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I know many people are upset that the Brownies lost to the Ravens last week. There are many reasons to blame Maurice Carthon and the lack of a running game he brings to the Browns offense. He shouldn’t be thrown to the wolves immediately. The Browns offense has had a bumpy ride this season so far. Against the Bengals it was inexistent, then against the Packers it was all over the field, against the Colts it was once more inexistent, against the Bears it came alive with under five minutes left, and last weekend in Baltimore it was inexistent.
The Ravens defense still has a lot of talent. I think that’s the one thing that many forget. That and the fact that the Browns gave up the ball in the first quarter one too many times. Droughns ran well on Sunday, as did William Green when they were both given the opportunity. I feel that the only way the Browns will succeed this season is running the ball more. Passing the ball on 3rd and one isn’t the smartest thing in the world and it has only worked once for Carthon out of at least four tries. That isn’t including the numerous third and shorts the Browns have taken. Still, Carthon cannot be fully to blame for it all. The offensive line has to start playing as they were the first few games of the season. They went from being the most improved looking unit, to the same old story. Numerous drive ending penalties has killed the Browns.
This leads me to another reason Carthon shouldn’t fully be put to blame. Special teams’ penalties are getting ridiculous. I don’t know what is going on with the Browns special teams, but the offense doesn’t even have a chance most times because they lose ten yards on a penalty. This has been the story of the Browns this year. These are the types of mistakes bad teams make. It is a learning process and the Browns aren’t supposed to be contenders. Just give it time…
Defensively the Browns have been improving game by game. It’s a day to day process and the defense is starting to come alive. The Patriots are known for excellent second half adjustments and they were displayed by the Browns team Sunday when they shut down the Ravens. Jamal Lewis had no room to run and the Ravens were forced to punt in the 2nd half. Unfortunately the Browns offense couldn’t capitalize on this. Andra Davis is continuing to have his tackling exhibition. He added 13 more Sunday against the Ravens totaling him to 61 overall tackles in five games. He is on pace for over 200 tackles this year, which would be a career best. He may not be getting the sacks, but he is tackling. I think that’s one thing that we can all appreciate from him.
This weekend the Browns face the Lions in Cleveland. The Lions defense has been playing very well this year. Their offense has been a disaster. What appeared to be a high scoring offense in the offseason has been turned to a failure so far this season. The Lions defense is good though and they are a threat to score points. The Browns faced them in the preseason and won. I expect a close game for the Browns. If the defense can pressure Garcia or Harrington and force turnovers then they can win. Kevin Jones hasn’t had the year that many thought he would have.
The Browns defense will be looking to shut him down nonetheless if he plays this weekend. There is a slight chance that Braylon Edwards will be in action this weekend coming off an injury. He practiced in full pads with the first team offense on Friday. Hopefully this means he will be playing Sunday and possibly repeat his game winning touchdown against the Lions this weekend. Edwards was steadily improving until an unidentified elbow infection occurred leaving him to have surgery and miss the last two games. This game is another toss up. Both teams are fighting hard and the game could go either way. I expect it to be a close one that possibly isn’t decided until the 4th quarter.
Keys to the game
1. Stop unnecessary special teams penalties. This has been the back breaker for the Browns losses all season long
2. The Browns offense has to start running the ball. There is no way Dilfer can pass every down.
3. Defense needs to continue its play from the last game.
4. Offensive line needs to stop the offsides penalties. These guys are all veterans that have been the league for over two years already. Three of them have Super Bowl rings on their fingers.
