When the Browns beat the Raiders, people disparaged the victory saying
Oakland was the worst team in the NFL. When they beat the Jets, it was said that
the Browns knocked off an overachieving team with a bad run defense. But this
week, the Browns defeated a Falcon team that is a playoff contender. This
victory came on the road and in a situation where the Browns played far from a
perfect game. As always, let’s break down what happened.
Offense
With the Falcons hurting in the secondary, very similar to the problems the
Browns are having, a logical game plan would be to challenge their corners.
Atlanta was down to starting special teamers and castoffs, and regular starter
DeAngelo Hall was playing hurt. But unlike the Browns, the Falcons have had
problems at safety as well. While the Browns did try to establish a running
game, the game plan was clearly to throw. That put the ball in the hands of
Charlie Frye who was roundly criticized all week for a poor performance against
the Chargers. Frye bounced back to have perhaps his best game of the season.
Frye still had problems. His mental error on the final play of the first
half, holding the ball and eventually fumbling, could have cost the Browns a
cheap score. He could have avoided taking some of the five sacks he suffered by
throwing the ball away, including one that nearly led to a safety. But Frye also
was making a conscious effort to look off receivers, something he has not been
doing that the Charger defense noticed on film last week. That’s not to say he
was perfect in this area, but he was better. He also missed two early deep
throws when the receivers had gotten behind the defense. But Frye managed to go
the entire game without an interception, something he has not done all season.
He used his legs well on both scrambles and some designed run/pass option plays.
He stepped up to avoid the rush several times. Overall, Frye learned from some
of his mistakes, something I questioned last week. There is still a ways to go,
but if there is progress, it is easier to live with some mistakes.
The offensive line continues to struggle, especially guard Joe Andruzzi. He
was blown up more than once. On the other hand, it was behind him that the
Browns were able to score on fourth and goal at the one along with fullback
Terrelle Smith. Cosey Coleman was called for a false start. Ryan Tucker
returned, and at least Frye was not running for his life despite the five sacks.
I think the biggest concern with the line is in obvious run situations. With the
Browns buried at their own one for the second week in a row, the line was not
able to get enough of a push to even help the Browns get breathing room, let
alone pick up the first down. The inability to protect nearly cost the Browns a
safety, and did end up costing them Atlanta’s only touchdown on the following
possession. When the Browns needed to run out the clock, there was no running
room at all. The line is playing better than earlier in the season, but it still
cannot overcome any obvious running situation.
Reuben Droughns continues to give effort, but I am becoming concerned that he
isn’t doing more with what little he has. When there is a hole, he just doesn’t
seem to be hitting it with the same authority as in the past. When there isn’t a
hole, he rarely cuts back or bounces to the outside, something he did
consistently in 2005. His fumble, something that is becoming an ongoing concern
as well, cost the Browns a chance to take at least a 17-0 lead and instead
allowed Atlanta to get a field goal at the end of the first half.
The Browns finally threw deep to Kellen Winslow – twice. While I’ve been
calling for him to beat linebackers over the deep middle, the Browns used his
size and speed to take on corners deep down the sidelines. With a 6-inch or more
height disparity, this was a great matchup for the Browns. Five more catches,
this time for 90 yards continue to place Winslow ahead of all other tight ends
in receptions. If he would just stop making stupid penalties, all would be well.
It was nice to see Braylon Edwards involved in the offense again. I also really
liked the way the Browns used Steve Heiden. He did have a rare drop in this
game, but the sure-handed Heiden is a great complement to Winslow and the Browns
used that to their advantage all game long. The Browns tried to get the ball to
Joe Jurevicius and Dennis Northcutt with little success. Josh Cribbs got one
touch as well.
Last week the Browns had seven scores, though six of them were field goals.
The Browns at least managed to cash in on two red zone possessions, and they
lost a chance at a third because of the Droughns fumble. Despite the win, the
Browns did not have the sustained drives we saw against the Jets and San Diego.
When the Browns control the field position battle, though, the offense does well
enough to win. Luckily, the special teams and defense have been able to help in
that regard.
Defense
Week in and week out, this unit may not always shut down the opponent, but
they play a physical game. Team after team has been physically punished by the
Cleveland defense, win or lose. Many pundits are trying to figure out why the
Bengals have tanked after a 3-0 start. The answer is easy: the Browns defense
beat them up enough that they have never recovered from the injuries, especially
on their offensive line. Once again, despite talent holes and injuries, the
Browns played a very solid game in Atlanta.
I have to start with the upfront play. The Falcons are the best rushing
attack in the NFL and the Browns are one of the worst against the run. On paper,
this certainly looked like a mismatch. The game stats show Atlanta rushed for
148 yards. But never have 100-plus yards rushing been rendered as meaningless as
they were in this game. The Browns controlled the running backs very well, and
despite two big runs, they also controlled Michael Vick. The Browns used rookie
linebacker Leon Williams to spy Vick and in doing so, they managed to contain
him most of the game. If Vick got outside the pocket, the Browns defense
punished him. One report had Vick spitting blood on the sideline.
