Browns Fan Corrections

Glad to see Harrison move up the depth chart and hope he gets 10-12 carries in a game. I like Wright, also, just think Harrison has more game breaking ability. On Quinn vs DA, Quinn looked this preseason exactly like what he is, a rookie getting his first start with the ones. Overall, he did fine. My concern with DA is that he is consistently inconsistent along with having no "touch" what so ever on his short/intermediate passes.

'Throughout training camp, DA demonstrated dramatic improvement in these areas. The one-handed TD catch by Edwards was only possible because it was a prefectly-thrown marshmellow. You have heard a bunch of MM's mindlessly repeating that mantra, and are a sheep.

Maybe he will greatly improve this season and surprise me. My instinct tells me he's probably at the top of his game now, unforunately.

We are all dumber for having read that. Your instincts are a danger to yourself and those around you. Please stay in the basement.

The Browns will go about 8-8 this season, Quinn will be traded (at his request) for a 2 or 3 and will be successfully leading another team in 2-3 years to the playoffs.

His name is Phil. Anderson will be better--not worse, as any second-year starter should be...DUH. There's a whole new defensive line, Harrison is promoted, Cribbs will contribute on offense, if not Peek, then Hall, the safety tandem together for only it's second season, improving youth out the yinyang, simplified defensive scheme, second year in the Chud offense, o-line together for the second year, and you see 8-8.

Phil will trade Quinn for a 2 or 3 so he can watch him kick butt elsewhere. Rather then trade Anderson for a 1, 2, and then some, he will keep him and get chump-change for a well-prepared young first round pick.

Stick a fork in yourself. You're done.

And I know that there is little hard evidence to believe that. But when you look back at most of the very successful OB's in the NFL (Montana, Young, etc) it was not their overwhelming skill that made the difference. It was their mental ability for the game, work ethic and desire that made the difference. Quinn has those traits. Go ahead and throw the rocks now.

Actually it's good to hear that you have at least a couple brain cells to rub together.

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Posted by nhdawgpound on 08/31/08 at 11:32AM

hey BrowndawgBob, Can you tell me again why Quinn should be the starter? I never seen the word "quinn" used so many times in one post.

***I do agree, he looks super cool in that subway commercial. You got me there.

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Posted by nhdawgpound on 08/31/08 at 11:35AM

Lower90, I mostly agree with you actually, however how can DA possibly be at the "top" of his game as a 2nd year starter? It usually takes at least 3 seasons for QB's to hit their stride.

This is refreshing so far.

for one thing, not to look ahead or anything, but I am concerned about losing Quinn at the end of the season...

Dude, this is not Marty, or Butch. Phil runs this show, and He'll make the deal that will crystallize the core of this team for years to come. One trade, ala Drew Bledsoe. Do you think he'd trade Tom Brady instead?

good post

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Posted by browndawgbob on 08/31/08 at 11:38AM

DA was in the pro bowl as a replacement.

Oooh! What an indictment! Most first-time starters get ALL the votes!

And he embarrassed Cleveland in that game.

And nothing else matters.

Last Thursday - 2 sets of downs - 2 marches - 2 scores - Quinn to win!

Pass to Winslow.

DA has not touch, as the guy above said, and everyone should know it.

Watch current games. This is 2008. And accept what you see.

As to the wind in the Cinci game, if you can't THROW it, then DON'T throw it! The QB has to take a stand - he's the leader - that's part of the problem!

Like Tom Brady as a rookie, and Peyton Manning, and Eli. THEY sure gave the Coaches an earful!

DA is good? Maybe.
GREAT? No way.

You can tell by how terrible was in his first year as a starter. And the records he set. Clearly, there can be no improvement. Quinn is much better-looking, therefore...

Quinn might be, but we'll never know until we play him. We'll also forfeit a chance to win as we keep him on the sidelines.

Stop pretending to be objective.

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Posted by realitychuck on 08/31/08 at 11:47AM

Browns' strength: 1. Offensive line & Power running game; 2. Tight ends & Playmakers; 3. special teams & kicking game; 4. Defensive line, linebackers? 5. safties.... 6. cornerbacks????

One question mark will do, thank you. What's the question mark by linebackers? Is that because...umm...is it the passrusher opposite Wimbley thing? Wow you must hate guns. And love hand grenades.

Leadership has to come from the guys up front on both sides of the ball, but esp. from O'line vets, stud L.T., Tight Ends, & Blocking personnel.

It's up to Derek to conduct this orchestra (Chuds Offense)into an efficient running Team with the Big (as in Braylon) strike ability. The tight ends being a tremendous complement to the Ball control potential of this TEAM. Show us you get it Derek!

Bottom line, Team has to establish its own identity, not what we necessarily see from the Head coach. Don't disappoint us.

OK you're released on your own recognizance.

GO BROWN, ORANGE, & WHITE !

