Krunch Time With Katelin: Browns Fans Should Focus On The Bigger Picture

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE


We are heading into the seventh week of the season and the Cleveland Browns are still without a victory.  They've played really well at times and have also played like an inexperienced young team. Now dating back to the preseason we all knew that the Browns weren't destined for anything great this year, and that this was a "try-out" for many young guys on this roster. So to the vocal people Browns fans who are already calling for Hue Jackson's job, and the fans that get all frustrated when they lose every week...

You all need to REMAIN CALM!!!

*NOTE: I understand the irony of "remain calm" in caps

Yes, its difficult to do that and still watch every Sunday...I completely understand that and I'm with you, I won't even repeat some of the names I called Cody Parkey when he missed those kicks in Miami. But if we all as fans look at the bigger picture each week, instead of being so reactionary on each play I guarantee that Browns games on Sunday's will be a lot better. 

So what is "The Bigger Picture?" Well...its a few things:

First, its developing the young players on this team. Yes, I've said that a handful of times before but its the most important part of the rebuild. The Browns and fans are seeing guys like Terrelle Pryor, Cody Kessler, and Carl Nassib become solid NFL players. 

Pryor is the perfect example of the "try-out" year. Someone who only played in three games last season as a receiver and he cam into this year with an actual opportunity to show that he can play the position. Honestly did anyone expect him to rank ninth in targets with 58, 11th in catches with 33, and tied for 17th in yards with 413 with Emmanuel Sanders? No, of course not...but Pryor is must watch tv at this point. And the Browns need to consider re-signing him ASAP. 

Second, Hue Jackson needs to lay down the foundation. Its one of those things that some overlook, but Hue Jackson and company needs a year or so to build the type of program they think that can be successful. Now I know some will get upset that I used the term "program" especially since they have Former Baylor head coach Art Briles working as a consultant, but the really good team are successful because of their foundation. We can see the foundation building every week when the Browns take the field. The Browns seemed prepared every week they've played. And that doesn't mean they haven't been over matched, because they have (i.e. vs. New England). But it really is the small things at this point: Making sure everyone is prepared, embracing the "next-man-up" mentality, and finally/hopefully learning how to finish out games and win. 

Last, is to understand that we needed to be terrible (record wise) this year. This upcoming draft might be the most important draft for the Browns since...I don't know when. But if the Browns end up having the number one overall pick this year is a success by default. It doesn't become one of those years like 2011 where we win irrelevant games against the Colts and the Seahawks costing us the chance to draft a franchise quarterback. Even if we don't go with a quarterback number one overall, its all about the opportunity to have any one player in the draft. Not hoping one guy isn't taken or having to package picks to jump up a few spots. 

This year is a time to embrace 0-16 and embrace having a young team learning to fly.

Browns Preview 9.30.16: Cleveland Browns @ Washington Redskins

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE


The Browns travel to Washington to take on the Redskins in week four. The Browns came up short in a very winnable game against the Dolphins 30-24 in overtime. With the loss the Browns start the season 0-3 and are last in the AFC North. The Redskins on the other hand pulled out a win against the New York Giants 29-27. With their win they are 1-2, but are last place in the NFC East.

Browns Offense vs Redskins Defense

The Browns offense was based around wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. Pryor had 144 yards receiving, 21 yards on the ground, and 35 passing yards. And this week isn't going to be any different. Pryor will be going against one of the best corners in the NFL, Josh Norman. If Pryor can have another big game it might just solidify him as an NFL wide out and a top one.

Again, like last week the Browns should have success running the ball with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. Isaiah Crowell  is tied for second in rushing yards with Zeke Elliott. Coach Jackson hoped Crowell could breakout this year and go for 1000+ yards on the ground, and he's on pace to do that and a lot more. The Browns running game is starting to look like the Bengals from last year, where Hue Jackson was an offensive coordinator. Crowell is like "Jeremy Hill" and Duke Johnson is like "Gio Bernard". Crowell and Johnson have different skill sets but together they really have helped this offense move the ball, especially since the Browns are on their third string quarterback. Last week Washington gave up 120 yards on only 21 rushes and 5.7 per attempt. If the Browns stick to the run and control the clock they have a great opportunity to win this game in Washington.

