I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that Mike Pettine is a Martonian. It's becoming more and more difficult to read or hear Mike's discussions of the quarterback situation.
Josh McCown himself, as stubborn and tough as he is, isn't hiding his injury. When you have trouble breathing, that's a cracked rib or two.
When you can't sleep, its because lying down spreads your ribs, and the pain of breathing keeps you awake.
Yet Mike Pettine is again leaving it up to McCown!
LET IT FREAKING HEAL A LITTLE for crying out loud! It will only get worse if he plays! The Bengals will be coming at him with the kitchen sink, and its still legal to target his ribs!
Mike, are you out of your damn mind? What a freaking blockhead!
I sure hope Coach Josh decides it might be smarter to take some time off and let his injuries HEAL just a little bit before he ends up with a PUNCTURED LUNG or something.
Remember Drew Bledsoe? He got the meat torn off his ribs-didn't you just flinch when you heard that?
That's what Josh and Mike are working up to! He's all tenderized and everything!
Some people called Ray about Joe Thomas. Ray listened. Since the offer didn't include the stars or the moon, no deal. The end.
Kudos to Alex Mack for wanting to stick with his teammates til the end of the season. So he could pack up his stuff properly and pick his own team.
Mack is a mercenary. God bless Joe Thomas. He likes it here. I love ya, Joe! I wouldn't trade you for anything. Except...never mind.
Well we can HOPE for Johnny Thursday. Then we'll find out if the Bengals can hit a curve ball.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Coach Josh McCown, Trades
Mike: You are the Coach. You say who plays.
This is necessary, because some players won't quit until they're dead or can't get up any more.
This is admirable, but not always smart. That's what you are there for, Mike. You are there to yank a guy who is hurt and no longer as good as his healthy backup. Whether he likes it or not.
You're wrong about Johnny, Mike. He's probably better than he was in his only start. You seem to expect another shoe to drop on his head.
If the two were equally as fresh and healthy, sure, you go with experience. But McCown was obviously in pain, and it was obviously on his throwing side, and would obviously change how he threw.
That was disgusting.
Nothing against Josh McCown. He clearly thought he could master his pain and pull the game out.
But a lot of guys always think that. You have to step in here, for their own good, and the good of the team.
I don't think Johnny Manziel could have pulled this game out if Mike Pettine had had more common sense, but he had a better chance than the human mash unit did.
I agree with Terry Pluto that trade rumors involving Joe Thomas are senseless, and probably came from some blogger like me, except dumber.
But Mack, Kruger, or several other guys are almost certainly available.
The Browns are in a tailspin. The first half was awesome, then...
Cash in! More draft picks! Complete the rebuild by next training camp.
And LET JOHNNY PLAY so we can see what we've got here, and MIKE? You might win some games you otherwise wouldn't.
With all due respect to Doug Dieken, if the veterans think starting a healthy quarterback is cashing it in, I guess the concussion protocols came a little too late for them.
This is necessary, because some players won't quit until they're dead or can't get up any more.
This is admirable, but not always smart. That's what you are there for, Mike. You are there to yank a guy who is hurt and no longer as good as his healthy backup. Whether he likes it or not.
You're wrong about Johnny, Mike. He's probably better than he was in his only start. You seem to expect another shoe to drop on his head.
If the two were equally as fresh and healthy, sure, you go with experience. But McCown was obviously in pain, and it was obviously on his throwing side, and would obviously change how he threw.
That was disgusting.
Nothing against Josh McCown. He clearly thought he could master his pain and pull the game out.
But a lot of guys always think that. You have to step in here, for their own good, and the good of the team.
I don't think Johnny Manziel could have pulled this game out if Mike Pettine had had more common sense, but he had a better chance than the human mash unit did.
I agree with Terry Pluto that trade rumors involving Joe Thomas are senseless, and probably came from some blogger like me, except dumber.
But Mack, Kruger, or several other guys are almost certainly available.
The Browns are in a tailspin. The first half was awesome, then...
Cash in! More draft picks! Complete the rebuild by next training camp.
And LET JOHNNY PLAY so we can see what we've got here, and MIKE? You might win some games you otherwise wouldn't.
With all due respect to Doug Dieken, if the veterans think starting a healthy quarterback is cashing it in, I guess the concussion protocols came a little too late for them.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Start Johnny Manziel Now.
In this Article by Aaron Ferguson, the writer makes a good case for letting Johnny take the reigns next week.
