Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Preview
The Browns followed up a week one 2nd half collapse with an even greater collapse in week 2. Trailing 13-6 going into the 4th quarter, the Browns folded like a lawn chair and were whipped by a decent (at best) Denver Broncos team. The Browns secondary made Kyle Orton, possibly the worst starting QB in the league, look like a Pro Bowler. Bronco linebacker Elvis Dumervil resembled Lawrence Taylor with 4 sacks. Dumervil was shut down by Browns left tackle Joe Thomas in the 1st half, as result the Broncos made a half time adjustment (a foreign term in Cleveland) lining Dumervil up against right tackle John St. Clair. Inexplicably, the Browns didn’t bench St. Clair nor give him any help. His performance was worthy of a trip to the waiver wire. Only Hank Poteat has the skills to match St. Clair’s performance. Poteat’s timely penalty was superseded by his inability to stay within 20 yards of aging Brandon Stokely. Poteat should have been cut at halftime, instead he continued to be the nickel d-back. Brady Quinn received considerable flack for his performance, however, the o-line play combined with the play calling of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, created a no win situation. Calling Daboll conservative is similar to calling Lindsay Lohan promiscuous. Daboll’s idea of a spread offense is lining a fullback or blocking tight end Robert Royal out wide. Describing the Browns offense as porous is an insult to porous offenses everywhere. Even with their offensive struggles, Coach Mangini deactivated WR Brian Robiskie, incredible. Need I remind you that the Browns could have drafted LB Rey Maualuga and still drafted a receiver? What will Daboll do against an aggressive defense in Baltimore?
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Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens survived an epic performance by San Diego QB Phillip Rivers who threw for over 400 yards. The Ravens defense can still stop the run but have struggled against the pass including against KC back up QB Brodie Croyle. So the game plan should be simple; line up Edwards, Furrey, Massaquoi and Cribbs (preferably Robiskie) in a spread offense and attack their weakness. No doubt, instead of the obvious Daboll’s strategy will include several 1st down runs, pounding Jamal Lewis to “loosen” up the defense, several jumbo packages and short intermediate routes all of which will be horribly predictable and ineffective.
On the defensive side of the ball, D-coordinator Rob Ryan will be aggressive and harass QB Joe Flacco. When Flacco is flushed he struggles with his accuracy and the Baltimore offense is ineffective. Ryan knows how to apply pressure and disguise coverages. However, his defense experiences 2nd half fatigue due to the ineffectiveness of the Browns’ offense. The key will be Shaun Rogers and D-line’s ability to stop the run. If they can place the Ravens in 3rd and long situations, they will keep the game close.
Prediction: The Browns will keep it competitive into the 2nd half and once again will crumble. The lack of creativity on the offensive end will be too much to overcome. Baltimore 31 Cleveland 17
By
Scott Dryden
Scott Dryden is a member of the DFN Sports team and also writers for Ohio Sports Time, an