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Posted by allsides on 08/31/08 at 11:57AM

someone posted that DA struggled against an EASY schedule...but Big Ben had virtually the same schedule and went 10 - 6 on a team with a much much better schedule.

Most steeler fans really love this guy, and that is why he received a HUGE contract. They beat us twice, and so didn't fare as well against that easier schedule as we did.

This guy is young, WE DON'T KNOW HIS FULL POTENTIAL YET!

We are sitting well at QB right now and I am very happy with both of them. This thing will work itself out on its own.

THERE IS INTELLIGENT LIFE IN CLEVELAND (since I left)!

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Posted by BrownsLifer on 08/31/08 at 12:28PM

dawgbob-you must've not watched the game Thursday. Yes they scored twice, yes, one on a running TD that was a result of an 8 ypc average with the RB's. The FG was a result of a very poorly thrown quinn pass that was at least 2 yards behind k2. Had DA thrown a ball that badly he's be crucified on these blogs...

That's correct. All the good passes before and since would cease to exist. "Constantly", and "all the time" would be attached to the play. Before you know it, it would symbolize his whole game.

I like quinn if DA doesn't perform, but not until then. DA has earned it by winning 10 games in 07. He EARNED it. THAT's a FACT.

You know it and I know it. But for many people, facts are what you want to believe.

GOOD FOR YOU, PHIL AND CHUD! You forced Romeo blockhead to give Harrison a chance. Did you threaten to fire him, or what? Was there a lot of yelling and screaming?

Ok, I might be assuming too much, but I do know that RAC said that Harrison would have to "do it on specials", implying that he could be released if he doesn't contribute there. This implied that he saw no other value in this player.

He was allowed five carries vs. Detroit, while Wright was used extensively. Which of the two needed the most reps?

My first reaction to the third down comment was negative, but then I analyzed a little more: In this offense, there's often a TE in motion and/or a fullback--at other times it's a spread offense (with the two TE's). Harrison's blocking isn't such a big deal here, and he can catch passes too.

On third downs, Wright can be part of a max-protect package, as well as do the other stuff.

Wright reminds me a lot of Earnest Byner. It's just that Harrison reminds me of Gregg Pruitt...if Pruitt had been about 20 lbs. heavier and didn't NEED a tearaway jersey.

Yeah--thass cool. Big change-of-pace from Jamal. Ought to really screw them up. Get the ball to Harrison ten times, and you probably have seven to twenty one points.

Anyhow, I'm glad people are more rational about Harrison than about cornerbacks and quarterbacks.

More Ranting and Corrections

First off, why am I the only one on the planet outside the team who has noticed fourth-year ILB Chris Griffin making a lot of plays?

Fourth-year. Had to repeat that. Griffin was an undrafted free agent from a Little League school (like Alex Hall's) signed by the Redskins. He wasn't ready to do much then, but quickly became a special teams ace.

For most of you MM's, that's the end of it. But let me tell you something: It is extremely common for players to emerge in their third or fourth seasons. Their first season is a blur. Their second, they're still competing for a roster spot.

Coaches and systems change. But they learn. Now, Griffin appears to be more than a special teamer. He gets to the ball on defense, and makes plays.

I wouldn't rate him with the other four guys just yet, but that's some great depth at ILB. Makes me feel even better about maybe trading AndrA Davis.

I read some more about Alex Hall. They said he actually looked comfortable in coverage. I hadn't known that--reporting being what it is. I'm officially moving up his timetable: He should be in the rotation in the first quarter of the season, and will play more and more throughout the season, until he is the starter at SOLB in fact, if not in name. (Willie will get his props for sentimental reasons.)

NICE JOB AGAIN, PHIL! I'm writing you in for President.

Joe Horn? Oh, so now we're desperate for a third wide reciever too. Jeez, are we spoiled, or what? In my last blog, I patiently explained how Wilson's non-appearance from Edwards' spot didn't mean that much, but I obviously have to go further.

The third reciever lines up in the slot, much closer to the quarterback inside. The guy trying to cover him can't use the sidelines as an extra defender, and can't really force him one way or another, since he has gobs of room. The nickel back trying to cover him gets no help. He is never double-covered.

We might not want Wilson replacing an injured Braylon Edwards at this point, but when he has played in the slot, he has done well, and it is ignorant and stupid to disregard what he did from the slot.

Steve Sanders also did what he did from the slot, and was not asked to play from the X-spot. I like the guy, but like Wilson better.

Steptoe is my new favorite, however. Lance Legget has a bright future in the NFL, and Paul Hubbard could be a huge, huge player as early as next season. And Kasper was looking great when he went down, then there's JJ. They're pretty old, by the way--so if you think old guys are critical, there you go!

So the Browns feel they need/want a 36 year old player, so they get to get rid of one MORE of these guys? THINK WITH YOUR BRAIN.