Unlike Aaron, I don't consider McCown's performance vs the Rams "dreadful", and can't cite it as a justification for this move.
In fact, Josh McCown, despite the mistakes he made against the Broncos, has surprised me with his latter-day renaissance. He's a cut above Foles and Bradford. Nor was Johnny's brief stint against a prevent defense all that impressive.
But they've lost five games now. There is little chance for a playoff berth this season. Just in the AFC North, the Steelers are about to get Big Ben back, and have pulled ahead behind guys named Joe.
Some coaches make otherwise questionable quarterback moves just for a "spark".
Mike Pettine, I fear, will stick with Josh until the math conclusively rules the playoffs out before he'll consider it.
After all, in reality McCown has been pretty good overall, and Manziel hasn't done better-the two deep passes notwithstanding.
But we've all seen his dramatic improvements. A few weeks ago, I was with Mike: Keep Josh in there. Give Johnny more time to master the offense. He's still almost a rookie. He will get fooled and make mistakes. Letting him watch and learn awhile longer will only help.
But now the Browns have nine games left to play in 2015. Give Johnny those nine games to show us if the Browns really do still need a franchise quarterback, and to prepare him for a serious playoff run next season.
Rich Gannon, Pat Kirwan and others say that a quarterback typically needs 26 or so starts before he is truly comfortable. That's before the coaches really know what he'll become in time.
One exception was Aaron Rodgers, who spent years on the bench. Another was RG3, who now appears to have been the product of a system. Luck and Wilson both had a ton of college starts in pro-style systems. So don't argue.
The Browns can't get Johnny 24 starts by next season, but can, at least, get a fairly good idea of both his current development and his upside.
Beyond winning one or two more games...or fewer games, Mike...what purpose will be served by letting Gramps get beat up more?
And yes, they might win games with Johnny that they wouldn't with Josh. Flip says he has some things prepared uniquely for Johnny. This wouldn't be quite the same offense.
It no longer needs to be as simple as the one the Redskins initially used to help RG3 out as a rookie, but could certainly use some half-field reads off rollouts and such.
Manziel can do things McCown can't. Handled carefully, letting Manziel take over now is far from an admission of failure or a forfeit.
Johnny Manziel has magic. It hasn't disappeared. It's built into him, and shines brightest when things look dimmest.
He will learn to read things better and all that. But on the bottom line, he has this...magic.
Give him the ball, Mike. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Unlike Aaron, I don't consider McCown's performance vs the Rams "dreadful", and can't cite it as a justification for this move.
In fact, Josh McCown, despite the mistakes he made against the Broncos, has surprised me with his latter-day renaissance. He's a cut above Foles and Bradford. Nor was Johnny's brief stint against a prevent defense all that impressive.
But they've lost five games now. There is little chance for a playoff berth this season. Just in the AFC North, the Steelers are about to get Big Ben back, and have pulled ahead behind guys named Joe.
Some coaches make otherwise questionable quarterback moves just for a "spark".
Mike Pettine, I fear, will stick with Josh until the math conclusively rules the playoffs out before he'll consider it.
After all, in reality McCown has been pretty good overall, and Manziel hasn't done better-the two deep passes notwithstanding.
But we've all seen his dramatic improvements. A few weeks ago, I was with Mike: Keep Josh in there. Give Johnny more time to master the offense. He's still almost a rookie. He will get fooled and make mistakes. Letting him watch and learn awhile longer will only help.
But now the Browns have nine games left to play in 2015. Give Johnny those nine games to show us if the Browns really do still need a franchise quarterback, and to prepare him for a serious playoff run next season.
Rich Gannon, Pat Kirwan and others say that a quarterback typically needs 26 or so starts before he is truly comfortable. That's before the coaches really know what he'll become in time.
One exception was Aaron Rodgers, who spent years on the bench. Another was RG3, who now appears to have been the product of a system. Luck and Wilson both had a ton of college starts in pro-style systems. So don't argue.
The Browns can't get Johnny 24 starts by next season, but can, at least, get a fairly good idea of both his current development and his upside.
Beyond winning one or two more games...or fewer games, Mike...what purpose will be served by letting Gramps get beat up more?
And yes, they might win games with Johnny that they wouldn't with Josh. Flip says he has some things prepared uniquely for Johnny. This wouldn't be quite the same offense.
It no longer needs to be as simple as the one the Redskins initially used to help RG3 out as a rookie, but could certainly use some half-field reads off rollouts and such.
Manziel can do things McCown can't. Handled carefully, letting Manziel take over now is far from an admission of failure or a forfeit.
