In an organization that is buttoned up to the top, Browns’ defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is a breath of fresh air. He is candid and wears his passion for football on his sleeve. What did you expect coming from the famous Ryan coaching family?
His defense usually plays hard, and he is aggressive by nature, blitzing and putting pressure on the opponents’ offense for the most part, even though he is undermanned. I wish more of the team’s coached were like him.
However, his claims that he and Eric Mangini are the best men for their respective jobs seems a little absurd.
The San Diego Chargers came into Cleveland Browns Stadium yesterday as one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL, ranking 30th in this category. You would think that Ryan would take advantage of his opponent being one dimensional and clamp down on Philip Rivers and the Charger passing game.
Well, Rivers threw for almost 400 yards in the 30-23 defeat.
Yes, the secondary was short starting safety Brodney Pool, and were forced to use WR Mike Furrey in his spot, but Rivers fired the ball all over the place, particularly in the second half, as the Browns’ defensive backfield was left in tatters, and TE Antonio Gates knew where all the holes were.
Gates caught two long passes from Rivers, including one where S Mike Adams and who else, Hank Poteat, watched him catch the ball while they were bracketing him, and Rivers basically threw it up for grabs. Why is it that every defensive play that makes you shake your head involves Poteat?
In all, the Browns’ defense gave up four plays of 30 yards or more in the game, way too many. The worst of these plays was allowing a screen pass to backup FB Mike Tolbert to go for 66 yards and a touchdown. No disrespect to Tolbert, but he’s built more like an offensive lineman than a running back. Plays like that cannot happen to a good defense.
Again, the defense has been plagued by injuries. However, a good defensive coach, which Ryan is, should be able to scheme better against a one dimensional offense. It speaks to the lack of talent in the Cleveland secondary.
Offensively, while everyone will want to talk about the quarterback play, let’s instead focus on two players who emerged from Mangini’s doghouse to play meaningful roles. Brian Robiskie, buried all year because he doesn’t contribute on special teams (sure!), caught four passes for 69 yards, including a 43 yard pass play. Also, Jerome Harrison, inactive just two weeks ago, gained 35 yards rushing, and caught seven balls for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
Apparently, both guys can play. (NOTE: Former Tribe manager Pat Corrales once said his team wasn’t good enough to have a doghouse, something Mangini should think about).
Another Brown that came out of nowhere was TE Evan Moore, who caught (a key word) six passes for 80 yards. He’s worth watching in the last four games.
So is Brady Quinn, who had his second good game in the last three, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions, although his fumble near the end of the first half was costly. However, his accuracy at times is questionable. You wonder if the adjustments made to his grip on the ball when throwing before his rookie year has affected this aspect of his game. He certainly didn’t appear to have this problem at Notre Dame.
It’s funny how the national announcers talk about how hard the Browns play for Mangini, and how he is laying a foundation for the future. The perception in this city is Mangini walked in and threw a bomb at the structure set up by Phil Savage. The decision on the head coach will come down to who is hired as the head of football operations. If that guy wants Mangini, then he will stay.
Did anyone think that when the Browns and Steelers played on December 10th, neither team will have won in their last four games? I didn’t think so. Pittsburgh has to be thinking there is no one they’d rather play with their season on the brink than the 1-11 Cleveland Browns. It just keeps getting better and better, eh, Browns fans.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 