I think a deal or deals are imminant after this game. It won't be Phil makeing the calls. It will be Phil answering the phone. A lot of teams are now faced with the final roster cuts, and will be trying to get whatever they can for players they have to get rid of anyway. Like Ashton Youbote.

Contrary to popular hallucinations, the Browns are overloaded at wide reciever, inside linebacker, fullback, and tight end. Teams are poised to scoop up those the Browns released.

The problem with both sides of that is that it's a feeding-frenzy, and the odds are pretty good that a given team won't get the player they want. Greedy agents queer a lot of deals, too.

Chicken Little hallucinations aside, Phil would like to upgrade depth at safety and cornerback. Yes, it's true, but it's not the urgent emergency that Chicken Little is announcing, and AJ Davis is going to have something to say about the pecking order even with the new guy.

Phil is not dealing from a position of weakness, except in that Twilight Zone episode too many of you are living in.

For an AndrA Davis, Steve Heiden, or Charles Ali, Phil could get good draft picks or a good backup safety and/or cornerback.

By this time next week, just watch and see how this roster changes.

Da Bearss will come after Quinn big-time. If he can handle it, he's ready.

YOU STAND CORRECTED.

Stop the Inanity

This backup cornerback "emergency" si getting just rediculous. Everybody is clamoring louder than ever for Phil to overpay Gramps Law to come rescue us from all the terrible, worthless bumbs we have backing up McDonald and Wright.

You're just oblivious to press/man vs. extra-mushy zone coverages, how schemes must change when key safeties are out, the quality/experience of the other team's WR depth, or (especially) the rate of improvement of a young player.

For the umpteenth time, the season had already started when, in an emergency, Phil had to dig up one Davin Holly, who was out of football. Holly came in and got toasted repeatedly, but (this will stun and amaze you)--he improved throughout his abbreviated rrokie season, and by the end of it had a bunch of interceptions, and became a key part of the defense and the primary backup.

A. J. Davis had more experience than Holly had when Phil dug him up. Davis was here from day one. Davis has real talent, and has been demonstrating it daily, and is improving rapidly. Sorenson and other DB's have not performed well in preseason, but AJ Davis has!

I'm not even so sure that Jereme Perry has sucked all that bad.

Ty Law would be an asset here, but not for any serious money. Law expects to be a starting cornerback, to be paid as such, and probably to get a multi-year deal. He probably also wants nothing to do with the safety position, and I guarantee you that Phil would expect him to back up there as well. (Adams is a good player, but there's nobody else--including Sorenson).

Experience-exchemerience! If it's man coverage that's almost irrelevant, and although zone is pretty complex, it's not a freaking graduate-course requiring YEARS to learn! Law can still play (and quit saying he can't). But he aint what he used to be and will not be paid like he was.

I hope they get him! For ONE YEAR, and CHEAP, to back up corner and safety, and as a situational third and fourth. But it probably won't happen. Somebody who really is desperate will probably massively overpay him first.

Anyway, no biggee. The cornerbacks will start falling out of the trees shortly, and I'll bet Phil has a few Davin Holly's spotted. Guys that nobody else wants, who can play.

Journeymen galore; let's see who Buffalo, Detroit, Dallas, and several other teams with cortnerback overloads release. Believe it: Phil is working to trade one of our expendable players at TE, WR, ILB, or even interior OL to keep one off the waiver wires or land one they'd otherwise keep.

Could be Anthony Henry. Ashton Youbote. (Henry wouldn't be bad--he could back up two positions as well. He's a little like Law, but younger.)

One guy, for insurance in case Rodney Davisfield can't be ready for prime-time this early.

...you guys are killing me with all this depth stuff in general. You think that every player on the team has to be just as good as the starters! That would be great, and even POSSIBLE sans the salary cap and if you're lucky enough to have George Steinbrenner paying the bills. In the real world, you can afford that kind of depth at one or two positions.

Like defensive line--we have the top four, and Leonard's emergence makes it five. I mean, they're now (finally) working him at defensive end as well, and expecting him to be part of the rotation...and you're running around wringing your hands over d-line depth? Look--there's five guys who can play. The sixth guy is NOT going to be as good as they are...I mean, grow up!

Quit whining about that and cornerback. You can whine about depth beyond Adams at safety if you want, but even then, keep that in cointest. Adams is a small guy who plays extra-big. He's no match for Jones or Poole. Whoever comes in will be that way. Maybe a bigger guy who can't cover as well but stops the run better.

Actually, a properly-compensated Law or an Henry sounds ideal. Or Baxter. Don't rule him out. Youbote would be better for the future, and is a true cornerback with speed and man abilities, and he could be ready to fill in--he does have some game experience and has been trained and cultivated by very good coaches.

Anyway, calm down--you're giving me a headache. Next time somebody catches something in front of Davis, ask yourself if Davis was where he was ordered to be, and if he made the tackle like he was supposed to. If he's running with a guy and loses a fight for the ball, don't be calling that a "burn". Dixon and Minnifield lost those battles too--the point is they were in position, and won more than they lost.

