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Cleveland Browns defense will face stern tests in 2008
by Tony Grossi Plain Dealer Reporter
Tuesday June 03, 2008, 11:58 AM

We're all assuming that the Browns' offense is now on auto-pilot and the season will be charted by their defense.

With that in mind, here are the challenges posed to coordinator Mel Tucker by the Browns' 2008 schedule. We analyze the first eight games today and the rest on Wednesday.

• Game 1, Dallas

Very tough game for the safeties. If Brodney Pool doubles Terrell Owens, then Marion Barber pounds the ball on the ground. And who covers Jason Witten? It might be too early for rookie Felix Jones to have impact, but the Cowboys intend to use him as a complement to Barber. What an opener.

• Game 2, Pittsburgh

The Steelers have talked about using Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall in the backfield together. If so, they'd probably motion Parker as a receiver because he's not lead-blocking for a rookie. More likely is they would spread the field with Hines Ward, Santanio Holmes and imposing 6-4, 220-pound rookie receiver Limas Sweed. Very tough early test for Browns cornerbacks. Best hope here is to dominate the line of scrimmage because the Steelers have issues there. Oh, have we mentioned yet the Browns have never defeated Ben Roethlisberger?

• Game 3, Baltimore

The Ravens saw what Rob Chudzinski did with the Browns' offense in one year and hired his mentor, Cam Cameron, to do the same. They drafted a Derek Anderson facsimile, Joe Flacco, but it took Anderson three years to develop and he played at a Pac-10 school. Flacco is from Delaware. Plus, Cameron doesn't have the offensive pieces in his first year that Chud did.

• Game 4, Cincinnati

Coach Marvin Lewis intends to go to a three-receiver base to try to open up running room for Rudi Johnson. He's been looking for a third receiver for two years. He loaded up with four in the draft. But Johnson and Cincinnati's O-line aren't what they used to be. This team misses Eric Steinbach more than it cares to admit. And who knows what state of mind Chad Johnson will be in.

• Game 5, N.Y. Giants

We will know for sure by this game if Eli Manning, in fact, has ascended into the elite quarterback ranks or whether his superb post-season and Super Bowl triumph was an aberration. This offense doesn't scare you, but it has collected a good stable of receivers and backs. This is a very blue collar team that can wear down a defense. This is another line of scrimmage battle.

• Game 6, Washington

If Joe Gibbs couldn't make this offense go, what should we expect from Jim Zorn? The new Redskins' coach is installing Seattle's version of the West Coast offense -- shorter dropbacks and quicker pass routes. Will that benefit fourth-year quarterback Jason Campbell, who has a big arm, or impede the progress he seemed to make last season?

• Game 7, Jacksonville

Some are touting the Jaguars as the new power in the AFC. For that to happen, their offense has to be completed and that depends on new receivers Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson being productive. Their running back combo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew is one of the best. Fullback Greg Jones is a load, too. And just when you have everything covered, quarterback David Garrard runs for a first down.

• Game 8, Baltimore

The second time around for the Ravens poses similar questions as in their first meeting: Is Flacco in place at quarterback? Is Todd Heap hurt again? Is Derrick Mason still catching 12 passes a game for 60 yards? I just don't see this offense as constituted making the leap of improvement the Browns had in 2007.

Check out the final eight games in tomorrow's blog.

grossi

Well, hell, we should maybe just fold up our tents and not play at all

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Well, hell, we should maybe just fold up our tents and not play at all

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we would save alot of money on blood presure pills & Beer,

With new players and such..we'll see early on what happens..
We know where the holes exists but I'm anxious to see this new Dline get outta the box early..

I know it takes an offensive line a little while to gel but how about a defensive line?

Here's Part Two...

On Tuesday we analyzed the opposing offenses awaiting the Browns' supposedly new-look defense in the first eight games on the 2008 schedule. Today we cover the second half of the season.

On paper, there are fewer challenges, defensively, for the Browns over the final eight games. But injuries play a huge role in November and December and there's no way to predict them. That's when depth of the roster is tested most.

