Random Thoughts: Week 6

By Brandon Rastok
NoLogoNeeded.com staff writer

Once again the Cleveland Browns got punched in the mouth by a better, all-around football team. 

I have to admit, I wasn’t too excited for the game yesterday.  Too many times have I seen the Steelers roll the Browns like they were playing against a practice squad.  At the start of the game, it was on in the background.  I wanted to know what was going on, but didn’t want to get too involved.  I knew I would end up with a sick feeling in my stomach and I would be a grouchy mess for the rest of the day. 

Then, the Browns defense came out ready to play and I was drawn in.  But in the end, everything I expected to happen did.

Here are my random thoughts from a game that wasn’t as close as the score made it seem.

•Apparently, yesterday was a day for the officials to start making up rules.  Since when does the ball get spotted short of a first down?  Then, the officials bring the chains out to measure and the ball is short of the last chain link.  But in the end, after all of this, the officials still give the Steelers a first down.  That is just the cold hard luck the Browns have faced.

•Yes, QB #7 had a nice game against a porous and short-handed defense.  However, I am so sick of every commentator stroking his ego and blowing smoke up his rear end for no reason.  It happened again yesterday when they compared him to John Elway and other great quarterbacks.  Sorry, but I don’t believe John Elway every led the league in sacks, especially over the course of three seasons. I also don’t believe Elway ever had the league’s top defense supporting him or covering up his mistakes. 

•It got so bad yesterday that after QB #7 was sacked, the announcers stated, “He was so tough he just wanted to get his jersey dirty.”  Seriously?!?!  How about mentioning the reason he has to hang onto the ball for so long is because the guy can’t read a defense?  Could they really have been serious when they mentioned him in the running for an MVP? Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are simply on fire and several defensive players are making a run at the sack record.  As I've written on this site before, the Browns have to get better because I can’t take the garbage announcing teams anymore.

•When are the Browns cornerbacks going to tackle someone?  I mentioned this last week, but it lights a fire inside me every time I see it.  Eric Wright is a solid cover man, but he avoids contact and gets carried down the field on a consistent basis.  Brandon McDonald seems to have already packed it in for the season.  He seems to have lost all ability to cover anyone. 

•Then, to make matters worse, he is afraid to tackle ANYONE.  It has gotten so bad it looks like he just whiffs on purpose.  It was stated he has a sore shoulder, but if it was hurting that bad he shouldn't have played.  Apparently the message Mangini sent McDonald by not starting him against the Bengals has already been forgotten.  The Browns may need to find a new corner in the offseason.

•The right side of the Browns offensive line is atrocious.  I could not believe the number of times I witnessed John St. Clair blocking down to double team an interior lineman while Lamarr Woodley or Lawrence Timmons ran right beside him untouched on their way to the quarterback.

•One problem the Browns have had since their return — No Logo Needed mentions it frequently — is that the Browns' failure to make opponents pay for their mistakes.  When the Browns start with the ball in opponent's territory, or especially in the red zone after a turnover, they have to put points on the board.  Yesterday, the defense and Josh Cribbs gave the offense great starting field position, but to no avail.  Cribbs threw an interception.  Anderson threw an interception.  They have to develop a killer instinct and be able to score when given the opportunity.

•Derek Anderson is still the streaky player we all have come to know.  When he is hot, there are not many quarterbacks out there better than him.  But when he is not, like the last two weeks, it is just flat out ugly.  You would expect his receivers to help him out once in awhile, but I have never seen a group of professional pass catchers struggle so hard to hang on to the ball.

•Am I now allowed to officially be p.o.'d about the Browns drafting David Veikune in the second round?  That is the same round that Rey Maualuga was drafted in, by the way.  The Browns were without Kamerion Wimbley and D’Qwell Jackson, but where was Veikune?  This meant the defense was trotting out Jason Trusnik and Kaluka Maiva, both of whom struggled greatly.  But yet, Veikune could not find the field.  Second round players are supposed to be starters and impact players, not special teams contributors.  And, oh by the way, Trusnik is ahead Alex Hall on the depth chart already?  What does that say for Hall’s ability and his future?

•It appears that it has gotten to the point again the Browns assume they are going to lose to the Steelers before the game starts.  Then, they take the mentality that they just don’t want to get hurt out on the field.  That makes some of their play embarrassing.  Watch the secondary play.  Even Brodney Pool seemed to shy away from tackles yesterday.  I am not sure if he is afraid of getting another concussion or if his head just wasn’t in the game.  Yes, he had an interception, but he seemed to constantly take bad pursuit angles and avoid contact.  Or, maybe the defensive backs were concerned with the Hines Ward cheap shot, crack back factor.  I don’t know what it was, but their tentative play was ridiculous.

•Speaking of Hines Ward, how many times have the Browns faced him?  And how many more times will it take to learn that it might be a good idea to have someone cover him?  It amazes me how many times the nearest defender is about 10 yards away.

•Where, oh where have you gone Jamal Lewis?  He had 11 carries for 21 yards with a long run of four yards.  That is not going to get it done.  Jerome Harrison can at least run hard, but I still have my doubts he is a full-time feature back.

•There were a few things from the game that the Browns can build on.  Joe Thomas may now be the best left tackle in the league.  If you disagree, please name me another player who has completely shut down Jared Allen, Antwan Odom, and now James Harrison.  This is one position the Browns thankfully won’t have to worry about for quite some time.

•Josh Cribbs is a complete stud.  He has put all his trade rumors and desires for a new contract aside and come to work everyday.  Not only that, he is still the best special teams player in the NFL.  He should be commended for that.  The problem is that other than the Wildcat formation which should be expanded and used more frequently, he doesn’t really have a role on offense.  I don’t necessarily see Mangini breaking the bank for a special teams player or setting up a precedence for renegotiating contracts, so I believe this may be Cribbs last season in Cleveland.

•I liked the way the Browns used Hank Fraley as an extra lineman at the tight end position to try to slow down the Pittsburgh blitz.  It was something I begged the Browns to try last season after witnessing the Ravens have success with it. 

•For roughly a half the defense played well.  They got pressure on QB #7, forced some turnovers, and kept the Browns in the game by forcing Pittsburgh to punt.  Now, if they could just get healthy and hold up for an entire game.

•Eric Barton looked tough against the run.  He helped hold opposing runners under 100 yards. 

•Robaire Smith appears to finally be healthy from his Achilles injury.  His return made a big difference in the first half.  He is an important part of the defensive line.

•This was another game that penalties were not a problem for the Browns.  It seems that Mangini is starting to get through to his players.  Now, if they can just improve the talent level.

•Rob Ryan is doing an excellent job dealing with the cards he is dealt (a lack of talent, a lack of physical play, and an offense that can’t score or stay on the field).

•Brian Daboll, well, the same can’t be said.

Editor's note: Thanks to Waiting For Next Year for the best picture we've seen of the "Steelers first down" from yesterday.