If there's a pass-rush, press/man coverage works, and Davis can do that. If there's no pressure on the quarterback, coverage has to be softer, with insurance over the top. it makes everybody look bad. Whoever steps in for Wright or McDonald will presumably inherit the first string passrush and a man scheme--and Davis can do that, right NOW.

Cornerback is hard enough to play without every reception being called a "burn", and being the baby in the bathwater.

You'll see more short and intermediate receptions, too, if they stick with that soft zone stuff, and don't blame them for that' either. Give the kids a chance, and trust Phil to find a solid vet for insurance.

YOU STAND CORRECTED.

Dear Quinnbots:

No, it was not the offensive line, or the missing recievers. The sun was not in his eyes, and (to the best of my knowlege) it wasn't a gypsy curse, either. Aside from a few flashes, he looked terrible. Yes, he did. Admit it.

What did I say? I predicted he'd do great. But he didn't. Know what that means? I was fulla beans. There it is. If you really care about reality, you have to take your lumps sometimes.

Andersonphiles? I sure hope I'm not hearing you celebrating. He's still just a raw kid. He still has great potential. And he's not that far away. Anyway, you're idiots too, if you think this preseason game proves that Quinn sucks. How was Anderson's preseason last year? You know, after having started four or so games the year before? In that epic dogfight with Charlie Frye? Huh?

It's probably for the best. No QB controversey (yet). Err...okay, well I know that the Quinnbots will be saying he had no time, the recievers ran incorrect routes, he had the flu, a gypsy cursed him, etc., but I mean no controversey within the TEAM.

Fortunately, the TEAM is much, much more objective than you. Quinn is still probably going to take this team over in 2009, and Anderson is still probably going to be the one traded. But for now, this is Anderson's team.

...of course, this did discourage me a little. I really thought Quinn waas farther along.

Well, he's done great until now. You don't just throw that out (unless you're an Andersonphile). He had a bad game. So be it.

Deal with it.

Romeo You In Troubullll!

No, I'm not talking about his not making them wear pads and get injured and stuff, nor the fact that he didn't game-plan for the 4-3 of the Giants. And all you wanna-be NFL head coaches need to stick to your day-jobs.

It's ok to pick on the man--I do all the time (and am about to). It's okay to have a contrary opinion IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT and IF YOU'RE NOT A MICROMANAGING EGOMANIACAL COMPULSIVE SECOND-GUESSER WITH 20/20 HINDSIGHT, which most of you are.

I mean, RAC can't string five lousy words together without the same people (always) jumping on the internet to contradict them. And it doesn't matter what he does or doesn't do--you're just "gonna GIT him". And I'll tell you why: Because he seems like a big ole teddy bear and doesn't stomp around grabbing facemasks and screaming at people. You think in stereotypes, and assume too much.

MOST teams do not game-plan in preseason. MOST coaches baby their veterans in training camp to make sure they enter the regular season healthy. Yeah, they got spanked but good, but it DIDN'T COUNT, and the sky isn't falling. What bunch of BRATS you are!

But I digress:

Ok Jamal Lewis and Willie McGinest will miss Detroit. Moreover, Alex Hall has been workinjg with the first team in McGinests" place. (That's a reporter: More likely he's sharing reps with Orr).

This means that this kid will get to play with the ones in Detroit. It could mean a whole lot more than that. I'm trying not to get my hopes up about him actually wreaking havoc and being ready to start this soon, but still...I can't wait.

I mean, when Sam Rutigliano describes a guy as a cross between Chip Banks and Clay Matthews, you gotta get excited. Of course, those guys were both high picks from big schools, plus they were true linebackers. Hall is from Little League, and played defensive end. And yet, he's already done enough in training camp to force an actual compliment out of Romeo. (No really! I think it was something extreme like "He's ahead of schedule", or "He might be able to contribute on defense"--maybe even both!!!)

Hall has the speed and quickness, and his strength has surprised them. He's 6'5", but has extra-long arms, and has reach on a lot of offensive linemen. It's a big advantage for him for both balance and winning the battle of the hands. An offensive lineman will always try to get "into" a lighter player so that he can overpower him, and get away with grabbing his jersey and stuff. Hall can/does reach out to keep them away (and legal).

I just can't wait to see him do something. I truly don't expect him to open the season as a starter. It's highly doubtful that he can match McGinest working against the run, and he needs to learn more dirty passrushing tricks, and has to learn to cover (always the most difficult thing to learn). But if he puts a hurt on Kitna and company, we'll see more of him sooner.

And I have to give Romeo (or, more likely, Tucker) credit for not being all Martonian, and actually giving the kid a chance.

I suspect that Chud doesn't have as much influence on Romeo in re Rodney Harrisonfield. It goes without saying that Jason Wright will start the game, but they'll simply HAVE to give ma man extensive first-team reps.

