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The View from Pluto

By Terry Pluto

Akron Beacon Journal


_ For all the talk about the sad shape of the Cleveland Browns' offensive line - and yes, it's terrible - the defensive line is in the same condition. Here's a shocking statistic: In eight of 14 games this season, the Browns have had a guy run for at least 100 yards against them.

_ The Browns ranked 30th out of 32 teams defending the run. They have allowed 16 runs of at least 20 yards - that ranks 31st. They are giving up 145 yards per game on the ground. The starting defensive line was Orpheus Roye, Ted Washington and Alvin McKinley. Roye had just an average year before going down with knee surgery. He was hurt when playing. Washington is huge but old. McKinley is below average. In a 3-4 defense, the linebackers are supposed to stuff the run. Inside backers Andra Davis and D'Qwell Jackson make lots of tackles, but each have only three for losses.

_ Other than safety Sean Jones and rookie outside linebacker and pass rusher Kamerion Wimbley, the Browns have no real playmakers on defense. Those who keep writing that the Browns should "draft nothing but offensive linemen" need to realize until this team also begin to stop the run, it will be a loser.

_ Meanwhile, they need to run the ball. There is a certain consistency in this: they rank 30th in stopping the run and 30th in running the ball. Given that, it's amazing they aren't worse than 4-10.

_ Talk about no playmakers - the Browns have had only two runs this season for more than 20 yards. That's 31st in the NFL. Amazingly, the Arizona Cardinals have had zero. The Browns don't block very well for the run, and when they do open a hole, it seems Reuben Droughns & Co. do little with it.

_ This says it all: The Browns' longest run from scrimmage this season was a desperate dash by quarterback Derek Anderson for 33 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. The other run of more than 20 yards was 22 yards by Droughns.

_ Guards are supposed to be key to igniting the running game. A year ago, Droughns ran for more than 1,200 for the second consecutive season. Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman had to be a factor. The two veteran guards have been physically worn down this season, and it shows.

_ So the Browns need defensive linemen, offensive linemen, a running back - and we haven't even mentioned the depleted secondary. That's why fans who are so fixated on Troy Smith being the savior just don't get it. The Ohio State quarterback will be a better pro than many scouts believe, but quarterback is not the worst position on the field for the Browns. Not even close, given that it appears Anderson can compete for a starting job if he finishes well against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans.

_ Rather than being bothered by the Browns possibly having two decent quarterbacks in Charlie Frye and Anderson, fans should be happy, if for no other reason than this: Browns quarterbacks always get hurt! They need two. Only in 2001 did a quarterback (Tim Couch) go the distance in all 16 games.



[img]http://[image]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/thepitdog/topdawg.jpg[/img][/image]

Hard to argue against the truth...however I'm sure some will try.

Sure'd be nice to garner a couple more day one picks to stack the cupboard with both sides linesmen. We can no longer put the cart before the horse. It would be good to get 4 linemen in the top 100 slots. Let the games begin.

Phil... you have your marching orders.

everything in this article is the obvious truth

Over the years, it has become apparent to me, that Pluto is one of the few Cleveland sports writers that doesn't write his articles while impaired. He won't wow anybody with glitter, but he is nothing but net usually. Good article and thanks too the OP.

Can't argue with a thing. Now it's just a case of finding the FAs and draft choices to fill the holes... <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> We have a lot of problems. The question is, how much can we do with the upcoming FA signing period and one draft.

Our desparate needs are...OL, DL, RB..... We do not need Brady Quinn, Troy Smith and Calvin Johnson.

I agree, and have for some time.

I think I'm gonna print this up and carrying it around with me so I don't have to keep having this same conversation with people around town. I get tired of repeating myself.

Heh lama, I agree.

I love Pluto's writing. He is up front and honest. Very good for seeing the trees, not the Berea HypeForest.
YO! Browns gonna get one of the final two. We been playing for a draft pick and I didn't know it! <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

Somebody read this to Doc Savage.
YO! Browns gonna get one of the final two. We been playing for a draft pick and I didn't know it! <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

Nothing to argue with there.

To those that think Savage is a miracle worker..... bad news.

Two years ago PS came here and ignored Adalius Thomas OLB in FA. Now Thomas is a Pro Bowl OLB. Instead PS has to use his draft pick to get Wimbley forcing him to pass on Ngata.

How much would it have helped this team to have Ngata clogging up the middle and Pro Bowl OLB Thomas opposite of McGuinnest??

We'll never know, but they seem to be working out well in Baltimore.

Would I like to have Troy Smith? YES

Is drafting Smith the right thing to do? NO

So many people just don't get it,, they think that QB is the weakest link on this team,, and they are so wrong..
'
Pluto hit the nail on the head with this article.

This article says it all..get the lines fixed, get playmakers on D.

Just because we need OL, DL, and a RB doesn't mean we don't need a QB. We have to stop grading our talent on a Cleveland Scale and start judging it by NFL standards. I am not convinced that either Frye or Anderson measure up in that sense. My choice in the 1st round as of right now is either LT Joe Thomas or DT Alan Branch, but if Troy Smith is still around at our 2nd pick - and I think he might be - we'd be crazy to pass on him. You need a playmaker at QB too.

Almost any dawg on this board could have written the article .. Nice to see Pluto figured it out <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

[color:"white"] Would I like to have Troy Smith? YES

Is drafting Smith the right thing to do? NO [/color]

I agree with one caveat.......if Troy slips to us in the 2nd round I think you have to take him. But I don't think this will happen so it's a moot point.