Johnny Manziel has magic. It hasn't disappeared. It's built into him, and shines brightest when things look dimmest.
He will learn to read things better and all that. But on the bottom line, he has this...magic.
Give him the ball, Mike. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Comments on Comments: Browns v Rams
I've been near Cleveland for an unusually long time this week, and had the chance to watch "The Red Zone" with Andre Knott and another show with Donovan, Diek, and Grossi.
Overall I like and respect all these guys, and it's hard to find much to disagree with.
Oh, I managed, of course:
Andre has inflated the latest Johnny incident. That's fine. This Petrak reporter guy called in as an eye-witness to his reckless driving, and I believe him. So Johnny is still a kid in some ways, and needs to drive like a normal adult. Ok.
Still, I'm tired of this. When did the NFL mutate into the priesthood?
I partied a lot at/beyond his age, but never drove like a maniac. My brothers did, though. So I guess my whole family should be burning in hell or something give me a break.
I do not believe he ever struck her either. Something was wrong with her, and I heard the 911 call. The only marks on her body were on her left forearm. That's when Manziel prevented her from jumping out of the speeding car.
Unlike most of you, I put myself in his place. For her part, she went nuts. When the cops showed up she thought it'd be her vs Johnny, and didn't remember clearly anyway. The default here is "he hit me".
Ask her NOW. Dammit.
But I digress: Andre feels that Johnny can't be the guy because he's too small. He also doubted that Johnny has the arm for winter in Ohio.
And I'm sorry, Andre, but you are sooo wrong! Side-by-side I give you brees/wilson/sipe-give me a minute I'll find several more...Young, Montana, Staubach, and Rodgers are less than two inches taller. He's about six feet the COMBINE says that!
Andre is delusional here. Says he can look Johnny in the eye and he's 5'8". So I guess Andre would get taller at the combine too.
Check the heels on your shoes, Andre.
As for the arm stuff, I don't know what Andre has been looking at. Johnny Manziel has one of the stronger arms in the NFL. If McCown's is stronger, it can't be by much. And yes, I do mean ripping it to the sidelines too: ALL the throws.
Andre Knott could still end up being right about Johnny. That's why I can't call him a dumbass YET.
Somebody else (might have been Andre!) wondered if DeFellipo might have screwed up the run game a little himself with the tweaks he brought to the zone-blocking scheme. (This just in: it was Doug Dieken).
This is first and foremost a finesse offensive line. These are not the "hogs" here. In this case, maybe Flip should have left Shanahan's run-blocking scheme alone.
I honestly don't know. I mean, the center through rt are capable drive-blockers, but Bitonio and Thomas are more athletic.
In this wfny Round table, several writers tried to strategize against the Rams.
Defensively, do you stack the box to stop Gurley and dare Foles to burn you, or do you attack Foles and concede Gurley's inevitable gashes and yards?
The smartest guy (I know he's the smartest because he agrees with my humble self) says attack period.
This is how opposing defenses attack the Browns. They blitze inside. (Most often it's between Bitonio and Mack).
These are "run" blitzes, mostly, with linebackers. But let's keep this simple for a change: A defender in your backfield is a defender in your backfield, ok? If he sees its a pass instead of a run, he is still allowed to sack the quarterback. Ok?
Nick Foles is NOT a crappy quarterback, as everybody on this round table agreed he is. But his own receivers are smurfs too, and he's not accurate enough to hit them in tight windows like McCown is.
He CAN absolutely burn you deep if a smurf like Austin gets a step or two on somebody and a safety isn't in front of him.
He can shake off tackles. He's not really mobile, but not a statue either.
The Browns should rely on four defensive backs to hold the deep fort, and send 5-6 bigger people more often than not.
It's not that simple, of course: on first and ten you might stack up and just send four.
If you have a good idea that it's a handoff to Gurley and to which side, you send a blitze where it has the best chance of blowing it up in the backfield. Ditto second and less than seven.
Second or third and long? Six or even seven. It's Nick Foles, and you might nail Gurley before he can make a move!
All of the guys in this roundtable agreed that the Rams have more upside, mostly because of Gurley.
NONE of them see Johnny as a potential franchise qb, and this is why I think they're wrong.
They have likewise written Gilbert off. I'm kind of tired of this, too:
If Joe Haden had had studs in front of him, he wouldn't have started as soon as he did. As it was, he started game one, and got toasted right and left. Some ignoramusses were already declaring him a bust.
