The mystery of Cleveland's offensive woes (1 Viewer)

[Captain Spaulding]

Anderson, B. Edwards, Winslow all back and coming into their prime. Not sure whether Jamal is getting too old and worn out and I don't know much about drastic offensive line injuries or departures. What's up with these guys?

 

[two_dollars]

Last year's early half was a bit of an abhorration. Anderson's last 10 games were not that great. They did just enough to keep their stats about level and give hope for this year. The only thing I really saw that was good was their O-Line. Anderson didn't get touched much, and Lewis seemed to do well. Part of it might be the teams they played, and the conditions they played in, but they will get better. How much better? Not as good as the first half of last year, and maybe not even as good as the 2nd half if Anderson continues to struggle and Edwards continues to drop passes.

 

[MAC_32]

I'll list in order of importance in my eyes...

-No Jurevicius, I can't emphasize how important he was to this offense

-OLine injuries, the pass protection pales in comparison to last season

-Chud's been calling some pretty bad games, Romeo's not helping

-DA isn't as good as his supporters thought, he also doesn't deserve all the blame he gets but that comes with being the QB...

-Braylon's been terrible, there's a few theories as to why

-Stallworth hasn't played (I know, shocking), forcing practice squad caliber players onto the field

-I haven't figured out what's wrong with Winslow yet, but I think a large part of it may be attitude related...creating separation from his defender too

 

[SaintArnold]

Last year's early half was a bit of an abhorration. Anderson's last 10 games were not that great. They did just enough to keep their stats about level and give hope for this year. The only thing I really saw that was good was their O-Line. Anderson didn't get touched much, and Lewis seemed to do well. Part of it might be the teams they played, and the conditions they played in, but they will get better. How much better? Not as good as the first half of last year, and maybe not even as good as the 2nd half if Anderson continues to struggle and Edwards continues to drop passes.

The bolded part struck me as really funny, since it's probably more accurate than if you'd spelled it correctly!

 

[wadegarrett]

I'll list in order of importance in my eyes...-No Jurevicius, I can't emphasize how important he was to this offense-OLine injuries, the pass protection pales in comparison to last season-Chud's been calling some pretty bad games, Romeo's not helping-DA isn't as good as his supporters thought, he also doesn't deserve all the blame he gets but that comes with being the QB...-Braylon's been terrible, there's a few theories as to why-Stallworth hasn't played (I know, shocking), forcing practice squad caliber players onto the field-I haven't figured out what's wrong with Winslow yet, but I think a large part of it may be attitude related...creating separation from his defender too

Playing the #9, #2 and #1 defenses in the league hasn't helped either.

 

[David Yudkin]

The Browns are starting to remind me of the Bledsoe/Moulds/Price Bills from several years ago. Great first half of one year but then not a whole lot.

Spanning last year and this year, in Cleveland's last 8 games they have averaged:

14.1 points scored

115 rushing yards

186 passing yards

That's not going to help many fantasy teams.

 

[Chickenwang]

OOOO... this one is pretty easy. They signed DA.

 

[Tanner9919]

Anderson, B. Edwards, Winslow all back and coming into their prime. Not sure whether Jamal is getting too old and worn out and I don't know much about drastic offensive line injuries or departures. What's up with these guys?

smoke-n-mirrors last season, simply put...they overachieved. but they're not much better than they were two years ago, and really nothing better than a 4-12 team...

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The drops have been drive killers, causing a snowball effect of sapping Anderson's confidence, forcing an already weak D to play with short fields and short rests, and generally taking the wind out of the team's sails.

Anderson has had some good stretches. Early vs. Dallas. Second half vs. Pittsburgh. He wasn't bad in the first half vs. Baltimore. The problem is, once he slips, he seems to completely lose it. The first INT vs. the Ravens wasn't his fault, it was a just a good hit on Winslow by Ray Lewis to knock the ball up in the air. Then on the very next drive he telegraphed the pass to Heiden and Ed Reed made him pay... all downhill from there.