Its very early, but I have yet to see a mock that has Troy Smith going in the 1st round. The NFL has this thing about QB's under 6'3". Quinn will go early and so will Jamarcus Russell (if he declares), because of their prototype size, but I think there is a good chance Smith is still available when the Browns use their 2nd rounder.

This article is very true.
But some of us have been saying these things for years.

He forgot we need at least one more linebacker also ... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Troy Smith .... *LOL* .... u guys are funny .. if we draft him I'll give up on Opie .. and no I dont care to discuss it with U blind as hell homers ...

Well Savage wanted to Draft Play makers and then build a foundation <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> , I think ??? .. Well what happened ! <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, you're right, all he does is win big games, make every throw you could ask a QB to make, sense pressure, have great mobility, see the whole field, and make good decisions - quickly. Then again, he's only 6' or 6'1", so he's got no shot.

Oh please, stop it.
If we draft Troy Smith anywhere before the fifth round I'll be mad as hell.

WE NEED LINEMEN -LOTS OF 'EM!

I don't really care about the need angle...I just don't think the guy is that good as he projects to the NFL.

Admit it, you're an Anti-Buckite.

Seriously, stop what? I think the guy can play. I already said I don't think he should be our 1st pick, but I do think he would be a great 2nd round pick. Sue me, I'm a Browns fan and a Buckeye fan ... but do you really think I would want us to waste a 2nd round pick on a guy just because he's from O-State? I happen to think we need a QB and I think Smith will be a good one.

I don't like short QBs in the NFL. I know there are exceptions like Flutie and Garcia, but generally, I like a QB at least 6'2.

I'm a Browns fan and a Buckeye fan too, but our greater needs are OL, DL, CB, and RB. After we get thos areas set then we can look for another QB if we need too.

I think Smith is a great "College" QB but that does not automatically mean he will be a great NFL Starting QB. So I think "YES" WE CAN PASS ON SMITH and live to fight another day.

If we already had all of these areas of need on the team set then I'd be ok with giving Smith a shot. I also like Brian Brohm; QB, Louisville. But QB is not a dire need right now until we can get solid blocking and a running game. Also, at some point, we may need to find some damn WR's that can catch the ball and learn to run proper routes.

"" Hard to argue against the truth...however I'm sure some will try. ""

Of course it's the truth and you're right about those who will try to argue against the truth. Don't you know --- it's that "horrible" media always trying to bash the Browns and not give them the "respect" that some blind, diehards think they deserve.

Pluto is the best.

With our o-line I doubt Brady or Manning could be successful let alone a rookie Qb - no ,matter how good that rookie Qb is. Pass on Smith, build the line, then bring in a Qb. Can you say Hunter Cantwell out of Louisville in 2 years? 6'4" 230# who is extremely accurate and has a rocket arm.

As far as o-line vs d-line, build the o-line 1st. Typically is takes an o-lineman 1-2 years to adjust to the pro game. D-lineman can more easily come in and contribute right away.

As far as defensive playmakers, think Lamaar Woodley.

Don't let Diam rattle you. If Troy was at Notre Dame, Diam would be all over him. He's still mad that Brady finished 3rd in the Heisman...... <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

I am also an Ohio State fan, and taking Smith in the draft is not a smart move. Untill we build a good O-line, and a good D-line anything else is a unwise pick. Put Payton Manning at QB right now and and our offense would still suck.

That's why you take Brady and let him sit two years and learn the system behind Charlie & DA while building the O-line. <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

Feh, I don't rattle that easy. Besides, I like Diam ... he makes a lot of good points and has a lot to offer about football, but I guess we disagree about Troy. It ain't the end of the world either way.

Nice little read. Pluto says everything that Browns fans that pay attention realize - this is a team that is supposed to run the ball and stop the run. Like he said, we need to address OL, DL and RB. We may have a shot at a top prospect for each (Thomas, Branch and Peterson). Whichever Savage thinks is the best player and which can be best addressed in FA/later rounds, I don't know, but if we take a QB, I'll be upset. We need to start addressing the running game's explosiveness before we even begin to think about another QB.

If we don't got hot and heavy for O and D lines early and often the next two years the lines will not be built, setting us back YET ANOTHER few years. <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

I know what you're saying GM ... what I'm saying is that with the draft and free agency, we can walk and chew gum at the same time ... upgrade the O-line, the D-line, and the QB position in one off-season. Example; say we take Alan Branch, DT, #1 in the draft, Troy Smith, QB, #2, and sign Steinbach as a FA to play Guard. Say further that Bentley returns healthy and ready - humor me - and he either plays C and Fraley moves to G, or Fraley stays at C and Bentley goes to G. Even more, say Tucker returns healthy - not such a stretch. How is this line ...
Schaf - Steinbach - Fraley - Bentley - Tucker? (or flip Hank & LCB)
Branch at 6-5 335lbs in the middle on the D-line has to be a huge upgrade over the Washington Monument, no?
You would still have rounds 3-7 to upgrade further, along with maybe 2 more FA's.
I know it probably won't happen that way, but it could.

Bentley will NOT be back next season if at all so count him out of your plans. We don't need another QB till we have play makers on BOTH lines.

I didn't know that was a sure thing about Bentley.

You need playmakers at the offensive skill positions too.

Merry Christmas.

but hey... it's only 2 more years we have to say... Next year we will have a real team. Pluto is right on with this article. I hope that we end up with the 3rd pick move a few down and still end up with Thomas. I doubt that's going to happen but, a dawg can't always be the Hydrant...

That would be a real shocker, seeing as you have OAK and DET playing only 13 games, CLE playing 14, and Tampa playing 15. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Merry Christmas