Browns vs. Steelers: Week 1 Preview for Cleveland
It's Steelers week, Browns fans! Yes, the Cleveland Browns kick off the 2014 season this Sunday on the road in Pittsburgh, a place where they have been unable to win in their last 10 meetings.
The last time the orange helmets were victorious at Pittsburgh was in October of 2003. The world was a different place then. George Bush was president, Beyonce's "Baby Boy" was the top song in the nation and Kelly Holcomb was the opening day quarterback.
The White House may have a new head resident and the music scene has changed, but a new starting QB to begin a year seems to be a constant in Cleveland.
Brian Hoyer got the nod to go under center from head coach Mike Pettine to beat out rookie Johnny Manziel in the training camp competition. This will be Hoyer's fifth NFL start, fourth as a Brown, and it is a dream come true for that lifelong Browns fan.
Plenty of obstacles stand in his way this Sunday afternoon.
Can Hoyer's surgically repaired knee hold up over an entire game? Who is he going to throw to on a receiving corps led by the often injured Miles Austin? How long can he keep Manziel and his "Johnny Package" off the field?
On paper Cleveland's defense is stacked with a tough pass-rushing front seven and a secondary that is 12 players deep.
The preseason showed a unit that had the same trouble getting off the field on third down as their predecessors a season ago. Healthy returns for Joe Haden and Buster Skrine should help remedy that.
As it always is with Pittsburgh, the key for Cleveland's defense will be containing, hitting and hurrying Ben Roethlisberger. As Big Ben goes, so go the Steelers.
Browns Preseason Week 4 Recap
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The NFL's final preseason game is generally viewed as being worthless since the starters usually sit to avoid injury.
Last Thursday was anything but for the Browns.
Cleveland gave their first team units on both sides of the ball significant playing time in the hope that some sort of chemistry would develop.
This was especially true of Brian Hoyer and his misfit group of receivers. Even though it came against the Chicago Bears backups, the offense got into a rhythm, and if nothing else built itself up some confidence.
Hoyer looked like himself from last season. He efficiently moved the chains going 6-of-8 for 69 yards and led a drive that was capped off by a Ben Tate rushing touchdown.
Not to be outdone, Johnny Manziel displayed the exciting athleticism that has made him a media darling.
Johnny was much better than his six of 17 passing attempts would indicate. He did throw some uncharacteristic wobblers, but he was also the victim of dropped balls, including one to a wide open Gary Barnidge.
Manziel electrified the FirstEnergy Stadium crowd by using his feet to gain 55 yards on four tries, which included a gallop of 22.
Undrafted rookie running back Isaiah Crowell was limited throughout preseason, but he made the most of his opportunity in this game. Crowell averaged an outrageous 7.8 yards per carry and busted loose for a 48-yard score.
The effort was enough to earn him a spot on the 53-man roster and cost Dion Lewis his job.
News and Notes
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Flash Gordon the car salesman?
"Browns Josh Gordon will sell cars while serving his season-long suspension, according to a report http://t.co/8cpdkswAl8
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 4, 2014"
Will the NFL's 2013 leader in receiving yards really be hawking vehicles during his year-long ban from the league?
Mary Kay Cabot broke down the report from ESPN's Josina Anderson:
"Gordon will sell cars on the floor and work in all aspects of their car business. Currently, Gordon drives a flashy, camouflage Porsche.
Gordon, who starts at Sarchione this weekend, will also be involved with all of the auto group's community efforts, including the Wounded Warrior Project.
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There may be one tick left on the clock for Flash Gordon Browns fans. In a Hail Mary attempt to play this season, the stud receiver's lawyers have a plan. Per Cabot of Cleveland.com:
"Gordon's legal team is also still considering suing the NFL for what it believes is his wrongful suspension for the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
A source told cleveland.com that the legal advisors are still trying to determine the right course of action.
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Hoyer's job is safe...for now
"#Browns Pettine told Hoyer when he won job: "This is your team. This is your offense. We have his back. It's not going to be a quick hook''
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 3, 2014"
How long will the leash be on Brian Hoyer before the call goes out to Johnny Football if the Browns struggle out of the gate?
There's also been talk of using a "Johnny Package" at times throughout a game to utilize Manziel's unique skill set.
If No. 6 is rolling, then there would be no need to make a change at quarterback. However, if the offense is sluggish and not producing, then the possible spark that Johnny could provide starts to make sense.
Manziel's continued success during games in relief of Hoyer would eventually beg the question of why not just start Johnny?
As always, the undrafted veteran quarterback has a team first attitude.
"Hoyer on possible Manziel package: "I want to be out there. But if there's a package that can help us win, the team is way bigger than me."
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) September 3, 2014"
Injury Report
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This Cleveland Browns injury report is as of Thursday Sept. 4 following practice and is courtesy of Ohio.com's Nate Ulrich on Twitter.
| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
| Desmond Bryant | DL | Wrist | DNP |
| John Hughes | DL | Hamstring | DNP |
| Paul McQuistan | OL | Ankle | DNP |
| Joe Haden | CB | Foot | Fully Participated |
| Pierre Desir | CB | Knee | Fully Participated |
| Jim Leonhard | S | Knee | Fully Participated |
| Eric Martin | LB | Concussion | Fully Participated |
| Buster Skrine | CB | Thumb | Fully Participated |
| Christian Yount | LS | Shoulder | Fully Participated |
If injuries must occur, then the good news for the Browns is that two positions most ailing are areas of depth.
