Asleep at the wheel
Posted September 24th, 2007 by Marla Ridenour
A breakdown on the left side of the line allowed the Raiders to block Phil Dawson's 40-yard field goal attempt as time expired Sunday in Oakland's 26-24 victory over the Browns. But considering the same situation happened to Oakland the week before against Denver, when Broncos coach Mike Shanahan called timeout as kicker Sebastian Janikowski's presumed game-winner sailed through, the Browns should have been on their guard.
Yes, they knew the timeout was coming from Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. But when Browns coach Romeo Crennel said his team relaxed after Dawson's first (and unofficial) kick off the dirt sailed through, what Crennel might have meant was his players didn't realize that the Raiders weren't really trying that hard on the first one. Oakland knew Kiffin was calling timeout and didn't want to give away its blocking strategy.
Perhaps the Browns' special teams units should follow the lead of the kickoff return team and its fiery leader Joshua Cribbs. That group seems to take pride in its job. Cribbs said after his 99-yard TD return helped him tie Bobby Mitchell for the team's career record with three that his unit's motto is "Nothing less than 50 yards." Cribbs said he relies on running back Eric Wright to tell him where he stands on the field and when to bring one out of the end zone. Their professionalism and teamwork is helping the Browns and Cribbs make their mark in at least one regard.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Crennel must go, he stands most of the time on the side lines wondering where the next buffet dinner is. How can any coach watch a QB make so many mistakes and still let him play. the browns have two other QB that have demonstrated that they can lead the Browns offense. In my opinion Crennel is to relaxed on the sideline and is two low keyed, maybe he is just to heavy to show any emotion and get in the game. As a fan and many others show more emotion watching TV and really get in the game. Thanks Ed Unaitis
September 26th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Well, I'll pass on remarking on our coach's weight, but I do share the sad concern that he'll have to be replaced. As bumbling as our offense tends to be….it still isn't the team's biggest concern. Crennel is supposed to know defense and this is his third year. He just doesn't seem to know what he's doing nor does he appear to show that he's capable of learning.
The team is always unprepared and in-game coaching is non-existent. I don't want another coaching change….but, looking at Romeo's performance; maybe there was an obvious reason that he missed out on so many earlier head coach opportunities.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Coaching is a bit of a problem now but IMO talent is our biggest concerned. On offense we have weapons but have a sh.t QB. Also our o-line can't run block. Yes they can give the QB time to throw but when its time to tighten the chin strap and get 1 yard on the ground we still can't do it. That's not to say Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach are good, its just the rest of the line is mediocre. Defensive talent is a stretch. We have Kamerion Wimberly and who else? We still only realy have 1 impact player on defense. Are you conviced that anyone else we have back there would start on another NFL team. Leigh Bodden? I like him a lot but I'm wondering if we anointed him to soon. I understand he's a little nicked up right now but You have to hold Chad Johnson under 200 yards. We have no d-line. Out LB's are fast but can't seemd to shed blockers and bring down running backs at first impact. There are a host of other things I could mention. So before firing the head coach you may want to look at the guy who keeps giving him these average to below average players to choose from.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Emotion? Too "low-keyed"? All the huffing and puffing and jumping around in the world doesn't seem to help Todd Grantham put anything resembling a defense on the field — obviously the most pressing concern at this point.
One need only look across the field on Sunday. Lane Kiffin did no jumping, no hollering, no screaming, no verbal abuse — and his team won the game.
Similarly with Pittsburgh on opening day. No coach jumps around and screams in Indy. None in NE. None in Cincy.
Corporal punishment as motivational tactic is soooo 1980s, dude. Open your eyes.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:16 am
I don't blame Crennel, but the Browns need to play better on offense and defense if they want to win games.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Romeo says that this Sunday his answer to the defense problems is to rotate his players. I do not think it is all the players fault as much as it is the defense play calling. Take a look at the sucessful teams and you will see a defense that crowds l the line and pressures the QB. Look at the Browns and you see the linebackers are playing 10 yards behind the line. Romeo is supposed to be a defensive coach yet he can't see that the problem is not the player but the way he has them playing. Of course the opposition gains 200 rushing yards a game there is no one close to the line to make a play.
September 27th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Just to play Devil's advocate, maybe the problem isn't what Crennell is doing personally about the defense but rather what he isn't doing. Maybe the problem is that he is giving Grantham too much leeway in running the defense. Of course that doesn't absolve Crennell. If the problem is how Grantham is or isn't doing his job, then it's up to the head coach to do something about it. As far as the overall talent goes, that is Savage's department, and he has already admitted that he has yet to seriously address the defensive line. Which means the coaches have to figure out how to get the most out of what they have, and I keep thinking there has to be some untapped potential in that group somewhere.