Browns stalled by Steelers 27-11

The Cleveland Browns hung around for most of the first half,but slowly watched the game get away from them in a game that saw Jason Campbell injured and yes,the return of,heavy sigh, Brandon Weeden in a 27-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland.
Josh Gordon grabbed the Browns only touchdown among his 14 catches for a new Browns record 237 yards.
The now 4-7 Browns host the resurgent Jacksonville Jaguars in what should be an inspiring battle between Brandon Weeden and Chad Henne.

Brownie Bits

1) Right off,let's take on the big question-the William Gay hit that ended Jason Campbell's day and really took an comeback hopes off the board.
Yes,it was a high hit,yes it should have been a penalty and yes,if called,Pittsburgh would not have scored the TD that essentially ended the game (for that time).
However,Campbell wasn't exactly moving the Browns up and down the field and I don't think Campbell would have made a difference in the result.

2) What it did do is this-Jason Campbell simply is too fragile to be relied on and despite his shortcomings,we are stuck with Brandon Weeden and what he brings to the table.
Weeden has been talked about before,so I'm not going down that road,but I can say this-if we get Brandon Weeden to finish the season,it will be a long five weeks...

3) Josh Gordon's stats shows that when the Browns get a quarterback to get him the ball consistently and maybe another offensive weapon to diversify the offense,he will be a huge impact player in the league.
Granted,some of his numbers came in garbage time,but not all and the Steelers had huge issues covering him.
Imagine what this team could look like....

4) Another key fumble by Chris Ogbonnaya in a key spot.
The game was only at 10-3 and the Browns were moving the ball into Steeler territory before the cough up.
Second week in a row that Ogbonnaya fumbled the football at a key point in the game...

5) So,maybe the Browns are going to be forced to sign a quarterback after foolishly going with just two with the injury history of Jason Campbell.
Even if Campbell thinks he can play next week,his less than sturdy health still screams the need for a third quarterback with the way Browns passers have been hit this season.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a list of available throwers and none of these guys are going to remind of John Elway,but there are two names that interest me.
On the younger player list,I liked G.J.Kinne coming out of Tulsa and he is on the Eagles practice squad.
On the veteran list,there is one player that I would give a call to and it might surprise you-Vince Young.
Young is big,mobile and can make plays on the run.
Young is down to his last chance and these last five games would be about twenty times more entertaining with Vince Young running around instead of lumbering Brandon Weeden dropping back and throwing the ball six yards out of bounds...

6) Antonio Brown did beat Joe Haden deep for the first Steeler TD,but what I did like was Haden's recovery where he hustled back and almost stripped the ball away from Brown.
Many times beaten corners toss in the towel,Haden didn't....

7) Again,not a awful defensive day by the Browns.
Only one (the Brown catch) could be hung on the defense as a four yard drive and an interception return accounted for the three Steeler touchdowns.

8) For those of you that think I overkill the lack of a run game,consider this number-1 rushing touchdown in 11 games.

9) After a while,the offensive line needs to have accountability for the injured quarterbacks.
Mitchell Schwartz has taken a huge step back at right tackle and Shaun Lauvao has not been a standout at right guard.
The left side is still fine and Alex Mack is good enough at center,but the right side has been an issue for years..

10) Finally,if we want to assume that it's Brandon Weeden for the final five games,let's take a look at those five.
Jacksonville at home next week should be a winnable game,if only because of the Florida team hitting the road in the cold,but thereafter?
Well,the Browns aren't knocking off the Patriots on the road and nothing I saw yesterday gave me hope that the season finale in Pittsburgh is a win either.
That leaves the Bears at home and the Jets on the road.
The Bears just lost to the Rams on the road,but without Jay Cutler,who will likely be back with Chicago by the time they play in Cleveland.
The Jets might be the most erratic team in the game and they are using enigmatic Geno Smith at QB.
If the Browns win any of the final four games unexpectedly-the Jets might be the one.

11) Hate to start talking draft already,but right now,the Browns would pick 10th with their pick and the Colts pick would be 26th.
Not sure if the 26th pick would be enough to move the Browns up from say 10 to 5 or 6.
At this point,keep rooting against the Colts....

Photo Credit:Cleveland Plain Dealer