Monday, October 5, 2015

Browns hit Heartbreak Hotel vs San Diego 30-27

The Cleveland Browns twice in the waning minutes appeared to have pushed the San Diego Chargers to overtime-first with Josh McCown's TD pass to Gary Barnidge and then tying the game on a two-point conversion pass from McCown to Taylor Gabriel.
The issue was this -Had the Browns left too much time on the clock for Phillip Rivers?
The answer? Yes as Rivers adroitly moved the Chargers down the field for a 39-yard game-winning attempt by rookie Josh Lambo.
To the surprise of Browns fans, Lambo hooked the attempt to the right and overtime loomed.
Until you saw that dreaded piece of yellow laundry on the field.
The result was the Browns Tramon Williams being called for offsides and Lambo getting a second chance, this time from 34 yards, which naturally he drilled and San Diego escaped with a 30-27 win.
Josh McCown led the Browns offense with 356 yards passing with two scores with Travis Coons adding three field goals.
The now 1-3 Browns travel to Baltimore Sunday for a meeting with the Ravens...

Brownie Bits

1) You expect a rookie or a young player to jump offside on a play that could determine a game.
You don't expect a veteran like Tramon Williams to do so, simply inexcusable...

2) Josh McCown played well in not throwing an interception and only turning the ball over once on a fumble caused by a blindside hit.
I still think that Johnny Manziel needs to play and McCown isn't the future at all, but overall, McCown took care of what he could control...

3) The offensive line had real issues as the Chargers entered the game with just one sack.
They left it with five as Josh McCown was dumped four times and rushed throughout.
Alex Mack is struggling and Joel Bitonio has regressed from a strong rookie year.
The O-Line is a disappointment to me.

4) But not nearly as much as the defense, which has been disappointing and way overrated.
Many Browns fans/observers thought this defense could be a top-five defense.
I didn't see them as that good but thought they had a chance to be an upper half of the league defense.
They might be the worst in the league.

5) Joe Haden was listed as probable, yet didn't play.
Mike Pettine said the call was Haden's not his.
The listing of probable means you are highly likely to play and the league has said they are looking into the matter...

6) Gary Barnidge is developing into a receiving threat at tight end.
Barnidge caught all six passes thrown to him including what is the catch of the year thus far for the Browns.
Barnidge will never be confused with Jimmy Graham as a deep threat, but like a sure-handed shortstop, he catches what is thrown to him...

7) Isaiah Crowell finished with 63 yards rushing, but his reception of 53 yards set up a score.
Breaking tackles and running hard, if Crowell can become even a decent threat in the passing game, Crowell could suddenly be a three-down back...

8) Writing of running backs-Duke Johnson emerged as a huge part of the offense as he caught a long touchdown pass among nine catches.
Johnson reminded me of Darren Sproles in his New Orleans days and much of the offense was funneled through him.
It'll be interesting to see if that continues against Baltimore...

9) 12 penalties?
Suffice it to say that's too many, especially from a team supposedly fundamentally strong...

10) The Browns made stars out of a team with two healthy wide receivers, yet were destroyed by Danny Woodhead and Dontrell Inman.
How in the world can a "top defense" be hammered by players of that ilk?

11) Justin Gilbert finally got his chance to return kicks and he looked good doing it as he averaged 30 yards a return.
I'd like to see more value from a number one pick than just kick returning, but at least the Browns have gotten something from Gilbert.

12) Dwayne Bowe was "ready to showcase the talent".
Bowe had one pass thrown to him.
Incomplete.
Glad he was so ready...


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