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Cleveland Browns (2011 season)

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The first team offense looked really good, although it would have been nice to see them do something to pick up that 2nd and 2. That D&D should be automatic for the Browns. The WR's/TE's in general have looked good today. The Cribb's TD was a great throw and catch, but McCoy looked really sharp. Hopefully he can build on that in the preseason. I would like to see more balls go to Little to see what he can do.
I think the Browns are going to suffer from a lack of pressure with a 4 man rush again this year, but the line could be decent against the run. They have so much beef up the middle that it should be hard to get much movement.
 
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Colt looked much more comfortable. Moving smooth outside of the pocket and throwing on the run. Distributing the ball well. Robo, Cribbs, Watson etc etc. He might not 'light' it up, but he can make throws and run the offense just fine.

The Oline did a solid job in protection. I like some of the play calls and personnel groupings. No Hardesty. Or did I somehow miss him?


Defense. Solid up the middle. We're going to see a lot of teams try to stretch plays out and get these big guys tired. Linebackers have to be active sideline to sideline. Nice seeing Jackson out there though. He had a few tackles.

Sheard and Mitchell could be a solid pair of DE's in the coming months - both play with great intensity. Still need to grow in their game & scheme.

Pass rush needs work. Great having the beef to stop the run is one thing but lacking a DT with the ability to get penetration is an obvious weakness. Sheldon is a liability in the secondary. Ward wasn't too loud - good hit early on though. I'll be waiting to see Young at FS. He should be more capable then Elam ever was... not like that would be a tall order.

I told youI liked that Skrine kid. He might have missed a tackle early on with the nickel blitz. But he's aggressive (ok to a small fault) but he isn't afraid of playing bigger then he is and going after the ball. I think he could be a fine nickel man in his career.

That said. #2 CB, OLB, RT, RB will be priorities moving forward. I think our WR's might just be alright. We'll see.
 
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Buckeneye;1969096; said:
Colt looked much more comfortable. Moving smooth outside of the pocket and throwing on the run. Distributing the ball well. Robo, Cribbs, Watson etc etc. He might not 'light' it up, but he can make throws and run the offense just fine.

The Oline did a solid job in protection. I like some of the play calls and personnel groupings. No Hardesty. Or did I somehow miss him?


Defense. Solid up the middle. We're going to see a lot of teams try to stretch plays out and get these big guys tired. Linebackers have to be active sideline to sideline. Nice seeing Jackson out there though. He had a few tackles.

Sheard and Mitchell could be a solid pair of DE's in the coming months - both play with great intensity. Still need to grow in their game & scheme.

Pass rush needs work. Great having the beef to stop the run is one thing but lacking a DT with the ability to get penetration is an obvious weakness. Sheldon is a liability in the secondary. Ward wasn't too loud - good hit early on though. I'll be waiting to see Young at FS. He should be more capable then Elam ever was... not like that would be a tall order.

I told youI liked that Skrine kid. He might have missed a tackle early on with the nickel blitz. But he's aggressive (ok to a small fault) but he isn't afraid of playing bigger then he is and going after the ball. I think he could be a fine nickel man in his career.

That said. #2 CB, OLB, RT, RB will be priorities moving forward. I think our WR's might just be alright. We'll see.
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I think the status of the WR's will hinge with Little's development. He is the only WR with the room to grow into a #1 WR. If he does the WR group will be set for the future. If not they will need to look at a WR in the first round in the next year or two. Robo and MM are good enough to be the 2 or 3 if they have a legit #1. Cribbs and Norwood are both good in the slot. Luckily the TE's are all good receivers which will cover up most of the faults with the WR's. If I were a DB I would hate to see Evan Moore running at me. I see the Browns keeping 4 TE's this season. Imagine a goal line lineup with Watson, Moore, and Cameron. You could pass just as easy as run.
 
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I'm excited to see Colt looking so sharp. He is the perfect fit for a WCO, my IMO. Really need somebody to step up and provide Hillis some relief, otherwise they're just going to grind him into the ground with the Madden Curse hanging over him like the Sword of Damocles. The WRs appeared to play pretty solid, but hard to get an accurate reading in the first preseason game. There's a lot on defense that still concerns me, but they are learning a new scheme, so it'll take time. I think the DL could finally be a strength, but the LB play is going to be worrisome all year, I think.
 
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NFBuck;1969162; said:
I'm excited to see Colt looking so sharp. He is the perfect fit for a WCO, my IMO. Really need somebody to step up and provide Hillis some relief, otherwise they're just going to grind him into the ground with the Madden Curse hanging over him like the Sword of Damocles. The WRs appeared to play pretty solid, but hard to get an accurate reading in the first preseason game. There's a lot on defense that still concerns me, but they are learning a new scheme, so it'll take time. I think the DL could finally be a strength, but the LB play is going to be worrisome all year, I think.
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Jackson looked good when he got carries. I think the strength of the RB's will depend on Hardesty getting back and staying healthy. If he can I think Hillis will be fine with reps. Jackson will probably end up being the third down back so they will only rely on Hillis for the first two downs and short yardage. When Hillis gets a little gassed you bring in Hardesty for a changeup.
 
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As a long suffering Browns fan - I do see legitimate cause for some optimism though.

I very much agree about Little's development. This year will really be a tell all for the WR's. This team is blessed with talent at TE though. Watson & Moore especially.

I was a little upset about the 3rd & 1 call on the quick out to Moore though. I understand giving the defense something to think about, and the high risk/high reward of the call. But if that's regular season, give it to Hillis please. The Oline was showing some clear strength last night ( very solid in pass protection) so give them the challenge and let them blow the front 7 off the ball for the Juggernaut.

Finding a complimentory RB or at least seeing Hardesty healthy and being a contributor is really going to keep our backfield fresh and healthy.
Fire the ball out early & often, get the rhythm passing game going - a few TD's and grind the ball in the 2nd half on a tired defense. That's good football.

That said. I noticed a few split back formations with a RB motioning to the slot. I like it so far.
 
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Tonyank;1969179; said:
I missed the game. will we be at least .500 ??
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Impossible to say at this point, IMO. But, given the talent level, and the many holes still present, not to mention learning new schemes on both offense and defense, 7 wins would have to be considered progress, IMO. But, if a few things go right...like Colt breaking out, some WRs stepping up, and some overachieving on defense, who knows. My waaaaay too early guesstimation would be 6-10ish.
 
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NFBuck;1969180; said:
Impossible to say at this point, IMO. But, given the talent level, and the many holes still present, not to mention learning new schemes on both offense and defense, 7 wins would have to be considered progress, IMO. But, if a few things go right...like Colt breaking out, some WRs stepping up, and some overachieving on defense, who knows. My waaaaay too early guesstimation would be 6-10ish.
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2-3 years back to square one. seen it 8-9 times in my life......FML
 
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