't pull much on McCoy that he hasn't seen in practice. Unfortunately, ditto Sanchez.
2: But once again, the Jets don't have a Hillis. On his 26-yard gain last week, the formation made it obvious: Two tight ends on the right side, with Vickers set up to lead-block right. "Hey guys, we're going to run around your left side! Ready?"
Couldn't stop it. And Hillis is surprisingly quick and explosive for his size. Thank God for blockheads like McDaniels.
I have to mention that Holmgren probably did NOT influence Steinbach pulling to that side (and smashing a safety). Daboll has consistantly exploited Steinbach's athleticism and minimized his smallish size in this way.
3: Because of his reps vs. a Ryan defense, he has an edge over the other quarterbacks who've played them, and his rookie-hood is less a factor. While Sanchez will no doubt do some damage of his own for similar reasons--and because his offensive line is really, really good--the Browns offense should at least compete.
That's partly because Rex, like Rob, blitze inside quite a bit, and the Browns have the ideal antidotes in Moore and Watson.
4: Green and LT are a scary combo, but at least for the last few weeks the Browns defense has drasticly improved vs. the run. Especially Chris Gocong, who's emerged as a top-flight ILB. I sawe him make one tackle in which he ran all the way around a blocker to take down a carrier from behind--at the line of scrimmage.
See, he had the gap to the guard's right, and was penetrating--he saw the ballcarrier and veered to intercept. Most strong side ILB's can't make that play--that's partly why they don't bother blocking them.
But see here: He WAS penetrating--no standing there waiting. That's why the Ryans are some of my favoritest people.
5: I assert that the wide recievers were always in the game-plan. McCoy even talked about his conscious effort to get it to them more--NOT about asking Daboll to let him.
But if the TE's and Hillis get the bulk of the catches vs. the Jets, blame Revis and Comartie--nort Daboll. Dammit.
6: Speaking of which, their superb man-coverage skills won't mean a damn thing vs. Evan Moore. Not with a quarterback who can put it way up or out there where his massive reach advantage makes them helpless. Nor can they jam him. Look for more passes to him, both outside and inside. He may be the designated blitze-burner.
7: Backup fullback. Trade throw-in. Jets rejects. They cut (Roth/Watson/Moore) "for a reason". You guys should be GM's (hopefully in this division).
Two of the veterans acquired in the Sanchez trade are integral components of the current team which beat the Saints and the Pats. One of them became critical when Jackson went down for the season. Mack is very good and getting great fast.
I wanted Sachez myself, but when I saw the trade, I knew it was smart.
Furthermore, Sanchez had a pretty damn good rookie season, yes--despite the ups-and-downs that some New-Yorkers overreacted to. He's a good quarterback with most of his upside left, yeah. Also, he may be as much as a half and inch taller than Colt McCoy. But I'd still rather have McCoy. And Mack, and three other vets. So quit making asses of yourselves and let it go.
Sanchez was a one-year college starter. McCoy started for four years. Sanchez is accurate. McCoy is MORE accurate. Sanchez is smart. I believe that McCoy is smarter. I believe that NFL experience only makes the two about the same right now. Our quarterback is a match for theirs.
8: This team is actually more talented than the last two. The Saints had some losses and some age, and Doctor Evil has drafted low for too long. The Jets are loaded.
9: Adam Schein on NFL Radio gives a "ton of credit" to Mangini, Daboll, etc. for the last two weeks, but repeats that the only way Mangini keeps his job is to go to the playoffs.
Go to the playoffs playing in the same division as the Steelers and Ravens, the worst of which is probably 10-6. With maybe the most brutal schedule in the NFL. Playoffs or you're fired. Yeah right. Holmgren is retarded.
Oh--no--it's the west coast thing. Can't teach and old dog new tricks!
Bullshit. Holmgren's teams got beat by all sorts of offensive systems, and he respects them. I suppose he wants to fire Ryan because he wants a 4-3. These guys aren't little kids.
If Holmgren himself decides he wants to coach again, ok. But if Mangini wins 7 or 8 games this season, I really doubt that he'd use that as a pretext to replace him, because he lives on this planet and is rational.
This synergy between two successful offensive systems is unprecedented and productive. Becoming a respected/feared team by the middle of his second season is doing a pretty damn good job in this division. Not when the core is nearly all there, and you need one more off-season to fill in the remaining gaps. Not when the players love Mangini and go all-out for him.
