10 Things About the Browns in Week 1

Point 1
• The actual score (34-20) was not indicative of how Minnesota dominated the second half of this game. The Vikings just wore the Browns down. Simply put – it’s a 60 minute game, not 30. You have to figure that out and play accordingly before you can beat a quality NFL opponent.

• What looked like an impressive defensive effort stopping the run early turned into another 200+ yard rushing effort allowed by the Browns. That’s not a good sign.

• Offensively, the Browns ran the ball relatively well early, but were unable to stay with the game plan once the Vikings got up two scores.

• One wonders who will consistently make plays for this team on both sides of the ball. You win with playmakers. The defense forced no turnovers and the offense had no big gains from scrimmage.

• Quinn looked like a rookie at times – which is to be expected against a good Vikings’ defense, especially once they were able to pin their ears back, up two scores. The late Cleveland score came in garbage time, but baby steps are necessary when you haven’t scored an offensive touchdown since prior to Thanksgiving of 2008.

• The loss was expected against a team the caliber of Minnesota. Getting worn down wasn’t a total surprise either. However, the penalties and poor tackling late showed a disturbing lack of concentration – similar of years past. We expect that to change under Mangini - sooner rather than later.

• I am not a fan of re-structuring contracts. This corner would never do so with NBA or ML players because those deals are guaranteed. However, the NFL is a different animal with no guaranteed deals and players playing for their pay from one year to the next. I would tear up Josh Cribbs’ deal and give him a new, better, incentive laden contract making arguably the team’s best player a happy camper. The fans love him, he wants to be here and you don’t have to worry about him coasting once he gets paid.

• A lot of NFL quarterbacks could have won that game for the Vikings today. Brett Favre actually “managed the game.” As you know, I hate that term. That’s uncharted waters for the future HOFer. But that’s what happens when you have a stud back up against one of the worst run defenses in the league the past 10 years. They however didn't bring Favre in to beat the Browns. He'll be asked to be Brett Favre against good teams at some point - especially come playoff time.

• On a positive note, the Browns’ defensive scheme early was refreshing to see and caused some confusion for the Vikings. Unfortunately, they decided to keep it simple in the second half and feed their horse (Adrian Peterson) until he got it rolling. The KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Philosophy works with sports too. Some coaches need to remember that.

• Next week’s road game in Denver is actually winnable. The venue is a difficult one, but #7 doesn’t take snaps anymore for the Broncos.

SC-OSU Post-Script
I thought the Trojans would handle the Buckeyes. It was closer than I expected and I was impressed with Ohio State’s defensive front. However, I was not impressed with the quarterbacking Ohio State received – especially in the game’s final drive. In the end, SC won because their extremely young quarterback made plays when it mattered most while OSU’s signal-caller couldn’t.

And no, it’s not Tressel’s conservative play-calling that hurts the Buckeyes in big games. That’s the same approach that won them a National Title. That’s his style – you can‘t congratulate him when it works and criticize him when it doesn’t. That’s being one of the 95%+ who don’t get it.

The problem for Buckeye Nation is as follows – without a stud future #1 NFL pick running the ball for OSU, Prior will need to make more plays in order to beat quality opponents. And I’m not talking about Northwestern. The kid is a great athlete, but far from a finished product under center - yet.

If you take a glass half empty approach you wonder if OSU will ever beat the likes of SC after having them in their house, in front of a raucous record crowd, playing against a quarterback that had just one college start under his belt with a revamped defense to boot.

A glass half full person believes these two teams will see each other again in the National Championship Game. Those are the Buckeye fans I have a problem with. They can even be ignorant &/or arrogant after another bad loss.

The truth is probably somewhere in between.