Pats vs Browns Pre Game Discussion

[SuperPatsFan]

I expect the Browns to play well against the Pats.

On the topic of blowouts, it's an unwritten rule that teams don't run up the score and embarrass other teams. Maybe if a team runs up the score and breaks that rule against many teams in a certain season, a different unwritten rule gets broken against the offending team early in the next season. Maybe what goes around, comes around.

 

[Nikolai]

I expect the Browns to play well against the Pats.

On the topic of blowouts, it's an unwritten rule that teams don't run up the score and embarrass other teams. Maybe if a team runs up the score and breaks that rule against many teams in a certain season, a different unwritten rule gets broken against the offending team early in the next season. Maybe what goes around, comes around.

Are you serious? Please tell me you're not serious.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I expect the Browns to play well against the Pats.

On the topic of blowouts, it's an unwritten rule that teams don't run up the score and embarrass other teams. Maybe if a team runs up the score and breaks that rule against many teams in a certain season, a different unwritten rule gets broken against the offending team early in the next season. Maybe what goes around, comes around.

2007 was a lot of running up the score.

 

[jmt57]

Watson enjoying life in Cleveland; former Patriot TE catching more balls with Cleveland

Former Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson has found a new home in Cleveland and he has been a welcome addition to the Browns.

“He’s such a good guy and a good teammate,” said Browns coach Eric Mangini, who knew Watson from their time together in New England. “And then he gives us something in terms of his ability, to stretch the field vertically and I think he’s done a good job blocking as well. So I’ve been happy with all the things he’s done.”

Watson leads the team in receptions with 30 (one more than he had all of last year with the Patriots), receiving yards with 336 and touchdown catches with two.

“He’s one of the faster, if not the fastest, tight ends in the league,” Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington said. “He stretches the defense, he runs a lot (of routes) and it just seems like they want to get the ball in his hands.”

 

[jmt57]

Browns offense a bag of tricks - The Boston Globe

It isn’t just Josh Cribbs’s ability as a kick returner that the Patriots have to worry about Sunday.

Cribbs has attempted two passes, both completions this season, and has 13 carries for 53 yards. It was while serving as a ball carrier against the Steelers last month that Cribbs suffered a concussion thanks to a helmet-to-helmet hit from James Harrison.

“They run it a handful of times in each game,’’ Belichick said. “Those kinds of offenses — the empty formations, the unbalanced lines, the wildcats, things like that — teams that have them, sometimes you can get a little bit of it, sometimes you can get a lot of it. That just varies from game to game.

“You’ve got to be ready for it, and how much they give you usually is a function of how successful it’s going.’’

And it isn’t just Cribbs who gets in on the act. During the Browns’ win in New Orleans two weeks ago, running back Peyton Hillis completed a 13-yard pass to quarterback Colt McCoy on third down.

 

[jmt57]

Patriots cautious on what Browns can do to you - The Sun Chronicle Online - Patriots

"They're very solid. They're much more physical bunch than the group that we just played," tight end Alge Crumpler said Thursday, adding an eyebrow-lifting critique of the recently vanquished Minnesota Vikings in the process. "They're very disciplined and they're a little rested, so I'm surer they're going to come out with some new looks and whatever. We'll just stand up to the pressure and show up for four quarters, hopefully." The Browns are coming off a bye week following the big win over the Saints, and if Mangini learned his lessons from Bill Belichick when he was on the Patriots' staff several years ago, he had his assistants working overtime over the supposed time off to come up with things Belichick won't see on the game tapes.

"I guess it's just extra time to prepare," Crumpler said. "You've got coaches sitting there thinking up a thousand different things to try since you've got a few extra days, and I'm sure they'll throw some new looks at us just as we threw some new looks at Baltimore when we had our bye week."

The Browns also have a legitimate special-teams superstar in returner Joshua Cribbs, who has returned eight kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns in his five previous seasons - and is overdue for one this year. "His body of work speaks for itself," Arrington said. "He's a human highlight reel the last couple of seasons, he's had 10 touchdowns on returns? In the return game, if he gets the ball, we've got to give our best tackling exhibition."

 

[Patriot Missile]

"They're very solid. They're much more physical bunch than the group that we just played," tight end Alge Crumpler said Thursday, adding an eyebrow-lifting critique of the recently vanquished Minnesota Vikings in the process. "They're very disciplined and they're a little rested, so I'm surer they're going to come out with some new looks and whatever. We'll just stand up to the pressure and show up for four quarters, hopefully." The Browns are coming off a bye week following the big win over the Saints, and if Mangini learned his lessons from Bill Belichick when he was on the Patriots' staff several years ago, he had his assistants working overtime over the supposed time off to come up with things Belichick won't see on the game tapes.

"I guess it's just extra time to prepare," Crumpler said. "You've got coaches sitting there thinking up a thousand different things to try since you've got a few extra days, and I'm sure they'll throw some new looks at us just as we threw some new looks at Baltimore when we had our bye week."

