A Balanced Live Perspective of the Game from Denver - 11/05/19 03:10 AM
Yesterday I went to the game, was my first live one as a Browns fan. Overall I had an excellent time and enjoyed talking with Browns fans of all stripes, both converts like me that originally followed Baker from OU and die-hard Cleveland and midwest transplants into the Denver area. It was great talking and barking with everyone before and during the game. Everyone was nice and respectful. Not so much of the trashing your team, self-entitled types, that don’t accept new fans like populate this board. Sorry for generalization to posters not like this.
At any rate this is what I saw:
Denver Defense:
1. Denver's crowd was exceptionally loud, it was creating communication problems for the cleveland O all day. Kudos to their amazing 12th man effect.
2. Denver's run defense was suffocating!! They jammed Cleveland's oline into the backfield on practically every run play especially when it counted. Most of the time it was not an extra man in the box thing it was simply the oline getting manhandled by wolfe and the down lineman on run plays. The only way we ran for the few yards we got is through a bulldozer effort by Chubb. I did not expect this since that has been the strength of our oline to this point. And they tackled great, to my dismay.
3. In the pass game I thought Baker got maybe his best protection of the season. The oline managed their rush pretty good really. Receivers were covered well all day and were tackled usually quickly. OBJ had a safety over the top all day so long routes were not there. Smart call.
Cleveland Offense:
1. Baker: I thought there was much to like here. Baker played his best game this year in my opinion. Pass protection was not perfect but good enough and Baker clearly had a goal in mind to stay in the pocket and get the ball out quick. He also threw the ball away some times when appropriate, good decisions. Baker was razor accurate all day and throwing with velocity. Super clutch on the 20 yard run for a first down. One throw early was in danger due to him missing a LB, that was his worst read of the day.
Baker was decisive but at the same time you could tell he was nervous to go down field into danger areas. Maybe too so, but he is catching flack on so many sides due to interceptions, he looked determined not to do that. I feel bad for him in that respect as some picks were egregious pop-ups, some him playing hero ball in the face of hopeless protection and behind the chains in a no win situation. Baker in game 3 makes the OBJ throw at the end, but not nervous about a pick Baker.
2. Receivers: Overall pretty good. Some amazing catches by Landry and OBJ as the game moved forward. Callaway best game of the year. But, bad drops continued. OBJ had a 20 yard first down in the first half that killed a drive. Landry started very shaky, dropped an incredible slant that he might have still been running on and another pass. Red zone was bad see below.
3. Running game: It was non-existent, especially at the worst times. To Freddy’s credit he was willing to go to the run in critical situations and in the red zone, something he got killed for not doing early on, but Denver was not having it. Through no fault of him own, Chubb was contained, either by Denver or Freddy.
4. Red zone: We were killed by several things. (1) Run game was shut down in the red zone. (2)Denver blanketed receivers. Either the scheme or the routes are really bad in the red zone. I think the loss of Fells, Duke, Njoku, and the disappearance of Higgins is the problem. These are the red zone players not Landry and OBJ, they are not getting open. I would love to see callaway traded for an Edelman or kupp type player that can find holes. Can Hunt fill the Duke red zone role? That being said the tight end has to get his feet down on the throw to the back of the end zone, he acted completely lost.
5. Overall: I thought the offense played well enough to win. No turnovers, no penalties. Especially considering that Denver D, had a phenomenal game and the crowd was a big factor. Yes they struggled in the red zone, but 19 if not 22, or 25 (had they not needed a TD should have been enough against a terrible Offensive team), should have been enough to beat a terrible offense, going against what is supposed to be the strength of our team.
Cleveland Defense: So inconsistent. Totally disappointed we could not stop the run, and allowed the rookie to get away for yardage in critical moments. Total yardage was not bad, but most came in chunks, resulting in TDs. Out of position all day. Tackling that would make the sooners blush. Sooner style pass defense, letting receivers catch balls over their head. Easily their worst effort given the competition. They could not get a stop anytime a stop was needed. This game is on their heads in my opinion. This dline is over-hyped and Denver fans were shocked their crappy tackle was not beaten. They acted like they had no idea what a wildcat was on the last play.
The Freddy Kitchens Problem: On a season-wide level that is a much longer conversation. He has been a comedy of errors and most problems we have are due to him, however, I can reel off many areas he improved in yesterday.
1. Deferred to the second half
2. Tried Chubb in the red zone.
3. Stuck with the run, to create balance.
4. Clearly put an emphasis on no fumbles and Picks
5. Clearly put an emphasis on no penalties
6. Challenged a close critical call (I blame his people upstairs, if it should not have been).
7. Resisted the urge to go for more 4th downs.
It fair to ask why it took 8 weeks to get to these principles that the whole league goes by, but that’s progress.
Still Bad Freddy:
1. Cant get his team to focus all at once or for a whole game. Cue the D to mail in the effort yesterday
2. We get the ball back on our last drive with less than 8 minutes, playing a team on point for defense that we cant crack, and we go into what I can only describe as slow down mode. Milking the clock, ensuring it is our final possession. Why? I think we would be great in hurry up! So maddening.
3. Red zone play design is atrocious.
4. Chubb out for some critical short yardage plays
5. Not playing Higgins is killing us. I know Higgins may be number 4 in straight athleticism but he is the best at finding holes in the defense and connecting with Mayfield. This continues to be a terrible mistake by Freddy.
6. The team respects Kitchens as a brother not a coach or father.
Overall Game: the way it played out Cleveland O and Denver D had a battle that Denver D slightly won. Cleveland D was really bad against a crappy Denver O, and that turned the tide. I predict Denver O wont score 10 points next week, and Cleveland D, will see the missed opportunity.