Holmgren might want to coach again. If so, so be it. But he also wants to win, and respects results. If Mangini ends the season well, he stays. Playoffs my foot.
2: But once again, the Jets don't have a Hillis. On his 26-yard gain last week, the formation made it obvious: Two tight ends on the right side, with Vickers set up to lead-block right. "Hey guys, we're going to run around your left side! Ready?"
Couldn't stop it. And Hillis is surprisingly quick and explosive for his size. Thank God for blockheads like McDaniels.
I have to mention that Holmgren probably did NOT influence Steinbach pulling to that side (and smashing a safety). Daboll has consistantly exploited Steinbach's athleticism and minimized his smallish size in this way.
3: Because of his reps vs. a Ryan defense, he has an edge over the other quarterbacks who've played them, and his rookie-hood is less a factor. While Sanchez will no doubt do some damage of his own for similar reasons--and because his offensive line is really, really good--the Browns offense should at least compete.
That's partly because Rex, like Rob, blitze inside quite a bit, and the Browns have the ideal antidotes in Moore and Watson.
4: Green and LT are a scary combo, but at least for the last few weeks the Browns defense has drasticly improved vs. the run. Especially Chris Gocong, who's emerged as a top-flight ILB. I sawe him make one tackle in which he ran all the way around a blocker to take down a carrier from behind--at the line of scrimmage.
See, he had the gap to the guard's right, and was penetrating--he saw the ballcarrier and veered to intercept. Most strong side ILB's can't make that play--that's partly why they don't bother blocking them.
But see here: He WAS penetrating--no standing there waiting. That's why the Ryans are some of my favoritest people.
5: I assert that the wide recievers were always in the game-plan. McCoy even talked about his conscious effort to get it to them more--NOT about asking Daboll to let him.
But if the TE's and Hillis get the bulk of the catches vs. the Jets, blame Revis and Comartie--nort Daboll. Dammit.
6: Speaking of which, their superb man-coverage skills won't mean a damn thing vs. Evan Moore. Not with a quarterback who can put it way up or out there where his massive reach advantage makes them helpless. Nor can they jam him. Look for more passes to him, both outside and inside. He may be the designated blitze-burner.
7: Backup fullback. Trade throw-in. Jets rejects. They cut (Roth/Watson/Moore) "for a reason". You guys should be GM's (hopefully in this division).
Two of the veterans acquired in the Sanchez trade are integral components of the current team which beat the Saints and the Pats. One of them became critical when Jackson went down for the season. Mack is very good and getting great fast.
I wanted Sachez myself, but when I saw the trade, I knew it was smart.
Furthermore, Sanchez had a pretty damn good rookie season, yes--despite the ups-and-downs that some New-Yorkers overreacted to. He's a good quarterback with most of his upside left, yeah. Also, he may be as much as a half and inch taller than Colt McCoy. But I'd still rather have McCoy. And Mack, and three other vets. So quit making asses of yourselves and let it go.
Sanchez was a one-year college starter. McCoy started for four years. Sanchez is accurate. McCoy is MORE accurate. Sanchez is smart. I believe that McCoy is smarter. I believe that NFL experience only makes the two about the same right now. Our quarterback is a match for theirs.
8: This team is actually more talented than the last two. The Saints had some losses and some age, and Doctor Evil has drafted low for too long. The Jets are loaded.
9: Adam Schein on NFL Radio gives a "ton of credit" to Mangini, Daboll, etc. for the last two weeks, but repeats that the only way Mangini keeps his job is to go to the playoffs.
Go to the playoffs playing in the same division as the Steelers and Ravens, the worst of which is probably 10-6. With maybe the most brutal schedule in the NFL. Playoffs or you're fired. Yeah right. Holmgren is retarded.
Oh--no--it's the west coast thing. Can't teach and old dog new tricks!
Bullshit. Holmgren's teams got beat by all sorts of offensive systems, and he respects them. I suppose he wants to fire Ryan because he wants a 4-3. These guys aren't little kids.
If Holmgren himself decides he wants to coach again, ok. But if Mangini wins 7 or 8 games this season, I really doubt that he'd use that as a pretext to replace him, because he lives on this planet and is rational.
This synergy between two successful offensive systems is unprecedented and productive. Becoming a respected/feared team by the middle of his second season is doing a pretty damn good job in this division. Not when the core is nearly all there, and you need one more off-season to fill in the remaining gaps. Not when the players love Mangini and go all-out for him.
