The Cleveland Browns started the 2006 season much like they have started every season since they returned to the NFL in 1999, they were dominated on both the offensive and defensive lines. Charlie Frye was running for his life all day, the Saints ran 17 more plays from scrimmage than the Browns, and the brown and orange lost again at home, 19-14.
The offensive line has been a problem for seven years and it shows no sign of turning around after yesterday’s game. The Browns could not run the ball and they could not stop the run. It has been this way since 1999. Until this changes, the Browns will remain a team that struggles to finish with a .500 record. Of course, it doesn’t help that the play calling doesn’t help hide the weaknesses.
Cleveland’s leading rusher in the opener was Frye, the QB. Reuben Droughns carried the ball just 11 times, and coordinator Maurice Carthon strangely ran fullback Lawrence Vickers wide twice on short yardage plays on third down. Carthon’s job is to get the ball to his play makers in these situations. Vickers is not one of those guys. WR Braylon Edwards caught two passes in the game, although a touchdown pass to him was called back on the first place of the game. Of course, one of the offensive linemen, newcomer Kevin Shaffer, was called for a hold on the play.
Why not throw short passes to Kellen Winslow Jr., who caught 8 balls, and Edwards on first and second down to put the team in 2 and 4 type situations. It would take pressure off of the line, and then pound the ball with Droughns. If you do not have dominant personnel, play calling should amount to throwing when they think you’re going to pass and running when they think you’re going to throw. Despite what football coaches want to tell you, it’s not that complicated.
On defense, the Saints ran the ball way too easily. Deuce McAllister picked up 90 yards and Reggie Bush added 61 more. They converted half of their third down conversions which gave the Saints a 17 play advantage over Cleveland. The front office was concerned about being whipped at the line of scrimmage over the off season, so nose tackle Ted Washington was brought in. The early return on that move was not realized. If you can’t stop the run, your defense is in big, big trouble.
With Cincinnati and Baltimore coming up on the schedule, Coach Romeo Crennel’s team is staring at an 0-3 start, especially if they don’t show any improvement. This team has to improve at the point of attack in order to be competitive. It’s only one game to be sure, but the way the Browns lost was most troubling. A performance like that next week at Cincy will result in an embarassing loss. Crennel knows that and will be preaching that message all week.
And you thought the Indians had troubles…
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 