I did have a few good things happen,so not all bad.
I didn't think that the Browns had much of a chance to win going into Pittsburgh and they didn't in a 28-10 loss that looks far worse than it actually was.
The Browns continue a rough four week stretch of games next week as they visit New Orleans and the Saints before using their bye week.
Brownie Bits
1) I am sure most of you would ask right off how I thought Colt McCoy played and my answer would be pretty well.
He did throw two interceptions,but one was on the money and the receiver dropped it,while the other was a tipped pass,so one could argue that neither was on McCoy.
McCoy grew more poised as the game went on and it was nice to see a Browns QB throw a long sideline pass without it going 10 yards out of bounds.
2) I am not willing to go as far to say McCoy is the answer yet,but he played well enough that I would like to see more of him and maybe even when Jake Delhomme and/or Seneca Wallace return to health.
This season is shot,now that McCoy has been forced to play,let's see what the Browns have.
3) Most of you know that I generally am not a whiner about the opponents winning or even their play,but James Harrison of the Steelers,while an excellent player is showing himself to be either a cheap shot artist or a dirty player,or both if you prefer.
Harrison's head shot that sent Joshua Cribbs from the game was a dirty hit because he could have avoided helmet to helmet contact,but because Cribbs was considered a running back on the play,I understood why no penalty was called.
Harrison's hit was unneeded but not illegal.
4) I wish I could say the same for the Harrison hit that knocked Mohammed Massaquoi from the game.This hit was illegal by the rulebook because the rules classify helmet to helmet hits on a helpless (rulebook wording,not mine) receiver as personal foul territory.
Despite a referee standing near the play,no flag on the play.
Simply put, James Harrison might be one of the best linebackers in the game,but he ranks among the dirtiest as well.
I expect no less from a man that doesn't complete his obligations.
5) Before anyone clicks the above link and says the guy was sick,the answer is he refused to ever show up again and that is the alleged reason that the Valley Mall will not bring athletes in for future shows for autograph sessions.
I could care less about Steeler autographs but ruining it for Steeler fans and any other player isn't very cool,although the Mall policy seems pretty stupid to me.
6) Super game from Reggie Hodges,who dropped four punts insides the Steeler ten.Hodges and his strong performance in keeping the Steelers backed up ranks among the biggest reasons that the Browns kept this as close as it was.
7) I know that Cleveland had just two healthy wideouts by the end of the game in Brian Robiskie and Chansi Stuckey and that forced the move,but Ben Watson and Evan Moore on the field at the same time just gives the Browns the best chance at moving the ball through the air right now.
I liked that idea before and the performance showed the thought has some merit.
8) Eric Wright struggled again in allowing Mike Wallace to beat him deep for one touchdown and his arm tackle allowed Hines Ward to score another on a play that should have seen him tackled before the goal line.It looks to me that after the bye week that the time has come for Joe Haden to be the starter and for Wright to transition to the third corner spot in passing situations.
9) Speaking of Joe Haden,Haden's interception and long return continues his run of solid play.Haden will still have a steep learning curve at the hardest position in football for a rookie,but Haden looks like the real thing for the long term.
10) Finally,Alex Mack might have been justified in thinking that there was a fumble and get the ball out of bounds on his delay of game penalty,but it seems like this season Mack has taken a step back in his play.Several times the center has taken dumb penalties ranging from yesterday's penalty to personal fouls.
Those need to stop.
Photo Credits
McCoy and cheap shot-Cleveland Plain Dealer staff
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