Tag Archives: game review

Browns

Browns v Bengals Friday Game Tape; Hey The First Half Was OK!

Leave a comment

Well. Alright. We knew coming into the game that the Browns would have to be nearly perfect and Andy Dalton would have to revert to his “Primetime Dalton” form. Unfortunately neither of those things happened and the Browns got beat like a drum while Andy Dalton played very well. The writing was on the wall and like the idiot I am, I talked myself into thinking the Browns could pull off a win (I’ll do this every game, mind you)… Short week after getting embarrassed by the Cardinals in the second half on Sunday, Johnny Manziel under center, not much time to prepare, playing an undefeated Bengals team on the road, injuries, etc etc. Thursday night games favor the team that’s better and the Bengals are just a better football team than the Browns.

Hope you took Cincinnati in your survivor pool.

Let’s look at the game tape.

 

clecinbox1clecinstats1

 

Jim Brown gave us a little history about our once proud franchise

Johnny showing love to our servicemen before the game

 

Joel Bitonio might want to fast forward this one when the o-line is in the film room. Woof.

Vontaze Burfict proved he’s a mega tough guy when he took out a camera

Randy Starks made the best play he’s made as a Brown so far… but then got called for taunting. He also jumped offsides on a crucial 4th down that led to a Bengals touchdown. Not the best series (game/season) for Mr. Starks.

Flushed out of the pocket. Runs right. Throws lasers for 6. Impressive 92 yard scoring drive from Johnny before the first half ended.

And he mixed some LeBron + Cristiano Ronaldo to create the hottest celebration we’ve seen a Cleveland athlete do in some time

And Tony Grossi was wrong per usual

grossiwrongasalways

Tha half ended and the Browns went into the locker room trailing 14-10. Not a bad first half for the Browns offense and not a terrible effort from the Browns defense. That’s it, right? The game is over? We’ll just pretend the second half didn’t happen and pretend like second half adjustments don’t exist and coaches don’t have to make them. Yeah, let’s do that.

Hey Leon Hall, you just got ran over by a Mack truck

Prime example why Joe Thomas is the best. Even his opponents respect the hell out of him enough to seek him out and say “sorry”

Nice to see Dwayne Bowe awake on the sidelines

The wide receivers… they showed up.

Tramon Williams bit HARD on a double move by a tight end. Knew this was a TD right when Dalton was mid pump fake.

https://twitter.com/TheCauldron/status/662478264011776000

The Bengals ran a reverse. Pretty sure most of us non-NFLers learned how to defend this play in high school but I digress.

Second half Browns highlights!!

clecin2ndhalf

Couple quick thoughts

  • The decision/inability to not get Duke Johnson involved in the past 2 second halves is absolutely mind boggling.
  • The Browns attempted one run with a running back in the second half. Nice. That’s the recipe for your young quarterback to succeed.
  • Danny Shelton? He showed up again.
  • I never want to see Armonty Bryant cover a team’s starting wide receiver for as long as I live.
  • Do the Browns have a soft defense? Through 9 games I can count on one hand how many hard hits they’ve had. There’s not one player in our front 7 who an opposing team would look at and think “we’ve gotta run away from that guy.”
  • Really concerning when the Browns offensive line gives up a sack to a three man rush
  • Jim O’Neil doesn’t deserve to have this job.
  • Dwayne Bowe sighting! Don’t let Dwayne Bowe get hot! If you had “Week 9” in your “When will Dwayne Bowe catch his first pass with the Browns,” you win.
  • Hey wide receivers, CATCH THE FUCKING BALL
  • Also, receivers over 5’11 would be so cool right now
  • I think too much is being made about Mike Pettine’s comments before halftime. Obviously he’s not sabotaging his quarterback on purpose by forcing him to play in the pocket. But c’mon, Mike. Turn the kid loose a little more. If you want to win, let Johnny spin.
  • With his job on the line, Mike Pettine has been leery to hand the keys to the franchise over to Johnny Manziel… unfortunately for Mike Pettine, Johnny Manziel may be the only one who can keep Pett’s job.

