Colt McCoy Wins And The Browns Lose To The Lions

Don't get concerned or excited, preseason games count as much as your check does before taxes, and it was only a Detroit Lions win after Colt McCoy left the game. There is something to be alittle concerned about and that is the antics of Greg A-Little. He is like a dog that has been left in the house to long and when it finally gets out, goes alittle crazy. Somebody needs to give him a bone to chew on, or maybe, the Browns should consider using him as a back-up punter.

Colt McCoy threw three touchdowns in only half the time on the field. While you might consider that impressive, remember it was only the lowly Detroit Lions they were playing in a preseason game. Still, it looks as if McCoy is fitting into the West Coast style of offense nicely where timing and accuracy are crucial. Where was the long ball threat the Browns badly need? The jury is still in deliberation on this one.

Tightend Evan Moore seemed to get more attention from McCoy in this one with two touchdown receptions. This combination could prove to be a valid threat when the season begins. The other touchdown toss from McCoy was to Greg Little and the little bit I have already wrote about him is sufficient for now. Where was Joshua Cribbs in this game? Only two receptions to show for his limited effort.

The running game is still up in the air, for now at least. Although, the one big highlight in the game came when Armond Smith blew past the Lions defensive line and out ran the secondary for an 81 yard touchdown in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the big run was overshadowed by his two lost fumbles.

Preseason number two is done, two to go. These games are just a look-see experience and entertainment to pass the time until the regular season begins. The Browns have alot to sort out in these next to games, but I think that scenario will continue into the regular season. Hopefully, they will be able to get their act together before time has passed and everyone will be saying, "Where did the season go." Pittsburgh will be looking to repeat the humiliation they handed the Browns in their final outing last season. The Browns have plenty of time to prepare for those rival confrontation. It would be nice if those two games would be for division domination and the playoffs. Dreams can come true.    

Browns Beat Packers As NFL Preseason Gets Underway

A win is a win, but preseason is preseason. The Browns beat the Packers at Cleveland Browns Stadium by a score of 27-17. The high-powered first-string offense of the Packers made only a brief appearance in the first quarter, as would be expected in the first preseason game. While on the field, the Packer offense was outshined by the Browns offense led by the "quarterback controversy is over" Colt McCoy. The big question mark of the Browns offense, the wide receiver position, may have found the answer.

Shurmur and his West Coast offense made use of an asset that has been there all along at wide receiver. Joshua Cribbs hauled in a 27 yard TD pass from Colt McCoy in the beginning stages of the Packer game. This is something I have adamantly suggested year after year for the answer to incorporating a long ball threat into the offense, Joshua Cribbs at wide receiver. In the past, Cribbs has only been used sparingly in that position.

While it is good to have an excellent kick-punt returner who can give you good field position, which Cribbs has done, it is even more vital to have an offense that can consistently put the ball across the goal line. I look forward to seeing more of Cribbs running patterns and chasing down McCoy passes.

The season of NFL football is under way and the Browns are off to a positive start. Alot has to be answered before the Browns can say they are a legitimate contender. Colt McCoy has secured the quarterback position and is looking like the leader the offense needs. Everything else is a wait and see. Still, the Browns could very well surprise us this coming regular season, but then, any surprise in the positive direction is welcomed with open arms by fans who have been disappointed for too many years.

What Is The Big Question Mark Facing The Browns As Preseason Begins Against The Packers?

Well, the world hasn't come to an end and I haven't heard of any significant stories regarding NFL players turning to a life of crime. The settlement has eliminated those concerns and fears. Now it is time to get down to football business. At least the Browns are entering this season with one less question mark to deal with, no quarterback controversy. Colt McCoy has secured that position on the roster. The big question mark looming in the Browns camp is at the wide receiver position.

It has been many years since the Browns have sported a wide receiver who will put up big numbers game after game. The quarterback controversy has played into that weakness somewhat because a receiver likes to know who will be throwing the ball to them on a regular basis. Added to that glaring fact, of the receivers on the roster, none have stepped into the crucial role of No. 1 go to guy. It would be nice to see the long ball threat as an option going into this season.

Joshua Cribbs would have been a likely candidate, but his duties have been split between returning kickoffs and punts, which he has done very successfully. Shurmur, with his west coast style of play, appears to be giving Cribbs a shot at wide receiver and that is a good thing. Cribbs was injured early in training camp, but has returned since. Another consideration is the newly acquired Greg Little. Little is alittle shacky in the personel department and is already showing he is a bit of a show-boater with his reverse dunk TD celebration that he named “Boomshakalaka!” Forget the Hollywood stuff and just concentrate on catching the ball, please.

