Ravens-Browns

My apologies for being tardy. I just got off from my real job - lifeguarding.

Offensive Line Gets An A So Far

The Cleveland Browns’ offensive line has been outstanding after four weeks of play in 2007. In fact, it has been, by far, the most impressive unit on the squad.

Several of the sacks allowed in week #1 were due to the quarterback (Charlie Frye) holding the ball too long. Since that time, DA has hardly been touched. When you consider the Browns have played Oakland and Baltimore – reportedly two of the league’s better front sevens - the positive line play has been startling. According to the numbers released by the league, the Browns have allowed one sack in the last three weeks.

Not only has the passing game been well protected, but heading yesterday's game with the Ravens, the Browns led all of football in yards rushing per carry. Granted, those numbers are deceiving when you consider the 200+ yards on the ground Lewis gained against the Bengals, but facts don’t lie. The O line play has been stellar as we pass the quarter season mark.

Credit not only goes to Phil Savage for the acquisitions of Steinbach and Thomas, but also to the offensive line coach and O coordinator, who seem to be getting the most out of the talent at hand.

With the offensive line play being so solid, the Browns have had the time to go vertical in the passing game – something they haven’t been able to do consistently since their return. Both Edwards and Winslow are making plays downfield – which in turn is forcing defenses to cover the whole field, thus creating holes for the running game. If they can’t put eight in the box, it’s easier for Lewis and company to find those gaps.

DA Okay At Best
One clear difference between DA and the recently traded Charlie Frye involves release time. Anderson, who still throws the ball to the other team way too much, gets rid of the ball much quicker than Frye, who had a terrible habit of holding the ball too long and depending on his feet to get him out of trouble.

Speaking of Anderson – what you see is what you get. He deserves credit for being 2-1 as a starting quarterback this fall. He also makes you hold your breath every time he drops back to pass. He looks like a mini version of Vinnie Testaverde – big arm, but mistake prone. I said mini – Vinnie, with all his faults, is still drawing an NFL check every week and is listed among the league’s all-time leaders in passing yards.

DA has also been the recipient of near perfect pass protection the past three weeks. Had he played reasonably well against the Raiders, the Browns would be 3-1 right now. He has had at least six passes dropped by defenders after three plus weeks of play in ‘07. That eventually catches up to you.

We still see Anderson as slightly better than Frye due to a much stronger arm and quicker release. That was our opinion going into the season and we have seen nothing to change that view.

The test will be when the line falters and he is made uncomfortable and forced to avoid pressure and still make plays – something he has not had to deal with since taking over the starting role.

Short Hits
Right now, Daven Holly looks like a better cover corner than rookie Eric Wright. Wright may eventually be a quality NFL corner, but Holly seems more comfortable and less mistake prone at this point.

The Browns desperately needs someone to step up and consistently rush the passer opposite Kamerion Wimbley.

The acquisition of Jamaal Lewis was a wise move on the part of Phil Savage. We had no problem with adding Lewis, but wanted the Browns to keep R. Droughns as security. Lewis clearly still has gas left in the tank. Here’s hoping he stays healthy. There is a serious drop-off at lead back if he goes down. The Browns are also short on depth at WR. After Edwards, JJ and Winslow, there just isn’t anything there you can depend on.

We will have a much better idea about this team’s ability to compete after next Sunday’s game at New England. If they are competitive from start to finish against the veteran Pats, that bodes well for the rest of ’07.

Finally, we heard the argument over and over again that the Browns didn’t want to overwhelm Brady Quinn by throwing him to the wolves so early in his career against quality defensive units. With the O line playing so well, does anyone think Quinn wouldn’t have at least two wins under his belt and a wealth of experience at the quarter season mark if were starting from day #1?

¼ Season Grades
We’ll go by positions.

Offensive Line: A
A little shaky versus the Steelers, but outstanding since.

Receivers: B
Edwards has been a solid deep threat, JJ is a quality #2 and Winslow has easily been the team’s best player so far in ’07. Another three or four solid weeks of play from Edwards and we might be able to finally drop that "Butterfingers" tag we labeled him with back in '05. The bet was he had to have more TD grabs than drops in '07.

Running Backs: B+
Lewis has been consistent with one terrific game versus the Bengals. Vickers can block, although we would like the Browns to stop trying to make a receiver out of him. There’s a reason fullbacks are often left uncovered.

Quarterback: C+
Frye imploded early – especially if you also look at his overall pre-season performance. DA was Superman versus the Bengals, sub-par against the Raiders and decent against the Ravens.

Defensive Line: C-
They look their age. New, talented young blood is needed ASAP.

Linebackers: C
They have been average at best – and that’s being kind.

Secondary: D
They have allowed 11 TD passes in four games. Bodden can play, the rest have been unimpressive to say the least.

Special Teams: B
Had it not been for a breakdown in special teams on the game’s final play versus the Raiders, an A was forthcoming assuming the kick was good. Unfortunately, we had to downgrade because of it. Cribbs is fun to watch.

Romeo Crennel: C
He started a QB in the opener they basically gave away the following week. That’s not good talent evaluation. His team is .500 right now – which is good for Cleveland, but mediocre by any other measurable standard you wish to use. Mediocre gets you a C.

Phil Savage: B-
He upgraded the offensive line through the draft and free agency. He also got back into the first round and picked up Quinn – which should start paying off soon. Some of his relatively high picks (i.e. Travis Wilson) have yet to pan out. He also has not created much depth – with the strange possible exception of the O line – especially if Bentley makes it all the way back. Otherwise, this team is extremely thin at some key positions.

To Come
We will do the Tribe’s regular season grades soon. I hear they made the post-season.