It took him several starts to get his feet under him. Even then, his rookie season was mediocre.
Gilbert screwed up, ok. But Skrine was just plain better, and there was no need to rush him.
Now Desir has passed him up...but...we should bash Farmer because his lower round draft pick has outdone him? And Gilbert is all done six games into his second season?
God I love this distorted alleged logic!
But I digress: Close call, but IF IF IF I'm right about Johnny, the Browns have more upside than the Rams.
They should also beat the Rams. By a little as-is, or by a lot if they get their heads out this week.
Overall I like and respect all these guys, and it's hard to find much to disagree with.
Oh, I managed, of course:
Andre has inflated the latest Johnny incident. That's fine. This Petrak reporter guy called in as an eye-witness to his reckless driving, and I believe him. So Johnny is still a kid in some ways, and needs to drive like a normal adult. Ok.
Still, I'm tired of this. When did the NFL mutate into the priesthood?
I partied a lot at/beyond his age, but never drove like a maniac. My brothers did, though. So I guess my whole family should be burning in hell or something give me a break.
I do not believe he ever struck her either. Something was wrong with her, and I heard the 911 call. The only marks on her body were on her left forearm. That's when Manziel prevented her from jumping out of the speeding car.
Unlike most of you, I put myself in his place. For her part, she went nuts. When the cops showed up she thought it'd be her vs Johnny, and didn't remember clearly anyway. The default here is "he hit me".
Ask her NOW. Dammit.
But I digress: Andre feels that Johnny can't be the guy because he's too small. He also doubted that Johnny has the arm for winter in Ohio.
And I'm sorry, Andre, but you are sooo wrong! Side-by-side I give you brees/wilson/sipe-give me a minute I'll find several more...Young, Montana, Staubach, and Rodgers are less than two inches taller. He's about six feet the COMBINE says that!
Andre is delusional here. Says he can look Johnny in the eye and he's 5'8". So I guess Andre would get taller at the combine too.
Check the heels on your shoes, Andre.
As for the arm stuff, I don't know what Andre has been looking at. Johnny Manziel has one of the stronger arms in the NFL. If McCown's is stronger, it can't be by much. And yes, I do mean ripping it to the sidelines too: ALL the throws.
Andre Knott could still end up being right about Johnny. That's why I can't call him a dumbass YET.
Somebody else (might have been Andre!) wondered if DeFellipo might have screwed up the run game a little himself with the tweaks he brought to the zone-blocking scheme. (This just in: it was Doug Dieken).
This is first and foremost a finesse offensive line. These are not the "hogs" here. In this case, maybe Flip should have left Shanahan's run-blocking scheme alone.
I honestly don't know. I mean, the center through rt are capable drive-blockers, but Bitonio and Thomas are more athletic.
In this wfny Round table, several writers tried to strategize against the Rams.
Defensively, do you stack the box to stop Gurley and dare Foles to burn you, or do you attack Foles and concede Gurley's inevitable gashes and yards?
The smartest guy (I know he's the smartest because he agrees with my humble self) says attack period.
This is how opposing defenses attack the Browns. They blitze inside. (Most often it's between Bitonio and Mack).
These are "run" blitzes, mostly, with linebackers. But let's keep this simple for a change: A defender in your backfield is a defender in your backfield, ok? If he sees its a pass instead of a run, he is still allowed to sack the quarterback. Ok?
Nick Foles is NOT a crappy quarterback, as everybody on this round table agreed he is. But his own receivers are smurfs too, and he's not accurate enough to hit them in tight windows like McCown is.
He CAN absolutely burn you deep if a smurf like Austin gets a step or two on somebody and a safety isn't in front of him.
He can shake off tackles. He's not really mobile, but not a statue either.
The Browns should rely on four defensive backs to hold the deep fort, and send 5-6 bigger people more often than not.
It's not that simple, of course: on first and ten you might stack up and just send four.
If you have a good idea that it's a handoff to Gurley and to which side, you send a blitze where it has the best chance of blowing it up in the backfield. Ditto second and less than seven.
Second or third and long? Six or even seven. It's Nick Foles, and you might nail Gurley before he can make a move!
All of the guys in this roundtable agreed that the Rams have more upside, mostly because of Gurley.
NONE of them see Johnny as a potential franchise qb, and this is why I think they're wrong.
They have likewise written Gilbert off. I'm kind of tired of this, too:
If Joe Haden had had studs in front of him, he wouldn't have started as soon as he did. As it was, he started game one, and got toasted right and left. Some ignoramusses were already declaring him a bust.
