Browns vs Eagles, week #1 wrap-up!

The following are my thoughts on week one of the Cleveland Browns season.  For my thoughts on Gluten Free cooking or the effects of lingering separatism on the industrial revolution, go to my blog at
www.guywhoblogsaboutweirdrandomstuffthatnooneisinterestedin.net.  Or just approach me on the street and ask me; for a free coffee I’ll discuss just about anything.  For my column on this particular website, however, I thought it best to remain on the topic of Cleveland Browns football, such as it is.

-Quarterback: Everyone ... Calm ... Down.  It was one game.  Yes, Weeds looked bad.  OK, abysmal.  OK, it was more difficult to watch than a Cloris Leachman-Ed Asner sex scene.  However, it was only one game, it was against what everyone say is a top flight defense, and he received no running game support or WR help whatsoever.  Look, if Little catches that ball in the second quarter instead of turning it into an INT, the Browns get at least three more points out of it, and we may be sitting here talking about how “Weeden struggled but made just enough plays to help pull off the upset.”  That’s the difference between winning and losing in the NFL - one play here or there.  Yes, he looked confused.  Yes, he missed a few wide open receives and missed them badly.  Yes, he failed to deliver the Frankenberries or even the Shredded Wheat, but it was only one game.  If there’s no improvement by halftime or early 3rd quarter next week in Cincy, I’d expect to see Colt; especially if the defense keeps us in the game again and there’s an opportunity to steal one.  Honestly, I never wanted them to draft a QB this year; I wanted them to address all of the other roster holes and give Colt another shot with an actual supporting cast, then go after Barkley next year if things didn’t improve.  I also think it would be Hollywood-style irony if Weeden doesn’t improve at all, and Colt comes in and goes lights-out with the new RB & WR corps.  However, if there is some improvement - and let’s face it, by default there almost has to be - I’d be stunned if Weeds doesn’t get every opportunity, and rightly so.

-Running Back: Have to give this one an incomplete.  TRich was not only coming off knee surgery, a month off, and playing in his first NFL game, but the Eagles (smartly) stacked the box.  Had Weeds been able to make two or three more plays in the passing game, there might have been a crack or two for Richardson to run through.  Can’t really grade him on this one, he’ll need at least one, probably two more weeks to get up to full running speed.  If he never does anything else, that helmet removal hit he put on Kurt Coleman will run on highlight reels for a decade.  If you can’t beat em, beat ‘em up. (Official slogan of the Ampipe High School football team)(The fact that I know that reference means I am really, extra, super middle aged)

-Wide Receivers: Massoquoi played well, you have to admit.  He got open - WIDE open - a few times, and caught the balls that came his way.  Plus, he made it through an entire game without a blow to the head making him talk all Biden-goofy, which is always a plus.  Other than that, there’s not much good to report in this area.  Little dropped that ball at the goal line, Gordon looked like he just woke up from a nap, and although Benajmin had a nice run on the reverse, on both of the INT’s where he was targeted, he looked like he was shocked that there was some guy in a green uniform trying to steal HIS passes.  A thought: If there’s no improvement in week two, it might be time for the Browns to at least consider giving Plaxico a call.  Yes, he’s a headache, but he can catch the damn ball, and maybe he can show these young guys a few things about how to fight for a reception when defenders are close by.  Just a thought.  These guys have a TON of potential as a group, I’m not yet ready to give up on them.  Of course, I’m still convinced that Big Band music is going going to make a huge comeback, so take my musings as you will.

Defense:  I’m still waiting for a single NFL “expert” to say that maybe - just MAYBE - some of the Eagles offensive problems were caused by the Browns D. We found ourselves a few LB’s, I thought that group was outstanding.  Fort is certainly kicking himself for the dropped INT in the end zone, but the Browns wouldn’t have been in that game if it wasn’t for him and his cohorts. (BTW, had he held on, I would have looked like a Sooooooper Genius, as I think I’m the only person on the planet who picked the Browns to win that game outright)  The defensive line actually got QB pressure without blitzing, for the first time since Michael Dean Perry - think how solid they’re going to be when Phil Taylor returns.  Billy Winn is the steal of this draft.  Without Haden, it’s going to be tough on the secondary for four games, there’s no denying it.  The guy shuts down an entire half of the field.  The defense is obviously by far the strength of the team, and they’re going to have to play like it all year.

Those are my thoughts, at least the ones that don’t involve Jennifer Aniston and a rainstorm.  I’m still not buying all of the hype about how horrific this team is; I think they’re very, very close.  As I said, one or two more plays on offense and everyone is talking about how “scrappy” this team is, and how “If Weeden can improve on a dismal performance, they could surprise some people.”  One or two plays per game, that’s the difference - for any and every team - between the playoffs and 3-13.

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