61 replies to this topic

[Kennedy]

I love Johnny Football as much as the next guy, but if they turn it around this year it won't be solely because of him. That defense is a sleeping giant. Pettine and Farmer have done a nice job adding depth to an already stout defense. Everyone knows the big names Haden, Kruger ect, but the guy to watch is Tashaun Gipson. He had a pro bowl season a year ago and he's only getting better.

The Browns have to let there defense win games. If the team can buy into a tressel style system its possible to do some damage in the AFC.

[Bluetiger76]

Defense wins championships...........IE, Seattle vs. Denver

[Kennedy]

I couldn't agree more. We don't have to score 30 a game to win. But, if they can't avoid constantly going 3 and out it doesn't matter how good the defense plays.

If rex Grossman can lead a team to the super bowl anything is possible.

[Bluetiger76]

Josh Gordon arrested for DWI....... what a dope. Will he never learn?

[Kennedy]

Bluetiger76, on 05 July 2014 - 10:03 PM, said:

Josh Gordon arrested for DWI....... what a dope. Will he never learn?

Its unbelievable. He may never learn. He is very young which is something he has going for him, the other thing is if he does get suspended for an entire season it wont cost the Browns anything to keep him "on the team", so there's really no benefit in cutting him. He'll get another chance, hopefully between now and then he gets his life together. The raw ability he has is remarkable. If you think about it between drug related suspensions and sitting out at Utah, he only played 2 seasons of football between graduating high school in 2008 and leading the NFL in receiving last year.

[Bluetiger76]

Kennedy, on 07 July 2014 - 12:29 PM, said:

hopefully between now and then he gets his life together.

Good post ............ and as a side note, after passing on Sammy Watkins the Browns will open the season with Miles Austin (244 yards in 2013 and no TDs) and Nate Burleson (461 yards in 2013 and 1 TD) at WR. And neither of the two ever play a full season.

[Kennedy]

I think there's more to the Gordon suspension than we think. When they passed on Watkins, Lee, ect., the only issue with Gordon was the suspension. Hind sight is 20-20 but I'm sure they had to be pretty confident about his appeal to pass on recievers all together. I saw on one board it was actually a missed test caused by a delayed flight home from Europe. Who knows, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's more to the story when it finally comes out.

[Bluetiger76]

I have a white football autographed by the 1964 championship team.......Geez its been a long time....and going be a lot longer time, I do believe.

[Kennedy]

Ray Rice gets a 2 game suspension for kicking his girlfriends ass on camera. Maybe the league is feeling generous.

[gamekeeper]

I just find it amusing how Smoking marijuana gets you two games, and BEATing your wife gets you two games.

[Kennedy]

Same old browns.

The offense looked plain disturbing. Jordan Cameron the pro bowl tight end looked really, really bad. The only exception is our two horses in the backfield alternating carries. When they ran the stretch correctly it was very effective.


The defense, as always, seems to be this teams calling card. I absolutely love the 46 defense especially with our size up front, and if gilbert can mature into a shut down corner they will be a force to be reckoned with. I don't think our defense got any sizeable "upgrade" at any position over last year, but the addition of Dansby and Whitner and their attitude and leadership can't be underestimated. They have a toughness about them that is infectious.

Tashaun Gipson. I love it. He will emerge as a big time player maker this year, especially in Pettine's defense. Look at what Jarius Byrd did as the center fielder in buffalo under him.

Browns fans have been saying it for a decade, but this could really be the year that the defense takes that step from good to great.

[gamekeeper]

I really hope the Offense gets off to a good start in the begining of the game. Hoyer, looked real comfortable when they weren't asking him to throw deep down the field. He took some sacks trying to give time for receivers to break open, and the Browns really do not have that guy without Gordon. Would like to see more of what Denver does, and run some two tight end sets, you can run out of that and use the one of the tight ends as a receiver. But they at least scored enough points to win a game for a change, just need to be sharper on defense to not give up fake punts, and broken coverages, so they can get off the field.

[Kennedy]

Run! Run! Run!

That has to be this teams offensive identity. You have to be able to string together first downs and keep your defense off the field. They dominated the line of scrimmage in the 2nd half because they stuck with it, wore the d line out and were relentless in holding their blocks. That was the most impressed I've been with a Cleveland backfield since Byner and Mack.

West is a stud. Making 2 guys miss in the backfield and still finding a gap for 5 or 6 yards is a rare skill. Not to mention that whack he just absorbed from Shazier.

I hope this is the direction this team takes. If you're averaging 6 a carry why are you throwing on 3rd and 2? Control the clock, control the ball, control the game.

[lepiota]

Well, with defenses becoming smaller and faster to cover the Chip Kelly type offenses, it was just a matter of time that somebody went back to pounding the ball and running over all of the speedsters. I just though Bellichick would be the first to do it.

[gamekeeper]

I agree Kennedy, I hope that is the direction as well. They do not have playmakers to stretch the field, and not tall enough if they do to just throw the ball up like you can to a Julio jones, Calvin Johnson, AJ. Green. And they really do not have the QB with the arm to throw the ball downfield anyway. Why not take advantage of what you have. Running backs who can pound the ball, and then run play action and rollouts with shorter routes.

YOu may have a system you want to run, but offensively The Browns may not have the personal to do it. Besides, the weather is a huge factor is this league. Running helps with that as well. Steelers did that with Big BEN in his first few years til he got more comfortable reading d's.

[Kennedy]

I can't say I have much confidence in them sunday. Justin Gilbert was abused last week and Drew Brees will know exactly where he is at all times. He's one of the best and i'm afraid he's licking his chops right about now.

If Cleveland can control the ball and limit Brees's possessions they can keep it close. If they catch the 3 and out bug early it will get ugly fast, just like the 1st half last week. I hope for a good game but I'm leaning towards NO by 2 scores.

[gamekeeper]

I dont' know. Saints gave up 448 yards passing as well, so they were exactly stellar on Pass coverage either. Plus so Highlights several times, alot of missed tackles by Saints DB's which give up big yards after catches. Plus they still gave up 123 yards rushing, to runners who are no where near the down hill runners, the Browns have. PLus the Saints went up on Atlanta, as well and then gave up a big lead. I don't think Cleveland will ultimately win, still have to prove to me they can play a complete game, but I wouldn't be afraid to take the 6.5 points. I think their defense will keep it close,

Graham worries me more than Colston, or them picking on Gilbert. Who is going to cover him.

[gamekeeper]

Nice win!!!! Cleveland defense played well, Graham still gave them problems, but the offense did what they needed to do.

Next week will be true test, with Baltimore.

[lepiota]

Hoyer might not be a superstar, but he appears to at least be a little better than a "Game Manager." Looks like it's gonna be a while til we find out about Johnny Football.

[gamekeeper]

Depending on how the RAvens game goes, the Browns have a bye Week for week 4. Then they have 5 very winnable games in
Titans, Steelers, @Jacksonville, RAiders, and Bucs. Before they have their brutal closing part of their schedule. Momentum and confidence could help them through the last half, Where they have Bengals twice Ravens again, @Panthers, @Colts, @falcons, and @bills. Other than the Bills, The teams after the bye will probably be in the playoff hunt. So we can see if the Browns have closed the gap and have improved enough to take that next step.