General manager Ray Farmer kept 12 defensive backs on the 53-man roster, and it's looking like a smart move right now with four of them banged up. The positives are that Joe Haden, Buster Skrine, Pierre Desir and Jim Leonhard all participated fully in practice and should be ready for Sunday.
Cleveland's defensive line is arguably the most talented and deep group on the club.
Desmond Bryant is a stud pass-rusher and run stuffer when healthy. He is fully recovered from his heart condition last season and is currently recovering from wrist surgery.
Sophomore lineman Armonty Bryant (no relation) has been an animal this preseason and will get his chance to shine in place of Desmond.
John Hughes is a valuable depth piece on the D-line, but his role should be able to be adequately filled by the rest of the crew with Billy Winn, Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Matchups to Watch
Joe Haden (CB, Browns) vs. Antonio Brown (WR, Steelers)
Cleveland's Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden is used to shadowing the opposition's most talented wide receiver and in most cases winning those battles.
One receiver that has had his number is Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers. ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi wrote:
"In the two Steelers wins last year, Brown had 15 receptions for 179 yards, including a TD of 41 yards.
Haden calls Brown the toughest receiver for him to cover. Haden has had more success against giant receivers such as A.J. Green and Calvin Johnson than the shifty and speedy Brown, who is 5-10 and 186.
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Head coach Mike Pettine's defensive scheme mixes up coverages in the secondary no matter who the opponent is, and that means No. 23 won't always be assigned to Brown. Grossi commented:
"One of the changes in the Mike Pettine defense calls for a constant mix of coverage schemes, and that will include Haden giving up the star receiver to a teammate at times.
Pettine said he did it with Darrelle Revis with the New York Jets when Revis was at the top of his game and considered the NFL’s top cornerback.
“I’m never a fan of giving an offense a steady diet of the same matchups and same types of coverages,” Pettine said. “If you settle into a constant, they’ll adjust accordingly. Part of being a good defense is mixing things up and trying to stay a step ahead.”
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Ben Tate (RB, Browns) vs. Steelers Front Seven
The Browns were ranked 27th in rushing yards in 2013 and made a commitment to improving the ground attack this offseason.
That effort began with the free-agent signing of Ben Tate. Loads of potential, but often injured, Tate has got his shot as a featured back.
Starting off against a Steelers defense that is far from the Steel Curtain glory days is a nice way to begin his Browns career. Pittsburgh allowed an average of 115.6 yards per game to the run last year. Grossi wrote on ESPNCleveland.com:
"Besides the linebackers, the finger-pointing has fallen on the defensive front, which just doesn’t measure up to the unit’s unheralded mainstays of past. As a result, the unit was gashed on the ground for 4.4 yards a carry last year.
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Once Tate rumbles through the suspect line, he'll be contending with rookie inside linebacker out of Ohio State Ryan Shazier. Who knows how the 15th overall pick in this past May's draft will react in his first NFL regular-season contest.
The Browns' veteran running back may be able to use his savvy to outwit the inexperienced Shazier for some sizeable gains.
X-Factor
There's no doubt that quarterback Brian Hoyer is the main X-factor for Cleveland. The season opener sets the tone for the month of September for both squads.
If the Ohio native looks like he did during the first three exhibition games, then the pressure to insert Johnny Manziel will be tremendous. If No. 6 operates efficiently down the field as he did during the fourth preseason matchup, then that should hold off the "Johnny Package."
Hoyer won't face the terrifying pass rushes of Steelers teams past and should have opportunities to make plays in the secondary. ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi commented:
"LeBeau's secondary is average, at best. Safety Troy Polamalu, 33, is still a big hitter but a liability in coverage, and Shamarko Thomas – the player used with the draft pick acquired from the Browns in 2013 – is not ready to replace him.
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The problem for Hoyer is that he has a random patchwork of receivers that excludes the NFL's 2013 leader in receiving yards Josh Gordon. Tight end Jordan Cameron becomes the top target, and whoever else succeeds in catching the ball is anyone's guess.
For the revamped running game to work there needs to be at least the threat of going deep, otherwise the box will be stacked by all the defenses Cleveland encounters. Sunday is step one to see where the Browns offense stands.
Predictions
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Johnny Sees Action
It's the third quarter Sunday afternoon and the Browns have only been able to score field goals in a close game at Pittsburgh. The offense under quarterback Brian Hoyer is stalling and needs a spark.
Johnny Football gets the call.
Manziel enters and the Browns attack is instantly energized. Demonstrating the explosive scrambles for gains while continuing his preseason development of learning not to take the big hit, No. 2 takes his crew to the end zone.
Hoyer returns the following series and all of a sudden is operating much more smoothly.
Final Result
Following a slow first half the Browns defense keeps them in the game and keeps Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on his heels.
Johnny's touchdown drive in the third ignites an exchange of leads between the rivals, but in the end the Steelers squeak out the win by a field goal.
The loss is disappointing. However, the second half breathes optimism into Cleveland as they ready themselves to host the New Orleans Saints for their home opener in Week 2.
Having success with subbing in Manziel also adds fuel to the QB controversy once again.
Steelers prevail 26-23
How will Week 1 in Pittsburgh go down Browns fans? Have your say below in the comment section.
Andy McNamara is an international sports broadcaster and journalist.
Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyMc81
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