Last year it was the opposite, as guys made plays for Anderson, he got more confident, they made more plays, he made more plays, and the cumulative effect was a good to great offense by year's end.

I will say Lewis hasn't been the problem, and the line hasn't been bad either. If they want to get on track this weekend, they should feed Lewis and get consistently in 3rd and shorts, giving Anderson high percentage plays to convert firsts and build his confidence through long drives.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Great expectations reveal character.

 

[treat88]

smoke-n-mirrors last season, simply put...they overachieved. but they're not much better than they were two years ago, and really nothing better than a 4-12 team...

Spot on.It's all about the schedule. Soft schedule made them look good last year, tough schedule makes them look bad this year.However, they simply weren't very good to begin with and now have serious injury issues, a QB who has lost confidence, and an awful HC to boot.

 

[bucksoh]

They kept their coach, add in an easy schedule last year, tough on this year Crennel is good as gone.

 

[kutta]

I'll list in order of importance in my eyes...-No Jurevicius, I can't emphasize how important he was to this offense-OLine injuries, the pass protection pales in comparison to last season-Chud's been calling some pretty bad games, Romeo's not helping-DA isn't as good as his supporters thought, he also doesn't deserve all the blame he gets but that comes with being the QB...-Braylon's been terrible, there's a few theories as to why-Stallworth hasn't played (I know, shocking), forcing practice squad caliber players onto the field-I haven't figured out what's wrong with Winslow yet, but I think a large part of it may be attitude related...creating separation from his defender too

Playing the #9, #2 and #1 defenses in the league hasn't helped either.

Maybe they are the best D's because they got to play Cleveland for one of their three games...

 

[Delusions Of Adequacy]

OOOO... this one is pretty easy. They signed DA.

A healthy Tom Brady couldn't shine with the poor protection Anderson's been getting. Simply put, the O line isn't giving him time.

 

[Chickenwang]

^^ that's not true at all. I have browns season tickets. I was at the first two games, and watched the third on the television. DA has enough time in the pocket. You guys sure come up with a lot of good excuses. He's not a good qb and that's all it boils down to. He cannot hit a player in stride, and most of his passes are clearly off target. Braylon, Winslow, and Jurivicious made him look good last season. They were the ones who were able to twist their bodies to catch the passes behind them and at their feet.

The only time DA has looked good this season is last week when he was making those dump off short passes to move them down the field. That's it.

I have no idea why they signed him. No other team wanted him in the off season. He's a poor QB with a poor arm. The bungals will jump all over him because they are desperate for a win. You'll be seeing Quinn in this game, and hopefully for the second series.

 

[Fantaholic]

Wow! What a difference a year makes. So, popular opinion here is that Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow stink. I doubt that.

Now, as far as DA is concerned I will consider believing that his performance may have been an aberration. But, come on. Let's not overreact people.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Great expectations reveal character.

Ouch.

 

[wadegarrett]

I'll list in order of importance in my eyes...-No Jurevicius, I can't emphasize how important he was to this offense-OLine injuries, the pass protection pales in comparison to last season-Chud's been calling some pretty bad games, Romeo's not helping-DA isn't as good as his supporters thought, he also doesn't deserve all the blame he gets but that comes with being the QB...-Braylon's been terrible, there's a few theories as to why-Stallworth hasn't played (I know, shocking), forcing practice squad caliber players onto the field-I haven't figured out what's wrong with Winslow yet, but I think a large part of it may be attitude related...creating separation from his defender too

Playing the #9, #2 and #1 defenses in the league hasn't helped either.

Maybe they are the best D's because they got to play Cleveland for one of their three games...

Or maybe they're great defenses. Ranked #'s 9, 1 and 6 in 2007. Ranked #'s 13, 9 and 1 in 2006. See a pattern?

