Bears vs. Browns
The fourth and final preseason game is the most hated game of the year. The
coaches hate it. The players really hate it and the fans just want it over so
the real games can begin. The best thing to hope for is no injuries and the only
thing to be decided in this game is the final 3 or 4 roster spots.
Browns Offense
Charlie Frye as well as most of the starters will only see one or two series
of action in this one.
Charlie is coming off of his best preseason appearance against the Broncos.
Charlie looked both comfortable and confident in Rob Chudzinski's new offense
while hitting multiple targets and moving the ball well.
While it appears as if Charlie is set to begin the season as the starter,
there are quiet a few questions remaining with the Browns quarterback situation.
Rookie Brady Quinn has been the best quarterback for the Browns in preseason and
another good showing could move him into the number two spot, thus placing
himself in line for competition with Frye as the season progresses. Quinn has a
much better arm than has been advertised. It doesn't take an expert to notice
the flow of the game when Quinn is inserted and that flow comes from command
ability. Leadership is what will get him in the lineup sooner rather than later.
With a pre-season quarterback rating second only to Peyton Manning, the Quinn
bandwagon can't make enough room for everyone jumping on board.
Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson are in stiff competition for the final roster
spot at quarterback. Dorsey has the best understanding of Chud's offense and is
viewed as a mentor for Quinn. Anderson has the physical tools to be an NFL
quarterback. This will be a difficult decision for the Browns to make.
Jamal Lewis should not even sniff the field against the Bears punishing
defense. If he plays, it will only be a few snaps, but no snaps will have him
healthy for the Steelers. Look for Jason Wright to receive the early reps with
Jerome Harrison and Chris Barclay receiving the majority of carries in this one.
The Browns may carry 4 running backs if Harrison and Barclay continue to shine
not only as backs but also on special teams. Barclay with his return ability and
Harrison making big stops on special teams coverage are proving their worth.
The Browns would be better served in resting starting receivers Joe Jurevicius and Braylon Edwards. The Browns had high hopes for Tim Carter taking
over for Dennis Northcutt as the slot receiver but he has yet to prove that he
can stay healthy or catch the ball consistently. Travis Wilson was a highly
regarded third-round pick last year but he could be fighting for a spot on the
practice squad. While Wilson and Carter are moving down the depth chart, Steve Sanders has survived the first cut and is gaining momentum.
Steve was one of my dark horse prospects entering camp last year as an
undrafted rookie but failed to make the team. This year, however, he could find
himself as the Browns slot receiver if he can put together a good effort against
the Bears. He has decent size and speed but he also has a nose for the end zone,
recording 14 touch downs his senior year at Bowling Green. Sanders has very
quick feet and uses those feet to gain separation especially over the middle of
the field.
The Browns offensive line has displayed the best and possibly the only real
pass protection we have seen since the Browns rebirth. The star of the offensive
line so far has been Center Hank Fraley. Hank appears bigger, stronger and
faster than at any time in his career. Not only is he stonewalling the middle of
the line, he is leveling anything in his path when he gets the opportunity to
move into the second level. He should be even better when Steinbach and Tucker
make their way into the starting lineup.
Kellen Winslow II should not even dress for this week's game.
Browns Defense
The Browns defensive line has looked very sound at moments but there has been
no consistency. Shaun Smith looks more suited as the nose tackle while Ted Washington is starting to look more suited for coaching. Shaun will move back to
his more natural position when Orpheus Roye makes his return at defensive end.
The real concern with this line is the lack of depth behind the starters. Out
of the backups, Babatunde Oshinowo has looked the best as he appears much bigger
and stronger than last year. He has held his ground consistently and at times
been quite impressive at forcing the double. The best of the ends has been Chase Pittman. He seems to have a knack for freeing up the linebackers and that is
exactly what his position demands.
The Browns linebackers as a group have been the best unit on the field but
they have also been prone to getting themselves out of position at the worst of
times. Leon Williams has all the physical tools you look for in a linebacker,
but Chaun Thompson is the player pushing his way back up the depth chart. I have
been very impressed with Thompson the last two weeks while Leon is making the
same mistakes that sent Chaun into the dog house by over pursuing plays and not
maintaining his gap responsibility.
