#Browns Recap 12.7.15: Cincinnati #Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

To what should have been a surprise to no one, the Cleveland Browns lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 37-3.
By @mrgroce

The Cleveland Browns, in front of their own fans looked over matched, overwhelmed, and uninspired as they suffered their worst defeat of the year at the hands of the division rival Bengals. QB Austin Davis made his first start at for the Browns and didn't do too bad completing 25 of 37 passes for 231 yards with one interception. Davis started the game without WR's Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel and in the first half lost two more, Travis Benjamin and Marlon Moore. Let's not forget Dwayne Bowe and Terrell Pryor were "healthy scratches" as well. This was another game in which the offensive line was completely over matched. The Bengals defense only sacked Davis three times, but he was under pressure on basically every pass attempt. The Browns top receiver was Brian Hartline who had 83 yards on 8 receptions, and running back Isaiah Crowell led the team in rushing with 62 yards on 11 attempts.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton did whatever he wanted against the Browns defense. He was 14 for 19 with 220 yards and threw two touchdowns. Running back Jeremy Hill ran the ball 22 times for 98 yards. Receiver AJ Green caught five passes for 128 yards and one touchdown. Keep in mind the Bengals were without tight end Tyler Eifert who leads the league with 12 td's. The Bengals did not commit a single turnover, while the Browns had two.

The Bengals only had two more first downs than the Browns (20-18), and finished with the lead in time of possession by only two minutes (30:58-29:02). Statistically, it would seem that the game should not have been this lopsided. The Bengals finished with a hundred more yards than the Browns, but how does that account for a 34 point loss? Easy answer: coaching and talent. The Browns coaching staff is by far the worst in the league and most of their best players, a term I use loosely, were out with injury. There was clock mismanagement, going for it on fourth down like they were playing Madden on PS4, and questionable decisions on why some guys were made inactive. Blame the coach. Blame the GM. At this point it doesn't really matter. They'll both be gone before the Wild Card games in January.

I know what fans are gonna complain and cry about this week and his name is Johnny. Maybe he'll start next week or maybe he won't, it truly does not matter. His last two games the team has scored 19 points. One game and two and a half drives for Davis has accumulated a total of 10 points. When McCown is behind center the Browns score 23 points per game. Let's stop talking about quarterback. For once it's not the number one problem. There's no one on this team that can rush the quarterback, stop the run, or defend a pass. There isn't a single offensive lineman that's nasty enough to put some one on their ass. If a hole somehow does open up, there isn't a running back that could get more than 9 yards, and finally there isn't a single wide receiver over 6'3 that can bail a quarterback out with a jump ball or a receiver who after the catch get a little something call YAC(yards after catch). There's too many issues on this team to try to say" it's only this or only that".

My fellow TripleThreatCle.com writer normally gives out a player of the game. The score was 37-3. This award goes out to all of us, the die hard, crazy, stupid, committed, Browns fans who watch this crap every week. I know at some point in this game we said we were done, but I'm pretty sure I'll see you all next week.


Next week: The San Franciso 49'ers visit FirstEnergy Stadium led by the rejuvenated QB Blaine Gabbert.

On The Mark 9.28.15: #Browns v #Raiders Recap

McCown starts slow, defense doesn't start at all in 27-20 embarrassing loss to the Raiders
By @MarkW2112

When Josh McCown was named starter after being cleared to play after a concussion suffered against the Buffalo Bills, Mike Pettine said that McCown gave the Browns the best chance to win.  Sadly for Pettine, that idea blew up in his face.  The Browns lost 27-20 to the Oakland Raiders at First Energy Stadium due to McCown slow start and interception at the end of the game to Charles Woodson.  In between, McCown, who was 28 of 49 for 341 yards and 2 touchdowns, missed his receivers many times and either over threw or under threw several long balls to Travis Benjamin, including on the game ending interception.  The running game once again was non existent with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson being non-factors. 

But as bad as the offense was, it was the defense that was a true nightmare.  The secondary, which was supposed to be one of the best in the NFL, were sliced and diced by Derek Carr, who now has Amari Cooper to do a lot of damage against any NFL defense.  Carr ended the day 20 of 32 for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He was barely touched at all day as the Browns did not sack him.  Cooper was spectacular, with 134 yards receiving yards on 8 catches.  With the exception of a fumble, the Browns had no answers for him.  Latavius Murray slashed through the Browns porous run defense for 139 yards and 1 touchdown.

