Maybe the Browns’ coaching staff was thinking about some Arby’s products during yesterday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. That might be the only logical reasoning for the game plan on offense yesterday. The defense, which let the team down the first two weeks of the season, has straightened itself out and is now playing well despite not having starting cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Gary Baxter. After two weeks of acceptable game plans with the ball, Maurice Carthon and Romeo Crennel took a step backward.
The Panther defense is one of the tops in the NFL. They were among the most difficult teams to run against for the first four weeks of the season. Yet, the Browns spent most of the first half trying to pound the ball on the ground on first down putting itself in second and long situations. That meant Julius Peppers (who now is an honorary Brown since he spent so much time in the Cleveland backfield) and his friends are able to tee off on a suspect offensive line.
We have said it before and we will say it again. If your offensive line has problems, take some pressure off them by throwing on first down. Run the ball enough to keep the defense honest so they are not putting a max rush on every down. Using quick hitting passes to Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards would put you in 2nd and 4 situations, which would make the opponents play honestly on that down. Five holding penalties and numerous sacks would not be the result.
Ryan Tucker may have a cold today from the breeze created by Peppers blowing by him. I’ve heard guys with football knowledge say the guard play is what is killing the line, and Joe Andruzzi appears to be nearing the end of his usefulness as a good player. It may be time to look to replace him. The coaching staff is not blameless here, either. It was apparent that Tucker couldn’t handle Peppers, not the coaches did not give him any help.
Dennis Northcutt handed the Panthers their first touchdown on an interception off a deflected pass. This is the third pick QB Charlie Frye has suffered this season because his receivers couldn’t hold on to the ball. Playing Northcutt instead of Joe Jurevicius is a curious decision as well. I’m sure the staff likes Northcutt’s ability to run after the catch, but the key phrase there is "after the catch". The receivers’ first job is too catch the ball. Remember Quincy Morgan?
Frye has had his share of turnovers, but his interception in the fourth quarter drew criticism from Rich Gannon and I don’t know why. It was a bad pass, not a bad decision. Frye is learning from his mistakes, and you don’t want to stop his competitive fire and his desire to make plays. A worse decision was running a fullback pass on third and inches. Carthon isn’t making that decision while being persued by large defensive linemen. Here’s hoping the offensive line doesn’t get Frye killed by the eighth game of the season.
The bye week allows the coaching staff to make some changes and allows players to heal as well. Getting Bodden and Baxter back will be a great lift to the defense. Perhaps Andruzzi and Northcutt will be replaced. Joshua Cribbs looks like he can return punts as well, and may be more productive as the slot receiver. A 1-4 record and a game against Denver after the break isn’t exactly a recipe for optimism. That’s what Browns’ fans have to look forward to.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 