 

[kaa]

They were only strong in the first 8 games of 2007. They tailed off in the second half which gave many pause.
Lack of a WR2 due to injuries.
They give up on the run too easily. Its there. They can pound it. But they want to be wide-open.

 

[kaa]

I'm going to say this in the Bengals-Browns game thread but I'll say it here as well.

Everyone is looking at the wrong position this sunday.

This shouldn't be DA's day. It shouldn't be Quinn's day. This should be Jamal Lewis' day. The Browns should spend sunday re-committing to the run. Jamal should tear the Bengals up. If this does not occur, I'd probably fault the playcalling.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

The drops have been drive killers, causing a snowball effect of sapping Anderson's confidence, forcing an already weak D to play with short fields and short rests, and generally taking the wind out of the team's sails.Anderson has had some good stretches. Early vs. Dallas. Second half vs. Pittsburgh. He wasn't bad in the first half vs. Baltimore. The problem is, once he slips, he seems to completely lose it. The first INT vs. the Ravens wasn't his fault, it was a just a good hit on Winslow by Ray Lewis to knock the ball up in the air. Then on the very next drive he telegraphed the pass to Heiden and Ed Reed made him pay... all downhill from there.Last year it was the opposite, as guys made plays for Anderson, he got more confident, they made more plays, he made more plays, and the cumulative effect was a good to great offense by year's end.I will say Lewis hasn't been the problem, and the line hasn't been bad either. If they want to get on track this weekend, they should feed Lewis and get consistently in 3rd and shorts, giving Anderson high percentage plays to convert firsts and build his confidence through long drives.

This is spot on. I would just add to it that their coach hasn't been doing them any favors with some of the playcalling.

 

[Bobcat10]

^^ that's not true at all. I have browns season tickets. I was at the first two games, and watched the third on the television. DA has enough time in the pocket. You guys sure come up with a lot of good excuses. He's not a good qb and that's all it boils down to. He cannot hit a player in stride, and most of his passes are clearly off target. Braylon, Winslow, and Jurivicious made him look good last season. They were the ones who were able to twist their bodies to catch the passes behind them and at their feet.

The only time DA has looked good this season is last week when he was making those dump off short passes to move them down the field. That's it.

I have no idea why they signed him. No other team wanted him in the off season. He's a poor QB with a poor arm. The bungals will jump all over him because they are desperate for a win. You'll be seeing Quinn in this game, and hopefully for the second series.

I'm far from a DA supporter, but I can't agree with the poor arm comment. He has a very strong arm with no poor location on his throws.

 

[Bobcat10]

Great expectations reveal character.

Ouch.

Typical.

 

[kaa]

Great expectations reveal character.

Ouch.

Typical.

I'm not sure which is worse:1. The assumption that the fact the Browns are folding under great expectations reveals poor character.2. The fact that, in Cleveland, simply MAKING the NFL playoffs is a great expectation.

 

[-baller]

playing good defenses?

 

[nutzo]

Cleveland homer - what you need to know in regards to fantasy purposes

Lewis will be great this week then sell (Struggling QB/O, Fiasco of abandoning the run in Cinncy one year ago, Starting OL returning... the stars are aligned for Lewis). For over a year we have struggled in short yard situations. We run three main plays - 1A Fullback dive 1B Winslow quick hittter 1C Braylon slant. At the goaline, Lewis will get more involved but we really struggle getting an initial surge and Lewis is not making anyone miss. Plus the back-up, Harrison, is making plays in his limited opportunites. Our O-Coordinator has a history of abandoning the run when we are losing - Do you see teams Cleveland will be consistently winning against on our schedule?

Winslow and Edwards - Hold or buy low (especially winslow). Our O's major problems are timing and injuries. Don't know if I am being optimistic, but timing is something that can improve and I know that injured starters are returning. These guys are too talented not to produce. And if you feel that Cleveland will be playing from behind alot this year - their respective value only goes up with more targets and garbage time TD's.

