We have stated many times the Cleveland Browns’ biggest problems since 1999 have been running the ball and stopping the run defensively. Two games into the Eric Mangini era, the weaknesses are still there as the Browns were hammered by Denver 27-6 in the Mile High City yesterday.
A corollary of this problem is the third down conversion rate, which once again was poor both offensively and defensively. The brown and orange converted just 3 of 14 third down so the offense couldn’t stay on the field, that led to a defense that tired in the fourth quarter, when the Broncos scored more than half their points.
On defense, Cleveland allowed Denver to pick up first downs and keep the ball on 8 of 15 opportunities, so the Browns had chances to get off the field, but couldn’t do it.
Brian Daboll is a first year offensive coordinator and right now the offense looks like a junior high school attack. The conservative attack seems to prevent the team from putting points on the board, as the Browns have scored just one offensive touchdown in two games, and that was in garbage time against the Vikings.
QB Brady Quinn looks lost and the attack has no identity. They tried just 21 rushes yesterday in a game where Cleveland was within a touchdown of the lead until the fourth quarter. In fact, the Browns are averaging less than 70 yards per game on the ground, not a good statistic for a coach who wants to control the game by running the ball. Yesterday, Daboll and Mangini gave up on the run too early.
Quinn did find WR Braylon Edwards yesterday, as Edwards caught six balls for 92 yards in the defeat. The only other receiver who averaged more than 10 yards per catch was TE Robert Royal, who caught one ball for 13 yards.
Quinn was sacked four times, all by Elvis Dumervil who made John St. Clair look like a human turnstile. However, at times the quarterback held on to the ball too long, making his offensive line look bad. Whether or not his receivers are not getting open, or he’s not going through his progressions quickly enough, he has to get rid of the football faster, especially if he’s supposed to be a guy who “manages the game”.
If you are having problems scoring points, and you recover a fumble on the opening kickoff, you have to try to score a TOUCHDOWN! On first and goal at the Denver 7, two short runs by Jamal Lewis and a pass that falls short of the end zone. In a condensed area like inside the red zone, you have to try the unexpected, especially if you cannot dominate your opponents physically.
The defense didn’t record any sacks, but they did put pressure on Kyle Orton. Unfortunately, since he didn’t get him, it exposed the secondary particular CB Brandon McDonald and nickel back Hank Poteat, who should be replaced by Mike Adams or Coye Francies following yesterday.
However, you have to be able to stop the run and Rob Ryan’s defense has allowed over 175 yards per game on the ground thus far. Yes, the total was inflated in week one by Adrian Peterson’s long run, but the goal should be to hold opponents to under 100 yards per contest. Even without Cornell Buckhalter’s 45-yard run in the fourth quarter, where CB Eric Wright rode him for ten yards instead of tackling him, the Broncos averaged almost four yards per attempt.
That doesn’t get it done.
It doesn’t get any easier next week as the Browns travel to Baltimore to take on the 2-0 Ravens. Right now, Mangini and his staff have some serious work to do. The coaching staff knew the weaknesses of this team when they took over. So far, nothing has been done to correct them.
Meanwhile, no Cleveland professional sports team has won a game in over a week. When does the Cavaliers’ season start?
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 