Whe Needs a Quarterback?

The Cleveland Browns are very inferior to the New England Patriots at this time.  Do not misunderstand or twist the following into "He said the Browns are as good as the Patriots".  E n g l i s h.

But Hue Jackson agrees with Bill Belichick.  Great teams can make great quarterbacks.  Bill didn't blink at using his third string rookie quarterback.  He didn't scramble around looking for an old geezer.

He let his quarterback run.  Good thing, because frankly, he couldn't pass.  He's not very good.  I was hoping he would be, so that Bill might part with Garropollo.

Bill Belichick: Overrated because he's got Tom Brady?  You guys are funny!  He just stomped a very good team with a guy who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

Hue thinks like Bill.  If you have some talent, and make the most of it, your universe need not revolve around a quarterback.  His defense rose to the occasion, he let his quarterback run for several first downs and the first touchdown.  Later, he started battering at them with Blount, and eventually the walls crumbled.

It's hard to imagine Hue Jackson or any other coach measuring up to Bill Belichick, who might be the best ever.  But I love that he thinks like Bill: Football is a team sport.

Don't get me wrong: Quarterback remains the most important position.  No doubt Hue wants a Tom Brady of his own.  He might even think he has one already.  If you think that's funny, you're pretty concieted to think you know more about this than Hue Jackson.  I'll join you making fun of Hue later if Kessler falls on his face (much), but I'm not second-guessing him yet.

But wow, what a beating he's taking!  Now Coleman too?  Really?  Miami will stack the box to stop Crowell and overwhelm the blockers.  They'll dare Kessler to beat them.  They have a top flight front four, and Hue just had to remake right guard and center.

Higgins will replace Coleman.  That's not bad since he's big and reliable, and Kessler has worked with him.  Pryor remains a deep threat.  The fish might try to single cover him.  If Brian Sipe and Dave Logan could make them sorry they tried that, Cody and Terrelle can too.

This could be Duke time, too.  Up the gut is suicidal vs this front and he can go outside to force nightmarish matchups.

Crowell should remain the lead back, but Hue adapts.  Quick speed outside could be how he gets yards early.  You really can't put Kessler in second and eights.  That would be bad.

No, I'm just daydreaming.  Too many injuries.  Too many rookies.  But I think they'll fight, and won't get blown out like everybody expects.  The defense is improving.

The big thing is they have to establish the run.  In the past, the Browns couldn't beat a stacked front, but Hue Jackson is diabolicly sneaky, and may find ways to do it.  He probobly uses Malcolm Johnson, pulling guards, two tight ends...

And as you saw monday night, eventually, defenses fatigue, if you can just find ways to keep hammering without getting in too much trouble.

Phil Simms, in talking up Belichick, mentioned several plays a coach can run to get a rookie quarterback rolling.  He might have used the word "brainless", because the target is predetermined, and the ball is gone to a spot almost instantly, no matter what.

One of these uses a diamond formation.  That's an instant screen outside.  It's a very safe, high percentage throw.  It might only get 2-4 yards, but you might get lucky with more, and it gets the kid some confidence.

Anyway, back to my main point:  Bill Belichick has a formidable veteran team, and Hue doesn't (yet).  I look forward to seeing how all these youngsters respond to all this amazing adversity.  If Kessler achieves mediocrity and survives, and they don't get blown out, I'll take it.

Oh.  Josh has a broken collarbone?  Murray hurt his knee?  Wake me when something new happens.  Oh Campbell now?  Ok fine why not?