A Cleveland Browns Gameplan To Exploit the Baltimore Ravens' Weaknesses

With many questions surrounding the Browns' gameplan (or lack thereof) in their first two games, the coaching staff had better spend extra hours putting together a solid one for this Sunday's contest versus the Ravens.

I am not a football coach of any type, but I do know enough about football to try and put together a brief gameplan of my own that I believe may help the Browns this week against the Ravens.

I would like to focus on three of the main weaknesses that the Ravens have right now after they have played two games.


Ravens' Weaknesses

Defensive backfield is struggling

Wide receivers can be shut down

Rookie starting at right tackle

The Browns have that chance to exploit all three of these glaring weaknesses as long as a good gameplan can be put in place.

Throw at the DBs not named Reed

First, the gameplan will look at the Ravens defensive backfield, and with the exception of Ed Reed the Browns need to throw at these guys.

Brady Quinn must line up and identify where Reed is and adjust the play at the line to change the receiver who is the "hot route," so that his pattern is adapted to move away from Reed's position.

Also, the Browns would be smart to have two backs in the backfield for most of the offensive formations to help protect Quinn from the Ravens pass rush.

With players like Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, and Terrell Suggs, Quinn will feel their presence at the line before he even snaps the ball.

Protecting the quarterback at all costs is a priority, even if it means using fullback Lawrence Vickers and a tight end in the backfield on passing downs. The right side of the offensive line needs help and extra protection from players in the backfield will help.

With Braylon Edwards newly focused and getting back on track last week, there is no reason why he cannot dictate defensive coverages toward him to free up the other receivers on the field.

Even though Edwards may get special attention, there is no reason that Quinn cannot throw the ball up high so Edwards can go up and get it since the Ravens defensive backs range in height from 5'10" to 6'.

Remember, Edwards is 6'3" and with his height advantage he can easily out-jump the Ravens defenders.

Lock-down coverage on the Ravens WRs forcing Joe Flacco to throw into tight coverage.

Cornerbacks Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright are showing signs of being two of the better young corners in the league, especially Wright who has almost completely shut down opposing teams receivers in the first two games.

Ravens receiver Derrick Mason is a veteran and he knows how to get into an open spot on the field and Wright will most likely be glued to him most of the game while McDonald should be shadowing the other receivers.

Both Browns CBs have shown a nose for the ball in the past, and with Flacco only in his second year, he is still learning on the job.

Look for Flacco to force a pass or two into tight spaces and hopefully the Browns can jump routes and come up with an interception or two.

Ravens rookie Michael Oher should be the point of attack.

Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan needs to focus his blitzes toward Oher to see if the rookie can handle consistent pressure from a defense.

All the linebackers should get a chance at Oher on the first possession the Ravens get in the first quarter, so that Ryan can see which player is the most effective in beating Oher to get to Flacco.

Look for Kamerion Wimbley, Alex Hall, and perhaps David Veikune to get chances to pressure the quarterback early and often.

As long as the Browns can get some pressure on Flacco, he may be forcing the ball into tight spaces (as stated earlier) so that Wright and/or McDonald can get a chance for a pick.

Not a Ravens weakness but a weakness of the Browns...the defense must stop the run and the Ravens have three good runners in Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, and Le'Ron McClain.

In conclusion, these are just a few of the key areas that I think the Browns have the best chance at finding success during Sunday's game, and maybe the Browns coaching staff are on the same page with these.

Regardless of what happens Sunday in the first half, the most important gameplan should be the one that is constructed via adjustments during halftime because if the Browns fail in the second half for a third straight week, then look for Browns fans to get restless for some positives to start occurring in 2009.

(Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper)