Observations from a Browns Fan

[BrownsFan]

Unfortunately (for me at least) Cleveland just came up a bit too short this evening. They hung in there and had a chance to tie the game at the end and really with a team this young and inexperienced I can live with that. It wasn't the "blowout" that a lot of people predicted either. Congrats to your team on winning a great game no matter who you are a fan of honestly.

My personal thoughts:


-- I think Flacco has tremendously improved his game. I wasn't necessarily a "hater" of his game but I didn't think he was anything extremely great either. I'll admit that he has gotten better and some of the throws he made were what you would call "elite" throws. I can imagine it has to be a great feeling to know that you have an offense that can become explosive in a matter of a couple of plays.

-- I think Weeden played outstanding overall. The INT he threw honestly wasn't a really terrible pass; it was just great awareness and coverage by the CB (can't remember exactly who grabbed it). The last throw of the game was pretty bad as well. However, Weeden definitely made some great throws and I'm extremely satisfied in how he handled the football game; especially the last drive of the game. My hats off to him and at least for one night he looked like he could be the QB we've been looking for for a long time.

-- Greg Little has just got to go. The guy is an athletic talent but he just cannot get it as a WR. The two painful drops throughout the game were bad enough but you absolutely HAVE to catch the TD pass that was put right into his hands on the 3rd down blitz by Baltimore. He is just too inconsistent and either needs to figure it out QUICKLY or get out.

-- I am disappointed also that there was not more of Trent Richardson. He is the best offensive weapon we have and I don't feel like he was utilized enough. For two weeks in a row now Cleveland has abandoned the run way too early and put it all on Weeden's shoulders. That formula cannot work over a long period of time.

-- Our secondary minus Joe Haden is abysmal. Brown is a shell of what he once was and aside from him it's marginal players at best. I really hope Cleveland figures out a way to build that up in the near future.

Again.. good game to you all. Would love to hear your thoughts about the game as well.

[Intercepted]

Trent Richardson is a beast, love his running style. I agree he was definitely underused. Browns weren't trailing enough to abandon the run that early.

Weeden impressed me that game. Looks like the Browns finally have a decent quarterback. He's a hell of a lot better than Mccoy.

[BrownsFan]

The last point I forgot to make is our WRs. Ugh. What the hell seriously? Little was the worst of them all tonight but besides Ben Watson ALL of our WRs let Weeden down tonight at some point or another. I wonder what it will take for him to get them all in a huddle and just seriously ask them what in the hell they are doing?

[chesapeakeaviator]

You're getting a lot better. No doubt about it. 0-4, but I think in a lot better position for the future than you were last year. Richardson is the real deal, your OL was solid, Weeden made some good throws (heck of an arm and not bad at all with his reads), and your DL gave our line fits. You have had a really unfavorable schedule, but you're going to win some games--and McCoy better get real comfortable on the Cleveland bench.

Good luck going forward. You WILL get some wins.

[Token]

Good game man.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='BrownsFan' timestamp='1348804455' post='1171559']
The last point I forgot to make is our WRs. Ugh. What the hell seriously? [b]Little was the worst of them all[/b] tonight but besides Ben Watson ALL of our WRs let Weeden down tonight at some point or another. I wonder what it will take for him to get them all in a huddle and just seriously ask them what in the hell they are doing?
[/quote]

No doubt dude. If he didn't drop all of those passes, who knows how it would have ended.
And Richardson is a beast. That's the first time I've seen him play. wow......

[IH EART DA RAVENS]

OP: Really appreciate the class in coming here to post, don't want to quote you and take up a ton of space, but it's good to see! Hope to see yall pull in a win against the Bengals and a pair against the Steelers.

[K-Dog]

Sorry about Cribbs man.
Hope he is okay.

The Browns are better than their record.

[omar586]

I agree, little will cut soon, WRs didn't help weeden at all, a lot of drops,

[FormulaOne]

It takes a very mature fan and a (probably) awesome person to post a friendly critique of their own team while in the presence of your opponents' fans.

I would feel a bit depressed about a loss, as would everyone. You need a pick me up, brother, and from what I saw (the end of the 2nd quarter onwards?) the Browns were applying strong and consistent QB pressure. Your run defense was also very good, which was a tribute to your front seven. I think Weeden is a good athlete and it certainly looks like he can make more plays happen, in addition to the ones he already makes, once he gains more experience. I think we all agree that Trent Richardson will be a great back for years to come and I wouldn't mind seeing more RB names in highlights (in comparison to the passing league we have developed into).

Otherwise, I can't see anything wrong with what you said. Every team has weaknesses and I want the Browns to do well. The AFN is all about toughness and your team does bring the pain every time we play them.

[PolishRifle]

Not totally sold on Weeden. Some of those "dropped throws" were just really tough to catch. But Richardson is clearly the future of that Browns franchise. That dude just proved Jim Brown wrong. Talk about talent.

[AsianRice]

Good game man; when you #1 CB back in the game, your defense will be much better. As much as I like blowing you guys out, it just never happens for divisional game except Cam and Pees have 4 months to prepare for it....first game of the season..

[TreTheRaven]

Clevelands D surprised me. My friend had warned me about them, but I didn't believe him, and still expected a blow-out. Looks like I was wrong. They're a young team, but can tell as time goes by -- that D will be nasty.