• Game 9, Denver

The Broncos have had two of their worst offenses under coach Mike Shanahan in two of the last three years. Every position area on offense is in transition -- the line, the receivers, the backfield. Quarterback Jay Cutler hasn't proved anything and there's no superstar on offense to carry the load.

• Game 10, Buffalo

You've got to believe that quarterback Trent Edwards and running back Marshawn Lynch will be better in their second season. Turk Schonert takes over as coordinator and he reportedly will try to get the ball more to deep threat Lee Evans. The drafting of 6-6 James Hardy and the addition of a veteran fullback should help in the red zone, where the Bills were the third-worst offense. Come to think of it, they were 30th overall, too.

• Game 11, Houston

An interesting dynamic developed at quarterback last year. After designated franchise QB Matt Schaub was injured, eternal journeyman Sage Rosenfels flourished in coach Gary Kubiak's offense and outplayed Schaub. Rosenfels looked lame in a Dolphins uniform three years ago in Cleveland. This team is banking on injury-prone free agent Chris Brown giving stability to the running back position. It is not an offense to fear. A lot depends on how quickly surprise No. 1 pick Duane Brown develops at left tackle.

• Game 12, Indianapolis

The Colts are smart in always replenishing their offense because that is their meal ticket. They used seven of their 10 draft picks on offense and brought back running back Dominic Rhodes. Last year was the time to catch the Colts because Marvin Harrison missed most of the year. In his absence, Reggie Wayne stepped to a new level and Anthony Gonzalez developed quicker. There's also tight end Dallas Clark to worry about. This offense is most teams' defensive nightmare.

• Game 13, Tennessee

There is nothing to the Titans' offense except quarterback Vince Young. No playmakers to bail him out. They added scatback Chris Johnson in the draft and tight end Alge Crumpler in free agency to give him shorter throwing options. But the safeties shouldn't have to worry about giving cornerbacks help to cover the likes of Justin Gage, Roydell Williams and Justin McCareins. Just one problem: When Young escapes the clutches of Kamerion Wimbley, who chases him down?

• Game 14, Philadelphia

This is another team with issues at receiver. The Eagles reportedly are still holding out hope of trading for a No. 1 receiver. The only time they reached the Super Bowl under Donovan McNabb was with Terrell Owens making plays downfield. Brian Westbrook might be one of the league's all-purpose stars, but he can't carry an offense. McNabb is said to be healthy and more inclined to use his legs to make plays, which, again, would be a thorn to the Browns' defense.

• Game 15, Cincinnati

By this game, the Bengals could be in typical spoiler mode. The good news for the Browns this year is the second game is in Cleveland. You've got to figure that a healthy dose of Kenny Watson at running back and Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson at receiver will be awaiting the Browns in December.

• Game 16, Pittsburgh

If you're the Browns, you don't want the AFC North title hinging on this game in Heinz Field. There's just too much psychological baggage to deal with.

grossi

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• Game 13, Tennessee

There is nothing to the Titans' offense except quarterback Vince Young. No playmakers to bail him out. They added scatback Chris Johnson in the draft and tight end Alge Crumpler in free agency to give him shorter throwing options. But the safeties shouldn't have to worry about giving cornerbacks help to cover the likes of Justin Gage, Roydell Williams and Justin McCareins. Just one problem: When Young escapes the clutches of Kamerion Wimbley, who chases him down?

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Apparently he didn't watch the 2006 Atlanta game. I think we should defensively do the same thing and just have Leon shadow VY the whole time. He's good when he has a purpose.

I keep wondering what it would take for Grossi to ever look at things in a positive light.
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Just one problem: When Young escapes the clutches of Kamerion Wimbley, who chases him down?

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Why couldn't he have written:

"I don't expect Young to get past Wimbley but if he does, DQ Jackson should be able to run him down".

But NOOOOOOOO,, he must get paid by how negative he is

Apparently Grossi feels as if none of our ILB's can catch and bring Young down..

if the browns could tame Mike Vick.... Young will be a breeze...

