Cleveland Weapons

[cstjohn17]

I never ever thought I would say this but Cleveland has some really good skills players. They have averaged over 27 PPG.

They are a little better on offense than many of us think, this could be a high scoring game.

Edwards - He is emerging, the one thing that stands out to me is his size. I saw a promo with him and Steven Jackson. When they were side by side Edwards was not as thick as Jackson but is a much bigger man.
Winslow - Immature jerk by all accounts but all very talented, 89 cathes last year.
Lewis - Still a battering ram.
Joe Jurevicius - Solid player
OL - Very solid, Thomas, Steinbach, Fraley, McKinney, etc.
Anderson --???? Who knows

I think they put up the most points this year against the Pats, lets say 23. The good news in there defense blows, giving up almost 30 PPG and over 400 yards. Their secondary looks high questionable.

 

[patsox23]

This will be a similar test to the Bengals, I think, except for a far less experienced and talented trigger-man in Anderson. I'm all for facing a lot of this kind of high-octane offense as much as possible prior to Indy. Obviously no one compares to Peyton and the gang (except #12, et al), but it can't hurt to face some semblance of a powerful offense.

 

[denverpatsfan]

I watched them play the Donks during the preseason. I like their QB. He looked better than Fry or even Quinn. Pats will have their hands full that's for sure. Can't give up the big plays. That's what happened on Sunday.

Good post. Let's get more game discussion here.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I agree. They do have some weapons. I think we'll be fine doubling Edwards with Hobbs and a Safety (I usually see Edwards on the left side of the offense which is where Hobbs plays), letting Samuel take Jurivicious and putting a Safety on Winslow with some deeper than usual LB drops from Thomas. The rest, the 2nd TE, Lewis, and a big armed but inaccurate QB should take care of itself I think.

You're right their defense has been brutal. They made some lineup changes and things got a little better last week - but that was against a lousy Baltimore offense that still got 418 total yards.

 

[JR4]

PATs usually do not have a problem with Lewis type RBs.
He really only had one great game. The other games were
not great with him averaging a little over 3yds/carry.
Once PATs have the lead Lewis will get few reps anyway.

Edwards is great but Hobbs can handle him with a little help.
Winslow is good but only 1 TD so far this year. He get yards though.

They have other receivers but nothing spectacular certainly nothing
PATs secondary can't handle.

With PATs dime package I do not see Browns having much success
passing especially with the kind of pressure on the QB they can
generate even in their dime.

You have a QB who has only started in 6 NFL games, 3 this year,
with a completion rate of 53 to 56%. Now he is going against the
best defense in the league. I'm sure he has not dealt with the
kind of heat PATs will bring. This will be their biggest problem.
If he is only been getting 53% completion I think that will drop
to less than 50% with PATs defense. This QB will be so confused
with PATs D I would not be surprise if thows 2 picks in the game.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

This seems as good a place as any to copy and paste some stats I picked up from a Browns fan :

"Just a few stats. The Browns are 32nd in time of possession, the Pats are 1st. Does that give you an idea of what the game will look like?

The Pats are 2nd in average gain per offensive play; the Browns defense is 28th. The Pats are 1st in 3rd down conversion percentage; the Browns defense is 25th. The Pats are 2nd in points scored; the Browns defense is 28th in points allowed. I doubt that I've ever seen a bigger statistical mismatch than the Pats offense against the Browns defense. And you get Maroney back this week? Forget about it.

The only way the Pats don't score 50 is if the Browns offense lays an egg and the Pats go into clock eating mode in the 3rd quarter.

The other side of the ball is more interesting. The Browns offense is 5th in average gain per play; the Pats defense is 1st. The offense is 16th in 3rd down conversions; the Pats defense is 1st. The Browns are 6th in points scored; the Pats defense is 4th in points allowed.

What's interesting about the Browns offense is that they are 29th in first downs but 5th in average gain per play. Obviously the discrepancy is because they are a big-play offense but not consistent. Lewis, Edwards, and Winslow have all broken loose for huge plays. The Browns need to keep doing that but at the same time get more consistent in making the little plays that move the chains. This would be a good week to start.

The Browns are 6th in scoring but last in time of possession. That's pretty amazing. They either score quickly or turn it over quickly. There have been very few sustained, clock-eating drives, which is what they need against an offensive juggernaut like the Pats."

It shows how the Browns rely almost wholly on big plays.

 

[cstjohn17]

This will be a similar test to the Bengals, I think, except for a far less experienced and talented trigger-man in Anderson. I'm all for facing a lot of this kind of high-octane offense as much as possible prior to Indy. Obviously no one compares to Peyton and the gang (except #12, et al), but it can't hurt to face some semblance of a powerful offense.

That is a good point Bengals, Browns (still can't believe it), Cowboys are all among the top offenses. Each game will have a different game plan highlighting the versatility of the defense. As you said the big test will be against Indy, they don't even pretend or play gimmicks. They just line-up in the same base formation, make subtle adjustments and then execute the hell out of it.

 

[PatsDeb]

I don't think Anderson will have a good day against the Pats. He is in "perfect" position to attend the BB "Let Us Introduce Ourselves" matinee of exotic defensive looks that BB specializes in showing new QBs. He has enough games on film that BB will be able to go after his weaknesses, but not enough experience to handle the acrobatic defensive schemes that will be thrown at him. He does have RAC and Willy to try to prepare him for what's coming, but I don't think it will be enough. It's like having a new baby, no matter what everyone tells you, you never really know what to expect until you are up to your elbows in poopy diapers with no sleep for 48 hours straight. I hope Anderson leaves the field with just such feelings on Sunday afternoon!

Jamal Lewis has never done much against us, has he?

GO PATS!!