DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Four Downs: Why Mike Pettine is sticking with run-focused formula amid Browns struggles

Thanks, Pit.
1) I thought that may have been what you were referring to, and ...
2) Flip may have no other choice if (and we haven't seen it so far) he can't get the "run-first" game going...

If we are throwing it 45-50 times a game it's either because:

A. They still view that as the better option to running the ball, which doesn't say much for our running game

or

B. They are stupid and trying to do it the way they want instead of tailoring to the players we have....

And those are my main concerns. I'm not really going to blame Flip for doing what he's doing. I don't believe he has much choice at this time.

What I've been saying all along is that this is not the O that has been preached all along. They've failed miserably at their stated goals. It's obvious to me and it was obvious to the coaching staff as to what needed to be accomplished during the off season.

They knew that we did poorly running the ball last year after Mack went down. They knew our D was terrible against the run. As such we heard the three major goals this coaching staff was concentrated on based on what we did last year and our present status at the QB position.

1. Minimize the QB position.

2. Run the ball.

3. Stop the run.

So I'm not faulting Flip so much for doing what he feels he has to do. What I'm having a hard time with is this coaching staff failing miserably at accomplishing even one of their stated goals.

I wouldn't call them stupid for trying to do it the way they want. I would say they are trying to use the better option.

Which exemplifies their failure as I mentioned in my above post.

So then you are going with Option A. That's what I think it is too.

Be fair and include what we have seen really. Lot of penalty yardage last games. We kept drives alive and piled up yardage with the clock stopped. Also gave up bigger chunks, especially long down and distance. Don't need the ball as long if you score quicker.

More about scoring efficiency and consistency. We are swapping FG's for TD's and being told how visionary and pleased we should be with two-yarders in encouraging losses with pretty outfits. Passing the koolaid to the next guy.

Vertical worked best. The stunning run game is lousy. Once again, what are we doing to get the extras out the box?

Glad we battled. Homer all you want, but it stunk. No lead is safe with a defense that can't get off the field.

I expect Bowe will cure all this if I listen long enough.

But we have Bowe and maybe Gordon some day.

Of course I do believe that their total failure to achieve their goals are why this is happening.

You know....

1. Minimizing the QB position.

2. Emphasis on running the football.

3. Stopping the run.

Had they achieved the goals they set for themselves we wouldn't be seeing 40-50 passing attempts.

More passing...

Just one, a kid by the name of Terrence Crowell!

That was to the very good question I was asked about how many 1200 yard rushers we had with Kyle last year. But point taken.

Well, our RB's touched the ball 34 times between runs and passes caught... Most of those passes were to Duke... sounds to me like they were tailoring the game plan to a player we have? I know Draugn (sp?) got a couple of touches, but outside of that nearly 50% of our plays went to the RB's... I know 13 receptions is high, but they did say they wanted our RB's more involved in the passing game since the preseason.

I guess I'm not sure what all the grousing is about?

Don't get me wrong, I wish our run game looked as good as it is supposed to, but there is some improvement. 2 weeks ago people were ripping the coaches for not making adjustments, now after they adjust, they are ripping them because they broke a "promise"?