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Beside the Point: The Blog by Patrick McManamon

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Some thoughts on the Browns loss in Detroit …

by Pat McManamon on August 23, 2008

in Brady Quinn, Browns, McManamon, Romeo Crennel, Shaun Rogers

That sure didn't look like much of an improvement to me. Same silly penalties. Same silly mistakes. Same nonexistent pass defense. One team played on Saturday, and it wasn't Cleveland. This preseason has not gone well, and it's hard not to conclude that too many with the team have put expected success ahead of the work needed to achieve that success.

Some random thoughts:

  • Crennel was asked if there any bright spots. He said: "Uh, no."
  • Since when does Jon Kitna have the ability to elude the rush. The Browns let him outside the pocket twice, and he found receivers both times.
  • Check out the penalties, including an illegal formation on a kneel down at the end of the half. That's one I've never seen. How does a team get illegal formation on a stinking kneel down?
  • I think the Browns spent too much time in pads during the week.
  • Brady Quinn did not look very good. He had some moments, but he also had some not-to-good moments. He wasn't helped by the poor pass protection up front. Quinn's first non-penalty first down came early in the second quarter. The next play Lawrence Vickers was flagged for holding. Figures.
  • The protection was not good. That's because the Browns have a large line that was out-quicked by the Lions defensive linemen. Detroit jettisoned Shaun Rogers in part because they wanted quicker guys. He's a massive guy. He also was inconsistent, among other things, in Detroit. "This is a speed team that we were playing," coach Romeo Crennel said. "It's the Tampa philosophy where they have excellent team speed. That showed up. I think with more work hopefully we'll be able to settle some things down." Hopefully.
  • Lions fans booed heartily every time Rogers' name was announced. "They're Detroit fans and if they're not rooting for the home team, what are they doing here?" Rogers said. "It's expected."
  • Rogers had five tackles, which was impressive. Crennel said Rogers did what he was supposed to do in the game. "I'm never one to throw bouquets at guys when we lose the game," Crennel said.
  • There was a Chase Pittman sighting.
  • In the first quarter, Quinn was two-for-four for eight yards.
  • Dan Orlovsky looked like Tom Brady against the Browns defense. First-team, second-team, no matter. Orlovsky shredded the Browns.
  • This was in the Dallas Morning News story about the Cowboys game Friday night: "The Cowboys ripped off four first downs in their first five plays before Tony Romo connected with a crossing Patrick Crayton on a 6-yard score."

You always wonder if you make too much out of preseason. The games don't count, after all, and if the Browns beat Dallas and Pittsburgh it will be forgotten. Too, the Browns were plain awful last year in preseason. That being said, the last two games the Browns haven't exactly given any reason for folks not to be concerned. This is a team that has not looked good.

Some more quotes:

  • Crennel on the pressure Quinn faced: "I think you saw the classic NFL approach to a young quarterback. Bring pressure to see if he can handle it, and if he can't handle it keep pressuring."
  • Crennel on getting back several injured players who missed the game: "They're going to be a little rusty, so it's going to take some time for those guys to knock the rust off. So it's not just going to automatically happen that we're going to be back to where we want to be."

Quinn on his game:

  • "I didn't execute the way I wanted to."
  • "They brought a decent amount of pressure, which is to be expected when you're a young quarterback in this league."
  • "I definitely was disappointed in my performance."

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

alan t. August 24, 2008 at 12:22 am

It's only the preseason, but I'm still somewhat surprised some dopey "WE WANT COWHER!!!" chants haven't started yet. If they start the regular season sucking in a major way, it's only a matter of time.

EastSideJoe August 24, 2008 at 10:29 am

Over-hyped and unprepared, as usual for a Romeo team, this team will certainly disappoint. So what else is new. Browns go 7-9, Romeo under heat by game five. Same old same old as Pitts and Cincy fight it out for Division title.

Bubba August 24, 2008 at 4:47 pm

Those that love Quinn for no realistic reason that have been saying just give him a chance and he will show you. They have to have a huge hang over after he showed he is like any other young QB, not even close to ready to start and with marginal talent.

Too bad Savage, if only you could get a takeover and trading a first and second for Quinn. We could have a quality LB and CB and signed a QB with as much potential off the waiver wire.

alan t. August 24, 2008 at 8:24 pm

Oh, come on. Quinn may be the real long-term deal for all anybody knows. It's dumb to dismiss him based upon one stupid practice game. Maybe his Blueboy Magazine photo session ran late the previous night, who knows, who cares. And it's not like he doesn't have any trade value, if Savage traded him now, he could probably obtain that same range of first-round pick right back, plus another lower draft pick.

The bottom line is if the Browns' offense stumbles through the first third of the season, Savage is going to whisper in Crennel's ear, and Quinn is going to get his shot at being the starting QB. Unlike NFL player contracts, it's guaranteed.

Josh August 25, 2008 at 12:45 am

It's too predictable… unless a Cleveland team runs the table, and apparently that includes meaningless scrimmages now, idiot fans will dive to the nearest message board and call for the head coach to be fired. Totally realistic expectations here in the city of champions.

I'll never understand what goes through some fans' tiny brains. This team has some talent, but they certainly arent on par with the Patriots yet. How about having a little patience? Or at least wait until the regular season starts?

terje August 26, 2008 at 6:06 pm

sorry, when a team's last championship is 1964 the whole "patience" bit rings pretty damn hollow.

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