Holmgren might want to coach again. If so, so be it. But he also wants to win, and respects results. If Mangini ends the season well, he stays. Playoffs my foot.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
This Just In
I just got turned onto this Browns DNS site which is like internet Radio. At first I loved it, but then they started repeating the Eric Wright BS and bashing Daboll. The black helicopters came out: Mangini got Daboll to make sure he'd look good in comparison.
Still, it's better than NFL Radio for even an objective Browns fan.
Anyway, I had forgotten a huge new reason for hope vs. the Pats: Ryan's defense is finally managing to disguise it's intentions pre-snap, like the Stoolers and Ratbirds do! They did it to Big Benny--no bigee. But then they did it to Drew Brees, all day long. THAT is impressive. Brees is right there with Brady and Manning reading stuff pre-snap. (Benny is comnparatively dumb as a rock. He just waits till he's half way to the ground in the grasp, then intentionally grounds it to avoid sacks,)
That's massively important. The 3-4 surrenders it's biggest advanatage over a 4-3 when it shows a quarterback who the blitzer is, and always covers the way it appears they're going to cover as the QB is calling signals. He and the center tell somebody to pick this guy up here and the recievers to change their routes.
Throughout Crennel's tenure, it was that way. How many times did I see a safety OUTSIDE the box moving toward the line pre-snap, or a linebacker shuffling and leaning? JFC why don't you get on the helmet frequency and just TELL the QB what you're doing?
It probably took this long for the parts and pieces to get used to Ryan's version of the scheme (which is unique, and not a carbon copy of anybody else's).
One way to disguise stuff is start everybody out right on the line, showing an all-out blitze--then after the QB does his checks, and as the playclock winds down, drop the guys that are going to drop. The QB has to GUESS. The danger of this is the QB coming to the line and saying "HIKE", and his recievers getting behind coverage.
The other way is real simple: Body language. Simply don't go up on the balls of your feet, don't lean, don't jump around in place. If you're showing man/press and go to zone, don't freaking pull back with ten freaking seconds left on the playclock, or vice-versa.
And part of that last part is, you need to have the ability to adjust instantly if the QB does get the snap early and you're "caught" in man or zone. Inexperience makes that part tough, because the safeties both have to recognize that they have to do something other than what they'd intended...because everybody has to adjust together instantly.
Oh. It's Billy Yates at RG again. Well, ok--he did a good job last week. I was really hoping for Lauvao though. Benches 500, strong man competitor...damn.
But I digress: yes--if this crew was able to decieve Drew Brees, it can decieve Tom Brady. For that matter, if it was able to beat up Brees, it might be able to beat up Brady.
And hey: Who told you that Daboll has consciously decided not to throw to wide recievers? I really doubt that. Delhomme tried, and Wallace hit them some. But when the big inside guys are such easy targets and you're starting a rookie, he will default to the safest possible throw any time he feels pressure. Wouldn't you?
That said--I don't know the answer. I just know that we have a rookie quarterback and priority one is to make his reads simple and get the ball out of his hands quickly.
It'll probably work out anyway. McCoy is no doubt planning to hit them and get it deeper whenever he gets the time AND THEY GET OPEN, which...are they getting open?
Oh, I forgot: If not, that would be because Daboll has them running boring patterns or something, right?
Jeez...
Still, it's better than NFL Radio for even an objective Browns fan.
Anyway, I had forgotten a huge new reason for hope vs. the Pats: Ryan's defense is finally managing to disguise it's intentions pre-snap, like the Stoolers and Ratbirds do! They did it to Big Benny--no bigee. But then they did it to Drew Brees, all day long. THAT is impressive. Brees is right there with Brady and Manning reading stuff pre-snap. (Benny is comnparatively dumb as a rock. He just waits till he's half way to the ground in the grasp, then intentionally grounds it to avoid sacks,)
That's massively important. The 3-4 surrenders it's biggest advanatage over a 4-3 when it shows a quarterback who the blitzer is, and always covers the way it appears they're going to cover as the QB is calling signals. He and the center tell somebody to pick this guy up here and the recievers to change their routes.
Throughout Crennel's tenure, it was that way. How many times did I see a safety OUTSIDE the box moving toward the line pre-snap, or a linebacker shuffling and leaning? JFC why don't you get on the helmet frequency and just TELL the QB what you're doing?
It probably took this long for the parts and pieces to get used to Ryan's version of the scheme (which is unique, and not a carbon copy of anybody else's).