The Browns kickoff preseason against the Green Bay Packers this Saturday, Aug 13 at 7:30 PM. Cleveland Browns Stadium will be the venue. Hopefully, the Browns will be able to shrug off the pounding they took in their final engagement against the Steelers last January. This year the Browns don't face the Steelers until December, so they have alot of season to prepare for their reengagement. Maybe, by then, Colt McCoy will stroll into Pittsburgh with a No. 1 wide receiver he can count on to make the big catch when it is needed. In order for McCoy to be successful, that is a necessary ingredient, along with a matching running threat.

NFL Strike 2011-What It Could Mean For The Browns And The World

There is talk of a shortened regular season for the NFL. The NFL is planning for a regular season as short as eight games. The eight-game season would start in late November and culminate with the Super Bowl in Indianapolis Feb. 12. What does it mean? It means fewer chances of winning the Power Points Game sponsored by The News Herald, for one thing. Ray Lewis said crime will go up if there is no NFL season, that's another thing.

Yes, with fewer chances to win money, people will have to turn to crime to supplement their income and amuse themselves. Las Vegas will have to become more creative. How about betting on how many banks will be robbed between the hours of 1 PM and 11 PM on Sundays and 8 PM and 11 PM on Mondays. Throw in the 7-Eleven's, Go-Mart's, Speedway's, Hess's, and every other convenience store. On top of that, NFL fans will have to find other reasons to drink beer and eat pizza.

Another point to consider, just think of the tension it will create between couples and family members as fans blankly stare at tv screens burnt out on searching for a fix and AMC reruns. Why, the very fabric of society will be strained. There would be outright panic, leading to the collapse of humanity, especially so in the vulnerable city of Pittsburgh. Why Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh is the nexux of NFL football. Just think, that guy who predicted the end of the world in 2011, may turn out to be right after all.

Cheer up Cleveland fans. There is a silver lining to this scenario. This may work in the Browns favor. The last time there was a strike shortened season, the Browns went to the playoffs, and they did it with a losing record of 4-5. That magical year was 1982. Unfortunately, they didn't go very far, but it could be different this time. The quarterback controversy is finally over, or Browns fans everywhere at least hope so. The Browns have a new coach and Holmgren promised he is going to give him a chance to prove himself. They have a couple new draft choices they are high on. Indianapolis here we come.

Well, it hasn't happened yet. Besides, there is always college football, and high school football. Oh, I almost forgot. If society implodes, and humanity tanks, parents won't be able to send their kids to college and the school systems will have to cut their football programs. It could be the end of the world. I have always said, when the Browns finally achieve the right to play in the Superbowl, the world would come to an end.

No More Quaterback Controversy And Looking To Next Season-Maybe

I think Browns fans everywhere are pretty much fed up with the start all over again routine that has been ongoing since the new Browns inception. Now it is being said Holmgren won't be quick to get rid of Shurmur if Shurmur struggles early. He'll probably give him more than the two years Mangini got. Are the fans being set up again with the "few more years before any real improvement
kicks in" scenario?

One area going into the next season that looks to be solid is the quarterback position. The quarterback controversy that has plagued the Browns these past many years is confidently a thing of the past. It is the one area that shows some promise. Now it is up to Colt McCoy to continue building on his abilities. But for any real success going forward means management needs to give him a receiving core to match. One with a deep threat. Add to that a solid line affording him a reasonable amount of time to deliver the ball. We don't want him to end up with rubber bands on his thumbs and knee braces to help him steady his legs.

This year's draft has yielded Greg Little at wide receiver and Jordan Cameron at tight end. The take on little is he has the talent to be an impact player with a knack for making the difficult catch in traffic, but not fast enough to be a big play threat. Cameron as a big target is a threat to get vertical up the seam and can rise up for the tough catch, but needs a lot of development as a route-runner on short-to-intermediate patterns and while locating softspots in the zones.

The question is will the Brown's turn Colt McCoy loose or will they rely heavily on a run offense limiting the long ball threat, which has been sadly missing? Another question is will the Brown's incorporate Joshua Cribbs more into the passing attack?

Maybe the Browns will surprise us and come out a legitimate contender this year and, maybe it won't snow on the east side of Cleveland this winter in the snow belt. I am getting tired of seeing the Steelers going to the playoffs year after year. It is time to bring back the old contentious rivalry between the Browns and Steelers of days gone past and kick some Baltimore butt. As for the Bengals, they are looking more like the Browns used to look. Yep, I said, used to look. Is this a forecast of the future?