Here's a pretty funny article by our old friend Pat McManamon at the ABJ regarding the apparent strength of this year's schedule. The jokes are redundant but at least he admits that this whole schedule situation may be rendered meaningless as soon as the season starts. Unfortunately, this is the dead time and there isn't much to debate until things start picking up, but then again, that's why you're reading this right now.

Browns face hurdles with their schedule
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist

POSTED: 12:43 p.m. EDT, Jun 04, 2008

There was a time when predicting an NFL team's success (or lack of) based on a schedule was not that difficult.

In a not-too-distant past, teams did not yo-yo from one season to the next, go from good to bad or bad to good overnight.

These days, it's a little tougher to predict what will happen in the fall during the summer. Evidence: The Browns schedule last year, when three of the first four games seemed brutal in June but in September turned out to be merely a minor annoyance.

That being said, there is one clear conclusion to draw from the Brown schedule for 2008: It's brutal.

That's right now, in June.

It's brutal, with five of the first seven games against playoff teams from a year ago — playoff teams that give many indications they will return to the playoffs.

There's also those prime-time games, four in the first 10. They've drawn notice around the league, with players pretty much smirking at the thought a non-playoff team can get five prime-time opportunities.

Such is life with the big dogs in the NFL. And you know what they say about the big dogs and the porch.

So the Browns best be ready.

A tone can be set for NFL seasons early, which makes the Browns' first two weeks a significant challenge. The opener will be against free-flinging Tony Romo, Terrell Owens , Marion Barber and the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys feel like they are a legitimate Super Bowl team, and Jerry Jones will want to make certain he puts on a good show on national TV in the opener.

Welcome to the world of defensive coordinating, Mel Tucker.

The second week is no easier. It's against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team the Browns have not beat since the Great Depression. Until the Browns beat them, there's no reason to believe they will.

The next two games are on the road, at the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. Winnable games, certainly, but the Browns did lose in Cincinnati late last season and needed a miracle of sorts off the Dawson Bar to win in Baltimore.

Neither game is easy.

Next is a prime-time visit from the New York Giants, followed by trips to the Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars. Tough games all — especially in Jacksonville.

In the vernacular, the opening seven games (plus a bye) would be called ''eight tough weeks.''

A 4-3 mark coming out of those games would be good. A 5-2 mark would be reason to start buying playoff tickets.

The next four weeks are at home against the Ravens and the Denver Broncos and on the road at the Buffalo Bills (at night) and Houston Texans.

A good season means the Browns need three wins, at least, in this four-game stretch — starting with the first two home games. Winning these will be essential. Because the Browns can't afford to lay a stinker against a team it should beat. They did that last year at the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, if you recall. Beating one of those teams would have meant a playoff spot.

Three -for-four in this stretch could have the Browns at 7-4 or 8-3 — if they survive the ''eight tough weeks.'' That would have them in position to make a serious playoff push.

The final games are a mixed bag.

The Indianapolis Colts at home will be very tough, especially if the Colts rest their starters and play Jim Sorgi. We all saw how tough the Colts are with that guy at the helm. Three of the final four are on the road, at the Tennessee Titans, at Philadelphia Eagles (at night) and at the Steelers in the season finale.

Sandwiched in there is a home game against the Bengals.

Imagine a split with the Colts and Titans and a win over the Bengals, and the Browns could have 10 or 11 wins heading into the finale. Which is at Pittsburgh. Where the Browns have not won since the Teapot Dome Scandal.

If a playoff spot comes down to the final game, it will be an exciting week of buildup, of hype, of talk. But it will also be a huge amount of pressure on the Browns to win a game in Pittsburgh, where they have not won since the Dred Scott decision came down.

It'd be fun if that game were for a playoff spot, but it'd also be best for the Browns that it not come down to that game.

The key to the Browns season?

Hoping that some of these playoff teams they face from a year ago have a dropoff. The Redskins look like they might have the potential for a dropoff. The Giants face a season when every team will bring their best to beat the Super Bowl teams. The Titans do not seem to be all that.

But the thing is that every team in the AFC North plays the same schedule, so a dropoff from other teams might not be that significant because other teams play the same schedule.