The Browns also have a legitimate special-teams superstar in returner Joshua Cribbs, who has returned eight kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns in his five previous seasons - and is overdue for one this year. "His body of work speaks for itself," Arrington said. "He's a human highlight reel the last couple of seasons, he's had 10 touchdowns on returns? In the return game, if he gets the ball, we've got to give our best tackling exhibition."

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/conte...ts/8200545.jpg

Notice how he mentions tackling in that last sentence. Belichick must preach fundamentals to the fullest to this team. No matter who you are if you can tackle well he will find a place for you on this team and teach you how to react.

 

[jmt57]

Notice how he mentions tackling in that last sentence. Belichick must preach fundamentals to the fullest to this team. No matter who you are if you can tackle well he will find a place for you on this team and teach you how to react.

The theme runs true across multiple players.
Sounds like they get the message.


Browns not a tough sell; win over NO gets attention - Ian Rapoport - Boston Herald

The Browns may not have a prolific offense, but they boast a matchup challenge in running back Peyton Hillis. The former Arkansas star is 6-foot-1, 240 pounds and averaging 4.4 yards per rush.

“Have we faced any one comparable? He might be the biggest we’ve played,” linebacker Gary Guyton said. “Everybody’s got their own assets to their game, but he’s a good back, he runs pretty hard, and so we’ll have to see how things come on Sunday.”

Outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich said the key with Hillis is “to make sure we wrap him up.” . . .

 

[MossWelkowski]

IMO this is a must win as any before this. next 3 outta 4 games after this one is vs. the jets, steelers, and colts. If the pats can be 7-1 after this then if they just win 1 outta those tough games they can still go 13-3 and a chance for a 1 or 2 seed. This is a HUGGGEEE game

 

[BradyBranch39]

was supposed to melt by Sun, but still coming down-- ya never know

 

[jmt57]

For whatever reason I keep forgetting Crable is actually (finally) playing.

Boston Herald: LB Shawn Crable, unable to purchase tickets as a kid, to attend first Browns game as a player

“We weren’t fortunate enough to get tickets like that,” Crable told me. “But I watched a lot of it. I remember when they traded the Browns in the middle of the night to Baltimore. The city was sick. Everybody was sick (shaking his head). Now, every week, my uncle (will call) or I’ll call him if I see Cleveland won or something like that. He’s a big Cleveland fan. I don’t know how he’s going to act when we come down there to play them.”

“Everybody I know is coming to the game,” said Crable, whose family is based in nearby Canton. “So, it’s going to be exciting. All my family members are coming, it’s going to be fun. My son’s coming, my daughter’s coming. My kids and my wife, they do wear (Crable jerseys).”

“It feels go to go home, knowing that it’s possibility you could be playing and being out there on Sunday,” Crable said. “So, I’m just excited, because a lot of people at home can’t get out here unless I bring them out here, so for it to be right around the corner and be able to have them come to it… it’s a great thing for them to be able to see me play or a have a chance to see me play.”

I know it happens with nearly every professional athlete, but it must be a bit strange to go play against the team you spent your whole life rooting for - especially the first time that happens.

 

[Calciumee]

Question: Does the clock in the US go back tonight? I don't want to miss an hour of the game again! Or end up not finding a stream because Im an hour early

 

[jmt57]

Question: Does the clock in the US go back tonight? I don't want to miss an hour of the game again! Or end up not finding a stream because Im an hour early

Yes it does. I think we're on a different timetable than you as far as when that change occurs.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Question: Does the clock in the US go back tonight? I don't want to miss an hour of the game again! Or end up not finding a stream because Im an hour early

Yes, but only in certain time zones, affected mostly by tides and moon phase, considering the angle of planetary alignment. I hope that clears it up for ya.

 

[pherein]

I think he would be right, if they hadn't clobbered the Saints and then had a bye week. I have a feeling this group will be very motivated to keep that one loss from having any friends. They'll know darn well Mangini is going to go all out to beat Bill Belichick.

I dont believe you have to over think the Browns game to much. If you look at the saints 2 major upsets Browns and Cardinals games, you will notice that the Saints just played badly, not that either team beat them or won the game. The problem the Saints have been facing is that their OL had fallen to #22 place, so no run game and no long ball. The the OL has moved up to 6th places as of the Steelers game, hence the win.

Saints vs Cardinals
Saints vs. Cardinals - Scoring Summary - October 10, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
CP/AT YDS TD INT
Hall 17/27 168 0 1

CP/AT YDS TD INT
Brees 24/39 279 2 3


Saints vs Browns
Browns vs. Saints - Scoring Summary - October 24, 2010 - NFL - Football - SI.com
CP/AT YDS TD INT
McCoy 9/16 74 0 0

CP/AT YDS TD INT
Brees 37/56 356 2 4

1) Saints gave up 7 Ints and 3 Fumbles in 2 games. Giving the Browns and Cardinals their score.

2) Combined the Browns and the Cardinals only scored 1 TD on the Saints defense.


Neither of these teams are very good. IF you just play error free ball, maybe one TO, it should be an easy win for the Pats. If the Saints had just played conservative instead of trying to force big plays, even with the OL playing so poorly we would have won these games.