Anyone who has lived in the Cleveland area knows when it comes to the weather you are better off just sticking your head out your door for an accurate update. Forecasting with any accuracy for one day is precarious enough let alone five days ahead. So it goes with their football team.

Superbowl XLV-Green Bay Packers Take The Trophy

Green Bay looked as though they were going to coast through this game, jumping out to a big lead in the first half 21-10. A dropped pass by Jones on the first set of plays starting the second half and a bad facemask call on the ensuing punt turned the tide of the game in favor of the Steelers, who scored shortly after on a Mendenhall run. Then a fumble by Mendenhall took the steam out of the Steelers surge and the Packers scored a touchdown on a Rodgers to Jennings hookup in the end zone. The Steelers made a quick recovery capping off a drive with Wallace taking in a reception for a touchdown and a successful execution of a two point conversion making it only a three point deficit. Green Bay converted a crucial third down play to extend their next drive that ended with a Crosby field goal. Pittsburgh fell short on their last ditch effort and Green Bay walked away with a 31 to 25 victory and the trophy.

The Steelers played their usual type of game, falling behind early, but never out of it. Considering the Steelers committed three turnovers, they still made it hard on the Packers to walk away with the victory. Ben Roethlisberger committed the majority of the mistakes, throwing two picks. One of them returned for a touchdown. Rashard Mendenhall had some decent runs and scored a touchdown. Mike Wallace was controlled for most of the game, but still managed to take the top spot with 89 yards and a touchdown. Hines Ward was next with 78 yards and one touchdown.

From beginning to end the Packers were committed to the pass. The Steeler defense roughed up Aaron Rodgers, but he prevailed through the adversity with some good numbers. Rodgers threw for 304 yards and was 24-39. Three of his passes were for touchdowns, two of them to Greg Jennings and one to Jordy Nelson. Rodgers numbers would've been even better if it wasn't for the fact that his receivers were plagued with a case of the muffs. Jordy Nelson was Rodgers prime target gathering in 9 catches for 140 yards. Greg Jennings had 4 catches for 64 yards and James Jones had 5 for 50 yards. Green Bay's offense was mistake free and their defense was opportunistic, taking advantage of Roethlisberger's mistakes and forcing a fumble.

Overall it was an entertaining Superbowl. The Green Bay Packers were a sixth seed team that looked like a number one seed and prevailed over everyone else week to week through the playoffs. Either team was worthy of winning, but it was the Packers time and they were not going to be denied their rightful place. By the way, the unforseen occurrence played a significant part and it was wearing the green and gold colors in this one.

Superbowl XLV-Who Will Walk Away With The Trophy

All this week will be dedicated to building anticipation for the upcoming Superbowl. Everyone is weighing in on how they think things will play out when the Packers meet the Steelers in Dallas. We know what each player is capable of doing and how each team matches up in perspective categories. As I said in my previous article it is often the unforeseen occurrence that determines the fate of the game. This game will be no acception when it comes to this happenstance phenomenon.

The Steelers are a proven winner when it comes to the big game. They have six Superbowls to their credit. Their last appearance was in Superbowl XLIII where they won. For the Packers it has been a long dry spell. The Packers have three Superbowl trophies and their last visit was Superbowl XXXII where they lost.

It is a tough pick to make a decision on. Emotionally you have a favorite, but pragmatically things may be different. If you were to add up all their ratings from offense and defense, the Steelers win hands down 38 to Packers 52. The Steelers are tough on the run with a rating of one and the Packers are tough on the pass with a rating of five.

Considering the Packers have been a predominantly passing offense with Rodgers at the helm, the Steelers will be preparing with emphasis on controlling him. The Packers can counter with the screen pass to Starks to keep the Steelers leery of putting the heat on Rodgers, which they will try frequently. The Steelers have more of a running threat with Mendenhall, so the Packers will be looking to shore up their run defense. There will be an opportunity here for the Steelers to utilize Heath Miller strategically to their advantage.

Well, here it is, my final thoughts and pick. It would be an easy choice if I were a Steeler fan. Alas, I am from Northeast Ohio and therefore a Browns fan. But one could counter and say the Steelers and the Browns are in the same AFC division. I am obviously stonewalling my decision.

I think the Packers passing attack will be to much for the Steelers to handle for the whole four quarters barring any unforeseen injury, like a concussion, to Rodgers. He just has to many choices when it comes to quality receivers and Polamalu is not omnipresent. The key for the Steelers will be how well they blitz Rodgers to offset that.

 

My cousin, who is a Steeler fan, will not like what's coming next. I am taking the Packers to win by a touchdown. Then again, the unforeseen occurrence will be suited up and we will have to wait to see whose colors it will be wearing on Sunday.