Time for week 11 status check on the boys in brown and orange.
If you had a chance to read my previous article, then you know how I felt about the quarterback play during the Monday night football game against Buffalo. However, the game gave plenty more food for thought in regards to the Cleveland Browns. Here are a few things that caught my attention as the clock ticked down to zero.
The Defense is Way Too Slow
I know, what kind of claim is this? Our defense is so stout and outstanding and, sorry, couldn't even get through with a straight face.
To me, one of the problems with the lack of tackling ability is a lack of overall speed. They simply aren't fast enough to catch up with any running back once he's broken past the front seven.
A big weakness is Andra Davis.
I read an article which claimed Andra Davis was a great guy, just not a great football player. No truer statement can be made. At inside linebacker, he needs to be fast enough to break through the holes the Defensive line creates for him in order to make a stop in the backfield. Yet he's just not getting there at the right speed.
With the pay cut he took during the offseason, it's pretty obvious his fate is sealed. And though I've always been a fan, he's on his way out and it's a move that needs to be made.
Many people are claiming outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley is a bust considering his numbers have sunk since his rookie year. However, I believe it's because he's in the wrong position.
I think if Wimbley was moved to inside linebacker, he might play better than he is these days. My reasoning comes from the fact he doesn't have any pass rushing moves beyond pure speed. At outside linebacker, you need some set of moves in order to maneuver around the offensive tackles. Playing inside, he'd just need the speed to fire through the holes fast enough to stop the running back.
If this isn't the route taken, then they need to address this in the draft by grabbing James Laurinaitis or Rey Maualuga if they're still available.
Not all of the defensive problems can be solved by re-positioning, but some of them can, and I'd give it a shot, at least during practice to see what works.
Jerome Harrison's "Play Me '08" Campaign Made a Big Boost
In only three rushes, Harrison collected more yards than Jamal Lewis did in his 18 attempts. The biggest of these came on a 72-yard touchdown run where he found a hole and practically ran to Niagara Falls.
Harrison's lack of (well deserved) playing time has puzzled the fans for weeks, and if he doesn't play much this Sunday, it'll only get worse. However, he's currently on the injured list with a pulled hamstring, so those concerns may pass for this week at least.
Some fans are so impressed by Jerome Harrison's running that they are suggesting he be moved to starter over Lewis. And while I agree Harrison deserves more playing time, starting him is something I'm not sold on quite yet.
The reason is because we still haven't seen enough of him. We know he can run sweeps, pitches, and screens incredibly well, but what we don't know is how well he'll run inside on dives and isos. He is not Jamal Lewis' size, nor does he have the ability to break tackles.
Even if he can make the opposing defense look like our own, we won't know until we see more of him. If he's healthy this week, and still continues to be bench buddies with Derek Anderson, look for the controversy to heat up worse than it has all year.
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about 1 month ago
I'm sorry. It's not the speed. It's the tackling. Worst I've ever seen.
But more than anything, I think it might be the schemes. I don't think they're built to run a 3-4. Hell, the two big-name D-lineman they acquired in the off-season (Rogers and C. Williams) came from 4-3 systems.
On top of that, their linebacking corps is a mess. Andra Davis had a few nice years, but his best days are way behind him, as are Willie McGinnest's. Conversely, they could be pretty damn good with Wimbley and Alex Hall on the outside and D'Qwell on the inside. I agree that Wimbley is not a bust - he's most likely out of position. Hall is raw but is going to be a diamond in the rough. D'Qwell comes with bad intentions on every down, every game.
Those guys have also shown flashes of brilliance and ability to get the job done. (Although I would definitely not be opposed to drafting a top LB in the '09 draft.)
Your points about Dawson, Harrison, and RAC are spot on. Good read.
from about 1 month ago
It's the speed AND the tackling. The Browns LB core, as a whole, may be the slowest in the NFL. The bad tackling just compounds the problem.
Get the D line healthy, decide if you want to go 3-4 or 4-3, get some depth at DB and revamp the LB core. Jackson may be OK as a second ILB, Hall may develop and Wimbley might resurrect his career, but that is a lot of "mights".
about 1 month ago
As far as Jerome starting i agree with you, you can't start a back who's to small to take on LB's and DE's while blocking. It's this reason he's 3rd on the depth chart behind Jason Wright. While I do think he should get more touches, he's not the feature back some think he is.
from about 1 month ago
You could, you just have to have a big back option to team him with. That's why Philly always struggles, once teams lock down on Westbrook they don't have a bigger option to go to.
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