Just when I thought Romeo Crennel was about to turn the corner in his coaching career, his knee buckles and decides to keep beating a dead horse. Derek Anderson will be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, much to my dismay. I was looking forward to seeing #10 on the field slingin passes to Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, but instead I get to watch the one-year wonder try not to throw anymore interceptions this season because the last time he played the Bengals, he threw 4 interceptions and single-handledly kept Cleveland out of the playoffs.
Now not only is Anderson still starting, there are way too many injuries for the team to pick up its first 'W' this season. Both sides of the ball are decimated by injuries as well as the special teams seeing as Josh Cribbs hasn't played in a game yet this season. Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius and Donte Stallworth are all injured and are on the shelf for this weekend. Braylon may make an appearance, but I doubt it seeing as he hasn't practiced much this week. As much as I praised the Browns for releasing LeCharles Bentley over the summer, it seems as though they could use his expertise since the line is becoming a patchwork again. Eric Steinbach and Ryan Tucker are both injured and probably won't play on Sunday. The right side of the line with Hadnot and Shaffer at guard and tackle have been atrocious this season. Anderson was sacked 5 times last week.
The defensive line isn't in much better shape. Robaire Smith has already been lost for the season and now Shaun Smith and Shaun Rogers are also injured and expected to miss time. That leaves us with one d-lineman left from our original 4-man rotation, Corey Williams. The linebacking corps is down to its last 2 outside linebackers, rookie Alex Hall and Kamerion Wimbley. I'm not even going to talk about the secondary.
I honestly can't see this team picking up a win for a very long time. It's a good thing the bye week is around the corner because this team has some serious regrouping to do. If they can magically produce some chemistry over the bye week next week, I think they could "save the season". They definitely have a chance of finishing 8-8 and salvaging some pride, but they already blew their shot at the playoffs. I know it's only September and it's way too early to be declaring them as a playoff miss, but there isn't a browns fan that would disagree with me if they have watched a game so far this season.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Caution: Disaster Looming
Browns fans, would you expect anything less from your beloved team? The obvious answer is NO! Another pathetic performance has gotten me to think, at least they are consistent. They have consistently underperformed since their season ended last year. As much as I don't like Derek Anderson because, let's face it, he is not an NFL QB, only a one year wonder, Brady Quinn would fair much better the way the rest of the team is playing. This isn't just a few players not playing badly, it's all 53. No one is playing "good football". The coaches aren't helping, but I have said it before and I will say it again, "ROMEO CRENNEL AND HIS STAFF NEED TO GO!!!" There is no reason to settle for mediocrity which owner Randy Lerner is doing at this point. In the past, I praised him for being faithful and not cleaning house every time the team loses a game. However, he is taking it a little too far this time because it is obvious that some serious changes need to be made. Anderson should have been traded in the off-season for a 1st and 3rd round draft pick because at this point, we will be lucky to get a roll of athletic tape for him. Brady Quinn has the attitude, swagger and confidence of a starting quarterback. All traits Anderson lacks. Romeo needs to admit when he is wrong and swallow his pride. This is not a game of right and wrong, but winning and losing. Stubbornness should not be tolerated and should be met with consequences namely the loss of your job.
Al Davis is a perfect example of what stubbornness can do to a franchise since his has consistently been one of the worst in the league. He doesn't know when he has a good thing going even if it conflicts with his original plan. No one is right 100% of the time which Crennel seems to think he is as does Davis, however, I don't care about Davis and the Raiders, I care about the Browns.
What happened to the Jamal Lewis that ran for 1300 yards and 9 TD's last year? He is gone and doesn't seem to be coming back. This could be due to the lack of a passing game because Anderson is at the helm, but it seems as though Jamal lacks the motivation that coursed through his veins all of last season. He isn't running with that same nastiness and drive like last year and it shows in the stats column and on the scoreboard.
Don't even get me started on the defense that was supposed to all of a sudden wreak havoc on opposing offenses. It doesn't matter who is on the field, they are all turning in sub par performances. They are decimated by players whose skill level is not of NFL caliber. Shaun Rogers may be the only one who belongs in the NFL. Everyone else would be better suited playing in Canada or the AFL.
Hopefully Cleveland gets serious about its football team and makes some very necessary decisions this off-season because it's do or die time. Ten years marred by poor football and poor management is enough. If this trend continues, then the NFL made a big mistake by returning the Browns to Cleveland after Art Modell moved them to Baltimore.
Al Davis is a perfect example of what stubbornness can do to a franchise since his has consistently been one of the worst in the league. He doesn't know when he has a good thing going even if it conflicts with his original plan. No one is right 100% of the time which Crennel seems to think he is as does Davis, however, I don't care about Davis and the Raiders, I care about the Browns.