It took him several starts to get his feet under him. Even then, his rookie season was mediocre.
Gilbert screwed up, ok. But Skrine was just plain better, and there was no need to rush him.
Now Desir has passed him up...but...we should bash Farmer because his lower round draft pick has outdone him? And Gilbert is all done six games into his second season?
God I love this distorted alleged logic!
But I digress: Close call, but IF IF IF I'm right about Johnny, the Browns have more upside than the Rams.
They should also beat the Rams. By a little as-is, or by a lot if they get their heads out this week.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Browns Don't Get No Resp...Wait a Minute!
While in Cleveland itself, nothing short of knocking off undefeated teams is acceptable, there has been a positive shift in the national view.
Frankly these NFL Power Rankings (Dawgs by Nature) shocked me. Screw the two rags that ranked the homies 26 and 27; the rest were pretty fair, and ranked the Browns where I would.
That's near the top of the bottom third. Oh, I'm sorry. Not good enough/buncha bums kill em all...
Thanks to Eric Sezczepinski (wow) I now know that more of McCown's crappy day was more his fault than I'd thought. Eric showed some bad decisions he made that were pivotal.
But rather than bailing on Josh after his first bad game, this tells me how close the Browns were to winning that game.
Eric showed two plays that would have been touchdowns if McCown had made the correct reads.
The national guys made the objective read here, and some upgraded the Browns on that basis.
You expect a quarterback to repeat what he's done three or more times recently; that outweighs one bad game.
Even with the dumbassitude he displayed against the best defense in the NFL, he still didn't totally suck.
At any rate, these power rankings tell me that the majority of the national guys are generally smarter than a lot of Browns fans.
I mean, the offensive line has underachieved. The wide receivers are Hartline, a bunch of microbes, and some guy they should have cut before the season started regardless of his downright stupid guaranteed salary (see? I can bash Farmer!).
The whole defense has also underachieved. Not just vs the run, but vs the pass too.
Despite all this, if you don't live in Cleveland, you have some respect for Mike's team.
Oh there I go again: Not even the top ten? After one whole season? Fire everybody!!!
The Brown's are 2-4, just barely. They "finished" vs the Ravens, then caved in in overtime vs Denver.
They're close, despite their limitations and underachievement.
The 30th or 31st percentile is nothing to celebrate, but in year two of the Farmer/Pettine regime, it's pretty much on-track, and represents progress.
Sorry I did it again: Who's got a rope!?!
But now, Eric's latest "film room" combined with the latest Manziel news, has me rethinking quarterback.
Vs Denver, Johnny might have done as well! Maybe better. And he deserves a reward for saving his insane girlfriend from committing suicide. (I heard the 911 call and saw the video now.)
Of course, King Roger has his nose in it now, and might well stick it to the kid. Locals like Bill Livingston don't help. Bill is a gifted wordsmith, but a poor football analyst.
For him, the Johnny incident represents domestic abuse, among other things, and will lead to the collapse of civilization. Thanks Bill. Wait til the King reads that. Off with his head!
And no, Johnny didn't "complain" after being replaced by McCown after his two games. He said he felt he should start, at worst. So would any honest player. It's an opinion.
For Bill to call that a complaint exposes his bias against the kid.
At any rate, if the Browns keep losing, it probably won't be McCown's fault. But Johnny should step in anyway. On those two film-room non-touchdowns, I have a feeling that Johnny would have done better.
According to Eric, who knows better than me, these weren't tough reads. I repeat that one game won't make me turn on Josh, but Eric implied they were rookie mistakes!
Johnny's (fortunately retired) "money" sign meant he came through in the clutch. And he did. People called it "magic", but it's just how he's built.
He would have taken those shots vs Denver. And he can be great. If King Roger doesn't rationalize his way to suspending him.
Roger Goodell. You know he's appealing the Brady suspension again? Wonder what Livingston said about that? Yay?
Frankly these NFL Power Rankings (Dawgs by Nature) shocked me. Screw the two rags that ranked the homies 26 and 27; the rest were pretty fair, and ranked the Browns where I would.
That's near the top of the bottom third. Oh, I'm sorry. Not good enough/buncha bums kill em all...
Thanks to Eric Sezczepinski (wow) I now know that more of McCown's crappy day was more his fault than I'd thought. Eric showed some bad decisions he made that were pivotal.
But rather than bailing on Josh after his first bad game, this tells me how close the Browns were to winning that game.
