Browns – Jaguars Post-Mortem

Recap
This was a quality road win. That does not happen often with this franchise. Congratulations.

Offensively, the Browns did just enough – especially in the first half, while defensively, Cleveland continues to play above expected means.

Defense
Much of the credit on defense goes to nose guard Shaun Rogers, who was dominant on this day. He has been the one player on the roster this fall that has played at a Pro Bowl level. And for some reason, the Jaguars continued to try to run right at him even though Rogers brought his “A” game.

Meanwhile, rookie late-round pick Alex Hall continues to impress at outside linebacker. His motor is always running and he improves from week to week. That’s a good thing.

Finally, we need to recognize inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, who is currently among the top-10 in the league in tackles. I was not a huge fan last year and he still doesn’t make the big plays you want from a LB, but is steady and getting better. The numbers don’t lie if you are among the league’s leading tacklers. That’s also a very good thing and a credit to the boys up front for keeping people off Jackson.

Offense
Derek Anderson had a very good first half and did just enough in the second half to help the Browns earn the “W.” The long fourth quarter completion to Cedric Steptoe on third and long was his biggest completion of the season when you consider the circumstances. The Jaguars had the momentum and that completion was DA’s only outstanding throw of the second half. It came at a good time.

It’s very simple – when Anderson plays well, the Browns win, and when he doesn’t, they lose. That’s the case with NFL teams that don’t ask their quarterback to just “manage games.” Quarterbacks must make plays on a consistent basis in order for their team to win. Today, DA did enough. Against New York, he was outstanding. The rest of the season – he’s been out to lunch. That's why you are sitting at 3-4 with a defense that has overachieved.

Enough said.

Boys Up Front
The “O” line we criticized in pre-season and early in the 2008 campaign has turned it around and has played exceptionally well the past three weeks against quality defensive units. DA was hardly touched again today and Jamaal Lewis had plenty of running room. The “O” line is now in mid-2007 form – finally. The end result – a winning percentage of .667 during that stretch. It’s simple math.

Red Zone Woes
Once again, the Browns had trouble punching it in. This time, they had a first and goal from inside the 1-yard line and for some reason called a pass to “Butterfingers” that was nearly picked off.

Lewis was chewing up yardage on that drive. What happened to giving him the rock inside the 1-yard line on first down and if it doesn't work, come back to it again? We are talking less than one yard here. Don’t get too cute CHUD. Keep it simple when simple will do.

What is also hurting the Browns deep in the red zone is DA’s lack of mobility. He isn’t a threat to run and is uncomfortable moving around in the pocket to buy time. The good news is he wasn’t picked off and they got points – albeit field goals.

Special Teams
Josh Cribbs has not been the dynamic return man he was in ’07, but he continues to be a big contributor with his coverage skills. Cribbs earns every penny he makes. He only knows one speed – full go.

Conservative Approach
Romeo Crennel decided to run it three times, punt and put it on the defense instead of letting Anderson throw for a first down on Cleveland’s last possession. Regardless how they might spin it if the media asks on Monday, that shows a lack of confidence in the quarterback. A play action pass on second down to try to pick up the first down in that situation could have put the game on ice. Anderson was playing well enough to be given the opportunity to put it away. If not today, when?

Could you imagine the talk in Cleveland this evening if Jones had caught that pass thrown his way in the game's final moments instead of making like “Butterfingers” did a couple years back on a potential game-winner and having it hit every finger and knuckle twice before harmlessly falling to the ground?

However, as Earl Bruce once said -- a win is a win is a win.