UNLEASHED - Brady Quinn and Browns Look Pathetic in 16-0 Loss To Ravens

So much for the bye week giving Mangini time to right their sorry ship eh?


In maybe the most eventful week since Kosar was sacked by Belichick for his "diminishing skills," it appears that the Browns offense and the Mangini experiment may be soon be diminishing along with the rest of this dreadful season.

Just when you thought that the offensive offense of Dumb and Dumber, Mangini and Daboll, couldn't do any worse, they manage to redefine the very definition of "pathetic"

In Monday's 16-0 "exhibition" prime-time defeat at the hands of Baltimore, the Browns offense manged to look as anemic as a model at New York Fashion Week. If that is even humanly possible, then that aforementioned fashion model is now a contestant on "The Biggest Loser."

According to ESPN, the Brown's have scored FIVE offensive TD's in their last 15 games, the fewest since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The New Orleans Saint's ball-hawking defense has scored seven touchdowns by themselves.

Brady Quinn did not endear himself to being in Cleveland past 2010 with a horrid 13-for-31 performance for 99 yards along with two interceptions, one of which was returned 48 yards for a TD.

In Quinn's defense he didn't have a lot of time to set up in the pocket as he was constantly under duress from the aggressive Ravens defense that sacked him twice, as he barely had 2.5 seconds to throw the ball.

And even when he did have time to throw, he didn't look very accurate or confident in attacking downfield as he was 0-for-7 in passes of more than 10 yards.

I guess the urban legend of Quinn not being able to throw deep became a cold reality for the Browns and their offense tonight, and it would not surprise me if they draft a strong-armed QB like Colt McCoy from Texas or even Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen.

In watching tonight's game, it has become very obvious that NFL defenses have no respect for Quinn at all, and that he is nothing more than a glamorized by-product of Notre Dame hype and Weis' system.

And for the record, I grew up watching the great Notre Dame teams of Lou Holtz, so I don't want to hear that I'm bashing Notre Dame or Quinn. I'm just simply stating the fact that Quinn AND Anderson will both not be in Cleveland come 2010, because both of them quite frankly stink.

At 1-8, The Browns are at the point where they are now playing for their jobs and next big contracts elsewhere, and when Mangini loses to the Lions in Detroit he should do the honorable thing and resign and he can take Daboll with him.

I never figured that I would be saying this, but I miss Maurice Carthon, and that is saying something. The Browns lost more than a game tonight, by losing Joshua Cribbs, they lost their lone scoring threat.

The sign at tonight's game said it best, "Rebuilding Since 1964"

Dawgfather

UNLEASHED - Bears Beat Browns 30-6: DA Should Stand For Disgustingly Awful

Browns Backers,

Horrid: "extremely unpleasant or disagreeable."

For the Cleveland Browns, it would only seem fitting that on a day the Chicago Bears honor a man known as "Sweetness," the Browns would provide their own homage to being sour. 

With the Browns getting stomped in Chicago 30-7, you have to wonder how much lower the Browns can sink. How much more garbage must Browns fans be treated to such a display of utterly pathetic football quickly becoming the NFL "standard" of embarrassing?

There are not enough words to describe the Browns' latest "peformance," other than it was total crap. And you really want to know why fans want to boycott the Monday Night Game?

You have a totally clueless head coach and poster-boy snitch in Eric Mangini and the WORST offensive coordinator in NFL history in Brian Daboll—who should be fired sometime during the bye week or at least relived of his play-calling duties.

How did the Browns come to hire Daboll when more experienced coordinators, such as Brian Schottenheimer, Mike Martz, or even Josh McDaniels, were available?

The only bright spot on the coaching staff is defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, whose attacking defense has reinvigorated the Browns' pass rush, specifically ILB/DE Kamerion Wimbley, who is on pace to match his career-high in sacks.  

Don't even get me started on the one-trick flash-in-the-pan artist known as Derek Anderson, who is making Ryan Leaf look like Sammy Baugh. Through three games he has the worst QB rating in the league at 40.6.
And just when you thought he couldn't do any worse, he did.

Anderson would finish the game with a QB rating of 10.5. DA should now stand for Disgustingly Awful.

