Pats vs Browns Pre Game Discussion

[jmt57]

More from the Browns' perspective:

New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns: Positional Breakdown & Notes - Dawgs By Nature

• I know that Peyton Hillis said he felt good heading into the Saints game, but with him having the extra week off, you have to imagine he feels really good right now. Having Mike Bell in the game seems like a lost down -- we should remove his touches and give them to Joshua Cribbs from the Wildcat instead. The last time Cribbs was in the Wildcat, he got concussed by James Harrison though.
• Linebacker David Bowens will never have the type of game he did against the Saints again. However, that doesn't mean he can't contribute to getting in the vision of Tom Brady at the line of scrimmage. Before his interceptions, I think he had a couple of balls batted down this year.
• Even though there is film on what the Browns did to New Orleans defensively now, I'd love to see Cleveland come out with similar defensive looks. I think it's the best way to cause pre-snap confusion for an opposing quarterback, and when the ball is snapped there's a higher chance that a free blitzer will be able to shoot in.
• If Matt Roth is lined up on tight end Aaron Hernandez this week, will he be able to stay with him in coverage? That might end up being a key matchup for the Browns' defense, as Hernandez can cross the field quickly.
• I don't have anything against Danny Woodhead or anything, but I'd love to see him get a carry and then get plowed over by Matt Roth or Scott Fujita behind the line of scrimmage. Between defending Hernandez and Woodhead, the linebackers will be busy in pass coverage.

 

[jmt57]

On the Beat: 5 questions on the Browns - Extra Points - Boston.com

For our peek behind enemy lines with Cleveland Browns, this week we check in with the esteemed Mark Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.


3. What's the biggest weakness on the Browns' offense you expect the Patriots to try to exploit?

Cabot: The Browns biggest offensive weakness is their receiving corps. The players who were expected to be their No. 1 and No. 2 receivers this season -- Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie -- have 17 catches between them, nine for Massaquoi and eight for Robiskie. The Browns have had to find alternatives in the passing game, relying on tight end Ben Watson (leads the team with 30 catches) and using tight end Evan Moore at receiver at times.


4. What's the biggest weakness on the Browns' defense you expect the Patriots to try to exploit?

Cabot: The Patriots might try to exploit cornerback Eric Wright, who's given up five touchdown passes this season, including three to Baltimore's Anquan Boldin. The Browns have been vocal about saying they need to Wright to step up and be the consistent player he was last year.

 

[jmt57]

Some background on Mangini and Browns history from a Cleveland perspective, starting with a vivid history of a Belichick personnel mistake when he first started coaching the Browns.

Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick both put team first, Bill Livingston writes | cleveland.com

Belichick's rise in New England was nothing less than meteoric after his false start here. He has dealt for "problem" players like wide receiver Randy Moss, but only after he established the core value that the team always comes first. This season, Moss' play no longer was good enough for the Patriots to tolerate his foibles, so Belichick traded him to Minnesota for a third-round draft pick. Minnesota then got rid of Moss so swiftly he could have been a plague bacillus.

When Belichick's first Super Bowl team in New England walked on to the field in the Superdome after the 2001 season, refusing individual player introductions, it struck a chord with the American people.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, although it was only on a football field, this was real unity. The Patriots' stunning upset of the St. Louis Rams that night proved that togetherness, common purpose, and subordination of ego could make men stronger than anyone thought they could be.

Mangini and Belichick are feuding, and that has been the story line for Sunday's Browns-Patriots game. But in a country severely divided along political lines, in a city whose sports scene has been blighted by egomania, we could do worse than to remember the two coaches' ideals.

Pierre Woods, former New England Patriots linebacker, wants in | cleveland.com

Between workouts, Woods used to spend time reading the waiver wire with hopes on getting a jump on a team in need of a 6-5, 257 pound linebacker.

"I grew tired of looking at the waiver wire because I saw guys on there getting opportunities that I knew I was better than they are," Woods said. "There was one guy who got picked up and released by four different teams already this season."

Woods did get a shot with the Kansas City Chiefs two weeks ago. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli is familiar with Woods. Pioli was vice president of player personnel for the Patriots. Unfortunately, the Chiefs didn't sign Woods following the workout.

"My workout went alright," Woods said. "The Chiefs told me if anything happens to one of their outside linebackers that they will call me. The workout was about them getting a close look at me. I figured more teams would call me after my workout with the Chiefs. I guess not."

Woods has not given up on the possibility of playing again this season. Not to wish any ill will to any particular linebacker in the league, but the physicality of football produces constant injuries throughtout the season, and healthy bodies are constantly needed.

It's a numbers game. Woods just hopes his will get called.

"I'd take a call up to the last regular season game," Woods said. "I want to play. And if any team out there is looking for a leader that knows the game, is willing to work and can help a team get better, here I am."

 

[Calciumee]

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

Thank you so it will be back to 6 here

 

[doesntmatter1]

I honestly felt a little depressed after reading that about p woods. ive always thought we could do better than him but i thought Some team would want him at least for special teams.