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Do IT this week: Layering
Browns can't run ball and can't stop run
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Monday, Dec 08, 2008
NASHVILLE, TENN.: It's like picking low-hanging fruit to say that the Browns didn't use Joshua Cribbs enough at quarterback in Sunday's loss to Tennessee.
But the loss — and the season — are bigger than that one issue.
Still, why not try more with Cribbs?
The argument against it is — what — that it's better to have Ken Dorsey throw 43 times?
Practice Cribbs at quarterback, give him 10-to-16 pass plays to learn and run some of them during the game.
The Browns know what they have in Dorsey, and if they don't, they should. He's a very good guy and smart player who lacks the wherewithal and arm strength to win in the NFL.
Having Cribbs try more couldn't have been worse than what happened.
Dorsey's 43-pass effort added up to 150 yards passing, with 45 of those yards coming on the most last-of-last-gasp possessions.
Coach Romeo Crennel said the Browns didn't practice Cribbs much at quarterback during the week, that most of his time came after practice, when he'd take snaps on his own and make some throws and do that kind of thing.
Crennel said using Cribbs was going to happen ''by feel,'' and that it wasn't fair to ask him to read the defense, read the coverage, adjust on the move and throw the ball if he didn't practice.
So practice him. Yes, it's not easy, given the Browns also were trying to get Dorsey ready, but try something.
Cribbs said he'd do whatever he was asked.
''I'm a player,'' he said over and over. Meaning he doesn't coach, doesn't make the decisions and it's his job just to do what he's asked to do.
But let's not kid ourselves: He'd love to try.
Crennel chose to use Cribbs on seven plays, six of them runs up the middle. He gained 24 yards on six carries and had a 30-yard run wiped out by a penalty. The seventh was a deep throw down the sideline that Braylon Edwards caught out of bounds.
Let it be noted that pass was the best deep throw by a Browns quarterback.
What's the harm in using Cribbs on 25 plays? If nothing else, his elusiveness and running ability might have slowed Tennessee's relentless rush.
Heck, what's the harm in going for a first down on at least two of the many field goals that Crennel sent Phil Dawson on the field to attempt?
But the fact that this is a topic of discussion after this loss merely illustrates that the Browns' problems are deep. Their talent on the field — the ''53,'' as GM Phil Savage alludes to the group he picked — is lacking. Because teams that don't have the talent to compete resort to that kind of tactic.
Consider two stats: The Browns ran the ball 19 times for 35 yards. Take away Cribbs, and Browns backs had 13 carries for 11 yards.
Which is why Dorsey chucked it 43 times, a season high for a Browns quarterback (imagine that reality!). That's a lot to ask of a guy signed not to play but to be a mentor and quasi-assistant coach. (Tennessee's third quarterback: Chris Simms, a former starter in Tampa Bay.)
Tennessee, meanwhile, had 235 yards rushing on 43 carries. That's two-hundred-and-thirty-five yards running the ball.
This glaring problem has been lost in the ever-present focus on the future of the coach and the GM's radio rants and the quarterback discussion.
But no NFL team will win when it cannot run the ball and cannot stop the run.
The Browns have not stopped the run since the Truman administration.
They spent a lot of money and energy in the offseason, trading for Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers and giving both contract extensions. Williams was given a $6.5 million signing bonus; Rogers, a $5 million signing bonus.
The Browns now are giving up 148.5 yards rushing per game.
Tennessee allows 92.4 yards rushing.
The Titans have an accomplished front and linebackers who can run. They are aggressive, and they play with intensity — even against a team with a 4-9 record.
The Browns have no linebackers with speed, and even though D'Qwell Jackson had an outstanding game with 15 tackles and two interceptions, the defense continually is knocked off the ball.
On offense, the Titans do what they do and they do it well. Everyone who plays them knows they are going to run, yet they succeed.
Because they're good.
The Browns have a line that is nowhere near as physical as Tennessee's and is nowhere near as good as it was a year ago.
At this point, too, you have to wonder about Jamal Lewis, and whether his struggles are the result of the people up front or whether he's starting to lose a step.
The Browns simply are not good enough on either side of the ball when it comes to the running game.
A year ago, Tennessee and the Browns finished the season with identical 10-6 marks.
The Titans have gotten better.
The Browns have imploded.
If the Browns really believe they put the same talent on the field as Tennessee, they are living a mirage.
Cribbs could run 800 plays at quarterback and the team is not going to win. Their problems, quite simply, are bigger than one position.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/.