The only difference between Raiders QB Jamarcus Russell and Derek Anderson is that Anderson has a Pro Bowl, albeit as an alternate, on his glorious resume. I don't know what spark he thought he may have seen in Anderson, but it may have been a mere flicker.

The only thing I can honestly say in Anderson's defense is his receivers continue to drop the few balls he does throw that are not too low or behind them.

Anderson is listed as 6'6", yet he manages to have balls deflected at the line of scrimmage. It makes one wonder if someone has pointed this out to him at Oregon State or even here in Cleveland, but it's bewildering why this flaw in his throwing mechanics were never addressed. 

The fact of the matter is, the Browns are beyond horrid and hope at 1-7  and that the early-season hope of Brady Quinn saving the Browns has about as much momentum as Thomas the Tank Engine.

Watching this train-wreck of a team every Sunday is about as exciting as a snail trying to cross the Audubon only to see it get squashed by a 18-wheeler.   

Will the Browns switch back to Quinn during the bye? Yes

Will it help them? No.

In my opinion, Quinn was not given a fair shot in being evaluated and developed, maybe Savage was right after all. 

Only In Cleveland.
Dawgfather

UNLEASHED - Browns Drop Balls, Lose 12th Straight To Steelers, 27-14

Browns Backers,  

drop—"to let or cause to fall".

The classic cliche of football being a game of inches is indeed true, and in the case of the Browns game in Pittsburgh, the controversial spot of a ball that was clearly short of a first down can be used as a microcosm as to how this season is going.

But for once, you can't say that the Steelers dominated Cleveland in its 12th straight win in this so-called "rivalry" in name only, Cleveland just simply dropped the ball.    

Make no mistake, the Browns played horrid in their latest loss to Pittsburgh, the defense did allow Roethlisberger to carve them up like a brown and orange turkey for his second-career 400 yard game.
The Browns were outgained 543-197, and yet Cleveland was within striking distance of the Super Bowl champions well into the third quarter.
But as for all things Cleveland, the Browns let opportunities slip away.  

Browns WR's have now dropped 14 passes in two games, including six today, which will make any quarterback look bad, not just Derek Anderson, so Browns fans should lay off of him for this week at least focus trading Stuckey back to New York for some draft picks.  

Joshua Cribbs continued to haunt the Steelers as he ran a punt return back for a 98 yard TD and running some "Wildcat" plays, which kept the Steelers off-balance.

This game clearly brought into focus the main difference between The Steelers and Browns is one thing: EXECUTION.

The CBS announcers said it best: The Steelers make plays for their QB, and the Browns don't.
Regardless if it is Quinn, or Anderson under center, the Browns will never be able to compete until their receiver's make big plays downfield.

Whether it is for a clutch third-down conversion, or even a big 25-yard touchdown reception, the Browns needs to make big plays in the passing game.

Roethlisberger is having a MVP-like season because he has two great receiver's in Ward and Holmes who make plays for him down field, as witnessed today, and while Anderson had another sub-par performance, it is not his fault that his receivers have a sudden case of Edwards syndrome.  

Until the Browns receivers can learn to catch, it will not matter if Anderson, or Quinn is throwing them the ball, because like this season, the Browns will let it slip through their fingers.

And that is something that not even Paul Anderson can take away.

Only in Cleveland!
Dawgfather.

UNLEASHED - * * Cleveland Browns' 6-3 Win Is a Classic Example of How NFL Offenses Shouldn't Run

Browns Backers,

bungle: "to perform or work clumsily or inadequately"   

If there was a case study on NFL offense, one would study legendary coaches such as Paul Brown or Vince Lombardi.

If there was a modern thesis of how to run a NFL Offense, then one would study Sid Gillman, Billy Walsh, or even Don Coryell.

Sunday's 6-3 win by the Browns in Buffalo took the Browns off the winless schneid, but may have further shown that Eric Mangini and Brian Daboll will never be confused as offensive wizards.    

I'm not sure if the Cleveland coaching staff didn't want to chance throwing into the stiff winds that were swirling around in Ralph Wilson Stadium, or they are worried about Derek's Anderson's little "interception" problem.

But clearly the Browns were adamant about establishing and sticking to the run, and for once, their plan actually worked in helping them snap their second-worst losing streak in team history. 

