Browns Vs. Bills: Orange and Brown Thoughts on Cleveland's Loss to Buffalo
A promising and surprising Cleveland Browns team went into Buffalo to face the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 14 of the 2010 NFL season.
The now 3-10 Bills beat the now 5-8 Browns in a terrible showing of inept offenses that hailed back to the Browns of the first half of the 2009 season.
With a passing game that has a tough time functioning outside of using the tight end and running back, the Browns showed once again that they need help on the outside.
In what was a really painful game to watch, here are several observations on Cleveland.
Jake Delhomme Is Just Colt McCoy's Mentor, Period
1 of 7
Delhomme may be a seasoned NFL veteran who has been to a Super Bowl in the past, but the past is the past, and he is nowhere near that older version of himself.
Showing signs of resurgence in the preseason, Delhomme cannot stay away from throwing a game-changing interception. That causes offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to call a conservative game on offense, as there is no trust in Delhomme's ability to protect the ball.
Seneca Wallace is the better option if Colt McCoy in not ready to play in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and there is no arguing that point after watching Delhomme struggle against the Bills.
Peyton Hillis Cannot Hold onto the Ball, Period
2 of 7
Speaking of trouble protecting the ball, breakout running back Peyton Hillis's name has to be mentioned, too.
Hillis may have won the hearts of Browns fans and Clevelanders due to his hard-nosed style and humble personality, but his eight total fumbles speak volumes.
Some say it is due to his arms being too big—and that could be ridiculous or a possible reason—but whatever it is, he needs to find former NFL Pro Bowl running back Tiki Barber's phone number. Barber had similar problems, but he corrected them by holding the ball up higher and into his chest.
There is no excuse for three fumbles in one game, and Hillis needs to stop trying to do too much when multiple defenders are hanging onto him and trying to rip the ball away.
Opposing defenses are all looking forward to trying to cause more fumbles by Hillis in the remaining three games this season.
Can Someone Please Tell the Coaches To Use Josh Cribbs More?
3 of 7
Even if he is being used as a decoy, the Browns need to get Cribbs more involved in the offense.
Against the Bills, Cribbs had one run for minus-11 yards, a fumble, one pass catch for seven yards and one punt return for seven yards.
That is a total of three touches for three yards.
Unacceptable.
The man was just paid in the offseason. And yes, he may still be recovering from four dislocated toes, but he is not being used like he was last season, which is how the Browns should be using an athlete as versatile as Cribbs.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Marcus Benard Continues To Find Ways To Pressure Opposing Quarterbacks
4 of 7
Second-year linebacker Marcus Benard has been stellar this season, leading the Browns in sacks with 7.5.
Going back to last season, Benard has 10 sacks in 16 games.
Benard is quickly becoming the pass-rushing threat the Browns have lacked. In 2011, look for him to get even better and get to the quarterback more often as a possible full-time starter instead of just the situational pass rusher he has been this year and last.
Chris Gocong Might Be Becoming a Playmaker Inside the Defense
5 of 7
Fifth-year linebacker Chris Gocong was acquired in the offseason in a trade that Browns general manager and former Eagles GM Tom Heckert made with his former team.
Along with Gocong came cornerback Sheldon Brown, and both were instantly starting on the Browns' defense.
Gocong played what could have been one of his best games in his professional career against the Bills and was all over the field making plays.
Finishing the game as the Browns' second-leading tackler, Gocong had 10 total tackles, with five of them solo, one sack and one forced fumble.
Not an inside linebacker by nature, Gocong is slowly becoming a force inside the the Browns defense.
Browns Receivers Are Really, Really...Bad
6 of 7
This may be due to the conservative play-calling, but the Browns passing game averaged 7.2 yards per catch.
Bear in mind that the NFL average is 11.6 yards per pass catch.
Outside of Mohamed Massaquoi, who averaged 14.3 yards per catch, no other Browns receiver was able to have anything higher than 8.5 yards per catch.
Browns fans have been talking about the receivers dating all the way back to the preseason, and it is quite obvious upgrades are needed and needed badly.
President Mike Holmgren is an offensive mind, and he must really be squirming in his leather seat watching how terrible the passing game is with Delhomme behind center.
McCoy at least threw down the field, but he also knows how to protect the ball better, so the play-calling is not as conservative.
Still, receivers are needed outside of Massaquoi, who is really only a No. 2 receiver, at best.
Conclusion
7 of 7
Opposing teams know how to shut down the Browns, and that starts with cutting off both the tight ends' ability to get open over the middle and ripping at the football when Hillis is running in traffic.
In Week 13, the Miami Dolphins held Hillis to under 100 yards on the ground, but tight end Ben Watson scorched them for 10 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Against the Bills, they were able to shut down Watson and force three Hillis fumbles.
Without having any other options in the outside besides an occasionally open Massaquoi, who is getting opposing defenses' best defenders on him every week, the Browns need talent that can open up the passing game.
With the NFL being a pass-happy league, the Browns must improve their 27th-ranking passing attack or they will never be able to have a balanced offense, which will help them compete in the highly competitive AFC North.
You can bet that both Holmgren and Heckert are eyeing up many future free agents and college prospects right now.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")