We all know what will happen, right? Harrison 5-plus YPC, Wright 4-minus YPC.

Jeez, what has the guy got to do? I mean, he comes in as a rookie at 190 lbs. soaking wet. All the same, even then, he went right up the gut and got yards. (I read some comments about his "tendancy" to bounce outside too much. You're hallucinating. He bounces outside about as often as Jamal Lewis does. Even Lewis won't run head-first into a pile-up unless there's no other way to go.)

He couldn't pass-protect for beans. But he comes in in his second season pumped-up to 217 lbs! He picks up blitzes and stuff! What does he get? Inactive. "Needs to do it on specials.", RAC says! This after he goes with Jamal Lewis in the offseason to get stronger and faster (Lewis's personal trainer is awesome.)

(There's more to it. I believe he was running sloppy pass-patterns, not concentrating, etc. Conversely the much less gifted Wright is a maniac.)

But in his limitted opportunities at running back, Harrison has done what he's always done,. plus broke some tackles and muscled his way for extra yards!

And dig it: Quinn has been practicing with him, and LIKES to throw to running backs who can take a dumpoff to the house!

You just watch this game: Wright will do okay...I mean I LIKE the guy! But Harrison will, as usual, do better. Will it matter?

Travis Daniels: What Do this Mean?

Not much. In fact, many scouts don't understand it. They say Daniels is a dime-a-dozen, and that they'd be surprised if he made the final roster. Reading that, I have to wonder myself. But man, if Phil is right and all these unanimous scouts are wrong....

Anyway, these scouts were all assuming that he's here to be a cornerback. The consensus is that he can play the nickel or dime if he's near the line and not expected to cover downfield. They universally call his speed marginal, but always in cornerback terms. I suspect that Mel Tucker, a former pro defensive back, had some input on this--don't you?

I suspect he's here as a utility man. A mediocre zone (ZONE) corner and an average safety who can probably help on special teams. Those guys talknig about a 7th-round pick...that's almost laughable. I mean I assume it's conditional, and anyway it'll be close to free agent territory.

At one time (as a rookie) he was a decent cornerback. He theninjured his ankle, and,according to a Miami sportswriter,"was never the same". But why, then , was he a starter at both safety and corner on and off since then? I mean sure, the top guys had beaten him out, and he only got back there due to injuries, but it means something, especially when you've got two different head coaches making those calls.

Make no mistake: Daniels is not here to start, and if he really can't help, he's gone. And while Chicken Little is caterwalling about lack of depth at corner, at safety the only solid backup we have is Adams--who is a hell of a player, by the way. Daniels is, almost obviously, all you Phil-bashing scouts, here to back up safety.

Sorenson did good and bad things, and might be okay (or not). At least this guy has been there/done that.

I still believe that Ashton Yaboute is the number one target.

Now, I read an actual article suggesting that Charles Ali could knock Rodney Harrisonfield off the roster.

Okay, I was impressed by Charles Ali--and nothing he did vs. the Giants surprised me. An undrafted rookie last season, he had serious upside (along with limitations). Even as a rookie, he did a great job of lead-blocking for Jamal, and bodyguarding Anderson. I knew that he could catch the ball, too.

He's a load, he blasts people, and he can catch, but he has typical fullback speed. I'd love to keep him, except that you only have so many roster spots.

But the author of that article should answer these questions:

1: What is the Chudzinski Browns base offense?

2: Who played fullback more last season: Charles Ali or Steve Heiden?

3: Can Ali play tight end?

4: Has Winslow lined up at fullback?

5: Has Rucker?

6: Has Cieslak?

7: Is there a difference between the two base tight ends? Are they actually different postitions, requiring different skill-sets?

8: If Vickers gets hurt and there's no Ali, how much of the playbook do you have to do away with?

9: If Heiden goes down and there's no Cieslak to replace him, how much of the playbook do you have to do away with?

10: If you could have Ashton Yaboute or Charles Ali, which would you prefer?

11: How much does Jerome Harrison weigh NOW?

12: Which can score from anywhere on the field, Harrison or Ali?

13: Who is REALLY the most productive back: Wright or Harrison? (Hint: see yards-per-carry).

TRADE BAIT:

1: Steve Heiden. Cieslak is a Heiden clone, makes less money, and is younger. Heiden has much value.

2: Darnell Dinkens. If you can't trade Heiden.

3: Charles Ali. (See above).

4: Andre Davis. Orr plays well inside, then there's Williams, Jackson, Bell, and hey! I like what Chris Griffin has been doing! He might be turning into more than a special teamer! Anyway Andre is the oldest and the slowest. They renegotiated his contract.

I respectfully disagree with my brother about Andre, and think he's a good player. And so do the other scouts and GMs. He's actually a better 4-3 Mike than 3-4 ILB, too.

