Reviewing the tape-Browns finally win one!

Time is running short for me with the various issues that I have going on,so no promises on further posts of substance,although it is likely for a short Pigskin Picking Machine before I leave for the weekend.
If all goes perfectly,I may be back with a Buckeye review of the tape.

The Cleveland Browns lived up to their first three game standards in building a lead and then staggering down the stretch,but this time against the Cincinnati Bengals there was a twist- a win 23-20 to win the Ohio rivalry.The Browns host Roddy White and the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.

Brownie Bits



1) The topic among most is the vicious hit laid on Jordan Shipley in the end zone by T.J. Ward.
 I thought the hit was uncalled for,deserved a penalty on the play and certainly fit the parameters of the NFL fine system,but this could be a great thing overall for the Browns.
It hasn't been since the days of Eric Turner that the Browns had the type of hitter that made receivers worry about being blasted over the middle against Cleveland-those days are over.

2) Player of the game has to be Peyton Hillis with his 102 yards on 27 carries.
The Browns haven't had the type of punishing runner like Hillis since Kevin Mack,but I would offer this caveat-runners like Hillis do not have a huge shelf life.
The Browns would be wise to begin to mix Jerome Harrison or James Davis in with some carries in order to keep Hillis somewhat healthy.

3) The Browns used the type of offensive game plan to suit their personnel.
Run the football using the strength of the offensive line and do not allow Seneca Wallace (or possibly Jake Delhomme this week) to be in a situation to lose the game for you.
Looking at the receivers on this team,there is no doubt that this needs to be a run oriented team.

4) I know that after Eric Wright;s awful game in Baltimore that he is the easy target for blame on Terrell Owens huge game,but it isn't the case.
Of Owens big plays on Sunday,only one came against Wright,the others were against Sheldon Brown.

5) Evan Moore has terrific hands and needs to see more playing time.
Looking at both the receivers and their meager numbers,one would like to think that the Browns could use some two tight end sets to have Ben Watson and Moore on the field at the same time.
Thus far,they are the teams most reliable pass catchers.

6) The difference maker in this one was the blocked field goal by Scott Fujita in the second quarter.
Mike Nugent had not missed a kick all season to that point and that not only gave the Browns a momentum boost that saw the Browns take possession,but saw a field goal by Phil Dawson as well.
Not only did that means the score was 13-10 Browns at the half instead 13-10 Bengals,but it was the difference in a Browns win and going to overtime with another stagger to the finish in the works.

7) Two sacks for Matt Roth as he and surprisingly Kenyon Coleman were able to provide some pressure to Carson Palmer.
The biggest sack of course was the fourth quarter third down dump of Palmer that forced the Bengals to punt and would never see the ball again.Coleman has never done much for me,but he was definitely solid on Sunday.

8) I almost forgot in my criticisms of the Browns receivers to give Chansi Stuckey some credit.Stuckey caught five passes for 56 yards and looked good out of the slot.

9) The Browns traded for defensive end Jayme Mitchell from the Vikings yesterday to help off the end.The Vikings have a terrific defensive line,so Mitchell being a backup there is not necessarily a bad thing,but I cannot say that I know a ton about him as a player.

10) The downside to this trade is the "late" 2012 draft pick that the Browns gave up.
I am not really sure that the team needs to be dealing picks in any draft just yet.

If I have time I will be trying to get a Buckeye tape review and/or the New Jersey Devils preview up over the next days.
The Devils open the season Friday against Dallas.
No promises on either,but I will try...

Photo Credits-Cleveland Plain Dealer Staff