NASHVILLE, TENN.: It's like picking low-hanging fruit to say that the Browns didn't use Joshua Cribbs enough at quarterback in Sunday's loss to Tennessee.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 04:55 AM, 12/08/2008
Cribbs is the ultimate utility player, and I was playing him in Fantasy Football.
I was, therefore, very disappointed when the Browns offensive plans didn't continue with the old-school option plays with Cribbs.
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 05:04 AM, 12/08/2008
pathetic-bring back MARTY=fire RAC and SAVAGE,send them packing NOW-Mr.Lerner,the clock has run out-it 'quit' ticking too long ago,and only you can jump start it for the infamous 'NEXT YEAR' stale staement of legends past...
Naples, FL
Posted 05:55 AM, 12/08/2008
The team may not have quit on RAC but RAC quit on the team yesterday! Why not challenge a 45 yeard reception by BE that looked like he may have gotten two feet in bounds with nothing to lose int he 4th quarter? Why kick FGs with 7 minutes left in a game when you are down 3 TDs and haven't moved the ball since the first possession? I have said there is no reason to fire a coach at this point in the season but now I'm not so sure.
Posted 07:21 AM, 12/08/2008
I would find it more interesting to have the water boy try out as offensive coordinator and see if Bernie can still fit into a uniform, than continue watching the offensive team on the field. To say this year was a disappointment is understatement at its zenith! Clean house, give Savage control of the scouting department, and start anew (once again) this time with some personnel with more successful resumes. Bewilderment and resignation are the only expressions I see on the Browns' sideline these days.
Stow, OH
Posted 07:40 AM, 12/08/2008
Can you imagine how horrible that game would have been to watch yesterday if we didn't have Cribbs ? I agree with Geoffrey on RAC ,throw the stupid flag and challenge the call! The CBS announcer said it best yesterday when he said ," somebody is asleep on the sideline ".
Posted 08:12 AM, 12/08/2008
Chud is an idiot. Anyone hear what was said about Dorsey's interception? Could have been avoided if Edwards had put his arms/hands up...pathetic.
barberton, oh
Posted 08:27 AM, 12/08/2008
It seems 2 me that after a player makes a nice run, they take him out f the game. I'm seeing it every week. Cribbs was doin well @ QB, but they had 2 use Dorsey. Those MORONS runnig that Team have got 2 go ASAP. 2 day is good with me. I wouldn't wait another game. Dump ALL of the people, starting with Savage on down...
Posted 08:34 AM, 12/08/2008
Pat, buddy. If you think our defensive run stopping problems are on the shoulders of Rogers and willams you sir, are a complete moron. Our LB's except for Jackson, and sometimes Wimbley SUCK! I could run around the field better then Willie and Andra Davis. Those two are WAAAYYYY past their prime, if Davis ever had one!
Maybe we should draft some OSU defensive players. They always seem to have stellar NFL careers. I would give up my left arm to see Malcolm Jenkins as one of our CB's next year!!! I would even take Laurinitus!!
Posted 09:06 AM, 12/08/2008
I've been a supporter of Crennel, but after yesterday it seems he and Savage both need to go. The perpetual rebuilding is a bummer, but the incompetence is an even bigger bummer.
Posted 09:10 AM, 12/08/2008
Mike, are you the same "mike" that was saying last week that anyone who thinks Cribbs should go in at QB doesn't know football?
Posted 09:33 AM, 12/08/2008
Crennel must go !He is a contamination to the team along with Braylon and the 3.6 yds per run washed up Lewis.I am not a Clowns fan but i do sympathize with those who are blatantly tired of losing!
They need to just move the hell outta Cleveland and use Akron as an expansion team.And let Marco Sommerville be the quarterback !.........hey just joking!!!Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!hahahahahaha
Posted 09:34 AM, 12/08/2008
Face it,they suck like Hoover vacuums!!!
calgary, AR
Posted 10:03 AM, 12/08/2008
I SAID THIS 5 WEEKS AGO FIRE CRENNEL NOW! DO NOT WAIT FOR END OF SEASON ASSIGN ONE OF HIS ASSISTANTS AS INTEREM.THIS TEAM SHOWS NO LEADERSHIP EDWARDS SHOULD BE BENCHED PLAY STEPTO AN CRIBBS AT LEAST THEY TRY LEWIS MUST HAVE VISION PROBLEMS HOLES ARE THERE HE JUST DOESN'T RUN TO DAYLIGHT PLAY WRIGHT AN HARRISON MORE. WHAT HAVE THEY GOT TO LOSE.
NOT CHALLENGING THE CRIBS - EDWARDS PLAY SHOWED HOW RIDICULUS CRENNEL IS HE LOOKED AS IF HE WAS KEEPING THE FLAG IN HIS POCKET TO KEEP HIS PACKAGE WARM .
