First and 10
1) There's no logical reason to say this, but I expect the Giants to get the Browns at their best Monday night. Again, there's no logic to it, except that it's do or die time for the Browns.
2) The Browns are healthier than they've been in a long time, they're at home, it's Monday night, it's time to make something of this season, it's October, an even-numbered year and the stock market continues to crash. Is it not time for something, for one little thing, to go right?
3) So perhaps that's a false hope. The Giants are undefeated at 4-0, coming off a big win. But … thare are traveling for a Monday night game (Hey … gotta reach for any straw here right?) The Browns absolutely have to win the game if this season is to amount to anything. And if the Browns win they'll be able to say they are back in the AFC North and the AFC playoff hunt – even if technically they're just on the periphery. If ever the Browns are going to bow up and do something, if they are going to man up, if they are going to be a real team, this Monday night is the time.
4) One guy does not make an offensive line, but it sure seems like the Browns are hoping that Ryan Tucker can play Monday night. Tucker is a mean, gnarly player who brings some toughness to the group. And he can play either tackle or guard, depending on the health of Kevin Shaffer (concussion).
5) If Tucker comes back at tackle, he'll have his hands full. The Giants ends rush the passer like crazy. But if Tucker comes back, he and Rex Hadnot could be a very physical right side of the line in the running game, which we all know is the main thing the Browns need if they are to get untracked.
6) Will someone please put a sock in Jonathan Papelbon?
7) It was good to hear Romeo Crennel say this of the practices during the bye week: "I put a big emphasis on penalties, I talked to the guys hard about penalties. I gave them some stats and showed them some things on how it impacts us and that we need to do a better job with it." NFL penalties are really getting ridiculous, and the Browns have been ridiculously adept at the silly penalty.
8) Given the Giants pass rush, Rob Chudzinski's game plan becomes vital this week. New York is tied for second in the league with 15 sacks, and they go after the quarterback with abandon. This means three things: The Browns need to run the ball, they need to use a quick passing game, and they need to keep adequate protection for their quarterback.
9) And … if Derek Anderson struggles and Brady Quinn has a good week of practice, they need to not be afraid to go to Quinn and move the pocket a little. This is about winning the game, not making sure feelings are soothed. The Browns need to do everything humanly possible to win the stinking game.
10) Speaking of Quinn, the one thing that nobody seems to discuss during all this "send Anderson to the Falkland Islands" outcry is that none of us have seen Quinn in practice since preseason ended. The Browns practices are closed, so how in the world do we know how Quinn is handling things? The answer: We don't. For all we know, one reason the Browns are reluctant to go to Quinn is he may not be forcing the issue in the limited practice time he's getting. That's a theory at least.
Three and Out
Dear Pat,
I know it's early, but is it even possible to think that the Browns MIGHT be in a position to draft Ray Maulagula? And if in position to draft him do you think they would?
I'm just a fan, in Phoenix no less, and think the impact of a kid like Maulagula could make a huge difference on the defense.
I think the expectations exceeded the talent of the team this year. They had a good year last year but still only have a foundation to build on, not necessarily catapult them to the forefront yet. The Browns are exactly who I thought they were. The schedule is tough this year but they're not going to get any better playing against the Little Sisters of Mercy.
Here's hoping they step up…
Luis Till
Phoenix, AZ
Dear Luis,
A few years back Phil Savage was coming from the Notre Dame-USC game, and a few of us mentioned that that kid Reggie Bush was pretty good.
"Oh boy, I hope we're not picking high enough to take him," Savage said.
Because it would mean the Browns were among the worst teams in the league.
Same with this Maulagula guy.
He's so good that if the Browns have a chance to draft him it means they were really, really, really bad. Like 2-14 bad. Or Oakland Raiders bad. Because he's one of the best players in the country and he will go in the top three of the draft, perhaps first.
As nice as he would look on the Browns defense – and he would look fabulous – I'm not sure fans would feel very good suffering through a completely brutal season to acquire him.
Dear Pat,
Have you noticed in the NFL that helmets are coming off a lot when someone is tackling or being tackled? Aside from the metaphorical implications, are chin straps being made more cheaply?
Joe Curry
Youngstown
Dear Joe,
Word has it that Congress is debating a chin-strap manufacturer bailout plan as we speak
Dear Pat,
Thank goodness for the Bengals, but one look at the next five games after the bye week and the Browns had better hope they have their swagger back.
How about the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Denver Broncos? Can you say 1-8? Ouch!!!
Mark Richardson
Dear Mark,
How does one get something back he never had in the first place?
I mean, what right did the Browns have to even think they had a swagger?
Was there a playoff appearance that I missed last year?
Here's the bottom line for the Browns: Forget the schedule, forget the swagger, forget everything except this fact – just go win the game.