Eric showed two plays that would have been touchdowns if McCown had made the correct reads.
The national guys made the objective read here, and some upgraded the Browns on that basis.
You expect a quarterback to repeat what he's done three or more times recently; that outweighs one bad game.
Even with the dumbassitude he displayed against the best defense in the NFL, he still didn't totally suck.
At any rate, these power rankings tell me that the majority of the national guys are generally smarter than a lot of Browns fans.
I mean, the offensive line has underachieved. The wide receivers are Hartline, a bunch of microbes, and some guy they should have cut before the season started regardless of his downright stupid guaranteed salary (see? I can bash Farmer!).
The whole defense has also underachieved. Not just vs the run, but vs the pass too.
Despite all this, if you don't live in Cleveland, you have some respect for Mike's team.
Oh there I go again: Not even the top ten? After one whole season? Fire everybody!!!
The Brown's are 2-4, just barely. They "finished" vs the Ravens, then caved in in overtime vs Denver.
They're close, despite their limitations and underachievement.
The 30th or 31st percentile is nothing to celebrate, but in year two of the Farmer/Pettine regime, it's pretty much on-track, and represents progress.
Sorry I did it again: Who's got a rope!?!
But now, Eric's latest "film room" combined with the latest Manziel news, has me rethinking quarterback.
Vs Denver, Johnny might have done as well! Maybe better. And he deserves a reward for saving his insane girlfriend from committing suicide. (I heard the 911 call and saw the video now.)
Of course, King Roger has his nose in it now, and might well stick it to the kid. Locals like Bill Livingston don't help. Bill is a gifted wordsmith, but a poor football analyst.
For him, the Johnny incident represents domestic abuse, among other things, and will lead to the collapse of civilization. Thanks Bill. Wait til the King reads that. Off with his head!
And no, Johnny didn't "complain" after being replaced by McCown after his two games. He said he felt he should start, at worst. So would any honest player. It's an opinion.
For Bill to call that a complaint exposes his bias against the kid.
At any rate, if the Browns keep losing, it probably won't be McCown's fault. But Johnny should step in anyway. On those two film-room non-touchdowns, I have a feeling that Johnny would have done better.
According to Eric, who knows better than me, these weren't tough reads. I repeat that one game won't make me turn on Josh, but Eric implied they were rookie mistakes!
Johnny's (fortunately retired) "money" sign meant he came through in the clutch. And he did. People called it "magic", but it's just how he's built.
He would have taken those shots vs Denver. And he can be great. If King Roger doesn't rationalize his way to suspending him.
Roger Goodell. You know he's appealing the Brady suspension again? Wonder what Livingston said about that? Yay?
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Browns Stuff Again
First off, when you are driving and only have one hand free, all you can do with an out-of-control girlfriend is use your right hand. It will always look like a punch, whether it is or not. It will tend to look more like a punch if she is trying to throw your wallet out the window.
I don't have all the details yet, but have heard from the girlfriend in question, and feel I can confidently repeat: BIG FREAKING DEAL.
Casey Drottar this time wrote a thoughtful and rational article on the upcoming game vs the Rams. He predicts a 10-point Browns loss. I feel it will be closer, but can't knock the guy this time.
Casey expects Gurley to run all over the Browns all day. How can I argue with that? Week after week, I half expect the missed tackles, overpursuit, and general screwups against the run to at least diminish in number, and then watch them make every running back look like AP again.
And it kills me. Break it down by quarters, and you see: They usually DO stop the run early in games, and remain fairly stout between the tackles.
But then ONE GUY is out of position or blows a tackle, and it's off to the races. Nobody else ever seems to be around.
Gurley is a real scary guy, with the speed to bounce outside. If I were a running back against this team, my favorite thing would be running right up to my blockers backs inside, then scooting around the wide open edge when the contain guys take the bait every single time.
Another weakness I've seen is the cutback on the strong side.
Not sure how it happens without watching films, but I know that part of it is the right tackle walling off the DE and then not budging a freaking inch. I have no idea how they make the inside or middle linebacker cease to exist, but assume some combination of a blitzes and a blocking tight end are involved. At any rate, the gap is the size of the Grand Canyon.
But I do think Casey is a bit too pessimistic. Those who think the Denver defense revealed the "real McCown" don't get it. It was DENVER's defense. This is the RAM's defense. There is a difference.
I was shocked that I was right about Benjamin. How so? Read my previous posts, dammit!
Ok I mean that the microbes can screw up the bigger cornerbacks (it's alllivve!)
