I realize I ‘m dating myself, but remember the early days of Saturday Night Live when Gilda Radner played a character named Rosanne Rosannadanna who ended her commentary by saying "It’s Always Something!" That’s how the Cleveland Browns have to feel this morning after a 19-16 loss to the previously winless Houston Texans on Sunday.
This week it was the special teams that failed Romeo Crennel’s squad. The defense played a solid game, allowing a first quarter touchdown and then only field goals despite being put in horrible field position. Why the touchdown was not reviewed was a curious decision by the coaching staff. It appeared that Jerome Mathis did not have clear possession of the ball. The defense didn’t put a lot of pressure on the frequently sacked David Carr, but you cannot argue with the results, they allowed under 20 points again.
The offense made two critical mistakes, the fumbles by Trent Dilfer and Reuben Droughns, but you can’t say any player was horrible. The only thing that sticks out in my mind is why the consistent insertions of William Green into the game in place of Droughns. In fact, Green was the back the coaching staff went to on the last drive, even though Droughns had amassed 99 yards in the game up to that point. Dennis Northcutt dropped a pass, but he has been a non-factor on offense recently. The pass protection was good for the most part.
However, the special teams were abysmal. Punter Kyle Richardson may be looking for work after two shanked punts, the first giving the Texans great field position on their first touchdown. The second led to a field goal miss by Houston kicker Kris Brown. The return teams allowed Mathis to run wild on kickoffs, forcing Phil Dawson to have to attempt tackles, he made one and whiffed on the other.
The fact that Crennel fixes one problem only to see another leak in the dyke makes for an obvious conclusion, the Cleveland Browns are not a very good football team. The talent level just isn’t there at this point. The team is still searching for an identity as well. On defense, the " bend but don’t break" approach has worked so far, but outside of Indianapolis, the team hasn’t stopped any very good offensive teams. Andra Davis has showed he might be a Pro Bowl type player, but otherwise no one else really stands out.
Offensively, #1 draft pick Braylon Edwards looks like he will be a star, and Antonio Bryant has skills despite some ill timed drops. Barring injury, Droughns will be the first Browns’ back to reach 1000 yards in a season since 1985. Tight ends Steve Heiden and Aaron Shea are solid, but will be backups if Kellen Winslow Jr. ever takes the field. The offensive line still needs to be improved, and Charlie Frye is the quarterback in waiting.
There is a long way to go, but real fans understood that going into training camp. The previous administration left a mess to clean up, and Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel can’t scrub fast enough.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 