One way to disguise stuff is start everybody out right on the line, showing an all-out blitze--then after the QB does his checks, and as the playclock winds down, drop the guys that are going to drop. The QB has to GUESS. The danger of this is the QB coming to the line and saying "HIKE", and his recievers getting behind coverage.
The other way is real simple: Body language. Simply don't go up on the balls of your feet, don't lean, don't jump around in place. If you're showing man/press and go to zone, don't freaking pull back with ten freaking seconds left on the playclock, or vice-versa.
And part of that last part is, you need to have the ability to adjust instantly if the QB does get the snap early and you're "caught" in man or zone. Inexperience makes that part tough, because the safeties both have to recognize that they have to do something other than what they'd intended...because everybody has to adjust together instantly.
Oh. It's Billy Yates at RG again. Well, ok--he did a good job last week. I was really hoping for Lauvao though. Benches 500, strong man competitor...damn.
But I digress: yes--if this crew was able to decieve Drew Brees, it can decieve Tom Brady. For that matter, if it was able to beat up Brees, it might be able to beat up Brady.
And hey: Who told you that Daboll has consciously decided not to throw to wide recievers? I really doubt that. Delhomme tried, and Wallace hit them some. But when the big inside guys are such easy targets and you're starting a rookie, he will default to the safest possible throw any time he feels pressure. Wouldn't you?
That said--I don't know the answer. I just know that we have a rookie quarterback and priority one is to make his reads simple and get the ball out of his hands quickly.
It'll probably work out anyway. McCoy is no doubt planning to hit them and get it deeper whenever he gets the time AND THEY GET OPEN, which...are they getting open?
Oh, I forgot: If not, that would be because Daboll has them running boring patterns or something, right?
Jeez...
"I am Your Father, Eric"
Wow does that Bill nurse a grudge, or what?
But some of the stuff I read on the message boards is hysterical. Many Cleveland fans are far worse, and just make stuff up about Bill. It's almost as bad as what they say about Mangini.
Anyway, I got a bad feeling about this one, primarily because it's Bill coming back to the site of his own lynching, and he has proven to be such a great grudge-nurser. The Pats are going to be at the peak of their performance for his sake, and his game-plan and adjustments are what they are.
I do need to pick on Grossi here. Teddy Brusci did say that the Pats were the "Big Boy version" of what the Browns are trying to do, but he wasn't talking about physical domination. That's not who the Pats are anyway. He was merely referring to the fact that their system is mature and well-established, and their players can read eachother's minds, and execute in their sleep.
But Bill was unmistakably throwing shots at Mangini in referring to this offense as a "West Coast". There are indeed elements of it here, as there are in his own offense. Brady usually gets rid of the ball in three seconds, even on deep passes. They use lots of slants and crosses.
But the posters jumped all over the west coast reference, accepting validation of their theory that Mangini has suddenly become Holmgren's sock-puppet. No, you idiots. It was Bill insulting him, and that's all it was.
In reality, as Brusci said, this offense is very similar to the current Pats offense schematicly. Niether team has a scary deep threat, and both rely on a lot of short and intermediate passes. If Bill had Hillis and Vickers, he'd run more, too.
My bad feeling about this one is more about our defense vs. Brady than Hillis vs. their defense.
Ryan can hope to beat Brady (and his recievers) up, but that's hard to do. However, Bill can be as sneaky and devious as he wants vs. Hillis--it might not matter.
If what I read about Lauvao maybe starting is true, that's an upgrade (no knock on the other guy, who's done a nice job). Smashmouth can trump trickery and deciet...and keep Brady benched.
I love how Hillis talks about running against NINE in the box like it's another day at the office,
The most exciting thing here, though, will be watching McCoy. Bill has had an even harder time than Rob of generating pressure. He's instead been plugging all the holes and shrinking windows with 7 or even 8 guys in coverage.
In doubt he'll do that with McCoy, actually. I think he'll blitze more than he has--with safeties and corners. Colt is a sharpshooter who can and will "stick" throws into tight windows, and if he has time to figure out all the insideously diabolical deceptions Bill will be using, he'll burn it with pinpoint passes.
I believe that Bill will attack relentlessly both to deprive the rookie of time to think, and to put hats on Hillis before he can square up and get rolling.
Good to hear Colt talking about this game as if he's playing against Tom Brady. He's striving to live up to something, and aiming high. He seems to think of the defenses he faces as just part of that. For some reason, that just sounds...right to me.