And this part of Flip's offense is in its early stages. I haven't even checked out the Rams' starting one and two cornerbacks yet, but I know they're not used to microbes.
I know that Denver contained Barnidge (except for those two touchdowns), so is he off the map now, really?
So yes, the Rams offense and Gurley can score some points on this Keystone Kop defense, but the Browns can hit back.
Nick Foles is a fine quarterback, but accuracy isn't his best asset, and he's not very mobile. The key reason Chip Kelly traded him for Sam Bradford was accuracy. (Still say that was a dumbass trade on his part).
Even if Haden or Gipson can't make this party, Foles won't have big windows here, and probably won't out-do even Gramps Manning.
If they rely heavily on Gurley and the run, even the Browns can put him in second and third and longs and blitze.
I admit, Foles could still burn the Browns deep, and (to my amazement and chagrin) will have the freaking time to do so, but not on every third and long.
Let Gurley have his 150 yards. As long as it takes him 30 or more rushes to get there. As long as there are a few rushes for less than 3 yards sprinkled in there.
Tony Grossi made a good point on the Red Zone: Teams that are good against the run tend to also be good at the run. The offense practices it more, so the defense practices against it more.
Maybe DeFellipo, in installing his new offense, has focused more on the much more complex passing game in order to get his new quarterback and young running backs and wide receivers on the same page.
Maybe this week, after seeing how he did against the best defense in the NFL, they'll commit more time to the run game (as in handoffs, not dink-passes).
With Duke Johnson maybe out and just big backs, there's a good chance of that.
Yeah I know. I'm reaching. But the best analysts reach sometimes. As long as you know you're rationalizing and keep it in context, it can help you dig up stuff you otherwise wouldn't.
Anyway if I'm wrong it's all Grossi's fault.
I don't have all the details yet, but have heard from the girlfriend in question, and feel I can confidently repeat: BIG FREAKING DEAL.
Casey Drottar this time wrote a thoughtful and rational article on the upcoming game vs the Rams. He predicts a 10-point Browns loss. I feel it will be closer, but can't knock the guy this time.
Casey expects Gurley to run all over the Browns all day. How can I argue with that? Week after week, I half expect the missed tackles, overpursuit, and general screwups against the run to at least diminish in number, and then watch them make every running back look like AP again.
And it kills me. Break it down by quarters, and you see: They usually DO stop the run early in games, and remain fairly stout between the tackles.
But then ONE GUY is out of position or blows a tackle, and it's off to the races. Nobody else ever seems to be around.
Gurley is a real scary guy, with the speed to bounce outside. If I were a running back against this team, my favorite thing would be running right up to my blockers backs inside, then scooting around the wide open edge when the contain guys take the bait every single time.
Another weakness I've seen is the cutback on the strong side.
Not sure how it happens without watching films, but I know that part of it is the right tackle walling off the DE and then not budging a freaking inch. I have no idea how they make the inside or middle linebacker cease to exist, but assume some combination of a blitzes and a blocking tight end are involved. At any rate, the gap is the size of the Grand Canyon.
But I do think Casey is a bit too pessimistic. Those who think the Denver defense revealed the "real McCown" don't get it. It was DENVER's defense. This is the RAM's defense. There is a difference.
I was shocked that I was right about Benjamin. How so? Read my previous posts, dammit!
Ok I mean that the microbes can screw up the bigger cornerbacks (it's alllivve!)
And this part of Flip's offense is in its early stages. I haven't even checked out the Rams' starting one and two cornerbacks yet, but I know they're not used to microbes.
I know that Denver contained Barnidge (except for those two touchdowns), so is he off the map now, really?
So yes, the Rams offense and Gurley can score some points on this Keystone Kop defense, but the Browns can hit back.
Nick Foles is a fine quarterback, but accuracy isn't his best asset, and he's not very mobile. The key reason Chip Kelly traded him for Sam Bradford was accuracy. (Still say that was a dumbass trade on his part).
Even if Haden or Gipson can't make this party, Foles won't have big windows here, and probably won't out-do even Gramps Manning.
If they rely heavily on Gurley and the run, even the Browns can put him in second and third and longs and blitze.
I admit, Foles could still burn the Browns deep, and (to my amazement and chagrin) will have the freaking time to do so, but not on every third and long.
Let Gurley have his 150 yards. As long as it takes him 30 or more rushes to get there. As long as there are a few rushes for less than 3 yards sprinkled in there.
