Another Sunday and another disappointing performance from the Cleveland Browns. Yesterday, they were throttled by the Bengals, 34-17 in a game not as close as the score would indicate. Cincinnati did anything they wanted to on offense, indicating that it is the defense that is the biggest problem for the 2006 edition of the brown and orange.
For the second straight week, the opposition converted more than half of their third downs into first downs. An inability to get off the field is killing the unit. I understand there are injuries in the secondary, but the Bengals ran for 160 yards at an average of 5 yards a pop. I hate to give Bill Belicheck more credit, but it looks like he knew what he was doing in letting Ted Washington and Willie McGinest go. Mc Ginest has hardly played since putting on a Browns’ jersey, and Washington may as well not have played.
On offense, the team could not run the ball (continuing theme), and the receivers continued not only to drop passes, but to deflect them into the hands of defenders. I must agree with everyone else that it is crazy not to have Kellen Winslow on the field in third down situations. Winslow has already established that he is one of the best offensive players on the team, and to take him off the gridiron when you have a chance to keep the ball away from the other team is stupid. It is the same as Pete Carroll keeping Reggie Bush off the field on the fourth down play against Texas last year, it’s over coaching, trying to demonstrate you’re smarter than the other guy.
With the Ravens coming in next week, the Browns are staring 0-3 right in the face. Look for Romeo Crennel to start making changes because the guys who are playing aren’t getting it done for the most part. This team is getting killed at the line of scrimmage, that’s where the changes should start.
I wonder what all the media people who spent all summer bashing the Indians think now? Maybe they’ll start counting down until the Cavaliers start training camp. Because as it looks right now, this football season is no different than any other Cleveland fans have experienced since 1999. One thing is for sure though, 80,000 lemmings will show up this Sunday to support this franchise.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 