Look for the Browns to make some personnel changes when they return
from their bye week on Oct. 22.
The most likely change will be at receiver, where Dennis Northcutt has
struggled. It seems likely that Joe Jurevicius will move into the starting
lineup.
"That's part of the bye-week process," coach Romeo Crennel said. "We'll look at
personnel and how they're playing and see if we need to make some changes."
Northcutt has struggled ever since Maurice Carthon was named offensive
coordinator. He does not seem comfortable in the offense, and he also is not
being used the way he was under Bruce Arians.
Then the Browns used Northcutt in the slot, and ran him on a lot of reverses and
end-arounds. Now, he's outside, on one of the top corners, and lost.
His drop against Carolina led to an interception and Panthers touchdown.
Jurevicius is reliable and trustworthy. Nobody on the Browns uses his body
better to position himself to make a catch.
It's logical that the Browns move Jurevicius into the starting lineup and use
Northcutt as the third receiver, where he can take advantage of matchups that
are more in his favor.
PERSONNEL NEWS
- QB Charlie Frye has thrown nine interceptions in the first five
games, but four of them were on balls that were tipped. One was tipped at
the line when he was hit, and three others went off the hands of Browns
receivers into opposing hands.
- RB Reuben Droughns does not have the same explosion this season. Droughns
injured his shoulder in the second game against Cincinnati, and appears to
be favoring the shoulder and running to protect it. The bye week should help
him heal.
- WR Braylon Edwards was nearly invisible after challenging the Carolina
corners verbally prior to Sunday's game. Edwards has talent but would be
smart to talk after the game as opposed to before.
- WR Joe Jurevicius did not look happy standing on the sidelines for much of
the first half against Carolina. Jurevicius is too dependable to be a
situational player. He needs to be on the field with Braylon Edwards and
Kellen Winslow.
- TE Kellen Winslow remains a bright spot with a team-high 30 catches in
five games. Winslow leads the league in catches by a tight end. Baltimore's
Todd Heap is a distant second with 22 catches.
- CB Daven Holly has done a credible job stepping in for the injured Gary Baxter. Holly has not brought back memories of Deion Sanders, but he has not
given up the big play, which is vital in the Browns scheme.
- LB D'Qwell Jackson was credited with 16 tackles in the game in Carolina.
Not many were for a loss, though. Jackson, a rookie second-round pick, only
had one tackle for a loss.
- LB Willie McGinest has been playing with a calf injury that does not allow
him to run full speed. McGinest will welcome the bye week since it will
allow the injury time to heal.
- KR Joshua Cribbs has been one of the Browns brightest spots this short
season. Cribbs is averaging 28.2 yards per return and has three longer than
50 yards. As a rookie, Cribbs just ran. He now is running just as hard, but
finding the holes in the return scheme.
- RB Jerome Harrison has found few opportunities early in the season.
Harrison was expected to be the change of pace back to Reuben Droughns, but
he has just 10 carries for 26 yards the first five games.