My take:  The Browns are a disaster once again.  Can't stop the run on defense, can't run on offense.  Josh McCown was rusty to start the game but was able to find a rhythm near the end.  That said, he was sacked 5 times, and missed wide open receivers, namely Travis Benjamin.  It proved that perhaps Mike Pettine out thought himself once more by starting McCown over Johnny Manziel.  But what's really disturbing is the defense.  The Browns invested a ton of money and draft picks in to the defense and they still can't stop the run and still get beat on pass protection.  This is a nightmare scenario for both Pettine and Ray Farmer, who would appear to be on a very tight leash with Jimmy Haslam.  It appears that, once again, the Browns will have another losing season and have fans longing for the good old days.

Player of the game: Derek Carr, who was suburb against the Browns defense.

Play of the game:  Brian Hartline, making another spectacular catch, this time with his legs.

Turning point:  Josh McCown's interception to Charles Woodson to end the game when it looked like they could tie it.

Next game:  In San Diego against the Chargers

On The Mark 9.14.15: #Browns v. #Jets Recap

Same Old Browns:  Sloppy, embarrassing Browns drop 11th season opener in a row 31-10 to the Jets
By @MarkW2112

Hello, Browns fans, and welcome to another year of On The Mark Browns recaps.  It was yet another season opening of embarrassing, unprepared Cleveland Browns football, leading to a 31-10 blow out that had a promising start but a horrific, if not utterly predicable, finish for the 11th loss in a row of a season opener.

The Browns first drive on offense had the makings of a surprising day.  Josh McCown was bringing the offense down the field, getting them to near the goal line.  What happened when they got there can only be described as something that only seems to happen to the Browns.  On third-and-goal from the 14 yard line, McCown ran the ball towards the end zone, only to dive about 2 yards too much and getting hit in the head, making him lose the football and spin around mid air.  The fumble was recovered by the Jets in the end zone for a touchback and McCown was literally knocked out of the game with a concussion.

Enter Johnny Manziel, who threw an incredible 54 touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin to make it 7-0.  After that, it was all Jets.  Manziel went on to throw for 182 yards, a touchdown and an interception but also fumbled the ball twice which led to Jets points.

The run game was non existent, as Manziel led all rushers with 35 yards on the ground.  Starter Isaiah Crowell carried 12 times for only 20 yards while rookie Duke Johnson rushed for 22 yards on 7 carries.  It was an ugly day for the receivers who dropped many well thrown balls to them.  The exception was an amazing one handed catch by Brian Hartline while on his back for a first down.  

The Browns defense, which was supposed to be better at stopping the run, did nothing to distance themselves from the awful run defenses of the past.  Chris Ivory had 91 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns while Bilal Powell rushed for 62 yards on 12 carries.  The secondary fared no better, with Joe Haden seeming to have issues with Brandon Marshall all day.  Marshall finished the day with 62 receiving yards and a touchdown.  Eric Decker also had a touchdown for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who seemed to coast along without even being touched by the Browns front line.  Fitzpatrick passed for 179 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.

My thoughts:  The Browns, as usual, are a mess.  They've lost 11 season openers in a row. The run offense was MIA and the run defense couldn't hold anyone. Josh McCown's ill advised leap in to the end zone sealed the Browns doom.  While Manziel did OK in his absence, he still looks raw and unready to lead the team.  That said, it may be a better option for Mike Pettine to start Manziel for the rest of the season to see what the team has in him.  The Browns will more than likely finish last in the AFC Central so having Johnny start wouldn't really matter at this point.  The biggest disappointment was how unprepared and sloppy the Brown were from start to finish.  It was a disgusting display on both ends of the ball.  And there's still 15 more games to go.  

Player of the game: Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was able to control his mistakes and make the plays when he needed to.

Play of the day: Manziel's 54 yard touchdown pass to Benjamin, his first passing touchdown as a pro.

Play of the day 2: Hartline's amazing 1 handed catch to convert a first down.

Turning point:  McCown's fumble at the goal line which turned the momentum over to the Jets and knocked him out of the game.

Turning Point 2: Tashaun Gipson intercepted a ball from Fitzpatrick but was stripped by Brandon Marshall and recovered at the Browns 2 yard line.  The Jets were able to score and make it 7-7.  Gipson keeps that ball, it may have been a different story.