While Willie McGinest continues to rehab, ntwan Peek and David McMillan are
making the best of their opportunity. David has earned a roster spot and likely
earned some spot time playing duty. Peek however may have locked down a starting
job even when Willie McGinest makes his return. Peek must improve versus the run
but he has been outstanding at getting pressure in the pocket.
IIt has been a very quiet preseason for the safety combo of Sean Jones and
Brodney Pool. Jones is finding out that holding a safety is not worthy of a flag
in the NFL because every time he has blitzed, he has beat his man only to find
himself being tackled with no flag in sight. Pool has been rather boring in
preseason which isn't such a bad thing. He hasn't made the big plays that were
expected but he also hasn't given up the big plays as I expected.
It is make or break time for one of my dark horse entries in cornerback:
DeMario Minter. Minter has the talent to play at this level but injuries have
kept him off of the practice field as well as the playing field. Minter could
see a lot of action Thursday night as the Browns take more of a look at the
backup corners.
Bears Offense
The Bears had high hopes for their running game, but thus far their running
game has provided little hope for the offense. Cedric Benson has struggled
behind a banged-up offensive line averaging just 2.4 yards per carry. One
positive for the Bears running game is rookie running back Garrett Wolfe. Wolfe
is undersized but he will make an impact as the third down back. This young man
is simply fun to watch whenever he touches the ball. The Browns will have to jam
him hard at the line because the last thing you want is for this young speedster
to get the ball with room to run.
Part of the problem with the running game is that teams aren't showing any
respect for quarterback Rex Grossman. Rex hasn't played horribly but more is
expected from him with opposition showing 7 or 8 in the box on a rather
consistent basis. Rex does, however, manage to stretch the field and he isn't
afraid to take risks. He has also made tremendous strides in getting rid of the
ball much quicker than in the past.
The most improved player on the Bears offense looks to be receiver Bernard Berrian. Berrian is a speedster that is always looking for that open lane to go
deep. He is a small receiver but he plays smart, knowing when to get down to
avoid the big hit. He's also hard to get a grasp on once he gets the ball into
his hands. Look for tremendous battle between Berrian and the Browns safeties as
he likes to get into the slot where his speed is simply too much for most NFL
safeties.
The Bears offensive line has yet to develop the chemistry they need. Left
tackle John Tait, along with left guard Reuben Brown, have missed time due to
injuries and have yet to play together. They are keys in not only the passing
game but also in the run game. Tait going against Kamerion Wimbley should be the
best battle of the night.
Bears Defense
Defensive end Mark Anderson is one of the new breed of NFL defensive ends. He
is similar to Wimbley in size, speed and pass rush ability. Keeping Anderson in
check will be a huge test for rookie tackle Joe Thomas. This match up will be
invaluable for measuring the progress of the young tackle.
It won't get any easier for the Browns interior offensive linemen as they
face off against Dusty oracek and Tommy Harris. Harris is a pure beast in the
middle. His power and quickness should present a tremendous challenge for Center
Hank Fraley. This will be an excellent match up to prepare the Browns for the
Steelers.
WiWith Browns fullback Lawrence Vickers out with an injury, Charles Ali will
have his hands full with future Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher. Urlacher
gets going early and he never lets up but if you can frustrate him early he can
be taken out of a game. Although that happens about as often as Romeo Crennel
winning a review challenge. Urlacher will be involved as long as he is in the
game and must be accounted for on every single play.
If the Bears have a weakness, it is their secondary, although I believe the
unit is somewhat underrated. The Bears defensive scheme is designed to allow the
play to happen in front of them and then either make a play on the ball or
annihilate the receiver. Look for the Browns to attempt running short passes and
trying to deflect the defensive backs. The key match up here will be Braylon
Edwards going against Charles Tillman and Ricky Manning Jr. Neither matches up
well physically with Edwards so they will have to play him much tighter than
they would like.
Final Overview
Roster spots will be earned in this one, especially on special teams. The
best thing any fan can hope for is an injury-free game. Phil Dawson must snap
out of his slump or the Browns will be bringing in kickers all week for
competition.