I still believe we can have a decent season and I support the Browns as they are figuring stuff out. I believe both the D and O will be better next week. Our luck has to turn soon. Go Browns!!!
At any rate this is what I saw:
Denver Defense:
1. Denver's crowd was exceptionally loud, it was creating communication problems for the cleveland O all day. Kudos to their amazing 12th man effect.
2. Denver's run defense was suffocating!! They jammed Cleveland's oline into the backfield on practically every run play especially when it counted. Most of the time it was not an extra man in the box thing it was simply the oline getting manhandled by wolfe and the down lineman on run plays. The only way we ran for the few yards we got is through a bulldozer effort by Chubb. I did not expect this since that has been the strength of our oline to this point. And they tackled great, to my dismay.
3. In the pass game I thought Baker got maybe his best protection of the season. The oline managed their rush pretty good really. Receivers were covered well all day and were tackled usually quickly. OBJ had a safety over the top all day so long routes were not there. Smart call.
Cleveland Offense:
1. Baker: I thought there was much to like here. Baker played his best game this year in my opinion. Pass protection was not perfect but good enough and Baker clearly had a goal in mind to stay in the pocket and get the ball out quick. He also threw the ball away some times when appropriate, good decisions. Baker was razor accurate all day and throwing with velocity. Super clutch on the 20 yard run for a first down. One throw early was in danger due to him missing a LB, that was his worst read of the day.
Baker was decisive but at the same time you could tell he was nervous to go down field into danger areas. Maybe too so, but he is catching flack on so many sides due to interceptions, he looked determined not to do that. I feel bad for him in that respect as some picks were egregious pop-ups, some him playing hero ball in the face of hopeless protection and behind the chains in a no win situation. Baker in game 3 makes the OBJ throw at the end, but not nervous about a pick Baker.
2. Receivers: Overall pretty good. Some amazing catches by Landry and OBJ as the game moved forward. Callaway best game of the year. But, bad drops continued. OBJ had a 20 yard first down in the first half that killed a drive. Landry started very shaky, dropped an incredible slant that he might have still been running on and another pass. Red zone was bad see below.
3. Running game: It was non-existent, especially at the worst times. To Freddy’s credit he was willing to go to the run in critical situations and in the red zone, something he got killed for not doing early on, but Denver was not having it. Through no fault of him own, Chubb was contained, either by Denver or Freddy.
4. Red zone: We were killed by several things. (1) Run game was shut down in the red zone. (2)Denver blanketed receivers. Either the scheme or the routes are really bad in the red zone. I think the loss of Fells, Duke, Njoku, and the disappearance of Higgins is the problem. These are the red zone players not Landry and OBJ, they are not getting open. I would love to see callaway traded for an Edelman or kupp type player that can find holes. Can Hunt fill the Duke red zone role? That being said the tight end has to get his feet down on the throw to the back of the end zone, he acted completely lost.
5. Overall: I thought the offense played well enough to win. No turnovers, no penalties. Especially considering that Denver D, had a phenomenal game and the crowd was a big factor. Yes they struggled in the red zone, but 19 if not 22, or 25 (had they not needed a TD should have been enough against a terrible Offensive team), should have been enough to beat a terrible offense, going against what is supposed to be the strength of our team.
Cleveland Defense: So inconsistent. Totally disappointed we could not stop the run, and allowed the rookie to get away for yardage in critical moments. Total yardage was not bad, but most came in chunks, resulting in TDs. Out of position all day. Tackling that would make the sooners blush. Sooner style pass defense, letting receivers catch balls over their head. Easily their worst effort given the competition. They could not get a stop anytime a stop was needed. This game is on their heads in my opinion. This dline is over-hyped and Denver fans were shocked their crappy tackle was not beaten. They acted like they had no idea what a wildcat was on the last play.
The Freddy Kitchens Problem: On a season-wide level that is a much longer conversation. He has been a comedy of errors and most problems we have are due to him, however, I can reel off many areas he improved in yesterday.
1. Deferred to the second half
2. Tried Chubb in the red zone.
3. Stuck with the run, to create balance.
4. Clearly put an emphasis on no fumbles and Picks
5. Clearly put an emphasis on no penalties
6. Challenged a close critical call (I blame his people upstairs, if it should not have been).
7. Resisted the urge to go for more 4th downs.
It fair to ask why it took 8 weeks to get to these principles that the whole league goes by, but that’s progress.
Still Bad Freddy:
1. Cant get his team to focus all at once or for a whole game. Cue the D to mail in the effort yesterday
2. We get the ball back on our last drive with less than 8 minutes, playing a team on point for defense that we cant crack, and we go into what I can only describe as slow down mode. Milking the clock, ensuring it is our final possession. Why? I think we would be great in hurry up! So maddening.
3. Red zone play design is atrocious.
4. Chubb out for some critical short yardage plays
5. Not playing Higgins is killing us. I know Higgins may be number 4 in straight athleticism but he is the best at finding holes in the defense and connecting with Mayfield. This continues to be a terrible mistake by Freddy.
6. The team respects Kitchens as a brother not a coach or father.
Overall Game: the way it played out Cleveland O and Denver D had a battle that Denver D slightly won. Cleveland D was really bad against a crappy Denver O, and that turned the tide. I predict Denver O wont score 10 points next week, and Cleveland D, will see the missed opportunity.
I still believe we can have a decent season and I support the Browns as they are figuring stuff out. I believe both the D and O will be better next week. Our luck has to turn soon. Go Browns!!!