Browns Almost Disappointed The Talking Heads

Most of the Talking Heads have picked the Vikings to make it to the Super Bowl thus allowing, “ No chance for a Brown’s win”.

The Browns almost disappointed all of the so-called experts by out playing the Vikings in the first half of Sunday’s game.  During the game and at the half time break, the announcers and panelists all made excuses for the Vikings not destroying the Browns and rarely giving credit for the way the Brown’s defense played.  One could hear it in the voices, “How dare the Browns go against their predictions”.  Fortunately for their egos the Browns did not make them out as fools.

Mangini has something to be pleased and at the same time equally displeased with the team’s performance.

As a team, The Browns played very well for 30 minutes then in the second half fell back into their old habits of missing tackles and penalties The offense continued to live in the past displaying conservative play calling until the last 2 minutes of the game.  The game plan showed, “ Lets not beat ourselves meanwhile we shall not beat a talented team like the Vikings”.

The shortage of talented impact players required a total team effort, which came forth in the first half.  The second half was a replay of the 2008 season. The second half play showed very little, “ Fire in the belly”.

The lack of focus with penalties (8 for 66 yards). missed tackles, drop balls and Quinn’s backward pass fumble made it easier for a Viking’s victory.  Mangini must know that to play in the upper half of the NFL he cannot continue with this type of performance with the talent he has.

The bright spots were Lewis’s, “I am not finished yet”; with receptions and runs totaling 104 yards.  Cribb’s, “I do deserve more money”, kick off and punt returns. Quinn generally showed a solid but uninspiring play (74.1 rating) until the last drive.  Against a very good defense the Offensive Line also played mostly a spirited game opening holes and protecting Quinn reasonably well against one of the best teams in the NFL.  The Viking’s rush of Quinn was just fair at times.  The Brown’s sack count of 4 with 6 QB hits did place some pressure on Favre. 

If Mangini is to prevail with a winning season the team will have to reduce the penalty count, protect Quinn, stop missing tackles, increase the pass rush, come up with creative play calling and most of all, motivate team play. The Browns do look improved although how much still remains to be seen. Mangini and staff have a lot of work ahead of them.  With 15 games left there is plenty of time to correct the numerous faults of 2008.