A lot is being made about the Cleveland Browns going 0 for the AFC North in 2006. There was another "0" that might have been the chief reason for yesterday’s 27-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns failed to convert any third down opportunities during the game, going 0 for 11 in that situation. The really strange thing was the team had several 3 and 1’s or 3rd and 2’s and used questionable play calling to avoid picking up the first down and keeping possession of the ball.
In the first half, offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson seemed to call deep throws on several third and short situations instead of running plays or short tosses to Joe Jurevicius or TE Kellen Winslow or Steve Heiden. The object of the game is that the offense should stay on the field and try to score points. Get the two or three yards and keep the recently shaky defense off the field. I can understand trying the strategy of throwing a deep ball once, but Davidson tried it repeatedly early in the game.
Cleveland didn’t try to run the ball much, but that is sound strategy against the Ravens defense. Remember, the brown and orange used the same game plan in their first meeting with success. Derek Anderson threw two interceptions, but also had two TD tosses and 226 yards passing. He acquitted himself very well against a very strong defense. He deserves to start the rest of this season, if only to see how he can play when the Browns are the better team, which they will be against Tampa Bay and Houston. Anderson has a quick release and a strong arm. He also does a good job ball handling on play fakes. With two wins the next two weeks, wouldn’t the former Oregon State signal caller go into camp as the starter?
The injury riddled defense was hurt by big plays. A 52 yard run by Jamal Lewis, a 77 yard TD pass to Demetrius Williams, and a 42 yard toss to Mark Clayton to set up a field goal that put the game away for Baltimore. Those three plays accounted for 46% of the total yards gained by the Ravens. I know that sounds like a Butch Davis justification, but it is merely an indication of how those big plays hurt the defense. Losing so many starters to injury before and during the game is taking its toll on this team. However, Leon Williams did play very well at inside linebacker subbing for D’Qwell Jackson.
As previously stated, Cleveland has two winnable games to end the season. If they can pull off those victories, they would end the season with the same 6-10 record as last season. That’s not progress. However, there are some unforeseen circumstances to qualify that mark. It is a fact that the Browns played a brutal schedule. Look at a list of the best teams in the NFL. Chances are the Browns had to play them this season. Count them off…San Diego 12-2, Baltimore 11-3, New Orleans 9-5. They did beat two teams in contention for the post season in Atlanta and the Jets. In order to compete for the playoffs though, they must get better within the division. Going 1-5 or 0-6 against the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers is just going to lead to more losing seasons and even more frustration from the fans.
That’s what Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel are faced with in the off season.
JD
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