5: One of the geezer guard/centers (pick one) not including Tucker. The pundits all seem to think that everybody has to be experienced as hell, and young guys with potential need not apply. Well, as it stands, the Browns would need to lose THREE interior linemen SIMULTANEOUSLY just to get all their geezers on the field (after Tucker returns--to play RG and BACK UP RIGHT TACKLE.)

Meanwhile, Phil has dug up several promising young offensice linemen, including especially James Lee, who--though understandably inconsistant--shows real ability to play left tackle. The pundits would have us cut the only depth beyond Shaffer at left tackle in order to retain an older guy who has about a ten percent chance of ever seeing the field this season, and might well be gone or retired next season, and who costs a lot more.

You guys can apply to be junior GMs all you want. I don't think they'll hire you.

Corrections:

1:The second and third team cornerbacks did NOT get humiliated vs. the Giants. WRIGHT did, for sure, but you guys just kept repeating the mantra from last week, oblivious to what actually happened. I guess unless a guy intercepts at least one pass, you just assume he sucks.

If the coverage is soft and they complete short passes under it, you call that a burn, right? I mean, nobody is supposed to catch any passes whatsoever, right?

No, the second and third teamers not only did allright, but showed real progress, just between the Jets game and this one. And they'll be a tad better vs. the Lions. That's how it happens, you see? Inexperienced players get experience. Seriously. And you know what else they do? They learn, and improve. (Ok you'd better knock off. I know that's a lot to digest).

2: The defense (all units) did a pretty good job against this top-notch running offense throughout. It was the PASS that killed them; notably three big plays (inc. the penalty). They did it with Williams in for only two plays, and sans Rogers.

3: The offensive line stunk. Period. Anderson didn't. Lewis shouldn't have fumbled. But everybody did okay except those five guys. I know that when you're clueless you just get all emotional and start throwing excrement in a general direction, but let's quit getting it all over the skill players, ok?

4: Quinn played a little bit against the Giants first team and with his own first team, though I'm not sure how long. Although he does seem to have more "escapability" than Anderson, and to improvise better, the fact is that he had someplace to go, whereas Anderson did not.

He did underthrow the pass to Steptoe, and it should have been intercepted. I'm not bashing Quinn, who I believe will ultimately emerge as the better all-around quarterback--and he DOES have a good arm, when you're not comparing him to Anderson--for crying out loud...but he did have more time, he did get lucky on that one (with the little big man's help), and shame on you for comparing their performances.

YOU STAND CORRECTED.

Now, thanks again to that (aptly-named) offensive line, Anderson is out for Detroit, and Quinn will get his shot. I know he'll do well. But if you ask any veteran quarterback, they will all tell you that it's better to remain on the sidelines for as long as you can before you're thrown into the fire. (All of them would have disagreed during this period, naturally).

Anderson did do what he did last season. He did return to camp this season much improved in his short game and throwing to his left. He checks down quicker, and has just improved in all areas. If you don't see that, it's because you don't want to.

He should not lose his job to an injury and even a stellar preseason performance by Quinn. He is now a veteran with a year under his belt, wheras Quinn is inexperienced. How is it that you people are all in a panic about inexperience at cornerback, yet are so eager to throw Quinn in over a guy that did what Anderson did last season as a first-time starter?

Besides, there's Phil, and the longer-term strategy. An Anderson who starts this season and does great stuff will yield just gobs and gobs of high draft picks and maybe players in a trade. All in one draft, he could solidify the core of this team a good four or five years.

An Anderson who gets benched because a bunch of ignorant people like the matinee idol better won't get nearly as much. A guy who's done it for one year--you can't be sure. A guy who has is solid blue-chip gold, and worth your first and second and then some.

And yeah--they'll trade Anderson, and not Quinn. Regardless of all the talk, they know he can do it. Even if Anderson turns out to be better, it won't be by much. What could they get for him, anyway?

Remember when Belichick traded Bledsoe? Brady had done well in relief, but was by no means vetted. People called it insane--Bledsoe was a top three oir four quarterback! He fetched a first and second rounder, I believe, and that started the Patriots dynasty.

I wonder how many knuckleheads wanted him to trade Brady instead?

And by the way, Brady did NOT have anything like Bledsoe's arm. He was actually a pretty short, skinny guy too. Nothing like the big muscular Quinn. He couldn't scramble like Quinn, either.

Trade Quinn? Do us all a favor and stay ten miles away from the front office, okay?

There' I've been objective. Now all the Quinnbots and all the Andersonphiles hate my guts equally, because they were too busy seething and steaming and cursing to read half of what I wrote.

Oh, I forgot. The boycott. Well somebody will read it someday and know I was right.

Alex Hall is NOT going to take all the reps in place of McGinest. McMillan will get one last chance, and Orr will get some reps there. But I do love that Hall has earned his shot this early. I have to repeat this for the third time: Sam Rutigliano called him a cross between Clay Matthews and Chip Banks. 'nuff said?

