Please raise your hand if you thought the Browns biggest problem after three games would be the defense. Yes, I understand the kinks have not been worked out of the offense, but Romeo Crennel’s specialty has allowed over 100 points in three games (the only NFL team to do so), and the rush defense is especially porous, allowing almost 180 yards per contest.
If you can’t stop the run in the NFL, you have a major problem, and in reality this team hasn’t been able to do it since they returned to the league in 1999. The Oakland Raiders scored their last touchdown in yesterday’s 26-24 loss by driving more than 90 yards in 15 plays, 13 of those plays being rushes. The front seven of the brown and orange were powerless to stop it. Major changes need to be made on the aging defense line. Crennel benched Ted Washington yesterday, but when you allow this many yards per game, the problem involves the defensive line and the linebackers.
Again, the head coach gave me more reasons to question whether or not he is the man for the job with his comments regarding rookie cornerback Eric Wright. Granted, Wright made a huge mistake on the long touchdown pass to Ronald Curry on 3rd and 1 in the 2nd quarter to put the Raiders up 16-0. However coach, if you think Wright is the problem with your defense, you don’t have a clue. This is just another coach picking on a rookie to mask the problems his veteran defenders are having. Crennel gives his veterans a lot of credit, but they are the ones letting him down, not Eric Wright. Wright wouldn’t be the first cornerback who struggled in his rookie season, and later became an All Pro.
In fact, GM Phil Savage and Crennel should consider replacing some of the aging veterans on the defensive line with younger guys. I would be surveying the waiver wire looking for young guys to bring in. They could hardly do worse than the players who are currently playing the position. Until this rush defense improves, the Browns will not win consistently. The secondary, where there is some talent, will continue to look bad because they are trying to help with run support.
On offense, this is what Derek Anderson is. He has some talent, but at this point in his career, he is streaky. I don’t know what he was looking at in the first half, but he was making awful decision with the football. However, in the second half, he got hot and was moving the ball down the field effortlessly.
Why is Tim Carter the third receiver? He has a key drop on a third down yesterday on a play where the network focused on Joe Jurevicius being wide open. He was, but if Carter catches the ball, it’s a first down. Why can’t Joshua Cribbs or Travis Wilson be used in that spot? Also, I understand the Browns were trailing by 16 early, but they ignored Jamal Lewis once again. Lewis had only 11 carries after gaining 200 yards the week before. Rob Chudzinski needs to stick with the running game a little bit more.
The bottom line is, when you score 24 points in an NFL game, you should win. Right now, grade school running backs are asking their coaches to get the Browns on the schedule. Just remember, if Willis McGahee gains 150 yards for the Ravens next week, it’s all Eric Wright’s fault.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 