Browns running back, Jamal Lewis looks like he still has a little left in him, as he rushed for 117 yards in his first game back from a hamstring injury. It was clear that he isn't about to hand his job to Jerome Harrison just yet.

If I'm a Browns fan, I would send Dave Zastudil and Billy Cundiff a complimentary bucket of ice for all the punts that pinned Buffalo deep all game and refer them both to a good podiatrist.  

Both quarterbacks stunk it up on the field and while Buffalo quarterback, Trent Edwards was able to make some throws downfield, he was "stifled" by the Browns defense that continues to let opposing QB's scramble at will, one of which brought back a chilling Palmer-style run. 

As for Derek Anderson, just when you thought he could build from his positive performance against Cincinnati, he becomes the first QB since the NFL-AFL merger to win an NFL game with a ZERO QB rating in the second half.

Anderson completed one pass for seven yards in nine attempts and one interception, and yet he is not as bad as former Bears QB Rex Grossman, who in 2006 had a QB rating of 1.3 in a Bears 23-13 win over the Vikings.

Maybe Anderson and Viking QB Gary Capuzzo, who has the lowest QB rating ever of ZERO to win a game, can compare notes.

This "performance" was not "ugly" or even "beautiful," because it would be a insult to both words by themselves but at the end of the day when your team ships off a ball-dropping diva to Gotham and the NFL decides to investigate your team over a little issue about a running back separating his shoulder for not practicing in pads.

Your starting QB tosses only TWO passes in a game and you win! A win is a win!

Only in Cleveland!
Dawgfather

UNLEASHED - Edwards Gets Traded To Jets, Browns Say Good Riddance!

Browns Backers,

headache - " an annoying or bothersome person, situation, activity, etc."

To quote my girlfriend, Kathryn, when we both found out about Braylon Edward's being traded to the Jet's, "Good riddance!"

Don't get me wrong, I was a fan of Edwards back in his Pro Bowl year of 2007 when he had a breakout year 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns.

But when you drop wide-open balls in games and punch a member of a mega-icon's entourage in a state in which you claim to hate and think people boo you because you went to the rival university up north, then's it's time to go.

It wouldn't surprise me if Edward's last incident as a Brown in punching Edward Givens in a Cleveland night club helped Browns' management pull the trigger in trading him to the New York Jets for WR Chaunsi Stuckey, LB Jason Trusnik and two draft picks.

Edwards in his fifth season, has 10 receptions for 139 yards but was held to no catches for the first time in his career in the winless Browns' 23-20 overtime loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.

This move is a win for the Browns in three ways.

(1) They don't have to worry about resigning Edwards or seeing him walk for nothing and I applaud the bold pre-emptive move in getting something in return in starting WR Chaunsi Stuckey.

(2) The Browns will begin to showcase Mohammaed Massaqoui more and even elevate him to the #1 spot  and after his 148 yard performance it wouldn't come as a shock if he emerges as the Browns new go-to guy. 
(3) The Browns do not have to tolerate or put up with his mental lapses such as drops and unexpected brain cramps, Edwards leads the league in drops since last year and if he thinks that Cleveland fans hate him for what school he went to and dropping balls, then he doesn't know what it like to play in New York.

One drop in a clutch game will have him in the crosshairs Page Six faster than he can yell, "Taxi!"
Let's just hope he tangles with a member of Derek Jeter's posse

Bye bye, Braylon, don't let the ball hit the ground on you're way out!
Dawgfather

UNLEASHED - Palmer, Bengals Escape Cleveland, Browns Lose 23-30 in OT

Browns Backers,

slip - "to get away or free oneself from; escape (a pursuer, restraint, leash, etc.)"

In a game in which the Browns offense may have finally found a spark of life, it was the defense that once again flat-lined.

The question that remains is that at 0-4 will the Browns 2009 season need to call a coroner?

With their first win within their grasp, Bengals QB, Carson Palmer managed to not only slip away from the Browns defense, but also help keep the Brown's first win out of reach.

Make no mistake about this latest loss, the Browns looked a lot more competitive and played tough and hard for a full 60 minutes.