DA - You had to know the risk if you drafted him. Right or wrong, know that at evey home game he will be booed upon each incompletion - that's not an exaggeration either. I'd venture to say that 90% of Cleveland would rather see Quinn playing. At last season's low-point (the steelers raping in the opener) DA blew up against the Bengals the following week. One year later - similiar circumstances.

 

[squistion]

Great expectations reveal character.

As Jim Plunkett proved.

 

[thecardiackid]

Great expectations reveal character.

Ouch.

Typical.

gotta admit it's been somewhat true thus far in 08... the combination of expectations based on last year's performance with the brutal SoS this season has left many CLE fans (myself included) and FF owners hanging.if we don't have a SOLID offensive performance this week vs. the below average CIN defense - even on the road and dare I say even in a loss - Quinn will be in and all bets are off for any hopes of a decent (not even playoffs) season.

 

[Portis 26]

A big factor that has surprisingly not been mentioned so far is that DA had a huge concussion in the pre-season. It was so bad he couldn't go outside for days afterwards because he couldn't handle bright light. His availability for Week 1 was in question.

Combine that with the fact that Braylon Edwards had a badly lacerated foot in pre-season, that DA's favourite possession guy Joe Jurevicius is out, and that the guy meant to tear it up opposite Edwards, Donte Stallworth is also out, and we have a bunch of bad stuff going on.

I think both the concussion and the lacerated foot hurt DA and BE more than is being let on.

 

[Fallerjw]

Cleveland homer - what you need to know in regards to fantasy purposes

Lewis will be great this week then sell (Struggling QB/O, Fiasco of abandoning the run in Cinncy one year ago, Starting OL returning... the stars are aligned for Lewis). For over a year we have struggled in short yard situations. We run three main plays - 1A Fullback dive 1B Winslow quick hittter 1C Braylon slant. At the goaline, Lewis will get more involved but we really struggle getting an initial surge and Lewis is not making anyone miss. Plus the back-up, Harrison, is making plays in his limited opportunites. Our O-Coordinator has a history of abandoning the run when we are losing - Do you see teams Cleveland will be consistently winning against on our schedule?

Winslow and Edwards - Hold or buy low (especially winslow). Our O's major problems are timing and injuries. Don't know if I am being optimistic, but timing is something that can improve and I know that injured starters are returning. These guys are too talented not to produce. And if you feel that Cleveland will be playing from behind alot this year - their respective value only goes up with more targets and garbage time TD's.

DA - You had to know the risk if you drafted him. Right or wrong, know that at evey home game he will be booed upon each incompletion - that's not an exaggeration either. I'd venture to say that 90% of Cleveland would rather see Quinn playing. At last season's low-point (the steelers raping in the opener) DA blew up against the Bengals the following week. One year later - similiar circumstances.

Pretty good assessment. The 90% number might be too low, however. The loudest I've heard the crowd in a long time was last season when Quinn came in for a series. Then DA came back to the field and the fans booed. It's clear what the people want.Also, if they want to win, they need to recommit to the run.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

A big factor that has surprisingly not been mentioned so far is that DA had a huge concussion in the pre-season. It was so bad he couldn't go outside for days afterwards because he couldn't handle bright light. His availability for Week 1 was in question.Combine that with the fact that Braylon Edwards had a badly lacerated foot in pre-season, that DA's favourite possession guy Joe Jurevicius is out, and that the guy meant to tear it up opposite Edwards, Donte Stallworth is also out, and we have a bunch of bad stuff going on.I think both the concussion and the lacerated foot hurt DA and BE more than is being let on.

From every opinion I've heard, this one seems the most likely reason for their lack of offensive production..at least to me anyway.

 

[Scarpati]

At last season's low-point [...] DA blew up against the Bengals the following week.

It's easy to see what the Browns need. If they could just play the Bengals for the next 13 games, all would be well.