Cleveland Browns - Week 6

The Browns are seemingly back to their winning ways. With Weeden calling the shots and directing the offense, it's going to be a painful year for the Browns. For the first time in a long time, Browns fans had real hope of doing something: winning the division, making the playoffs, having a winning record. Of course, all of these are still possible, just not feasible.

The worst part is that it was actually there. With Hoyer leading the Browns, we were winning close games. Hoyer basically interned Tom Brady for a few years, so he's had a great teacher as a young NFL QB. Weeden was thrown into the mix from his rookie year and just hasn't developed. There are too many things that need fixing right away, and even though it's a lot to ask of a second-year player, Cleveland has to ask it of him due to his age. Hoyer showed what the Browns are capable of with a decent QB; the rest of this year, if we have to rely on Weeden, will be tough.

Negatives

We're starting to fill up this column more now. It starts with Weeden. He holds the ball too long and doesn't trust his receivers. Part of this is his habit of waiting until receivers are open before he throws it. Hoyer commented that one of the things he picked up from Brady was to lead his receivers and trust them: throw it before they're open. Because of this, Weeden will never be a good starting QB.

Coach Chud is now on the list. After leading 6 games at halftime, the Browns have dropped 3 of those games. Granted, all 3 were with Weeden and he is not clutch. What really worries me is that Chud was quoted as saying halftime adjustments are "overrated." I really love this coaching staff, but it's become obvious some changes are needed. All great coaches make halftime adjustments; that's how great teams stay in games. Look at any great coach: Bill Belichick, Phil Jackson, and Rick Pitino to name a few. Across all sports, these coaches knew how to make adjustments at halftime. If Chud thinks they're overrated, that tells me that he's not going to be an elite coach. How many elite teams are there without elite coaches?

Another coach makes the list: offensive coordinator Norv Turner. I was all set to put the blame squarely on Chud and Weeden, but I read an article that brought up some good points with Norv. In the second half, when the Browns are ahead, we don't run the ball. Granted our run game hasn't been electrifying, but with Weeden in the game, neither has our passing game. At least this way we can eat up some clock. This probably wouldn't do much for the offense, although it would prevent teams from dropping 7 in coverage, but it would give allow the defense to have to defend for a little less clock time which physically and mentally can make a difference.  

Craig Robertson has been exposed on defense. The halftime adjustment the Lions made (which turned out to be the reason they won...take note, Chud) was to pick on the inside linebacker. He looked slow and lost in most of the second half. Our defense is still a top 5 defense and will only get better next year, but one of the key positions to address aside from CB will be inside LB.

Positives

There aren't many. The same play-makers are still play-makers: Jordan Cameron, Josh Gordon, Travis Benjamin. However, they aren't doing as well with Weeden at the helm.

One of the negatives can actually be a positive, or at least a hope for it. The Browns have gone into halftime winning in every game. This means if we can just make some adjustments in the second half and keep up that energy from the first, we really only need to make adjustments for 30 minutes instead of 60. Some teams envy being in that position.  

This year didn't have much hope, but the Browns really are coming together. With this year in the books, the Browns will come out even hungrier next year: especially since Weeden will (hopefully) be out of the picture and we'll have either Hoyer or a young, drafted QB to lead the team.

Take Away

Like most Browns fans, I've given up hope for our current QB. And again, it's possible, but very unlikely anything happens this year for the team. Not only are we dealing with a less-than-stellar QB, but it's a new coaching staff, new regime, a lot of new players, and new management. Granted these things all improved, but it still takes some time getting used to them. It may not officially be that time, but unofficially we need to break out the 'maybe next year' chants. Except next year, we're going to be a scary good team.