Friday, August 18, 2006
Browns vs. Lions - Recap
By John Chandler
Here's a double-edged sword: if not for their rookies, the Browns would have been in trouble. That bodes well for the future; just not the immediate future. In a 20-16 win over Detroit, the contributions from many first and second-year players was encouraging. But in the short term, it means the injured Browns are awfully thin in critical areas.
Time to assess the damage:
QUARTERBACKS
Charlie Frye was under pressure from the first snap (which, incidentally, was a clean one from newly acquired Ross Tucker). He was forced out to his right, and managed to sneak upfield for 9 yards, showing off the mobility that makes him such an interesting prospect. But the drive ended when Frye, again under pressure, chucked up a duck into triple coverage that was intercepted.
The second drive saw a better run/pass mix, but still more pressure. Charlie found Dennis Northcutt on a 5 yard touchdown pass, deftly avoiding two Lions defenders breathing down either side of his neck by spinning and stepping up the middle to find Northcutt crossing through the middle of the end zone. Frye's final numbers: 8-11, 41 yards, TD/INT.
Ken Dorsey looked awful at first, then found his footing and a rhythm with TE Kellen Winslow late in the 2nd. He misfired on a slant intended for FB Lawrence Vickers, leading to an interception.
Dorsey's final numbers: 11-15, 75 yards, INT. Enough to grab the #2 job? It will take more to sway this jury.
RUNNING BACKS
The Browns second drive was far better than the first, and it started in the backfield. Reuben Droughns picked up 27 yards, thanks to a few solid downfield blocks. Rookie RB Jerome Harrison jumped into the mix with a 12 yard pickup, while veterans William Green and Lee Suggs watched from the sideline. The Browns even picked up a crucial 3rd and 1 -- normally a crapshoot with this team -- thanks to tough second effort from Rookie FB Lawrence Vickers.
Droughns final numbers: 7 carries, 44 yards (long: 27 yards)
Harrison final numbers: 9 carries, 53 yards; 7 catches, 54 yards, TD
It appears Harrison might have a final say in who wins the backup job in the backfield. In two preseason games, he's every bit as explosive as he was coming out of college. Kind of reminds you of Eric Metcalf, no?
At a time when he can't afford a mistake, Suggs fumbled the exchange from Derek Anderson midway through the 3rd. I'd call that a good way to get shipped from the doghouse to the outhouse, except the Browns already tried and failed on that note this week (see: Suggs to Jets... and back).
Green carried twice for 2 yards. Wait--he did? Sorry, must've missed it.
KELLEN WINSLOW
In his second game, Kellen Winslow appeared to find a groove. His cuts were sharp, his routes found the holes in Detroit's secondary. Winslow caught one pass for 15 yards from Charlie Frye, then two more for 22 yards late in the 2nd quarter from Ken Dorsey.
Winslow's final numbers: 3 catches, 37 yards (12.5 avg.)
DEFENSE
The potential of rookie LB Kamerion Wimbley is eye-popping. With 8:46 left in the 2nd, Wimbley exploded past Lions left tackle Jeff Backus and consumed QB Jon Kitna for a sack. Exactly why the Browns drafted him.
Otherwise, it was clear that the Browns defense has a few holes. As expected, Willie McGinest watched from the sideline in his team-issued grey T-shirt. At some point this preseason, the veteran LB will need to step onto the field with his new team.
Sean Jones got the start at strong safety, and appears to have the upper hand on Brodney Pool. Jones nearly caused an interception in the 3rd with one hand in QB Dan Orlovsky's face, and the other deflecting the football. Pool, meanwhile, drew a couple of penalties.
The Browns appear very thin in the back seven. With a pair of potential starting corners (Daylon McCutcheon and Gary Baxter) out for the preseason, CB Leigh Bodden was the only one worth watching. Maybe the best player on defense.
As for the linebackers, rookie D'Qwell Jackson gave up a touchdown pass to Kevin Jones in the 2nd quarter. He rebounded in the 3rd, spying the quarterback and stepping in front of the tight end for an interception.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Do you want the good news first, or the bad news?
Let's start with the good: the 2006 draft class. This year's rookies appear strong. Wimbley, Jackson, and Harrison all impressed. And that's more than the Browns could say in quite some time for a draft class in it's second preseason game.
Also impressive were Droughns and Winslow. The offense needs each to move the ball anywhere.
Now, the bad: the offensive line. It's a mess. To be fair, the line is a victim of circumstance (from Bentley's injury to Hallen's retirement to Ephraim's suspension). But with Ryan Tucker out for the preseason, calling it patchwork would be letting them off easy. The quarterbacks had no time to throw, with pressure mostly coming in off the tackles. Unless Orlando Pace suddenly demands a homecoming, this unit will be a weekly struggle.
The bottom line here: the Browns need to get healthy and stay healthy. There's no deep end to this team; it's awfully shallow.
Browns fans, do you agree? E-mail your thoughts to 5sports@newsnet5.com and look for them on the Toyota Sports Sunday at 11:32 PM on NewsChannel 5.