So here's four realistic keys, now, in June:

1 — Surviving the opener with morale intact, a tough, tough assignment.

2 — Beating the Steelers. Finally. You know it hasn't happened since the Monroe Doctrine was issued, right?

3 — Beating the teams they should beat.

4 — Coming out of the ''eight tough weeks'' with a winning record.

Those three things happen, we could be talking football in January.

Uhhh, you listed FOUR things there, genius!

abj article

We'll win the Jags game...I'm going to be there and will cast the evil eye upon the Jags. Now you guys from OHIO take care of Dallas.

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Hoping that some of these playoff teams they face from a year ago have a dropoff.

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Again, why the negative,, why not positive.. I just don't get it with reporters..

Why couldn't it be true that the other teams better watch out for us because we have an offense that is pretty darn good and we upgraded our Dline as well..

Isn't that something that we should be happy about and our opponents a little worried about?

Geez.,. I guess it doesn't matter what paper these guys write for.. negative sells I guess.

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1 — Surviving the opener with morale intact, a tough, tough assignment.

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I wanna believe that won't be a problem and as evidence to that, look at last season.. that was a big blow we took from the Steelers,, big shake up with Frye being traded and DA coming in to start,, We survived last years mess, I can't see where we couldn't do that again.

hehe, I love reading Pat .. I really dig his sense of humor


This is exactly what I've been getting at... we face a number of upper echelon teams, but at the same time there is little reason that we can't EXPECT at least 10 wins this season. We just have to do the things we should be doing and beat the teams that we should beat.


It sounds redundant, but if we don't have any letdowns, there won't be a letdown... meaning if we beat the ones we should beat, we're gonna have a good record and be involved in the Post Season.

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if we beat the ones we should beat, we're gonna have a good record and be involved in the Post Season.

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If we beat the teams in our division we will also be involved in the post season. We seen what 3-3 or less did for us last yr. We need to be at least 4-2. Hopefully 5-1.

nordawg

If we beat the teams we should beat, we'll be 5-1 in the division with a loss at Steelers.

I disagree. I think that at the end of that game, after the bad play-calling and the four interceptions, in the last minute, you, me, DA, and everyone on that team EXPECTED to still pull it out.

We also knew we did not need a miracle, just a good play, which, for the first time in almost 20 years, we all knew we could do. Not just hoped, not a maybe, but "It's OK, we should make this." It was a lot like red-right-88.

For me, the QB debate comes down to that one play. DA makes it and 70-80
% of the deadbate goes away. I was mightily peeved at him for the miss, but make it a do-over with free choice, and right now, I would have to put DA back there again instead of BQ. That could change.

This could be the best Browns team I have seen in 40 years. The pieces are falling into place. It is fun to watch football again.

If there were such a thing as Karma, we'd have the division locked up before the last game. Indy would need a Pittsburgh loss in that last game to make it as a wild card. We start Ken Dorsey ...

I know it takes an offensive line a little while to gel but how about a defensive line?
Considerably less time..thats why the old adage is to buy offense and draft defense..they learn faster because the line play isn't as complicated as offensive blocking, yada yada..

They still have to play within the scheme and learn dual positions..but I don't think if they really talented they can't have a early impact.

I can agree with many of the issues the Browns D will face, according to Grossi. We all know this season will be a tough test for the Browns but I do wish the article didn't have such a negative spin on things.

The one thing I disagree with is the first Cincy game he says CJ isn't what he used to be???? What proof is he basing this on? if CJ gets his head out of his butt and plays ball then I think the Cincy games become a bit tougher, as I believe their offense will bounce back and be productive but not enough to make them unbeatable.

I feel the Colts, Jags, Cowboys, and Steelers will be our toughest games to win, not that I'm taking any other teams lightly. The Giants and Eagles will be a test, as well, however I think they're both winnable games.

Buffalo and Houston could be sleeper games if were not careful.

Oh, Grossi suggests a scenario where we might be 8-3 and in good position to make the post season, if we're 8-3 we will win the division.

I still say we end up 11-5, win the division and make the playoffs.