20/20 Browns Hindsight, Texans Game
Jan 7, 2007
Author: DawgBones.com
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: Texans Game
1. It's hard too say, but with the end of the Texans game came the end of another dismal season. The Browns have now strung together 4 straight years of 10 losses or more. It seems like that's the only streak they can get or keep going. The 2006 season was the most depressing since 2000, when the Browns went 3-13 and proceeded to fire then head coach Chris Palmer and his defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Anyone else think the Browns didn't have this is mind when they decided to start linking the current Browns to their past?
2. For a little while it looked like the Browns were actually going to win the game. That of course would have moved them down in the 2007 Draft. The loss has put the Browns in position to pick 3rd or 4th, depending on a coin toss with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If they would have won they would have been picking around 7th. It doesn't really matter because this team has so many holes to fill, but at least we can feel like we won something after yet again another pitiful loss.
3. OLB Kamerion Wimbley finished his rookie season in Houston with his team high 11th sack, a new Browns rookie record. Wimbley also had a team high 8 tackles for loss in 2006. Another year and some help along the defensive line should enable Wimbley to be even more dominant in 2007 and beyond.
4. The defense, which had been terrible as of late, had a very strong day against the Texans. They only yielded 7 points and 177 total yards while holding the Texans to a mere 2-8 on 3rd down conversions. They also held the Texans to a mere 42 plays on offense, a solid effort. Once again it was a very good defensive effort that was ruined by the offenses inability to hold on to the ball and score TD's.
5. TE Kellen Winslow II was wounded all season, but his 11 catches against the Texans gave him 89 for the year, tying a team record. Winslow admitted he has basically been playing on 1 leg most of the year so Browns fans should be very happy with what the future holds for a healthy Winslow.
Top 5 Bad Things: Texans Game
1. QB Charlie Frye had not played since injuring his wrist on December 3rd against the Chiefs. Sunday he convinced head coach Romeo Crennel he could play. Frye looked decent at times, but once again his ball security cost the Browns a win. Frye was intercepted in the end zone on the teams opening possession of the game. The pick was Frye's 17th on the year and another that cost the team points. Frye also had a ball stripped that was returned by the Texans for a TD.
2. The Browns had the ball for 16 minutes and 12 seconds longer and ran 21 more plays then the Texans, but could still only muster 6 points. It was the first time in 32 consecutive games that the Texans held an opponent without a TD.
3. Sadly the loss ended a streak of 4 straight years in which the Browns had won their last game of the season. It also left the Browns with a conference record of 3-9 to go along with their 0-6 divisional record. After spending nearly 0 million dollars in the off-season to bring in 8 free agents the team was worse then the year before. Who's fault is that? Here's a clue, R-A-C!
4. Kicker Phil Dawson missed yet another field goal in Houston. Dawson's missed 47-yard field goal in the 1st quarter left him 6-12 on kicks between 40-49 yards on the season. His 72.4% field goal average was his worst since his rookie year in 1999. Who says losing isn't infectious? Can we now get some competition for this guy?
5. Probably the worst thing to come from the loss is that head coach Romeo Crennel wasn't fired immediately after it. It looks like Crennel will get a 3rd year, something Chris Palmer did not. It is definitely a make or break year for him as well, another poor year and he and G.M. Phil Savage will need to get their resumes ready.
Top 5 things that failed to impress: Texans Game
1. Texans QB David Carr is a former #1 overall selection in the draft, you couldn't tell by watching him. He only threw the ball 15 times during the game, completing 9 for 86 yards and an interception. At least he doesn't run around like the whirling dervish, but he plays a lot like him.
2. Every time it looks like RB Reuben Droughns is having a breakthrough game he does something to disappoint. This time, with the Browns driving, Droughns ripped off a nice 8-yard run to the Texans 23-yard line. The only problem, Droughns failed to hold on to the ball, fumbling away another drive and possible points for the Browns.
3. The Browns dominated most every statistical category in the game, but 2. The score and the turnover margin. The Browns turned the ball over 3 times in Houston, giving them a +/- of -15 on the year and negating any advantage they may have had elsewhere.
4. The Browns tried a little razzle-dazzle in the game with Joshua Cribbs. During 1 play in the 2nd quarter Cribbs lined up at QB. Cribbs ran off tackle for 2-yards on what appeared to be a designed run. How about that offensive imagination by interim offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson? Maybe he doesn't know Cribbs was a QB in college and had to throw the ball every now and then.
5. We got to see the likes of Lenny Friedman, Issac Sowells and Rob Smith play on the line against the Texans. It was Smith who missed a crucial block that led to Frye fumbling and the Texans returning it for a TD. This team is desperate for depth and unfortunately needs it most on the offensive line. This team will never win with guys like these as their depth.
Back to
DawgBones.com |