Ravens - Browns Post Mortem #2

Not Good.
You are not a good team when you let a divisional opponent outscore you 24-0 with just over one quarter to play and thus blow a two touchdown lead late. Nor are you a good team when you allow a pair of rookies, Joe Flacco & Ray Rice, have career games against you. Finally, you are not a good football team, when in crunch time, your offense manages just one first down and zero points in your final five possessions.

O Line
Overall, the Browns’ offensive line got outplayed by Baltimore’s front seven. Cleveland’s line did an adequate job in pass-blocking but could not open any holes for Jamaal Lewis. As for Lewis, he didn’t break many tackles either today.

Browns D
After playing solid football the past month, Cleveland’s defense picked a bad week to go south. They were gashed in the running game and not able to consistently put pressure on Flacco – who made numerous plays, including completing a huge third and 16 down 14 points late in the third quarter. Baltimore came into the game 24th overall in offense in the NFL but managed 37 points and over 400 yards of offense. The secondary especially had a bad game against a very mediocre receiving corps.

Ravens’ Secondary Hurting
With three starters out in the Ravens’ secondary, and the running game stalled against one of the league’s best front seven, I was a little surprised the Browns’ brain trust stayed relatively conservative in the fourth quarter. Again, that’s either a lack of confidence in the quarterback, or a stubbornness of belief that Lewis and the “O” line would eventually get it in gear.

I predicted a relatively conservative game-plan, but as the game developed, and with the holes in Baltimore’s secondary, I thought a little more imagination late was needed.

Braylon
I actually feel bad for him. Now that the rest of the world is pilling on – especially the drunks in the stands, there is no need for me to go there. This guy is very talented. Hopefully, instead of lashing out, he will keep his mouth shut, work hard and get better. Otherwise, it might get even uglier at home as the cold weather arrives and the beer sales go up.

Cribbs
It’s rare to get that kind of special teams’ performance and still lose. The Browns’ Josh Cribbs was huge all day – including returning his first kick of 2008 for a touchdown. Yet, Cleveland still found a way to lose. That’s hard to do – especially at home.

DA’s Locker Room Sprint
Why did DA sprint to the locker room with arms raised high with just 0:02 seconds remaining before halftime right after Phil Dawson kicked a 55 yard field goal to give the Browns a 13-10 lead?

Anderson just led the Browns on a nice drive that resulted in Dawson’s career-best field goal make. However, he acted like he led the Brownies on a game-winning playoff drive instead of a midseason, second quarter effort that resulted in just three points. Relax big guy. Act like you’ve done this before.

Midseason Report Card
We had this team going 9-7 back in August, then re-adjusted after the 0-3 start and predicted a six win campaign. I should be judged on my nine win guess however. Anyone can change their mind after the fact.

Therefore, I get a D at best for my prognostication. Right now, it doesn’t look like they’ll smell nine wins.

Here are our midseason grades for the Browns:

Offense
Give the offense a D. This unit has struggled in five of the eight games played, and no, it’s not because of injuries.

Defense
The defense gets a C. Today’s meltdown was the first one since September when they opened 0-3.

Special Teams
This unit, that was so instrumental in last season’s 10-win campaign, earns a C. Today’s special teams’ performance was reminiscent of ’07, but more of that was needed.

D + C + C = 3-5...Get it?

Coaching
I am not going to grade someone who I already stated had no business getting an extension last year. We are on record stating we like Romeo when it comes to being a stand-up guy, but mentioned he still had to prove himself as a head coach.

However, the facts are the facts – he’s in year #4, his teams have never reached the playoffs, and his current team is 3-5 and headed to a sub-.500 campaign unless something drastic happens to change the dynamics – both in the locker room and the field.

Crennel has definitely been a player’s coach – even stubbornly sticking with players who have either imploded or underachieved. Unfortunately, they haven’t returned the favor with consistent play, and that fact will likely cost RC his job sooner or later.

Reality Check
Realistically, you have to assume a team needs 10 wins to make the playoffs. The Browns would need to go 7-1 the second half of the season to match last year’s win total (10).

That’s why this particular loss at home, against a division rival, who was already one game ahead of you in the standings, hurt so much. The Browns simply blew their chance to give themselves a slim chance to make a playoff run.

Denver
That being said, I expect Cleveland to play well and win Thursday night against the visiting Broncos. The short week should actually help. They won’t have as much time to re-hash what went wrong against the Ravens.

Also, in some ways, the pressure is off now sitting at 3-5. Therefore, I expect them to let it fly – Browns 30-23.