Of course, keep the context. Sam didn't mean he IS all that NOW. I mean, those guys were high picks from big schools, and were true linebackers. Hall played in Little League and was a defensive end. There's simply no way he can go into the season as a starter--linebacker is so radicly different from defensive end, and requires a lot more thinking and reading. too.

However, I know that he has already made this team, and that he will be used situationally on defense. He was never in awe of the NFL, and seemed to belong as soon as he got here. An amazing young player--I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't starting by late in the season.

Lewis is also out. Naturally, good old Wright will start ahead of Harrison, despite the fact that Harrison is better. Romeo is in trouble on this one, however, because he'll be forced to give Harrison some real reps, and Harrison will once again make Wright (who I really like and compare to Earnest Byner, by the way--just to get that straight) look bad, and Romeo might get a call from Phil asking him about his depth chart and recommending a good shrink.

I mean, I've heard Romeo say that Jerome would have to "do it on specials". Reading between the lines, I think it's about blocking, which Wright does very well and Harrison is just okay at (I said he's okay. He's improved a lot--and he's a lot bigger now). Also, Harrison ran sloppy patterns, and probably dropped passes. Romeo might not like his attitude in general.

Until this training camp, as I blogged, I was accepting that, partly because I do like Jason Wright a lot for his hard work, guts, and determination (a LOT like Byner).

But this offseason Jerome went with Jamal Lewis to his super-trainer, and returned much stronger than he was even after pumping up between his rookie and sophomore years. By all accounts, he's worked very hard in camp, and has made his way onto special teams (as if that was a reasonable demand in the first place!)

I also heard Romeo say "some things you can't change", referring to Harrison's height. His HEIGHT, for crying out loud, as if it's not a good thing to be short if you're a running back! Short guys can change directions quicker, have a center of gravity about at mid-thigh level to most linebackers...nevermind:

Barry Sanders Tiki Barber Emmitt Smith Priest Holmes Joe Morris...the starters for Indi and New England. Plenty more! SHORT is bad? Are you kidding me? Chud please talk to him! He used to have to try and stop these guys, didn't he?

It's just obvious that Harrison is better than Wright! You think his yards-per-carry will drop if he runs more? (That's the rub. How can Romeo pretend to give him a chance, but keep the ball away from him?)

I hope Hall, Quinn. Steptoe, and Rodney Harrisonfield kick butt and force changes.

Ray O. Sunschein, Joe Twelvpak, and Wile E Coyote Post-Massacre Forum

Ray: No big deal. It was just preseason.

Joe: But they got mugged! Slaughtered! This is without a doubt the worst team in the NFL!

ME: Aren't you overreacting, just a tad?

Joe: You saw it! They totally dominated us right out of the gate!

ME: You mean after the first down to K2 and--

Joe: Techicalities!

ME: Accuracy.

Ray: The offense did start out well.

Joe: They all sucked! We're going 5-11!

Ray: But the Browns almost won! They rallied throughout the last three quarters!

ME: Second and third teamers.

Joe: Yeah, it doesn't mean a damn thing! The first team got butchered! Stomped!

ME: Actually, depth isn't irrelevant. It reflects developing talent, and continuity in case of injury. It by no means offsets the massacre of the first team--

Ray: But Rogers didn't even dress, and niether did Edwards!

ME: Nor did the Giants top three recievers, or Kiwanuka.

Joe: You're both in denial! This whole team is crap!

ME: No. The offensive and defensive lines got dominated. Absent a lead blocker, Lewis had nowhere to go. Anderson had no time and couldn't set. Manning had all day, and there was zero penetration.

Joe: Anderson sucks! Quinn should be starting!

ME: You're blaming Anderson for getting the crap kicked out of him two seconds after the snap?

Joe: He couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!

ME: All-arm off his back foot, falling down, in the grasp? What planet do you live on? He had some time vs. the Jets, and killed them. He did what he did in his first season as a starter, and in camp and vs. the Jets went short and to his left a ton better, and progressed--

Joe: Excuses, excuses!

Ray: Why are you both sounding like it's that bad? Probably, because they knew they were playing the Giants for real later, they were just sandbagging!

Joe: Yeah, yeah. No, what we saw was the real Browns, and they suck.

ME: Not possible. This was one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL last season. Thomas was a rookie, Anderson a first-year starter, and with Stallworth added. It's true that the Giants 4-3 humiliated the line--made them look like Girl Scouts. But they've been practicing against a 3-4, Hadnot was strafed in pass-protection, and the Giants blitzed a lot more than anybody expected...and they just might have the best front four in the NFL.

Joe: More excuses! You're such a homer!

ME: No, I'm objective. Four of the five line starters, this quarterback, running back, and tight end were 10-6 last season and among the scoring leaders.

Joe: But they only beat bad teams! They had a soft schedule!

ME: And several of the players are young and improving. The defensive line was upgraded wholesale. Chud's system was new, the safety tandem was new, and the offensive line was new.

