I've got to start with this clown who proposed to Tony Grossi that it would be a great idea for the Browns to trade their second first round pick to Pittsburgh for Big Ben.
Tony showed remarkable restraint in his predictable reply, but I can't: What kind of idiot are you? The guy is around 32 going on 40. Hoyer and Campbell outside the hype-zone are each better than he is. Why don't you ask Joe Thomas for some input?
"What, I got blamed for Weeden taking seven second sacks and now I'll get blamed for Ben doing it? Can't we keep the guys that get rid of the ball?"
You want Pittsburgh to have two first round picks? They suck this year, but they draft well, and as it is they're libel to be back in contention next season.
Yeah that's exactly how to build a dynasty: Trade a first round pick for a QB close to retirement, bench--I'm sorry I can't keep going.
Anyway this time the Bengals will probably move Green around more trying to avoid Joe Haden, and that's a frightening prospect. Skrine has become one of the better corners in the league, and I believe Horton will seek to put him on Green when it's not Joe, and use the slot corner elsewhere.
The way to slow Green down is to give up a cushion and make sure he can't run by you for the big play. He has to break off his route in under ten yards, and he'll make some catches, but that's the least of all evils.
This is how Joe has contained him in the past. Skrine can do this too. Skrine is actually faster than Joe and can run with Green, but he'll still get punked in a footrace due to his lack of height. Plus, the referees will allow Green to push off against any Browns cornerback all day. I've been trying to find that rules change...
Speaking of which, I remind everybody that for the Browns, press coverage is now illegal. You can tell, because they get flagged for interference when they bump recievers within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, or otherwise touch them with fingertips.
The rule on hitting quarterbacks has also been changed for the Browns, as helmet-to-helmet contact has been redefined as both helmets being in the same camera frame. Conversely, the helmet-to-helmet rule has been waived when the QB is a Brown.
Pass-blocking for Browns' offensive lineman is also now illegal. More precisely, that's now called "holding".
Despite this, the Browns have a great chance to upset the Bengals.
Among the factors being ignored is Jason Pinkston, who may start and is a better guard than Luavao (sp?) He upgrades pass-protection. Rey Malaluaga (sp?) probably won't play for the Bengals, and the new changes, combined with Obie hopefully getting more opportunities to run the ball, might shake the run-game loose a little.
I don't really understand why Obgannaya hasn't had more carries, but this is Norv Turner, and I'm not egomanaiacal enough to second-guess him.
This former wide reciever should be factor as a short reciever today as well.
Rich Gannon told one Cincinnati fan that if Dalton doesn't throw inteceptions today, the Bengals will win. Since Rich has now actually watched and even called some Browns' games, I have to respect this as an honest opinion rather than an uninformed assumption.
But I do think he's wrong. As mentioned before, in game one, the Browns' were still learning the new systems. Who was playing right guard? Rey was playing mlb. The Bengals best defenders are MIA.
This Browns' team is more confident, proficient, and talented than the team that knocked off the Bengals in game one. This Bengals' team is about the same as the one that lost last time.
I think I get Rich. He still thinks Campbell isn't another "him". He talked about Campbell being "up and down".
But here, I know he hasn't done his homework, because since going to Oakland, he's been "up" (except for his one horrible start in Chicago). Nor was he ever "up and down" in the way Gannon means it.
He was LIKE Gannon statistically, in fact. Through all the system/coaching changes and poor supporting talent, he always played smart. He played from behind often and had to force balls late in games (risk it or lose for sure), but despite that, he graded out as above average over his whole career, even before Oakland.
Campbell is better than Dalton. For that matter, he's better than Big Ben. He won't fall in his face, and if the Browns should lose, he won't be the reason why.
This just in: Bad weather favors the Bengals and their shorter passes, stronger run game. This could be almost as significant as the anti-Browns rules and referees.
I still feel the Browns will win due to better coaching. (Ooo I forgot Marvin Lewis is...am I in trouble now?)
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