The defensive line, and in particular Ted Washington, had a much better game
than a week ago. The line did not make flashy plays, but mostly stayed at home
and contained. If Vick stayed in the pocket, the Browns were able to get
pressure up the middle from Orhpeus Roye, Nick Eason, and Simon Fraser. On one
play, Vick dropped back. Seeing it was a pass, Eason crashed through a double
team and forced Vick to throw the ball away. The Browns are using Fraser on
obvious passing downs, playing to his strengths. When the Falcons had success in
the run game, it was typically with Ethan Kelley in at the nose.
While the linebackers did not make spectacular plays, Andra Davis and D’Qwell
Jackson had much more of an impact in this game than a week ago. They aren’t
making plays behind the line, but they were able to keep contain and keep
running plays short for the most part. Willie McGinest returned. Several times
he had the play diagnosed at the snap and charged into the backfield, but either
age or injury are making him too slow to make the play. One time he leveled
Vick. Kamerion Wimbley continues to impress, adding another sack. He forced
Vick’s fumble that sealed the game. And of course, Williams did a nice job
spying Vick, especially coming off an injury to do so.
Finally, there is the secondary. Leigh Bodden did not play, and the Falcons
obviously decided to avoid Daven Holly as the best of the corners. Holly made
only one play in the game. Atlanta decided to challenge journeyman Ralph Brown
and training camp cut Jeremy Perry. While both Perry and Brown were burned once
each, especially Perry on a deep pass, overall, both of these guys played well
above expectations. After people wanted to run Brown out of town early in the
season, and he was really bad at times, Brown made several plays in this game.
This is the third week in a row where Brown did a decent job. Then there is the
safety play. Sean Jones continues to make his case for the Pro Bowl with another
interception and one he just missed. He and Brodney Pool shut down the large and
dangerous Algee Crumpler. Crumpler is Vick’s favorite target and he was
neutralized throughout the game. Pool had an interception he might have been
better off dropping that led to the possession at the one. Brian Russell
continues to be a headhunter, and he was flying around out there. All of the
safeties had another great game.
I want to break down the Vick fumble play in particular to show how the
defense played well and as a unit. The Falcons had run the same play out of the
same formation earlier in the second half. The back motions to the opposite
side, emptying the backfield, and then Vick runs to the other side. Vick burned
the Browns for a big gain the first time. When they tried the same play again,
Williams was spying over the middle, but Pool recognized the play and placed
himself in the gap just off the line. Because of Pool, Vick could not go off
tackle, he had to run wider. To the wide side, Wimbley was waiting and chased
Vick. Vick dropped the ball trying to get away, and Perry was in the area to
pick up the loose ball. This shows the defense is learning and is playing smart.
On the other hand, I was very surprised Atlanta ran the same play from the same
formation. When I saw the back motion, I immediately was saying it was a QB
draw. Obviously, so was the defense. When you know what’s coming, it’s a lot
easier to stop.
Special Teams
While the special teams helped the Browns win the field position battle in
the first half, this was a relatively quiet game for this unit. The Browns got
one good kick return from Josh Cribbs, but the Falcons managed to shut down
Northcutt for the most part. Dawson’s kickoffs were shorter than he has had most
of this year, perhaps on purpose to try to contain the dangerous Alan Rossum.
Dave Zastudil did a good job most of the day except for a 29-yard punt late in
the game. The coverage teams allowed both a long kickoff and punt return, the
latter that set up the only Atlanta touchdown of the game. Steve Heiden
deflected a punt that gave the Browns great field position, but it was
squandered when Droughns fumbled.
Coaching
A key to this game was the decision to go on fourth and goal. After the red
zone problems in San Diego, this was a much-needed boost for this team. By
getting an early lead, it allowed the Browns to neutralize the Falcon running
game, the strength of their attack. When Vick is forced to be a one-dimensional
passing quarterback, he isn’t the same player. This allowed the Browns to
control the game early and get a lead.
Game three of the Jeff Davidson era was a win, even if the offense had its
problems. When the Browns passed, they had success. When they got conservative,
they allowed the Falcons to get back in the game. I wonder if this is Davidson’s
approach or if Romeo Crennel is reigning him in when the Browns have a lead.
Still, the deep passes to Winslow attacked a defensive weakness, and I like
rolling Frye out where he can either run or throw. One such play allowed Frye to
run to dig the Browns out of bad field position. Overall, Davidson is playing to
the strength of his players and providing game plans that adapt to the weakness
of the opponent. It is far too early to judge, but so far so good.
Meanwhile, Todd Grantham had a masterful game plan. He is covering over the
weaknesses of his unit while playing with an attacking, physical style that
wears down the opponent. In particular, the job Grantham and Mel Tucker are
doing with this secondary is flat out amazing. For contrast, look at how the
Falcons have struggled since their secondary has gone down injured. If anything,
the Browns are actually getting better as this group of misfits get experience
and learn to play within the system.
I also have to credit Romeo Crennel for the discipline the team is showing in
being one of the least penalized teams in the NFL, something that has really
turned around over the last two years. The Browns did well in the penalty
department again this week, and this despite a terrible roughing call on Roye
that handed the Falcons their first field goal.
Next Up
The Browns finally get the chance to avenge one of the most embarrassing
losses in team history, a 41-0 home loss to the Steelers on Christmas Eve. We
will begin to see if the coaching staff and players understand the significance
of the rivalry.
The season is short. Bark hard!