Browns vs. Dolphins: 7 Matchups That Will Help the Browns Win

The Cleveland Browns are tied for first place in the AFC North! Wow.

I would be more impressed if Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Cleveland weren’t all 1-1. But a win is a win, right? Party on, Dawg Pound.

How are the Brownies going to stay in contention and push that number to 2-1?

Let’s just say that a convergence of factors must occur for Cleveland to get a home victory on Sunday. Sort of a “Perfect Matchup Storm.”

Colt McCoy is George Clooney (I know it’s a stretch, but go with me here), Joshua Cribbs is Mark Wahlberg and the offensive line is the Andrea Gail. Facing them are the twin tropical storms of Cameron Wake and Karlos Dansby.

Ready? Action…

Browns O-line vs. the Dolphins' Pass Rush

In 2010, Dansby recorded 95 tackles—78 solo.The media is all over Wake, saying he’s off to a slow start. But the guy has six tackles and a sack in two games. In 2010, No. 91 ended up with 14 sacks. Let’s not send him back to selling insurance just yet. 

Unless your name is Joe Thomas, you’re laboring in obscurity on that Cleveland O-line. Third-year lineman Alex Mack was highly touted out of college, but many doubted he could handle center. Well, he’s still there and improving logarithmically. Rookie LG Jason Pinkston is catching on quickly enough that Artis Hicks is now second string.

The problem is that starting RT Tony Pashos has been out with injury and backup Oniel Cousins has, well, let’s be kind–he’s had his “issues” with protection. Pashos should be back on Sunday, and that should tip the scales in favor of George (I mean Colt). We’re rewriting history, and this time the Andrea Gail survives the big "Wake".

We Have To Talk about the Browns’ WRs–again

Much as I will always believe the battle is won in the trenches, the elephant in the Browns’ living room is still a lack of talent at WR.

Let’s review: 

Mohamed Massaquoi has a bum ankle.

Joshua Cribbs is still a double-duty return man only just emerging as a ballcatcher.

Brian Robiskie has been completely abandoned by Shurmur; the second-generation player has been thrown to twice in 2011 and didn’t catch either ball.

Third-stringer Carton Mitchell is hurt, and let’s face it, no one outside of the Rust Belt has ever heard of Jordan Norwood.

And running back Hillis leads the team in receptions. See that’s not good. 

Enter rookie Greg Little. Remember, this is the young man whose draft stock plummeted due to character concerns after he was suspended for the entire 2010 college season? Well, he’s shutting folks up all over the city by the lake.

After one reception in Week 1, Mr. Little caught four balls versus Indy for 38 yards. It’s a little early, but I think this gamble is going to pay dividends in Cleveland, as McCoy and Little get more and more comfortable with each other. I would like to think that Pat S. spent some time this week loading in a few specifically designed plays for the duo.

Given the heretofore lack of star power on the Browns’ wide receiving roster, it’s a good thing that Cleveland has some pretty kickass TEs. Alex Smith is a very good blocker who can catch in a pinch. But the combination of Benjamin Watson and Evan Moore is a mismatch for most linebacking corps.

If you haven’t been watching the recent re-emergence of the two-TE set, may I refer you to Tom Brady, Aaron Hernandez and Ron Gronkowski? Same idea. With both Watson and Moore running routes, Colt McCoy's choice is simple:  the linebackers will bite on one of them—throw the ball to the other. Last week this philosophy resulted in a Watson TD.

More good news for Browns’ fans in that Miami star CB Vontae Davis is doubtful. His backups are second-year Nolan Carroll and rookie Jimmy Wilson. Uh-huh.  

Peyton Hillis and the Flu

Or whatever he has. Cleveland’s starting running stud was sent home from practice so that he could get better. I love the way the media dismisses illness on the part of a football player as if it were nothing. They certainly thought it was important when it was Dirk Nowitzki.

Frankly, if offensive line coach George Warhop hasn’t convinced his charges to get off the line more quickly, even 27 carries a game won’t help Hillis get to the Promised Land. At least Warhop has tight ends to help pass protect–now how about some run blocking too?

Yes, we know that Peyton Hillis has one move. But it’s a good one. The guy’s on the cover of Madden for Pete’s sake! Besides, who says being a one–trick pony is a bad thing? Ask Mariano Rivera.

