The Browns put on another ho-hum performance losing to Denver, 17-7 at the Stadium yesterday. Watching the game, one thing was painfully apparent: The Browns’ offensive line is just awful. Prior to the game, I thought the line was bad. However, I underestimated how pathetic the guys upfront are, they are horrible.
Does Ryan Tucker have a tattoo that reads "Go past me"? The supposed best of the linemen wearing the brown and orange is getting raced around like a NASCAR track. Two weeks ago, it was Julius Peppers and yesterday it was Elvis Dumervil. Tucker has no chance against these speed rushers. The guard play doesn’t allow the team to develop any kind of running attack. Reuben Droughns made some good runs yesterday just to fight his way back to the line of scrimmage. Here’s hoping Phil Savage uses the same powers he used to find Kamerion Wimbley and D’Quell Jackson to find some offensive linemen for 2007.
In the meantime, isn’t it time to look at Nat Dorsey and Isaac Sowells? The front office and the coaching staff like the potential of both players and maybe it’s time to see what they can do. Really, could playing these guys make the line worse? If Joe Andruzzi and Tucker were hurt these guys would have to play, so what exactly would be the harm.
Another thing the coaching staff could do is leave more guys in to block. On one of Dumervil’s sacks were he went around Tucker, Kellen Winslow Jr. was there, but went out on a pattern just as the Denver end was getting past Tucker. Obviously, Tucker needs help against guy like this, so why won’t the coaches give it to him?
Defensively, the Browns played heroically considering they were on the field for the majority of the game. Back up cornerbacks, Davin Holly and Ralph Brown have improved greatly from the first couple of games, and maybe their next step will be to hold on to an interception when it presents itself. Willie McGinest played well too. Wimbley continues to show how talented he is. He looks to be an All Pro in the making.
The only other good thing I can say about the Browns is they have played a brutal schedule. The only game they were clearly outclassed was the Cincinnati game. Otherwise, they’ve played pretty well against Carolina, Denver, New Orleans, and Baltimore. The worst record out of that bunch is 4-2. Look at next week’s opponent, the Jets. Yes, they are 4-3 and people in Cleveland are declaring Eric Mangini a genius, but their victories are against the Titans, Lions, Dolphins (1 win each), and the Bills who have won two. Heck, the Browns might be 3-3 or 4-2 against those teams.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 