Cleveland Browns vs. San Diego Chargers Preview
December 6th 4:15 ET
The Browns laid another egg at Cincinnati. Their offense was listless and their defense gave up long scoring drives aided by horrible tackling in the 16-7 loss. Many point to the lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball. The fact is talent is not required to be in the correct position, display fundamentals and more importantly show hustle and heart. I want to support Mangini but it is increasingly more difficult to do so with Brian Daboll still calling plays, Brian Robiskie deactivated while a practice squad player was on the field and Hank Poteat still on the team. Poteat is like the kid on the play ground that has never played football. You tell him to guard someone he immediately face guards the kid, never looks at the ball and runs around like a chicken with its head cut off. The good news was the lucky pickup of Matt Roth. The Dolphins cast him aside despite his talent and work ethic. Roth was picked on Thursday and played very well on Sunday.
This week the Brown host a dangerous San Diego team. The 8-3 Chargers are led by QB Phillip Rivers. Rivers is as tough as they come and has two very good receivers in Vincent Jackson and TE Antonio Gates. The running game has struggled behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. The Lightning Bolt defense has been inconsistent but can bring the heat.
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Prediction: The Browns defense will be without Shawn Rogers for the rest of the season. LB Kamerion Wimbley and safety Brodney Pool may also miss the game. Pool had another concussion which could place his career in jeopardy. The DB combination of Toast and Skirt will get burnt and burnt often as Rivers will have a field day. Cleveland’s offense can have success providing Brian Daboll decides to run routes beyond ten yards which is a 50/50 proposition. The Chargers will be way too much for the Browns no matter the weather conditions.
San Diego 37 Cleveland 17
By
Scott Dryden
Scott Dryden is a member of the DFN Sports team and also writers for Ohio Sports Time, an