Here's a double-edged sword: if not for their rookies, the Browns would have been in trouble. That bodes well for the future; just not the immediate future. In a 20-16 win over Detroit, the contributions from many first and second-year players was encouraging. But in the short term, it means the injured Browns are awfully thin in critical areas.
Time to assess the damage:
QUARTERBACKS
Charlie Frye was under pressure from the first snap (which, incidentally, was a clean one from newly acquired Ross Tucker). He was forced out to his right, and managed to sneak upfield for 9 yards, showing off the mobility that makes him such an interesting prospect. But the drive ended when Frye, again under pressure, chucked up a duck into triple coverage that was intercepted.
The second drive saw a better run/pass mix, but still more pressure. Charlie found Dennis Northcutt on a 5 yard touchdown pass, deftly avoiding two Lions defenders breathing down either side of his neck by spinning and stepping up the middle to find Northcutt crossing through the middle of the end zone. Frye's final numbers: 8-11, 41 yards, TD/INT.
Ken Dorsey looked awful at first, then found his footing and a rhythm with TE Kellen Winslow late in the 2nd. He misfired on a slant intended for FB Lawrence Vickers, leading to an interception.
Dorsey's final numbers: 11-15, 75 yards, INT. Enough to grab the #2 job? It will take more to sway this jury.
RUNNING BACKS
The Browns second drive was far better than the first, and it started in the backfield. Reuben Droughns picked up 27 yards, thanks to a few solid downfield blocks. Rookie RB Jerome Harrison jumped into the mix with a 12 yard pickup, while veterans William Green and Lee Suggs watched from the sideline. The Browns even picked up a crucial 3rd and 1 -- normally a crapshoot with this team -- thanks to tough second effort from Rookie FB Lawrence Vickers.
Droughns final numbers: 7 carries, 44 yards (long: 27 yards)
Harrison final numbers: 9 carries, 53 yards; 7 catches, 54 yards, TD
It appears Harrison might have a final say in who wins the backup job in the backfield. In two preseason games, he's every bit as explosive as he was coming out of college. Kind of reminds you of Eric Metcalf, no?
At a time when he can't afford a mistake, Suggs fumbled the exchange from Derek Anderson midway through the 3rd. I'd call that a good way to get shipped from the doghouse to the outhouse, except the Browns already tried and failed on that note this week (see: Suggs to Jets... and back).
Green carried twice for 2 yards. Wait--he did? Sorry, must've missed it.
KELLEN WINSLOW
In his second game, Kellen Winslow appeared to find a groove. His cuts were sharp, his routes found the holes in Detroit's secondary. Winslow caught one pass for 15 yards from Charlie Frye, then two more for 22 yards late in the 2nd quarter from Ken Dorsey.
Winslow's final numbers: 3 catches, 37 yards (12.5 avg.)
DEFENSE
The potential of rookie LB Kamerion Wimbley is eye-popping. With 8:46 left in the 2nd, Wimbley exploded past Lions left tackle Jeff Backus and consumed QB Jon Kitna for a sack. Exactly why the Browns drafted him.
Otherwise, it was clear that the Browns defense has a few holes. As expected, Willie McGinest watched from the sideline in his team-issued grey T-shirt. At some point this preseason, the veteran LB will need to step onto the field with his new team.
Sean Jones got the start at strong safety, and appears to have the upper hand on Brodney Pool. Jones nearly caused an interception in the 3rd with one hand in QB Dan Orlovsky's face, and the other deflecting the football. Pool, meanwhile, drew a couple of penalties.
The Browns appear very thin in the back seven. With a pair of potential starting corners (Daylon McCutcheon and Gary Baxter) out for the preseason, CB Leigh Bodden was the only one worth watching. Maybe the best player on defense.
As for the linebackers, rookie D'Qwell Jackson gave up a touchdown pass to Kevin Jones in the 2nd quarter. He rebounded in the 3rd, spying the quarterback and stepping in front of the tight end for an interception.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Do you want the good news first, or the bad news?
Let's start with the good: the 2006 draft class. This year's rookies appear strong. Wimbley, Jackson, and Harrison all impressed. And that's more than the Browns could say in quite some time for a draft class in it's second preseason game.
Also impressive were Droughns and Winslow. The offense needs each to move the ball anywhere.
Now, the bad: the offensive line. It's a mess. To be fair, the line is a victim of circumstance (from Bentley's injury to Hallen's retirement to Ephraim's suspension). But with Ryan Tucker out for the preseason, calling it patchwork would be letting them off easy. The quarterbacks had no time to throw, with pressure mostly coming in off the tackles. Unless Orlando Pace suddenly demands a homecoming, this unit will be a weekly struggle.
The bottom line here: the Browns need to get healthy and stay healthy. There's no deep end to this team; it's awfully shallow.
Browns fans, do you agree? E-mail your thoughts to 5sports@newsnet5.com and look for them on the Toyota Sports Sunday at 11:32 PM on NewsChannel 5.
Posted at 5:41 PM
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