Brownie Bits
1) One thing to note right off-Colt McCoy did not play well other than the winning drive.
The numbers do not look that bad-210 yards,2 TD's and one pick,but 19 of 39 in an offense that is built around a high completion percentage is not going to cut the mustard long term.
McCoy overthrew Josh Cribbs on a pass that saw Cribbs yards ahead of his defender that would have been an easy TD and he seemed to be either over or underthrowing much of the day.
I did (of course) like the final drive,but despite the win,I still have questions to answer on McCoy.
2) The final drive was very nice as McCoy ran the offense the way it is intended to be run as he completed passes to six different receivers.
In a way,the winning drive showed the potential that the Browns could have had the Browns added another playmaker.
A guy that gets yards after the catch,like Greg Little is beginning to show signs of being.
The Browns add one more top flight pass grabber to go with Little,Mohammed Massaquoi as the 3rd receiver,Ben Watson and Evan Moore at tight end,the Hillis/Hardesty running game and the team could have the makings of a offense....
3) Peyton Hillis had been battling strep throat all week and left before the game,ticking off fantasy owners and giving Montario Hardesty his chance to shine.Hardesty ran for 67 yards and looked strong.
I think the main issue with Hardesty was the team did not run him enough!
With McCoy struggling and Hillis out,I would have given Hardesty the ball far more.....
4) Hardesty's biggest play of the day though was his screen pass reception for a first down on the final drive on a fourth down and four.
Hardesty played in a pro style offense at Tennessee,he can catch the football and could be quite a help in passing situations.
5) Excellent play on the game winning catch by Mohammed Massaquoi in keeping both feet in bounds,but the "two men on the ground" at the same time celebration rule that gave Miami great field position was a bogus call.
Anyone could see that Massaquoi had gotten up and fell off balance just as Ben Watson slid in.
A guy can taunt,dance and everything else and that is OK,but two guys on the turf at the same time is a penalty?
Dumb rule and one that could have cost the Browns this game.
6) The Pat Shurmur offense sure is not where I hoped it would be,but thus far the defensive line has been spectacular.
Rookie Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor have both been terrific,Jayme Mitchell has been a pleasant surprise and Ahtyba Rubin continues to develop into one of the better tackles in the league.
The four already look to be the Browns best pass rushing bunch since the team returned in 1999.
7) Mike Adams did not have to leap for the final pass of the game by Chad Henne,the pass was going to be well incomplete anyway,but it still was a huge jump.
Adrenaline can make you do things that you normally cannot....
8) Joe Thomas had an excellent day as he controlled Jason Taylor all day long.
The line in general kept the rush off McCoy (zero sacks),but the right side did allow some Dolphins to get through-right tackle HAS to be a priority next season in either the draft or free agency....
9) Josh Cribbs played offense only due to a groin pull,which is why he did not return kicks.
Cribbs effort on his 33 yard TD catch was immense as that was one of those plays that came down to which player needed to make the play.
In those situations,it is not very often that Cribbs is going to lose those battles...
10) One final note-with Ben Watson and Evan Moore playing well and Alex Smith seeing playing time as well,has anyone noticed that fourth rounder Jordan Cameron has been a healthy inactive each week thus far?
I had questions on this pick on draft day,when you considered Cameron being a project and tight end being one of the deeper positions on the team,but it looks worse now as that pick could have brought Denarious Moore in,who is playing well early for Oakland.
I admit that I was not pushing for Moore then,but he would look very good on this team right now....
Photo Credits
Matt Sullivan-Getty Images
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