What happened to the Jamal Lewis that ran for 1300 yards and 9 TD's last year? He is gone and doesn't seem to be coming back. This could be due to the lack of a passing game because Anderson is at the helm, but it seems as though Jamal lacks the motivation that coursed through his veins all of last season. He isn't running with that same nastiness and drive like last year and it shows in the stats column and on the scoreboard.
Don't even get me started on the defense that was supposed to all of a sudden wreak havoc on opposing offenses. It doesn't matter who is on the field, they are all turning in sub par performances. They are decimated by players whose skill level is not of NFL caliber. Shaun Rogers may be the only one who belongs in the NFL. Everyone else would be better suited playing in Canada or the AFL.
Hopefully Cleveland gets serious about its football team and makes some very necessary decisions this off-season because it's do or die time. Ten years marred by poor football and poor management is enough. If this trend continues, then the NFL made a big mistake by returning the Browns to Cleveland after Art Modell moved them to Baltimore.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Injury Bug or "Out-of-Shape"
You know nothing ever seems to go right in Cleveland. At least not since Jim Brown donned a #32 and broke ever major rushing record in the books. Fresh off their devastating loss to Pittsburgh, Cleveland suffered another major blow to the team. As if we weren't thin enough on the defensive side of the ball, starting defensive end Robaire Smith has been placed on injured reserve with an Achilles tendon tear and will miss the remainder of the year. That's just freakin fabulous. We already were using a 4-man rotation and cutting it down to 3 will cause problems for the Browns defense the rest of the season. There is no proven depth behind the front 4 of Smith, Smith, Rogers and Williams. Everyone else has seen little or no game time at the NFL level and, in all likelihood, will struggle mightily against NFL competition because of their lack of inexperience and skill. Cleveland isn't exactly known for producing All-Pro caliber defensive lineman at least not since their rebirth into the league in 1999.
If you ask me, the numerous injuries that occur in Cleveland on a daily basis can be attributed to the coaches more so than the players themselves. And the reason i say this is because of a recent quote by Romeo Crennel in which he stated the Robaire Smith is "out-of-shape". How the hell is he playing professional football and not just playing, but STARTING, if he is out-of-shape? That is a direct reflection on the coaches inability to sell the system to the players. If a coach cannot convince his players to trust what he is saying and doing he will not be a successful coach. Up to this point in Romeo's career he has been successful only as an understudy and never as the lead which brings in to question his leadership qualities. Does he have what it takes to take control of an NFL franchise? I would have to say no, emphatically. On the other hand, however, Robaire should know what it takes to be in the NFL and more importantly what it takes to WIN in the NFL. He has been in the league long enough to understand that if your fat, lazy and out-of-shape than you don't belong on the field. Shaun Rogers found that out the hard way when Detroit ousted him from their squad.
This cat and mouse bullcrap needs to stop and if it means bringing in a new coach, I hear Lane Kiffin will soon be on the market. If it means simply finding better talent or players who want to be in Cleveland than so be it. If you don't want to win a championship then get out.
P.S. I hope Derek Anderson takes some aggression training courses or something because he is as soft as a freshly baked muffin.
If you ask me, the numerous injuries that occur in Cleveland on a daily basis can be attributed to the coaches more so than the players themselves. And the reason i say this is because of a recent quote by Romeo Crennel in which he stated the Robaire Smith is "out-of-shape". How the hell is he playing professional football and not just playing, but STARTING, if he is out-of-shape? That is a direct reflection on the coaches inability to sell the system to the players. If a coach cannot convince his players to trust what he is saying and doing he will not be a successful coach. Up to this point in Romeo's career he has been successful only as an understudy and never as the lead which brings in to question his leadership qualities. Does he have what it takes to take control of an NFL franchise? I would have to say no, emphatically. On the other hand, however, Robaire should know what it takes to be in the NFL and more importantly what it takes to WIN in the NFL. He has been in the league long enough to understand that if your fat, lazy and out-of-shape than you don't belong on the field. Shaun Rogers found that out the hard way when Detroit ousted him from their squad.
This cat and mouse bullcrap needs to stop and if it means bringing in a new coach, I hear Lane Kiffin will soon be on the market. If it means simply finding better talent or players who want to be in Cleveland than so be it. If you don't want to win a championship then get out.
P.S. I hope Derek Anderson takes some aggression training courses or something because he is as soft as a freshly baked muffin.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Make that #10
Well Browns fans, you can't tell me that you are honestly surprised we lost to the Steelers AGAIN!!! As much good as Romeo Crennel has done for our team, he has done just as much bad by always playing it safe and never taking any risks. Maybe Crennel would finally get some guts after a few mentoring sessions by Mike Shanahan. I mean with three minutes and change left in the game and your down by seven inside your opponent's redzone, how can you justify kicking a field goal on fourth and seven? To me it's a no brainer, either way you're still down a touchdown if you have any chance of winning the game. Why not go for it, especially when Willie Parker has gashed our defense the entire game for huge chunks of yardage. Romeo Crennel is not Head Coach material. He would be much better suited in a Front Office position or as a defensive coordinator. Cleveland needs a coach that isn't afraid to win games in crunch time which Romeo is. Crennel has continually put his tail between his legs and ran away when faced with a decision that means taking a calculated risk. His inefficiency to manage a game has proven fatal in the loss column. Starting out 0-2 is not exactly the way anyone affiliated with the Browns envisioned the season taking off.
