Boy, how about the Browns’ offense. After having virtually no passing game a year ago, the team looks precise and fine tuned. QB Jake Delhomme has a rating of over 100 in three pre-season games and Seneca Wallace has proven he can move the unit as well.
They are even getting production out of the wide receiver position as Brian Robiske has contributed, and Josh Cribbs has shown great improvement as a wide out. Ben Watson and Evan Moore are catching ball at tight end, and the running game hasn’t been as good as it was the last four games of the 2009 season, but Peyton Hillis has proven to be an effective power runner.
If only James Harrison can cut down on the fumbles. Don’t forget, we haven’t even seen Montario Hardesty yet.
The offensive line performed okay, and it should get better once T Tony Pashos can get regular reps in practice.
That’s the good news. The bad news is the defense hasn’t been mentionned so far.
Yes, the Browns used a very vanilla scheme against the Lions, with not a lot of blitzing, but Detroit gashed the defense with the running game, and if that doesn’t get fixed, it could be a long year for Cleveland defenders.
The game started with rookie Jahvid Best running for a 51 yard gain. In total, Detroit gained 154 yards on the ground in 26 attempts. Even without Best’s run, the Lions averaged over four yards per carry, which is unacceptable for NFL defenses.
The defense also got virtually no pressure on Matthew Stafford without the use of the blitz. Yes, we know Shaun Rogers did not play, and hasn’t played yet in the pre-season, but it’s unlikely that Rogers will open the season on the active roster for the first game of the regular season against Tampa Bay. In fact, he will probably start the year on the physically unable to play list.
One of the problems this team has had since coming back in the league has been stopping the run, and so far in the exhibition games, it’s still a problem. Not being able to control this area puts the defense on it’s heels, and doesn’t allow coordinator Rob Ryan to attack, which is what he wants to do.
The defensive line is an area that GM Tom Heckert will be searching the waiver wire for when rosters get cut down over the next two weeks. The front office upgraded the linebacking corps and the secondary, but still need to help the front three, although NT Ahtyba Rubin continues to play well.
This Thursday’s game against the Bears is simply the last chance for players on the bubble to make a statement. It is unlikely that Delhomme, Wallace, and many of the other key personnel on the roster will play in that game.
The next meaningful game is on September 12th against Tampa Bay. That one will count in the standings and the defense has to be ready.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 