Eman: Pat Kirwin concurs with me: McCoy has earned this start.
But of course Pat continues to turn a lack of wide reciever production into a general lack of talent. He's just had his mind made up about that. I wonder if the wide-outs this week make a couple big plays, this will elevate his estimate of the offensive line, tight ends, backfield, and defense in general. He just loves those recievers.
When Bill dumped Moss, Pat wrung his hands over how the Pats would operate without a proven deep threat. I guess the Pats remained talented in his eyes because they've still got Welker.
And listen to me: eric Wright has played well before and since the Ravens game. One psychotic poster is demanding that they cut him. He'll be on Welker a lot today--very very very tough--the nickel corner can't use the sideline (but he can blitze,,,,,,,)
You guys need to track this Wright-bashing poster down and stuff him in a padded cell without a internet access. He's embarrassing us. Or just bust a cap in him before he can reproduce--our gene-pool is polluted enough as it is.
But some of the stuff I read on the message boards is hysterical. Many Cleveland fans are far worse, and just make stuff up about Bill. It's almost as bad as what they say about Mangini.
Anyway, I got a bad feeling about this one, primarily because it's Bill coming back to the site of his own lynching, and he has proven to be such a great grudge-nurser. The Pats are going to be at the peak of their performance for his sake, and his game-plan and adjustments are what they are.
I do need to pick on Grossi here. Teddy Brusci did say that the Pats were the "Big Boy version" of what the Browns are trying to do, but he wasn't talking about physical domination. That's not who the Pats are anyway. He was merely referring to the fact that their system is mature and well-established, and their players can read eachother's minds, and execute in their sleep.
But Bill was unmistakably throwing shots at Mangini in referring to this offense as a "West Coast". There are indeed elements of it here, as there are in his own offense. Brady usually gets rid of the ball in three seconds, even on deep passes. They use lots of slants and crosses.
But the posters jumped all over the west coast reference, accepting validation of their theory that Mangini has suddenly become Holmgren's sock-puppet. No, you idiots. It was Bill insulting him, and that's all it was.
In reality, as Brusci said, this offense is very similar to the current Pats offense schematicly. Niether team has a scary deep threat, and both rely on a lot of short and intermediate passes. If Bill had Hillis and Vickers, he'd run more, too.
My bad feeling about this one is more about our defense vs. Brady than Hillis vs. their defense.
Ryan can hope to beat Brady (and his recievers) up, but that's hard to do. However, Bill can be as sneaky and devious as he wants vs. Hillis--it might not matter.
If what I read about Lauvao maybe starting is true, that's an upgrade (no knock on the other guy, who's done a nice job). Smashmouth can trump trickery and deciet...and keep Brady benched.
I love how Hillis talks about running against NINE in the box like it's another day at the office,
The most exciting thing here, though, will be watching McCoy. Bill has had an even harder time than Rob of generating pressure. He's instead been plugging all the holes and shrinking windows with 7 or even 8 guys in coverage.
In doubt he'll do that with McCoy, actually. I think he'll blitze more than he has--with safeties and corners. Colt is a sharpshooter who can and will "stick" throws into tight windows, and if he has time to figure out all the insideously diabolical deceptions Bill will be using, he'll burn it with pinpoint passes.
I believe that Bill will attack relentlessly both to deprive the rookie of time to think, and to put hats on Hillis before he can square up and get rolling.
Good to hear Colt talking about this game as if he's playing against Tom Brady. He's striving to live up to something, and aiming high. He seems to think of the defenses he faces as just part of that. For some reason, that just sounds...right to me.
Eman: Pat Kirwin concurs with me: McCoy has earned this start.
But of course Pat continues to turn a lack of wide reciever production into a general lack of talent. He's just had his mind made up about that. I wonder if the wide-outs this week make a couple big plays, this will elevate his estimate of the offensive line, tight ends, backfield, and defense in general. He just loves those recievers.
When Bill dumped Moss, Pat wrung his hands over how the Pats would operate without a proven deep threat. I guess the Pats remained talented in his eyes because they've still got Welker.
And listen to me: eric Wright has played well before and since the Ravens game. One psychotic poster is demanding that they cut him. He'll be on Welker a lot today--very very very tough--the nickel corner can't use the sideline (but he can blitze,,,,,,,)
You guys need to track this Wright-bashing poster down and stuff him in a padded cell without a internet access. He's embarrassing us. Or just bust a cap in him before he can reproduce--our gene-pool is polluted enough as it is.
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