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| Photo Courtesy:Thomas Ondrey Cleveland Plain Dealer |
Unfortunately,the Steelers would score last as Shaun Suisham drilled a field goal on the games final play for a 30-27 Pittsburgh victory.
Brian Hoyer led the comeback with a touchdown and 230 passing yards,while Terrence West rushed for an even 100 yards with Isaiah Crowell slamming for two touchdowns in the second half for the injured Ben Tate.
The 0-1 Browns will host the New Orleans Saints next week in what is the only game that I can live with a loss in.
Brownie Bits
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| Photo Courtesy:John Kuntz Cleveland Plain Dealer |
1) Let's get the elephant in the room noticed quickly,so we can move on.
Antonio Brown's Daniel LaRusso like crane kick was a cheap shot and only the biggest Steeler homer would say otherwise.
I think Brown did have the intent to try to hurdle Spencer Lanning and when he discovered that he couldn't-one of two things happened.
A) He intentionally kicked Lanning in the face and didn't care if Lanning got hurt.
B) He was in mid-air and his roughness instinct kicked in (and all players have this in such a violent game) and he kicked Lanning in the face without thinking about it.
Watching the video,you see Brown flex his leg back and follow through with force.
To me,that's uncalled for and ridiculous,but this is a franchise that found James Harrison warm and cuddly for years so don't count on anything done in-house.
No matter which you prefer,Brown will get a deserved fine and should have been removed from the game.
The game is rough enough for someone using such a tactic to be allowed the privilege of playing it with such a lack of respect for the opponent.
2) The play that most are discussing is the 4th and 7 from the Steeler 37 and the decision to punt.
I don't rip the decision because Billy Cundiff isn't known for his long range accuracy,but what I do question is the playcalling that led up to that point.
The Browns were successfully running the football,another run rather than a pass might have made it a few yards closer for Cundiff or made it worth considering going for the first down.
3) Loved the no huddle offense led by Brian Hoyer to bring the Browns back and it clearly gassed out the Pittsburgh defense,but in what I thought was a rookie mistake by Mike Pettine,the Browns began to play it safe once the game was tied.
The shotgun and pistol formations began to fade away later in the game and they were a huge help in making the comeback
4) Injuries to Ben Tate and Jordan Cameron were losses,but both were replaced well for one game.
Tate was running well when he sprained a knee,but Terrence West rushed for 100 yards off the bench and Isaiah Crowell scored two touchdowns in the excellent second half.
Backup tight ends Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray do not bring the skills in pass catching that Cameron does,but both made catches that resulted in first downs.
Cameron would be harder to replace if the injury sidelines him for a while,but I feel better about replacing Tate than I did entering the game.
5) Loved the games by the key veteran pickups of the defensive end with Donte Whitner finishing with 12 tackles and Karlos Dansby with six and a interception.
Nice to see free agent signees that want to play and not just cash a check.
6) I also liked hearing that the veterans spoke up at halftime and that the coaching staff made adjustments to what the Steelers were doing right in the first half.
Neither have been noted to have happened a lot in past Browns games,especially the latter...
7) Now to the bad stuff.
Cornerback is the hardest position to make an impact at for a rookie and Justin Gilbert showed that as he was taken advantage of badly,especially in the first half,but even in the second as it was Gilbert that Markus Wheaton beat on third down on the play that put Pittsburgh in field goal range.
Tools are there for Gilbert,but it's gonna take time.
8) Speaking of which,Joe Haden didn't have a good day against Antonio Brown.
I remember reading Johnny Sample's book as a kid "Confessions of a Dirty Ballplayer" in which Sample in detail describes receivers of the day,but it always stuck with me how Sample described how every corner had a guy he owned and one that owned him.
I'm starting to think Antonio Brown has Joe Haden's number.
9) The play that might have meant the most-the collision between Christian Kirksey and Gary Barnidge at the goal line on the punt mentioned earlier.
The two banged into each other,Kirksey's shoulder broke the plane of the line and the ball was a touchback,not downed at the one.
The Steelers didn't score,but it did affect the last Browns drive as far as field position goes.
10) Bad,BAD tackling in the first half by the Browns,I mean awful.
Way too many extra yards by Steeler ball carriers and that will need to be improved quickly if the defense is to improve...
11) The offensive line played better in the second half,but still let down on the final Cleveland possession when Cameron Heyward busted through for a first down sack.
Still some work to do there,but much improved over the first half where Hoyer was hampered on almost every throw.
12) Have to be pleased with the effort and the spirit shown.
I know there is no place in the standings for moral wins,but just having that comeback alone might show that this era might be different.
It's just one game,but maybe we are on our way....
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