(Want to be recognized in "Three and Out"? It's a rare treat. Comment here or send an e-mail to pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com, and put "First and 10" in the subject line)
{ 9 comments }
Is it me or is watching Monday Night football similar to listening in on the US Senate floor… Hours of endless, meaningless chatter that has nothing to do with what is happening right before thier eyes.
Perhaps we can have Manco Tape meet Tony at the airport with an oral locking device?
Chris
Rocky River
Pat,
I just wanted to send you a note that you can pass along to those at corporate who so wisely moved your First and 10 to a blog format. I meant to respond to this issue when I first got the email but was busy and just came across it again as I was cleaning up some emails.
I'm 32 years old and pretty well plugged in and tech savy. Unfortunately, since you've gone to blogging, I've read a total of 0 of your First and 10's. Is this because I no longer enjoy them? No. It's because I'm a busy person between work and family and when things are handed to me, I'm much more likely to read them. I'm not going to go out and seek your blog, however, if you send me an email once per week, I can probably get to it over lunch (or when I should be doing other things). Not only that but don't the masterminds realize that blogging was supposed to be quick hitting thoughts and not an edited article? Preparing First and 10 as you always have and then putting it on a blog is blogging just to say you're blogging.
Anyway, I'm sure you're still doing a great job and I'll try to remember to check it out from time to time, but I just thought you could let your bosses know they've mostly lost one reader. Sorry, if this is old news and you've been covering this topic in your blog, I just haven't read it. Keep up the good work, Pat!
#1: Ignore Papelbon, and he has no power. I couldn't tell you one word he's spoken.
#2: Browns win on Monday? What are you smokin'?
#3: Far, far, far too much emphasis is placed on soothing D. Anderson's fragile ego.
#4: If we apply the same logic used for Romeo's failure to play Quinn, then Maurice Carthon would still be handling the Browns' offense. Simply put, Fats Romeo will not change until he is forced by someone to make a change. He does not want to win badly enough to hurt D.A.'s feelings. How long ago do you think Parcells would've made the switch?
I keep reading articles saying that the Browns need to get "untracked." What? The first time I saw it I thought, "Of course he meant to say 'on track.'" And yet that same nasty little word keeps showing up. So let's get this straight. The Browns do not need to get untracked. In fact, they are completely derailed right now so I don't see how they could ever be more untracked. Unless by saying that they need to get untracked you mean that they should fall off the face of the Earth, leaving no trace of where they have gone. Personally, I would much prefer it if they would get ON TRACK.
As to the upcoming game, The real misfortune is that there probably won't be much of a chance for Harrison to play. I'm not sure they the coaching staff trusts his blocking enough to leave him in on passing downs to chip against the Giants, so I'm guessing his appearances will be few and far between. However, if the basic passing game can get established then maybe we'll get to see a bit more of both Harrison and Cribbs.
Bob, I agree…it's always bothered me when I heard that stupid "untracked" word. So I just looked it up on dictionary.com, and (shockingly), it's a word with two meanings.
1. that is not or cannot be tracked or traced: untracked marauders of the jungle.
2. Informal. achieving a superior level of performance after a slow start, as: The team suddenly got untracked and began to score.
A stupider word, we'll never find. Regarding the Browns, I think Definition #1 applies more….I'd rather see their performance "unable to be tracked or traced."
What, no "You're An Idiot" section yet again? It was announced at the beginning of the season it would be a weekly feature, no holds barred. I had been looking forward to it. With all the nuts out there in the world, I can't believe that nobody wrote "You're an idiot." But here we are, and no "You're An Idiot" section.
Pat is like one of those teases I'd take into my dorm room. Over 30 years later, and my "boys" are still blue.
Comaguy, lets just say that from here on out you're the idiot. Anytime a "You're an idiot" section is not available, we all agree that it will be you. Anytime it is available, we still agree you're the number one idiot and Pat is a far-off number 2 idiot.
You're THE idiot king!
There, happy now? You no longer have to ask weekly where this section is.
Dear Pat,
I enjoy your enthusiasm regarding a possible upset over the Giants this coming Monday nite. It is a pleasure reading "The Impossible Dream". I can remember when the 1965 Browns never had a chance and were to be blown away by the great Baltimore Colts team. Now THAT was an exciting game! Even Red Right 88 was an exciting game regardless of the outcome and the cold weather. But my favorite was the overtime win over the Jets – that was outstanding!
So, you may be right…it could be…
I feel that our current Brown's team, so far, lacks the excitement, enthusiasm and personality of past teams that have drawn so much interest. Maybe its the coach, maybe its the players, or maybe its the owner. Or, is it all of the above? Regardless, its time for the team to step up and "come out of the closet". Show us what you are made of. Show a national audience what the real Cleveland Browns team is. Cover your man with passion. Show him your moves. Show him you are better than he is. Show us everything. Leave nothing in the playbook. Leave it all on the field. Just like the 1965 Browns.
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