I didn't have time to say anything about the loss to the Ravens. Here are some belated thoughts.
- Early on it seemed like the Ravens defense was going to really eat up our offense. The fact that Frye & Co. countered and were able to put up some points was great. It seemed like the Browns matched the Ravens intensity in the passing game. Hopefully that is a promising sign for the remainder of the season.
- The Ravens d still dominated in the trenches though. The Browns couldn't run the ball, and not having Droughns didn't seem like a factor in that. The inability to run the ball is a killer for this season. And a perennial problem.
- Winslow is the man. He brings it on Sunday and you have to respect that.
- Without Frye's ability to move in the pocket, the Browns lose this game handily.
- But Frye's inability to throw accurately from the pocket is a real concern. The ball rarely gets to the receiver in a good spot, making catches harder and limiting the ability for guys to gain yards after the catch.
- The defense played well. I don't even have a gripe about the Raven's game-winning drive. For playing without two corners, the defensive backs played pretty well. It's just that pretty well wasn't good enough to keep the Ravens from picking up barely enough yardage for a field goal try.
- McNair is a huge upgrade for the Ravens. And he looks old.
- Nice to see Simon Fraser make such an impact.
- McGinest sure makes a difference. He put to rest doubts. Now if only he can put to rest that calf injury.
- Edwards had another big statistical game. He's put up monster stats despite some obvious struggles. If he polishes his game we will have a real force on the team.
- And Edwards and Winslow, at times, really looked threatening on the field together. The Browns are a long way off overall, but those two guys are more dangerous than any player on half the teams in the NFL.
- The Browns scored twice and both times the defense stopped the Ravens' ensuring drives. That was key, and the first time that happened this season.
- The offense's ability to still pick up a couple first downs before punting was what really kept the Browns in the lead for most of the afternoon. It's one thing to score some points. It's almost as good to move the ball and gain field position even on "failed" drives.
- Still, this was a loss. I don't think this radically changes the fortunes for this team in '06, but it gives the team a chance to stay on a positive track as far as developing Frye and getting Winslow and Edwards to the point they are legit NFL stars.
Side note: I didn't watch the first half. Instead, I listened to it on the radio while going for a run. I wasn't expecting much, and would have preferred to have watched the game if I had enough free time on the weekend. Anyway... listening on the radio was a pleasant suprise. Jim Donovan contiues to be a very good play-by-play man. Dieken is klunky, but he's one of our own and that's cool. And a better-than-expected performance by the team was cool... at least until I got home to see the end of the game. Can't ask for everything.
Regarding the radio broadcast -- the inane cross-promotion with the Ohio Lottery has got to stop. Besides being distracting to the game, it's a woefully ineffective marketing strategy. What is the point of announcing that lottery pitchman Leslie Nielson is in the broadcast booth, yet not actually speaking with him? It adds nothing to the broadcast (though I suppose it could take _away_ from the broadcast if Nielsen chimed in with irrelevant commentary). It is completely out of place. It's not even very clear what Nielsen has to do with the Ohio Lottery, and it's definitely a stretch to think the lottery has anything to do with the football game going on. This is just a waste of time and money. And that money is kind of tax payer money since state government has an inherant interest in the lottery marketing itself effectively and generating income. Ah well. What else is new, right?
No preview vs. the Raiders. Frankly, I find it hard to care much about this game. The Brown
had better get their first victory. But the Raiders are a pathetic franchise at the moment and it's damn near impossible to look forward to playing them. While the Browns have little to lose in 2006, they have little to gain in this game vs. the Raiders.
I anyone wants to put me on
IR and let me
hang out in San Diego all winter, let me know.
I could not care less about TO either. The guy is screw-loose crazy. What else is new? I doubt he tried to kill himself and the whole thing seems like a self-feeding controversy. Why does anyone give a crap? I'm happy that whole sideshow is in the NFC.
Remember when Browns fans everywhere wanted Robert Gallery and we wound up with Winslow instead?