Browns QB, Derek Anderson, yes THAT Derek Anderson, who is the bane of every Browns fan moved the team down the field and led them to a 17-14 lead well into the third quarter by running for a TD and finding TE, Steve Heiden, threw for 269 yards along with one INT.

Second round draft pick, WR Mohammed Massaqoui had a breakout game, catching a career best 148 yards receiving and looking like the new #2 Browns receiver in the process including some nice smooth catches. Massaqoui managed to keep fellow Browns WR, Braylon Edwards without a catch.

Browns running back, James Harrison would gallop for 121 yards including some tough inside runs, and it would be a crime to not mention PR/KR Joshua Cribbs as he would compile 223 yards of total offense and constantly setting up the Browns with good field position.

So you have to wonder how the Browns with this sudden offensive eruption after being dormant for so long and even managing to rally from a 14-0 deficit are 0-4, their worst record since coming back in 1999?

I will first give Rob Ryan and his defense some credit for playing a tough and hard game highlighted by Shaun Rogers blocking two FG's and even getting some production from Kamerion Wimbley and Corey Williams.

But once again the defense would fold like a cheap hand in Texas Hold-Em and allow a game-deciding score in the second half.

Except that this time it was in overtime.

Make no mistake, Mangini showed some serious cojones in benching Quinn and starting Anderson despite the unanimously negative Cleveland backlash in benching the hometown hero, Brady Quinn, even Brian Daboll ditched his offensive coordinator's instruction manual for once.

Anderson played confident in spreading the ball around, and for once he didn't throw a INT to lose a game for the Browns.

This team must now learn to finish a game and play a full and complete 60 minutes of football.

If the offensive output and tough-as-nails defense can continue the way it did today, then I am confident in saying the Cleveland is indeed heading in the right direction.

A spark may have been lit after all.

Dawgs Die Hard!
Dawgfather

UNLEASHED - 2007 Redux? Turning to Anderson Will Not Help Browns Inept Offense

Browns Backers,

redux – "brought back; resurgent"  

You have to wonder who is the most hated man in Cleveland sports right now?

Is it the reclusive part-time billionaire owner, Randy Lerner for his invisible style of ownership, Eric Mangini for his wannabe Edgar Hoover CIA style super-secrecy or is it the outcast who took the starting QB job from Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson?

Because if I had to choose one it is Derek Anderson and just when you think the Browns can continue to live up to their "dysfunctional" reputation they go ahead and do this, can you wonder why every Browns fan is on the edge of anger and frustration.

The Browns are a lot like Eric "E" Murphy from my favorite show, "Entourage", a perennial underdog you cannot help but pull for and while E doesn't have the beauty of Vincent Chase, the hip street-smarts of Turtle or the big bother toughness of Johnny Drama The Browns—like E—cannot seem to let go of Anderson, who much like Sloan is nothing but a tease at times, and just when the Browns think they have it figured out with Quinn they go back to Anderson!

The question is will the results be the same for E/Sloan and they are for the Browns and Anderson?

While I am an Anderson fan, I think the Browns need to stick with Quinn and at least see what we have in him because we all know what Anderson has and the whole league knows what DA can and cannot do.

I think the real culprit behind the bad start for the Browns isn't the offensive line, or the schedule or even the fact our defense cannot stop a worm. It is Brian Daboll.

This is what the Browns get for hiring a no-name to coach a NFL offense with no experience, can you say Maurice Carthon all over again as Daboll's playcalling has all but handcuffed Quinn and prevented him from letting him play to his full potential.

Turning to Anderson will not help the lowest ranked overall offense in the NFL score points, and having the worst ranked QB in Anderson since last year—he has the lowest QB rating of 62.6 for a minimum of 150 attempts—isn't going help the Browns. Quinn has the third worst QB rating of 64.9 percent.

The funny thing is that there was another ballyhooed, Ohio-born QB who beat out Anderson in training camp, who went out and lost a game in a eerily similar fashion, the same way Quinn did and was then traded, and Anderson played his first game as Browns starter against? You guessed it– Cincinnati!

Anderson would ride that game to the Pro Bowl and a 10-5 record as a starter.

Can Anderson do it again versus the same team in the same stadium in similar circumstances? For Mangini's sake, that spark he saw in Anderson had better be more than just a brief flicker.

Only in Cleveland!
Dawgfather.