Joe: A fat lot of good that did! The Giants ran all over them!

ME: No, they mostly passed. Wright got toasted once, and drew a stupid penalty--that was basicly two touchdowns. The Giants returned one all the way. That accounts for 21 points. And their defense scored another touchdown.

Joe: More rationalizing! You can make statistics say whatever you want them to say! And what about Wright? HE sucks!

ME: (Sigh) Second-year player, played well last season. If he's as good as he was the second half of his rookie season, he'll do fine. But he'll be better. Experience, see?

Ray: And he barely touched the guy on the interference call, plus he was supposed to have help on the touchdown!

ME: He was in man on a short field and he had inside position. There was no help, and he knew it. He looked into the backfield to make sure it wasn't a run, or a pass underneath him, or for the ball. He thought there wasn't room for Hixon to separate from him, and that he could afford to peek, and react to the ball in the air if neccessary. Only the ball was already in the air, and Hixon had accellerated to toward the corner. He miscalculated. It's that simple. And he interfered because he was guessing that the ball was there. The reciever probably fooled him by pretending he was getting ready to catch an imaginary ball--Wright got schooled. He'll learn from it, and be allright.

Joe: Oh, sure!

Ray: What about Steptoe?

Joe: He just got lucky. Besides, Quinn is a much better quarterback--

ME: That guy is one impressive little shrimp! I think he's made the team. He doesn't have Cribbs' top-end speed as a returner--I think they might have him return punts so that Cribbs can play on offense a little more. He's also a smurf reciever--way different than our skyscrapers. Guys who can cover them can't cover him--he's too quick and sudden. Great hands, too! Phil was smart to snag him.

Joe: But Travis Wilson was horrible!

ME: He never had a chance. Anderson was swamped. He got open--I saw that. Again, the offensive line was the culprit, for everything.

Joe: What about the fumbles and stuff?

ME: Inexcusable, but they won't continue. They were rattled. And Lewis did that--not Anderson, by the way. How often do you expect Jamal Lewis to fumble a handoff?

Joe: And was't that Adams hit and Wright catch and TD great?

Joe: Means nothing!

ME: Adams is the third safety, and will play in the nickel vs. some bigger slot guys. He came to the line as the QB was checking off, then backed up, then timed the blitze perfectly. He screwed up the blocking scheme--it was beautiful. Pool can do that too. That one mattered, they'll do it again. Even when a team game-plans for it, it can still work. They just don't know if he's in coverage or coming.

Joe: I've never heard such turtured logic in my life! This team sucks!

ME: You find it hard to think in detail, don't you?

Joe: That's right! Insult me when you can't come up with an intelligent argument!

Ray: Can't we all just...get---

Joe: Oh, shut up!

ME: Anyway, some individuals did well. Steptoe could mean more Cribbs in the offense, McDonald did great, Pool was good, Harrison...dammit they have to use that guy!

Joe: He can't block, and he's not an every-down back!

ME: He couldn't block as a rookie. He did better last season, and is better yet this season. He's improved as a reciever, he's 210 lbs. and can break tackles. You pegged him when they drafted him and had him buried under a headstone before the draft ended.

Ray: How about that backup fullback, Ali?

ME: Yeah, he did great. Should be able to get something good for him.

Ray: What?

ME: It's a two-tight end offense, and all of the tight ends can play fullback.

Ray: But he looked awesome!

ME: And all the scouts and GMs in the league agree, including several with spare cornerbacks and draft picks.

Anyway, I think they might keep Anderson out next week. You can't play with a cuncussion. I mean, they might give him a series, but I think Quinn might get his shot with the first team.

Joe: It's about time! And by the way, Ali is slow and sluggish. Nobody will want him.

Me: He's a 260-lb. blocking fullback. And Quinn won't do any better than Anderson did if he's swarmed under before he can even stop backpedalling. Thing is, he probably will do great, and then clowns like you will be saying "SEE! He's better!"

Joe: I am not a clown! But he IS better--except he can't throw deep.

Me: He did in college and he did last night. He takes what is there. If coverage is soft, he goes underneath it. If it's tight, he'll look to burn it. Anderson's arm is rare, and it's not fair to compare the two. Quinn on balance might indeed be the better quarterback, but Anderson fits the system a little better, and has already proven something.

At any rate, getting him reps with the first team is pretty important. All-in-all, this game was educational, and sets up some positive stuff. Like Steptoe making the roster, Quinn working with the first team, Wright learning not to gamble and guess so much, and both lines going back to the drawing board.

Joe: It won't do any good! They just suck!

Ray: Like I said, they were just sandbagging.

ME: They'll use the experience. Now they know how far they have to go to match up with the elites. And Pittsburgh isn't any closer to these guys than the Bowns are, except in their imaginations.

Joe: Pitt will murder us!

ME: How much money you got?