Good game though. See you folks in week 9.

[Clutch Ravens]

Richardson gives that offense potential and, with Haden back, that D is good.

Little must be ridiculously frustrating to have on your team. The guy has unreal natural talent and can get open against anyone. If he could, y'know, catch the ball, he'd be a massive threat.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='omar586' timestamp='1348805811' post='1171618']
I agree, little will cut soon, WRs didn't help weeden at all, a lot of drops,
[/quote]

You edited this post and it still makes little sense, ha. Are you saying theyre going to cut their most recent WR draftee? I cant really tell what youre saying here.

[omar586]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1348806830' post='1171665']
You edited this post and it still makes little sense, ha. Are you saying theyre going to cut their most recent WR draftee? I cant really tell what youre saying here.
[/quote]

yeah i exegratted a little bit with the "cut" , but he might get demoted though, and believe or not browns coaching staff are so fed up with Little's drops, and u seen that tonight 2 big drops that could've won the game

[Cville-Raven]

I agree about Little man, this guy is just down right immature. Glad we got T. Smith and not Greg. I feel awful for you guys, you seem to have the worst luck with receivers; even worse than us.

[HoldingCall]

No doubt the Browns are moving in the right direction. Their DL did a really good job of keeping pressure on Flacco.

[flynismo]

I hate Cleveland. This win goes to Art and his family.

[ghost1986]

Thanks for the props, BrownsFan. Yeah you guys need to get rid of Little. Not good at all for your team's image when he's overcelebrating every catch and trash talking only to come back with dropped passes. I think he was the only reason you guys lost. Weeden's final throw was bad, but Little dropped that TD pass. I think Richardson is gonna be great for you guys. With him for you guys and Upshaw for us, the Alabama guys are doing well so far.

[Moderator 2]

Browns fan is one of the best rival fans out there--I do hope Cribbs is ok.

[flaccopoe]

It seems all AFC North defenses are slipping. It could just be due to the changing times. The NFL places more and more emphasis on offense and passing in particular. More bombs lead to higher scores and yardage. And penalties usually favor receivers and quarterbacks.

[BrownsFan]

From what I read even last night during the game Cribbs is fine. They didn't say specifically what happened but I'm guessing he just got temporarily knocked out and then woke up feeling ok. I'm assuming he has a concussion of some sort.

Greg Little is absolutely frustrating; it's starting to be Braylon Edwards v2.0 all over again.

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='PolishRifle' timestamp='1348806091' post='1171628']
Not totally sold on Weeden. Some of those "dropped throws" were just really tough to catch. But Richardson is clearly the future of that Browns franchise. That dude just proved Jim Brown wrong. Talk about talent.
[/quote]

I have to disagree. They were tough catches no doubt but I think anyone will say that they were passes that could have been caught by just about any WR out there. I can think of one pass that was dropped that was pretty much impossible to catch but besides that when it comes to the WR spot if it hits your hands and you have position to catch the pass you HAVE to catch it; simple as that. The drop problem goes beyond this one game it has been a plague that the WRs on our team cannot seem to shake since week 1 and for two weeks in a row it has been especially bad.

As far as Weeden overall I'm not 100% totally sold on him either because it's only been 4 games but he has clearly made improvements since week 1 and does seem to be getting it more and more as the weeks go by.

[nk02442]

Browns have such a good offensive line, we couldnt get much pressure. They should have been running the ball wearing down our Dline......

[CorvusCorax]

The Browns looked poised and ready to go. The Ravens had moments where we looked more hungover from the previous game.

I was quite impressed with the Brown's performance. In my opinion they are following the Ravens formula, but utilizing early draft picks. Richardson is beast and is sure to give opponents fits in the run game. Weeden looked pretty good, better than McCoy did in his rookie year.

I think with the continued development of your WRs and shoring up your secondary, the Browns can be a serious contender. I'm buying into the rising stock of the Browns.

BrownsFan I would be proud for your 0-4 Browns. I think you may take the Steelers in your next divisional matchup, that is if you face the Steelers. I don't know your schedule.

[callahan09]

Weeden had a fantastic game. His INT wasn't any stupider of a throw than Flacco's was. Other than that, we'd be talking about Weeden have probably an even better game than Flacco if his receivers could catch. How many dropped passes was it last night for the Browns? Had to be approaching double digits.

[Gordo52]

You guys made it good. Weeden made some great throws but his WRs couldn't capitlize. To be fair it was raining.

Richardson scares me. I feel that he's gonna give us a headache for a long time.

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='CorvusCorax' timestamp='1348831923' post='1171905']
BrownsFan I would be proud for your 0-4 Browns. I think you may take the Steelers in your next divisional matchup, that is if you face the Steelers. I don't know your schedule.
[/quote]

Our next divisional match is actually the Bengals again and then you guys shortly afterwards. We play the Steelers both times this year late in the season. Joy!

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='CorvusCorax' timestamp='1348831923' post='1171905']
I was quite impressed with the Brown's performance. In my opinion they are following the Ravens formula, but utilizing early draft picks. [/quote]The Browns do remind me of a young Ravens team. Same style of football