Tony Grossi made a good point on the Red Zone: Teams that are good against the run tend to also be good at the run. The offense practices it more, so the defense practices against it more.
Maybe DeFellipo, in installing his new offense, has focused more on the much more complex passing game in order to get his new quarterback and young running backs and wide receivers on the same page.
Maybe this week, after seeing how he did against the best defense in the NFL, they'll commit more time to the run game (as in handoffs, not dink-passes).
With Duke Johnson maybe out and just big backs, there's a good chance of that.
Yeah I know. I'm reaching. But the best analysts reach sometimes. As long as you know you're rationalizing and keep it in context, it can help you dig up stuff you otherwise wouldn't.
Anyway if I'm wrong it's all Grossi's fault.
Quit Spazzing Out Cleveland
Bill Cowher started Cordell Stewart over Jim Miller and Big Ben was twice accused of rape. For that matter he partied his brains out too.
I drank a lot when I was Johnny's age. Never needed rehab, and maybe he didn't either. Ever see "Animal House"?
The fact that he had an argument, or even that he'd tipped a couple earlier in the day, is nothing. NOTHING.
Yet I see on this poll that two thirds of you think the Browns should cut him. In the words of my father, what the hell is the matter with you?
Zero tolerance for what? Living a normal life? Take a step back and think. THINK.
Next time you have a couple beers with lunch, I hope I'm there with a camera. I hope your boss is a Bible Thumper who will fire you when he sees it. Give me a break with this insanity!
Backup, huh? Staubach, Miller, Gannon, Brandt and others don't exactly agree with quarterback guru Bill Cowher about Johnny's limitations, and he doesn't even agree with himself about zero tolerance (and again: zero tolerance for a couple beers? For an argument? A speeding ticket stopitstopitstopit!)
Johnny Manziel this season has showed those with open minds, including most skeptics, great promise. Throwing from the pocket. Hitting second and third reads. The rest of it he brought here with him; it's built in.
While I'm at it, Malcomb Johnson is an excellent receiver, and you don't always do what the defense expects you to do! And the two point attempt would have sealed the win in regulation if it had been successful.
I thought it was a good idea at the time, and unlike everybody else, I haven't changed my mind just because Denver stopped it.
More on Malcomb: He is NOT just a blocker. He was drafted because he is an excellent receiver.
As McCown said, the fact that he hasn't caught any passes for a long time (along with the apparent matchup) is why they called that play.
Some of you, wow. I wish I could coach against you. I'd always know exactly how to stop you, because you'd always do the most obvious possible thing.
Anyway, quit Spazzing Out. They won't cut a potential franchise quarterback for this chicken---t. They're not spazzes.
This just in: a great article by a Non-spazz. Rational people see progress here.
I drank a lot when I was Johnny's age. Never needed rehab, and maybe he didn't either. Ever see "Animal House"?
The fact that he had an argument, or even that he'd tipped a couple earlier in the day, is nothing. NOTHING.
Yet I see on this poll that two thirds of you think the Browns should cut him. In the words of my father, what the hell is the matter with you?
Zero tolerance for what? Living a normal life? Take a step back and think. THINK.
Next time you have a couple beers with lunch, I hope I'm there with a camera. I hope your boss is a Bible Thumper who will fire you when he sees it. Give me a break with this insanity!
Backup, huh? Staubach, Miller, Gannon, Brandt and others don't exactly agree with quarterback guru Bill Cowher about Johnny's limitations, and he doesn't even agree with himself about zero tolerance (and again: zero tolerance for a couple beers? For an argument? A speeding ticket stopitstopitstopit!)
Johnny Manziel this season has showed those with open minds, including most skeptics, great promise. Throwing from the pocket. Hitting second and third reads. The rest of it he brought here with him; it's built in.
While I'm at it, Malcomb Johnson is an excellent receiver, and you don't always do what the defense expects you to do! And the two point attempt would have sealed the win in regulation if it had been successful.
I thought it was a good idea at the time, and unlike everybody else, I haven't changed my mind just because Denver stopped it.
More on Malcomb: He is NOT just a blocker. He was drafted because he is an excellent receiver.
As McCown said, the fact that he hasn't caught any passes for a long time (along with the apparent matchup) is why they called that play.
Some of you, wow. I wish I could coach against you. I'd always know exactly how to stop you, because you'd always do the most obvious possible thing.
Anyway, quit Spazzing Out. They won't cut a potential franchise quarterback for this chicken---t. They're not spazzes.
This just in: a great article by a Non-spazz. Rational people see progress here.
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