I was watching ESPN this morning, to be more specifically Mike and Mike in the morning, they said that in the eighteen years since the NFL implemented the current playoff format only nineteen teams have made the playoffs after starting the season at 0-2 which figures out to about one team a year. I will bet anyone who is willing to take a bet that Cleveland will not be that one team to pull themselves out of an 0-2 hole. My best guess is that they end up with a top-10 draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. This season is gonna be a lost cause for three foreseeable reasons, 1. poor coaching 2. injuries and 3. Derek Anderson. That's right; I said it, Derek Anderson. His poor decision making and inability to make plays will eventually lead to his demise. I hope Crennel wises up and starts Quinn, but that won't happen because Crennel is a wussy. Nothing would please me more to see Phil Savage terminate Romeo Crennel's contract.
I was watching ESPN this morning, to be more specifically Mike and Mike in the morning, they said that in the eighteen years since the NFL implemented the current playoff format only nineteen teams have made the playoffs after starting the season at 0-2 which figures out to about one team a year. I will bet anyone who is willing to take a bet that Cleveland will not be that one team to pull themselves out of an 0-2 hole. My best guess is that they end up with a top-10 draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. This season is gonna be a lost cause for three foreseeable reasons, 1. poor coaching 2. injuries and 3. Derek Anderson. That's right; I said it, Derek Anderson. His poor decision making and inability to make plays will eventually lead to his demise. I hope Crennel wises up and starts Quinn, but that won't happen because Crennel is a wussy. Nothing would please me more to see Phil Savage terminate Romeo Crennel's contract.
Friday, September 12, 2008
First of Many (Rants)
With this being my first blog, there is a lot to say. I might as well start with last Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. I don't think there was anyone who thought Cleveland was actually going to win, but I don't think that anyone thought they were going to get demolished either. After enjoying quite a bit of success last year and supposedly upgrading the roster in the off-season, Cleveland was poised for a big year. So far, they look like the same Browns of old. The injury bug seems to have moved back into town after taking a vacation last season as the Browns have been decimated by injuries to date especially in their young and inexperienced secondary. With the Pittsburgh Steelers on the schedule this Sunday, this game is arguably the most important game Cleveland has seen since the 1980's. Not only do they have a lot to prove to the football world after last week, but they have a lot to prove to themselves since the Steelers have beatin them nine straight times dating back to 2003. Talk about a drought.
With starting strong safety Sean Jones out for at least a month and the spotty play of Derek Anderson, Romeo Crennel may very well be on the hot seat in Cleveland. It wouldn't surprise me in the very least if Romeo Crennel is shown the exit before or after the season has ended. However, he isn't the only one to blame for Cleveland's poor play. Phil Savage's recent tendencies to trade away valuable draft picks for other team's garbage i.e. Shaun Rogers, Travis Daniels, and Corey Williams. These players will have little to impact on the team are being paid heavily for their efforts or lack thereof.
Beating Pittsburgh would be a solid start in the right direction because after the showing I viewed last week, I would be happy with between 4 and 6 wins based on our strength of schedule. I'm like any other Browns fan who had the wind taken out of their sails last week, but in order to compete for a Championship you need to have Championship caliber people starting up top with the ownership and working its way all the way down to the practice squad. Here's to hoping and praying the Browns eek one out and go 1-1. I'm looking forward to the game even though I think a loss is inevitable.
With starting strong safety Sean Jones out for at least a month and the spotty play of Derek Anderson, Romeo Crennel may very well be on the hot seat in Cleveland. It wouldn't surprise me in the very least if Romeo Crennel is shown the exit before or after the season has ended. However, he isn't the only one to blame for Cleveland's poor play. Phil Savage's recent tendencies to trade away valuable draft picks for other team's garbage i.e. Shaun Rogers, Travis Daniels, and Corey Williams. These players will have little to impact on the team are being paid heavily for their efforts or lack thereof.
Beating Pittsburgh would be a solid start in the right direction because after the showing I viewed last week, I would be happy with between 4 and 6 wins based on our strength of schedule. I'm like any other Browns fan who had the wind taken out of their sails last week, but in order to compete for a Championship you need to have Championship caliber people starting up top with the ownership and working its way all the way down to the practice squad. Here's to hoping and praying the Browns eek one out and go 1-1. I'm looking forward to the game even though I think a loss is inevitable.
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