Cleveland has been steadfastly maintaining that second-year runner Monterio Hardesty is impressing all concerned. Well, considering the fact that he didn’t play all of last year and I have yet to see more than one minute of professional play, I guess I’ll have to take their word for it. But I am not convinced.

The question here is whether or not the Miami D can keep track of those TEs, pressure baby signal-caller Colt and stop Hillis too? Not to mention the running battering ram that is rookie fullback, Owen Marecic. Well, the 'Fins have given up 122 yards per game to Green-Ellis/Woodhead and Foster/Tate. So I’m thinking the answer is “no.”

Colt McCoy vs. Miami Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll

Brian broke Colt into the league last year as the offensive coach in Cleveland. If anyone knows McCoy’s weaknesses and tendencies, it’s him. But here’s where I reveal my prejudices.

I’m a big fan of Cleveland’s new QB. We all know that intelligence (or at least football IQ) is the single most important quarterback attribute. Not only is Colt, in his second year, going through his progressions with alacrity and constantly looking downfield even when flushed from the pocket, he also makes great decisions.

Last week, he completed a third down pass just inches before crossing the line of scrimmage on a scramble. Plus, he completed 22-of-32 passes in Week 2 (I know it was against the Colts, but still).

Trent Dilfer recently listed McCoy as one of the up-and-coming young NFL quarterbacks—based almost solely on his leadership abilities. You bet. It’s a team sport. But teams need leaders, and nothing is more important in the NFL than “believing” you can win a game. Colt McCoy convinced the Browns that they could beat the New England Patriots last season. And they did.

So I think Mr. McCoy can hold his own in a strategic chess match with a former coach. I just wish he didn’t look 12 years old. Forget George Clooney—he looks like a teenaged Ricky Schroeder!

Who Is Going To Cover Brandon Marshall?

Yes, we know it’s going to be Joe Haden—I was being rhetorical. Can a 5’11”, 190-pound, second-year corner get the best of one of the top wide receivers in the league (who is also 6’4”)? I have no idea, but I’m going to watch the matchup! 

Chad Henne may not be even a poor man’s Dan Marino–but he knows a good WR when he sees one. He throws to Marshall at every available opportunity. So would I.

Haden is a physical player, and this contest within the game could very well end up being a battle of intimidation.

If Haden succeeds, it will be "game on" for the rest of the Browns’ secondary since Chad Henne completed passes to six different players in Week 2. Dick Jauron isn’t selling Henne short; he actually called the Dolphins’ QB “a good one.” I don’t know if I’d go that far, but his point is well taken since Chad did manage a remarkably decent showing in New England.

Cleveland's Run D vs. a Rookie Miami RB

I’m sorry, I’ve never been a Reggie Bush fan and his stubborn insistence on dancing around between the tackles and achieving primarily lateral movement has only confirmed my belief that he is uncoachable. (How brilliant is Charlie Casserly looking these days? Say thank you, Wade.)

Fortunately for Miami Dolphins’ fans, they drafted Daniel Thomas. Up until last week, the ‘Fins were auditioning people off the street to fill the RB position. Well, not literally, but what else do you call Larry Johnson, Clinton Portis and Brian Westbrook in 2011? Yikes.

The kid racked up 107 yards on 18 carries. Again, I know it was the Colts’ run D, but it was a professional defense, and it was his first game. However, I do think that Browns' linebackers D'Qwell Jackson, Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong are probably going to make it a long afternoon for the rookie. Jackson alone had contributed almost 100 tackles before his 2010 injury and has 19 so far this year.

That is, if Daniel Thomas makes it past the D-line. Cleveland is starting two rookies on the left side of their 4-3, so that’s probably the side Sparano will attack. Cool! Rookie-on-rookie pounding!

You Knew We’d Get There: Cleveland Browns' Special Teams

Joshua Cribbs is the best in the business. But how bad is that groin? I mean, uh, well…you know what I mean. Miami punter Fields has a very strong leg, which plays right into Joshua’s hands as he revs it up from deep in the endzone.

Cleveland just hired the venerable (and very dependable) Brad Maynard to replace their injured punter. Advantage Browns.

The place-kicking matchup should be even since Dolphin Dan Carpenter is a talented young PK. But he has missed 3-of-5 FG’s in two weeks. That’s not spectacular. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s Phil Dawson is poised to become the Browns’ second all-time points leader this week. ‘Nuff said.

And the Winner Is...

That's right, Phil, I'm going with the Browns. I'm thinking it will be close. Say, three points?