 

I’ll let Marshall Faulk play us out

https://twitter.com/Bottlegate/status/662486211404111872/video/1

Browns

Browns v Rams Monday Game Tape; Not Good, Guys. Not Good.

Leave a comment

Not much to say after that one, guys. We can’t tackle, can’t block, can’t run, can’t make plays. This team is incredibly flawed on each side of the ball. We’ve got a helluva kicker and a helluva punter though!

Let’s look at the game tape I guess

clestlbox clestlstats

Before the game even started Bernie said the Browns season was over

There were about 7500 fans there for kickoff

When things weren’t going well for the Browns, Josh McCown hit a wall. No. He literally hit a wall.

And I remixed it with Miley Cyrus

Joe Thomas blocking porn

https://twitter.com/SC_Cleveland/status/658346924190269440

Todd Gurley’s first NFL touchdown was the easiest run he’s had since middle school

Barnidge did Barnidge things per usual

Not good when Aaron Donald almost takes the handoff. Not good.

And Gurley scored his second TD of the day when no one on the Browns decided to try and tackle him

And the Browns lost 24-6.

Couple quick thoughts

  • Does anyone find themselves watching these games and being totally emotionless? Every Browns turnover they had I just sat in front of my TV with no reaction. Didn’t swear or scream or anything. October 25th and the apathy has already set in.
  • It was expected that the Rams defensive front would affect the game but I didn’t think our offensive line would totally fall apart like it did. The Rams absolutely abused our offensive line.
  • Robert Turbin had a nice little stretch there in the third quarter where he did some good things so that was encouraging I guess.
  • The more the season goes on the more I want Ray Farmer fired immediately
  • The Browns were the lowest scoring team in the NFL on Sunday
  • It was kind of a win that the Browns ONLY allowed 128 yards to Todd Gurley yesterday
  • It’s a pretty crowded field in the AFC to be a Pro Bowl tight end but if Gary B. keeps playing like this, then he;s gotta be there.
  • I have tons of respect for Josh McCown hanging in there and getting the piss kicked out of him almost every time he dropped back.
  • Anyone want to start talking draft? I want a beast in the front 7. Bosa, Oakman, Nkemdiche please.
  • These reviews used to be fun to do but now that the NFL deletes Vines and GIFs (along with the Browns sucking) it’s become more of a chore than something I like putting together on Mondays

 

Guys, it’s time to play Johnny from here on out. The season is over, we’re not making the playoffs. There’s no point in trotting out a 36 year old journeyman quarterback when the team is going nowhere. This move should have been made after the Titans game. Josh has shown that he’s still a pretty serviceable quarterback but to have him under center for this team right now is pointless. If there were playmakers around the quarterback and this team was playoff caliber… then McCown should start no questions asked. Butttt this team stinks and is heading to another 4-12/5-11 season.

If Johnny sucks then he sucks and you get rid of him after this season. We have to see what we have in him. Play the kid and see if there’s ANYTHING there.

This also applies to Justin Gilbert I think?

 

See you in the Muni Lot next Sunday.

Cover pic via Cleveland.com

Browns

Browns-Broncos Monday Game Tape; F*CK! WE ALWAYS LOSE!!

Leave a comment

You knew it was coming. As Browns fans we’re conditioned to expect the worst and hope for the best. You knew they wouldn’t capitalize after Mingo’s interception in overtime. You knew deep down that somehow, some way they’d fuck it up. And they did. Bad.

This one hurt, not gonna lie. The Browns had opportunity after opportunity for someone to step up and win the game… but no one did. It’s just so disappointing knowing how close the Browns were to winning their second game in a row. One more loss this season decided in heartbreaking fashion. Instead of 3-3 we’re 2-4 and falling further and further behind in the division.