Next up:  the home opener against the Tennessee Titans at 1 PM next Sunday the 20th.

#Browns Preview 9.11.15: Cleveland Browns @ New York #Jets

Week 1 Is Finally Here
By @mrgroce

Sunday afternoon marks the beginning of another much anticipated season for the Cleveland Browns. After an offseason of constant turmoil, everyone's attention will finally be on football. Week One starts with the Browns traveling to New York to take on the Jets.

In my eyes, these two teams are very similar. You have a first and second year head coach. Both teams feature veteran journeyman starting quarterbacks. Both teams feature tough defenses with exceptional secondaries. The running game for both teams are average. The starting receiving corps of both teams, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker for the Jets, Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe for the Browns, feature veteran guys who have had good careers, but are past their primes. This is going to sound pretty obvious, but the winner of this game will be the team that does not turn the ball over and avoids penalties in bad situations. There are some teams that can get away with both, but the Browns and the Jets aren't those teams.

The Browns seem to enter this contest with the most questions. If McCown goes down, is Johnny healthy enough to take over? If Isaiah Crowell is unproductive, can Shaun Draughn, if brought up from the practice squad, help or can Duke Johnson stay on the field long enough to make an impact? Will the receivers help take the pressure off of the running game? Will the offense stay on the field long enough to give the defense a rest?

As you can see, all of my questions come at the expense of the offense. The Browns are 1-15 in season openers since returning in 1999 and I have a hard time seeing them pull this one out on the road. I hope I'm wrong.





Prediction: Jets 20 - Browns 16

What: Cleveland Browns at New York Jets
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Time: 1pm EST
TV/Radio: CBS, WKNR/Cleveland 850, WKRK/Cleveland 92.3 The Fan, WNCX 98.5

Leadoff with Lee 3.10.15 #Hartline #Browns

By @cleeverizon

The heartbeat of America finally has a Hartline. Brian Hartline will sign a 2 year, $6 million dollar deal with the Cleveland Browns today. The North Canton native from Glen Oak high school told Northeast Ohio Media Group, "I plan to compete at the highest level. I'm just starting to hit my peak.'' Hartline was courted by several teams including the Bears, Patriots and Texans. "It came down to a gut feeling. I did my due diligence. I'm very excited.'' Hartline had 1,000 plus yards receiving 2012 and 2013. He will be the taller, possession wideout that the Browns were looking for. I still see the Browns drafting a receiver for Hartline to mentor.

- Who said the Browns weren't going to be active one the free agency this year? The Browns have tendered qualifying offers to defensive backs Johnson Bademosi & Tashaun Gipson, defensive lineman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen & LB Craig Robertson. The Browns gave Gipson and Robertson 2nd round tenders (can match any offer from another team, if tender is not matched will receive 2nd round pick). Kitchen and Bademosi received low tenders and will get no compensation. All offers can be matched by the Browns. Tashaun Gipson didn't seem happy about his tender offer and tweeted this:

😐😐😐

— Tashaun J. Gipson SR (@Gipson_duos24) March 9, 2015

Obviously Gipson is upset and thinks he's worth 1st round tender money which would have paid him $3.356 million per year.

- Johnny  Manziel is in his sixth week of treatment. Mike Pettine said yesterday "We're giving him his privacy and let him do what he has to do," Pettine said. "It was something he was very resolute needed to get done." "Football is still an 'afterthought.'

- The Browns are still in contention for OLB/DE Trent Cole. He left Cleveland yesterday afternoon on his way to visit the Colts. Expect a decision to be made by Wednesday.

- The Houston Texans officially released WR Andre Johnson.

- Former Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars later today.

- Lineman Mike Iupati will be leaving the San Francisco 49ers and joining the Arizona Cardinals.

- The San Francisco 49ers released WR Stevie Johnson. Keep a eye out, as the Browns may make another move to sign the speedster.

- Brett Keisel, who has said he wants to play in 2015, was released by Steelers after playing all of his13 seasons with the team.

- Glenville Tarblooder and Ohio State alum Ted Ginn Jr signed a two-year deal with Carolina Panthers, worth $4.2 million. His first year salary is $900,000 and $1.4 million in the second year. He receives a $1.7M signing bonus, and up to $750,000 in incentives each year.