Monday, January 16, 2012

Cleveland Browns 2011 in review-The Offense

Today,we start a three part series in which we will look at the season in review for the 2011 Cleveland Browns.
I have time on my hands since ALL four of the teams that I rooted for over the weekend lost,giving me a borderline disgusting final four for the NFL,featuring Baltimore and Murderin' Ray Lewis against New England and cheating Bill Belchick and the Giants and their NYC Hype against San Francisco and their long time member on the disliked list-Jim Harbaugh...

Today,we will focus on the offense,with the next post covering the defense and the third and final post looking at the special teams and coaching....


Quarterback:
Browns fans are split on whether or not Colt McCoy is the long term answer at quarterback.
To me,this is like the question of the chicken or the egg,which came first?
How can Colt McCoy succeed with such limited weapons? or if Colt McCoy was truly a QB to build around,he would make limited talents better,would he not?
Both sides have merit,but from what I saw,I would lean towards McCoy being an decent quarterback with the right team,but not the type that is going to win a Super Bowl with.
McCoy's numbers look better than they really were because of the dink and dunk style of Pat Shurmur and rolling up garbage time numbers in games that were already lost.
The question that so many have is should the Browns replace McCoy or give him one more season with improved skill position talent?
I think it depends on the player available.
Seneca Wallace has seemingly complained his way into a possible chance to win the starting job despite not being able to throw the football accurately beyond twenty yards.
I did not see the Browns improve much in his starts,but apparently someone has in the Browns front office.
I have never seen what Mike Holmgren has seen in Wallace going all the way back to Seattle.
5'11,32 years old (for 2012),a lousy arm and a questionable attitude-what's not to love?
Want a crazy prediction?IF Seneca Wallace is the regular starter for Cleveland in 2012,the Browns will own the first pick in the 2013 draft.
Pat Shurmur picked up former Ram Thaddeus Lewis off waivers to be the third stringer,but Lewis saw no action.

Grade:C-

Running Back:
Peyton Hillis battled injuries all season and seemed to not play when he could have,but looked very strong in two losses late in the season when given plenty of carries before being only given ten carries in a winnable final game against Pittsburgh.
Hillis will likely not return due to the issues during the season and does not seem to be a west coast offense fit or a Pat Shurmur guy.
Hillis always played hard when he was on the field,so his effort there is beyond question,but the Browns will likely allow him to leave.
Montario Hardesty was a huge disappointment in his return from a knee injury.
Hardesty missed most of the second half and rushed for over seventy yards one all season and that was a 95 yard day on a whopping 33 carries in the classic 6-3 win over Seattle.
Perhaps it might take another year for Hardesty to be really over his knee injury,but I think it would be a huge mistake to enter next season with Hardesty being counted on for a major role in the offense.
There is still time to turn things around,but for now trading up in the draft for Hardesty is looking to be a real bust.
Chris Ogbonnaya was brought into town as an emergency measure when both Hillis and Hardesty were injured and was a key in the win over Jacksonville and the should have been win against the Rams.
When the above pair returned,Ogbonnaya was limited to spot duty and special teams.
Ogbonnaya is not a player to hang your hat on,but used properly can be a helpful part of the team.
Owen Marecic was a huge disappointment to me as a rookie fullback.
Marecic was reported to be a great blocker and pass catcher,he proved to be neither.

Grade C-

Wide Receiver

The Browns thought the WCO would magically turn bad receivers into good ones and therefore paid no attention to the position other than drafting Greg Little in the second round.
Little dropped more passes than he should have,but between missing his 2010 college season and being stuck on a team where a rookie was being covered by the opponents best corner because there was no one else to worry about,I liked Little's season.
I think he is a true number two receiver rather than a one,but a solid season all things considered.
Josh Cribbs improved his hands this season,but showed little of the breakaway ability that he shows in special teams.
I still think Cribbs is not a true receiver,but would be better used in situations that showed his versatility.
I have been saying that through three coaches now,so that may not happen.
Mohamed Massaquoi has never been the same player since being hit by James Harrison in Pittsburgh in 2010.
Massaquoi looks tentative and rarely is a factor,which is more production than the team got from Brian Robiskie before his mid season release.
I would not be surprised to see Massaquoi elsewhere next season.
Jordan Norwood showed signs of possibly being able to help as a slot receiver.
Norwood reminds me a little of New Orleans' Lance Moore,which is more valuable on a good team than a bad one.I still liked Norwood's
Carlton Mitchell finally caught three passes after 30 games of not catching one.
Mitchell has the size and speed,but there has to be a reason that he never plays.

Grade D+ and that's only because of Greg Little's development.

Tight End
Ben Watson battled concussion issues all season that finally ended his season early.
Watson was steady but unspectacular and made nowhere near the impact that he did in 2010.
Watson is reportedly considering retirement with his concussion problems.
Evan Moore has the best hands on the team,but the Browns were very inconsistent in their use of Moore,who would occasionally go entire games without seeing a pass.
Moore should have been the red zone target for the team.
Not sure what the team issues are with Moore,but I bet there is something there...
Jordan Cameron was inactive for much of the first half,before seeing the field in the second.
I liked the cameos of Cameron and I can see the physical skills,even though I still think the Browns drafted him too soon..
Grade C

Offensive line

The line took a huge shot with the loss of Eric Steinbach at left guard,which dropped Joe Thomas from dominant at left tackle,to simply a pro bowler.
Steinbach was replaced by rookie Jason Pinkston,who was serviceable in his first year.
Alex Mack was strong at center and despite leading the line in penalties,Shaun Lauvao gives me hope at right guard.
Right tackle is a major problem with Tony Pashos,Oneil Cousins,Artis Hicks and the janitor among others.
Pashos is injury prone and not that good when he plays.
The others are backup types at best,so right tackle is a major need for next season.
All things considered with an injury to a key player (Steinbach),a rookie playing out of position (Pinkston) and basically two rookies at guard,I think things could have been far far worse.

Grade B-






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