FIRE HIM NOW NOW NOW DO NOT WAIT FOR END OF SEASON DO IT NOW NOW NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 10:45 AM, 12/08/2008
No, that was me, and I still say it. Cribbs at QB won't work, it's an idiotic idea. But hey, the Browns are going to lose anyway so if you want it go for it. For the future though, no chance.
Posted 11:28 AM, 12/08/2008
I agree with that. No one believes that Cribbs is going to compete for a starting QB job. But for right now, I don't see him being any worse as a starter than Dorsey. His one throw yesterday showed more arm strength than Dorsey's tosses that went half the distance. Obviously, they have a lot to lose by playing him if he gets injured. But only 5 snaps? Come on.
Kent, Oh
Posted 02:41 PM, 12/08/2008
You know what Pat, to say that the Browns haven't stopped the run since the Truman administration is a little bit sarcastic, don't you think? Do you remember the teams of the 80s when we had hard-hitting linebackers like Clay Matthews and Johnson and Johnson. Not to mention the frontline. Also, Josh Cribbs is just one man and he can't do everything. It's too bad that we can't just leave him on the field and let him play offense, defense, and all the special teams just because he is the most talented player may be in the whole NFL. Playing quarterback means learning a lot of plays, in all fairness to Josh I think he would have way too much to learn just to win a few games in a dismal season. It's over.
Kent, Oh
Posted 02:49 PM, 12/08/2008
Whoever said that the interception Dorsey threw to Edwards could have been avoided if Edwards would have made an attempt to catch the ball is absolutely right. Not that it would have mattered, we still looked terrible but how may times have you seen Edwards give up on a pass because it was the right to him? If he at least would have made an attempt on the ball he probably could have at least deflected it if not caught it. He doesn't ever give 100%-but he is from Michigan. Enough said.
Kent, Oh
Posted 02:54 PM, 12/08/2008
To everyone that says fire Romeo right now, play Cribbs at quarterback, get rid of Jamaal Lewis, the only one stopping the run is Shaun Rodgers, and so on and so forth doesn't even matter anymore. This season is over and we need to move on to the Cavs and even more importantly the Indians. The Browns are done.
Posted 03:08 PM, 12/08/2008
There's a couple of linebackers at USC who would look nice in a Browns uniform. They are Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews Jr. How cool would it be to have another Clay Matthews here? I am hearing that Matthews could fall into the second round because he is a tweener(Can line up as either an LB or DE). Take those two, cut Davis and send McGinest into retirement. In order to get Maualuga we would need to lose out the string which will probably happen anyway (Yes, even the Cicninnati game). Laurinitis is a great player too, but from what I have seen, I think Maualuga is just slightly better (Sorry Buckeye fans). Maybe would could figure out a way to get all three of these guys. Too bad Anderson's trade value isn't what it was coming into this season.
Posted 05:05 PM, 12/08/2008
I agree Craig. It would be awesome to have Maualuga and Matthews both. Laurinaitis is a great LB, but I don't know that he fits what we need right now. He is always on the ball. We need an A.J. Hawk-type that stuffs the run.
Although I must say, I would love to see the Legion of Doom spiked shoulder pads in the Dawg Pound...if those ended up in a place like Oakland I'd puke.
Akron, oh
Posted 05:30 PM, 12/08/2008
Pat, drop the pipe. Cribbs is not a quarterback. Get Gradkowski ready to go and play him.
Posted 05:57 PM, 12/08/2008
You're right Missy. He returned punts and kickoffs during his four years in college...
Posted 06:07 PM, 12/08/2008
The Clowns are a joke-Cleveland be smart and jump on the L-train (Lebron,Z,Mo Williams,Big Ben and Co)and follow a REAL team with CHAMPIONSHIP promise!!!! GO CAVS!!!!
Posted 11:24 AM, 12/09/2008
All of you who are asking for more Cribbs are asking for trouble. As much as you'd like to think, he can't do everything. He'll eventually get hurt trying to do so and then you'll all turn and say, "He shouldn't have been in there anyway". We could lose a vital part of next year's team by throwing him to the wolves over the next 3 games.
If he plays more QB then get someone else to return kicks. He's going to get hurt.
Posted 05:24 PM, 12/09/2008
I agree, play Cribbs....let him run four or five times, then let him fill the air with footballs, I know that guy can throw, but he does not get the opportunity.
With that in mind maybe stumbling Lewis can get a clear running field and run for a few yards before he falls down...
And the Brown's LBs and others are just as fast as the Steeler's players. But those Steelers love football and play the whole game with confidence and fire..