It may seem like a broken record but if Cody Kessler can just manage the game like last week, the Browns will be in a position to win this game. Kessler last week was 21/33 for 244 yards, no touchdowns, but no interceptions. Kessler didn't force anything and played within himself. And that's all you can hope for with a rookie. There were times Kessler didn't run when he had open field, but he moved in the pocket and threw the ball away. Most rookies force bad throws. Now going into this week expect the same game plan for Kessler. Slant routes, out routes, play actions, and a few bombs down field, with Deangelo Hall out for the season and to make sure Ryan Kerrigan doesn't get into the backfield.

The Redskins defense has been terrible the first three weeks. They rank 29th in points given up, with 30.7. and 29th in total yards given up with 424.7 per game.

Browns Defense vs Redskins Offense

The Browns secondary will have their hands full with the likes of DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon, and Jamison Crowder. Now based on the first three weeks the Browns main problem is guarding the slot receiver. Week 1 vs Matthews (7-114-1TD), week 2 vs Steve Smith (3-64), and week 3 vs Landry (7-120-1). This week they will be going against Crowder who has (16-175-2) through three weeks.

Unfortunately, its not just Crowder, its the Redskins entire passing offense. Quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks second is passing yards with 989. The Redskins rarely run the ball, last week they ran it 30 times for only 90 yards. So if the Browns want to win this potential shootout their main key should be getting to Cousins. He has three picks on the season along with his three touchdowns. He's a solid quarterback with a lot of weapons at hand. If the Browns can slow down the passing game, which they might be able to, they will be in a position to win

Five Guys to Watch

Terrelle Pryor: This one is pretty obvious. Pryor is coming off a history making game last week. If he can get near the same numbers this week...I think the Browns will win.

Isaiah Crowell: The number two rusher against on of the worst rush defenses in the NFL, again this is another obvious pick. And with Kessler starting again expect to Hue Jackson to "Feed the Crow".

Jamar Taylor: Taylor seems to have revitalized his career in Cleveland. With Joe Haden questionable this week, Taylor needs to step up again if the Browns are successful in stopping the Redskins passing offense.

Emmanuel Ogbah: Its not just on the secondary to stop the receivers, its also very important to get a consistent pass rush. Ogbah has played well the first three weeks, but is due to have a break out game. The Redskins offensive line has some question marks this week. Its extremely important to get  to Cousins to force a bad throw.

Cody Parkey: Yes, he kick who blew the game last week like the Warriors blew a 3-1 in the Finals, a one of the five guys to watch. Lets all hope last week was an anomaly. The guy was signed on Friday night and didn't have any reps until Sunday morning. Parkey is a former Pro-Bowler so there is hope.



Injury Report:
Weather Report:
Betting Line: Washington (-8)

Prediction

The Browns will finally get a win this year 31-27. The Redskins are currently in a weird position and apparently at odds with quarterback Kirk Cousins so this seems like one of those let your guard down games the Browns will win. Also with the emergence of Terrelle Pryor and Isaiah Crowell the Browns have a great opportunity to control the clock and set a tempo for this shootout of a game. Also this Browns team has shown that its going to be prepared every week and that falls on the coaching staff. Quite frankly; Hue Jackson deserves this game, Browns fans deserve this game and dammit Terrelle Pryor deserves this Dub.

Browns Recap 9.26.16: Browns @ Dolphins: The Good, The Meh & The Ugly

The Cleveland Browns fell short in overtime vs the Dolphins 30-24, are now 0-3
By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Browns had many opportunities to win this game but their kicker basically blew the game for them like the Warriors blew their 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Who, by the way, start up preseason this week)

There was lot of good in this game, considering the week the Browns had on the injury front. And all credit goes to Hue Jackson and his coaching staff for putting a really good game plan together. This game made me a believer in Hue Jackson.





The Good

First, the offense played really well under rookie quarterback Cody Kessler. Kessler was 21/33 for 244 yards and only had one turnover which was fumble on the first drive. Kessler did exactly what he was suppose to do. He managed the game extremely well.The play calling was conservative at times with a lot of slant routes and three step drops but it played to Kessler's strengths Yes, it started out shaky with the two fumbles but he settled down and got into a really nice rhythm. This game by Kessler left me wanting to see more of him, which is a win in my book...and more importantly the Browns coaching staffs' book.