 

[BSR]

You make zero sense with your argument. Arguing that:

"If we don't beat them soundly then we probably aren't very good this year and shouldn't expect to beat either Pittsburgh or Indy."

Is exactly the same thing as saying:

"If we(Pittsburgh) don't beat them soundly then we probably aren't very good this year and shouldn't expect to beat either New Orleans or New England."

So I'm not really getting your point?

It is exactly the same thing. Very good, championship caliber teams beat bad teams. Occasionally flukes do happen but there isn't enough of a book yet to say if a loss would be a fluke or an negative indicator.

Let me ask you this, after New Orleans did lose to the Browns, did you expect them to beat the Steelers? I sure as heck didn't.

And the Browns have lost 3 Games by a combined 12 points to the Bucs (5-2), the Chiefs (5-2) and the Ravens (5-2). Two of those games were on the road. And they beat the Saints on the road with that rookie QB, and he didn't have to win the game for them.

How do you figure they are good if you squint? They have played a lot of tough teams and played them close. If not for Delhomme/Wallace throwing some terrible picks they could very easily be 4-3. That rookie QB played very well in Pittsburgh. He is making his first home start.

I didn't say they were good at all. I said they were average if you squint. Their record and their stats tell me this. I am sure they have their moments but that doesn't make them a good team. And yes, I am sure if some of their key players didn't suck then they would be a better team, but the fact is that they do suck or are inexperienced.

As far as tempering expectations. I don't think the Steelers is a guaranteed win. And neither are the Browns. I simply pointed out that your premise is wrong.

You have shown nothing to indicate that my premise is wrong especially when your first few posts showed that you misunderstood my premise.

 

[mgcolby]

It is exactly the same thing. Very good, championship caliber teams beat bad teams. Occasionally flukes do happen but there isn't enough of a book yet to say if a loss would be a fluke or an negative indicator.

Let me ask you this, after New Orleans did lose to the Browns, did you expect them to beat the Steelers? I sure as heck didn't.



I didn't say they were good at all. I said they were average if you squint. Their record and their stats tell me this. I am sure they have their moments but that doesn't make them a good team. And yes, I am sure if some of their key players didn't suck then they would be a better team, but the fact is that they do suck or are inexperienced.



You have shown nothing to indicate that my premise is wrong especially when your first few posts showed that you misunderstood my premise.

Yes, I thought the Saints were going to win. I stated it on this board prior to the game.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...89414-new-england-patriots-best-team-nfl.html


And the rest we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[pherein]

It is exactly the same thing. Very good, championship caliber teams beat bad teams.

I more believe championship caliber teams lose, but never get blown out. Thats how I knew that Dallas was a paper tiger. No good team gets beat that badly by the vikings. Good teams lose and have bad days, but they keep it within 3-10. I just cant see a good team being blown out, they should rally.

 

[jmt57]

The vultures are beginning to circle in Cleveland.

Ohio.com - Mangini has shot to turn odds for next season in his favor

According to some conspiracy theorists, Holmgren has planned all along to use Mangini as a one-year bridge to a new coach. They have speculated that, barring a lockout, either Jon Gruden or the Big Show himself will guide the Browns in 2011, no matter what happens during the final nine games of this season.

Stranger things have happened, especially in the Cleveland sports scene, but for purposes of this discussion, let's assume Mangini still has a shot to keep his job. What, then, does he need to do?

Philosophical differences could cost Mangini his job. But a record that doesn't satisfy Holmgren will cost Mangini his job.

No one, except maybe Holmgren, knows Mangini's magic number for survival, but here's a guess: The Browns (2-5) need to win seven games for Mangini to again escape the dreaded pink slip. Of course, to finish 7-9, they'll need to go 5-4 in their final nine games, roughly the second half of the season.

 

[jmt57]

The Akron Beacon Journal offers up the obligatory keys to the game:

Ohio.com - Keys to the game: Browns vs. Patriots

Creativity (i.e., trick plays), turnovers, and then these:

3. Browns left offensive tackle Joe Thomas needs to end Patriots defensive end Mike Wright's streak of four consecutive games with a sack. Thomas has not had his best season, and Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham made that obvious in Week 5. Wright doesn't have the same elite reputation as Abraham, but he's on a roll and should be considered extremely dangerous.

4. After resting his strained quadriceps during the bye week, Browns running back Peyton Hillis' health should be the best it has been in about a month. If Hillis can outdo Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the Browns will be in good shape. Green-Ellis has scored a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games, including two last week when the Patriots defeated the Minnesota Vikings 28-18. He also had a career-high 112 rushing yards on 17 carries. On the other hand, Hillis has not rushed for 100 yards in a game since Week 4.

5. The Browns' coverage units on special teams must continue to play well. Patriots wide receiver Brandon Tate has returned two kickoffs (97 and 103 yards) for touchdowns this season. Tate has returned 25 kickoffs for 723 yards (28.9 average), helping the Patriots start their drives just beyond their 31-yard line on average. Julian Edelman, a former Kent State quarterback, has returned seven punts for 83 yards (11.9 average).