Let’s look at the game tape

cledenbox cledenstats

Dwayne Bowe was inactive. At this point it’s more likely Swagger gets in the game before D-Bowe.

Karlos Dansby picked off Peyton Manning (don’t worry though, the Browns obviously didn’t capitalize)

The Broncos know Peyton can’t throw a spiral longer than 7 yards so they had to resort to cheating and run pick plays

And Denver scored the first touchdown of the day on a pick six by Aqib Talib. Not a very good decision by 13 Gauge

But then on the first drive of the second half McCown turned to ol’ faithful Gary for 6

And the fine folks at DirecTV took notice. Wait… Hoyer? #NailedIt

directtvhoyer

For awhile the only thing the broadcast talked about were the pigeons on the field

Barnidge scored another touchdown to make it 16-14. You cannot stop Gary Barnidge, you can only hope to contain him.

This kid appeared on the TV screen and I immediately felt the urge to beat up a 9 year old. I bet his parents aren’t even Browns fans. Little troll.

Embedded image permalink

Peyton Manning jacked up our strong safety. Yes, a 39 year old QB put the hardest hitter on our team on his ass.

Then the next play Karlos Dansby got his second interception of the day. This time he returned it for a touchdown and the Browns took the lead!!

Which they held on to for exactly 14 seconds.

A couple things happened here and there that left the Browns and Broncos tied at 23 with a little over a minute to go… Browns ball. Driving to score and sneak out a win. Things are looking good!

And then this happened. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say this is right up there with the Weeden flip pass as one of the worst plays a Browns QB has made in the past 10 years.

You’d expect that out of a rookie but not a 36 year old quarterback. Just take the sack, throw the ball into the dirt, or check the ball down to Isaiah Crowell who comes open at the end of this play and looks like he doesn’t have anyone within 10 yards of him.

Emmanuel Sanders almost kind of caught a pass down the sideline that was ruled incomplete and the game went to overtime.

Broncos win the toss and on their drive this happened. Mingo did something!!

Browns ball! Browns ball! Let’s capitalize, win this game, and get to 3-3!

Oh.

The Broncos eventually got the ball back, drove down the field through our Swiss cheese defense, and kicked a field goal to win.

Broncos 26 Browns 23.

Sorry bro, not today:

Embedded image permalink

Couple quick thoughts

  • For so much talk in the preseason about how elite our offensive line was, they’ve really underwhelmed so far. Our pass blocking is poor and our run blocking is POOR. The Broncos were without 2 of their better pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware and Shane Ray and the Browns still gave up 4 sacks.
  • On the other side of the ball, the Browns pass rush registered a whopping 0 sacks on the super mobile Peyton Manning. I know it’s far too early to even think about the draft but one of our glaring weaknesses is a rush end/OLB. I’d love a Robert Nkemdiche or Joey Bosa on this squad. But we’ll probably get a backup guard to fortify the offensive line’s second unit.
  • In hindsight Pettine going for 2 wasn’t the best decision. If it would have worked it would have been genius. But it didn’t and now he’ll have to answer to his critics. (I liked it at the time)
  • McCown. McCown. McCown. What are you doing, man? That pick-six plus the INT at the end of the game was inexcusable. Denver has one of the best defenses in the league, at least make them work for it. We knew coming into the game that Josh wouldn’t put up the numbers that he did against Baltimore last week but he needed to play smart football.
  • I’d pay good money to get one of those biceps veins that Robert Turbin has.
  • Mingo!!! Biggest play of his Browns career. Would have been the hero if the Browns were able to capitalize.
  • Travis Benjamin continues to impress us all. 9 catches for 117 yards. It’s almost expected that Travis will be around 100 yards every game. His progression has been fun to watch.
  • The Browns could easily be 4-2. The haves and the have nots.

All of us today:

Embedded image permalink

On to St. Louis.