So many times, we tend to pass judgment too harshly and too quickly. Each week, after we have had a chance to digest the game, here at DawgBones.com we will break down the Cleveland Browns game from the week before. Let us look at the top 5 good things, the top 5 bad things and the top 5 things that failed to impress us in this week’s game. The segment is called 20/20 Browns Hindsight and we hope you enjoy it.



Top 5 Good Things: Chargers Game

1. Even though the Browns were only able to muster 293 total yards, they ran 76 plays on offense against the Chargers. That's 22 more plays then the high powered Chargers offense ran against them. In running so many plays the Browns offense controlled the clock and gave themselves almost a 6 minute time of possession advantage. Not too shabby considering they have absolutely no running game.

2. The Browns 3rd down defense continues to show promise. On Sunday they held the Chargers to 3-10 on 3rd down conversions. The Chargers are 3rd best in the NFL in converting 3rd downs at 45.9%.

3. PR Dennis Northcutt had been sorely missed since being inactive with a rib injury. Sunday he came back and made a huge slash with his 81-yard punt return that lead to the Browns 2nd field goal of the day. The Browns lost the total yard battle to San Diego by 88 yards Sunday, but won the punt return battle by 87 yards. In a game where hidden yardage is huge, Northcutt gave the Browns a huge advantage.

4. The Browns only punted the ball 4 times against a very good Chargers defense. On 7 possessions the Browns came a way with points. Sadly 6 of those drives ended in field goals, but it was the best offensive output this season by the Browns in terms of points scored.

5. TE Kellen Winslow II told the world he would out duel Chargers All-Pro TE Antonio Gates and he did just that. Gates pulled down 2 insignificant balls while Winslow snagged 11 passes. Winslow continues to show that he is the best offensive player the Browns have and one of the best TE's in all of football.



Top 5 Bad Things: Chargers Game

1. The defense held Ladanian Tomlinson in check for nearly 3 quarters, but was unable to stop him with the game on the line. LT scored TD's on 3 straight drives late in the game and ran for 129 yards in the 2nd half, most of that coming late in the 3rd quarter and all of the 4th. The Browns run defense continues to be their achilles heel and Sunday it was no different.

2. QB Charlie Frye has now had 13 career starts and a record of 4-9. He admitted after the game that he was locking on to his receivers and making bad reads. He has appeared to regress in 2006 and Sunday in San Diego could have been intercepted 5 times. The offense is bogging down inside the Red Zone and most of that is due to Frye's penchant for making mistakes. Multiple times this year Frye has thrown interceptions in the Red Zone, so many that his coaches didn't even let him attempt a throw into the end zone on the teams first 5 trips into the Red Zone.

3. The Browns offensive line is just terrible. On Sunday they gave up 5 sacks and averaged a paltry 3.2 yards per rushing play. So much for those who say an offensive line needs to time to gel, the more time this unit gets together the worse they look.

4. RB Reuben Droughns not only looks too be the slowest RB in the NFL he now appears to have lost any vision he may have had. Droughns had opportunities on Sunday to hurt the Chargers speedy defense when cut back lanes opened on the back side of plays. Not only was Droughns too slow to get to them, more times then not he did not see them. this is not the 1st time in 2006 this has happened and it won't be the last. His 19 carries, averaging 1.9 yards per carry is ridiculous. It's time to sit Droughns down and understand that he is what he is, a fullback playing as a halfback.

5. The lack of trust the coaching staff shows in this team, namely the offense is pathetic. Nice way to show them you have faith in them, by taking the game and any chance of winning it out of their hands. The Browns offense did not attempt a single throw into the end zone on their first 6 trips into the Red Zone, preferring to have Droughns run for his 1.9 yards and kick field goals. Head coach Romeo Crennel is trying to keep games close and hope to win in the end. NEWSFLASH!!!! You have coached in 24 games now Romeo and you have won 8 of them. As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that working for ya?"



Top 5 things that failed to impress: Chargers Game

1. Chargers head coach Marty Shottenhiemer really is baffling at times. With his team showing obvious success running the ball, he only gave the ball to LT 7 times in the 1st half. The fact that the team finally pulled ahead once they got LT more involved is no coincidence, but why did it take the Chargers so long too figure it out? Oh yeah, their coach is Marty Shottenhiemer.

2. Two tackles, that's what Browns ILB Andra Davis recorded on Sunday. Granted the Chargers ran the ball only 23 times, but 2 tackles? Davis was also washed out on many of Tomlinson's long 2nd half runs and was a non-factor Sunday. If it were just this game it wouldn't be a concern, but Davis' numbers as a whole are down in 2006 and that could means he has hit his ceiling as a LB in the 3-4 scheme. Considering how bad the team is against the run, that's not good.

3. Two more turnovers by the Browns offense while only forcing 1 on defense. The team has a -9 turnover margin on the season and does not appear to be getting better in that area. The Browns very easily could have had 3 more intercepted passes had Chargers defenders not dropped the balls. Still wondering why the team won't let Frye throw the ball in the Red Zone?

4. WR Braylon Edwards caught 6 balls for 61 yards and a TD Sunday, but he also dropped several passes as well. Granted some of the balls were not on target, but if you get your hands on the ball you need to catch it. Edwards again had a ball go off his hands and into a defenders hands for the pick. If he wants to be a #1 WR in the NFL he better spend a lot more time catching balls and not dropping them.

5. Offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson is not getting a free pass from us. He had some Carthonesque play calls on Sunday and they need to be addressed. Trying to run a toss sweep to the slow-footed Droughns against one of the leagues fastest defenses is just stupid. Davidson also was the one calling all the plays in the Red Zone and none of them included trying to score a TD. The offense appears to be better, but can we really say it is?

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