Second, the running game has returned to Cleveland. The Browns averaged 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. Isaiah Crowell ran for 79 yards on 15 rushes, Duke Johnson had 69 yards on 10 rushes, and Terrelle Pryor had 21 yards on 4 rushes and a touchdown. It was surprising to see how well the Browns could run the ball with the Dolphins stacking the box. The running game under Hue Jackson is starting to compare to the Bengals. With Crowell being the "bell cow back" (compared to Jeremy Hill) and Johnson is the "third down scat back" (compared to Gio Bernard).

Third, the Browns rush defense was really good...well besides the last play of the game. Danny Shelton has grown leaps and bounds since last year. Shelton consistently drew double teams during running plays. Another plus was Christian Kirksey. He ended up with 9 total tackles which was only second to Jordan Poyer who had 13 total tackles. Kirksey played well not just in the run defense but in pass defense. Kirksey is ranked as one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL.

Last, but certainly not least, Terrelle Pryor. Pryor was unbelievable. He wasn't just a threat on the ground but he threw the ball too. He was 3/5 for 35 yards...and oh the actual position he played wide receiver he had eight receptions for 144 yards. Pryor is one of the best athletes in the NFL and was the best player on the field Sunday.  Pryor is the heart and soul of this team and you can tell how much he wants to win. Sunday he did everything in his power to do that.



The "Meh"

The Offensive line was solid. Now to be fair they would have been part of the good, but Austin Pasztor might be the worst right tackle in the NFL. He had five or six penalties which resulted in over 30 lost yards. Now the Offensive line did give up three sack and I believe two of them were given up on the right side of the line. Now to the positive of the pass protection. Kessler was given ample time in the pocket to go through his progressions. The entire line besides Pasztors played really well.

Greco, who was playing center for the first time since 2014, didn't have a good start with the errant snap on the first drive. But after that he was a key cog in the pass protection and the run blocking. Another guy who should get some credit is Alvin Bailey who started at right guard with Greco at center. Bailey was a starting o-lineman for Seattle the past few years. Bailey isn't really known for his pass protection but he is a monster in the run game. He was a huge factor in the Browns ability to run the ball for 5.3 yards per attempt.

Jarvis Landry : 7 catches, 120 yards & 1 TD (6 catches, 116 yards & 1 TD in the 2nd half) #Juice pic.twitter.com/ZR33GvifZP

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) September 25, 2016

The last "Meh" was the Browns pass defense which includes the pass rush. Yes they forced two interceptions and a fumble but they did give up 300 yards with Jarvis Landry going for 120 yards and seven catches. Now the secondary was without two of their starters (Joe Haden and Ibraheim Campbell) and they played well at times, But it seemed like the Browns struggled with getting to Ryan Tannehill. The time few time they did, it resulted in a fumble and an interception by Briean Boddy-Calhoun who returned it for a touchdown. The down on the secondary was they couldn't cover the crossing route which is how Landry got most of his yards and his touchdown. The Dolphins ran the crossing route multiple times and each time it seemed the Browns had no answer for it. Now without reviewing the tape I'm a bit unsure what defense was called on those plays and to blame the play calling or the youth of the secondary.



The "Ugly"

*Note Austin Pasztor should be part of the Ugly but the o-line group played well as a whole...and that is how we should judge and offensive line.

THE UGLY is the kicker Cody Parkey. Parkey, a former PRO-BOWLER, missed THREE field goals...yes THREE including the potential game winning field goal from 48 yards. This was the worst kicking game I've ever seen. I get it, the kicker was just signed on Friday and didn't have any rhythm with the long snapper and holder but the guy missed THREE KICKS!!!! Kickers have one job, and he failed. I have a feeling he's gonna get fired on his day off.


Sunday MVP

Terrelle Pryor and this one is pretty easy. When you have 200 total yards and make history while doing it you're the real MVP. He literally did everything he could to win this game. His performance is everything you want in a Cleveland Brown.

“I gave everything I had.”

1-on-1 with @TerrellePryor:https://t.co/roX7enM9JC

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 26, 2016

Conclusion

This is another one of those win-win games for the Browns. A lot of good teaching moments along with a lot of great performances. In hindsight we might look back on this game and be glad we lost. Usually these are one of the four game we win a year that end up messing up our draft position.

This game was an emotional roller coaster but we did learn this team has heart and won't give up...and Hue Jackson is a damn good Head Coach.