Browns Preview 10/27/17: Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns, In London

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings travel to England to play their game this week. The Browns still winless on the season after losing in overtime to the Tennessee Titans. The Browns will also be without Joe Thomas in the starting lineup for the first time since the 2006 season. Kevin Shaffer was the last guy not named Joe Thomas to start at left tackle for the Browns. The Vikings are leading the NFC North with a 5-2 record.


Browns Offense vs Vikings Defense

The Browns will be starting DeShone Kizer at quarterback after benching him in the second half of last weeks game. The Browns game plan this week is pretty simple, protect the ball. Kizer needs to take care of the ball especially in the redzone. The Browns will start Spencer Drango at left tackle in place of Joe Thomas this week.

The Browns running game is probably the most important key to the game this week. The Browns need some type of a running game to protect Kizer from throwing the ball too much. In my opinion Duke Johnson should get the majority of the carries but that's unlikely because we know Hue Jackson likes to run Crowell instead. Johnson and tight end David Njoku need to be on the field more and those are the only two consistent playmakers Kizer has had this year.



Browns Defense vs Vikings Offense

The Browns will be without Myles Garrett who is suffering from a concussion. The Browns could be without Jabrill Peppers and Jason McCourty this week too.

The Browns will be going up against Case Keenum this week. The goal for the Browns defensively is to limit Adam Thielen. Thielen is one of the leading receivers on the year. If the Browns can limit him and force Keenum to dink and dunk his way down the field the Browns defense could have a pretty good day. The Vikings running game isn't really a threat after rookie Dalvin Cook injured his knee and is out for the season.

The Browns are going to have a tough time getting pressure on Keenum and forcing him into bad throws so I almost expect for them try and force him into quick throws like they did week one against Pittsburgh.




Five Guys to Watch


1. DeShone Kizer: This one is pretty simple. Like every other week he starts he is the number one guy fans should watch. Kizer hasn't really developed as we all hoped and with the injury to Joe Thomas he will probably get hit a lot more.

2.  Duke Johnson: Johnson is the only dynamic playmaker on the team. It is inexcusable that Johnson doesn't get the ball more. I say this every week. Duke needs to be the number one running back going forward for this team.

3. Carl Nassib: With Garrett out this week Nassib will be starting in his place. Nassib has played okay when Garrett was out. The Browns need him to get pressure on Keenum in order to create a potential turnover.

4. Jamar Taylor: With McCourty being questionable this week Taylor is the number one corner again this week. Taylor did a good job last week against the Titans but with have a tough challenge this week with the weapons the Vikings have.

5. Any Receiver: The Browns need one of their receivers this week to step up. Britt has been a cancer on this team, but if Bryce Treggs or Kasen Williams can have a decent game hopefully it will be something Kizer and his receivers can build upon.


Injuries

Weather


Prediction: Vikings 35 Browns 10

With a potential blowout in England, Hue Jackson going 1-23 in his tenure, and the bye week next week this could be Hue Jackson's last game as the Browns head coach. Unless the owner and front office come out and say we are going to keep Hue Jackson for the rest of the season and go into 2018 with Hue also. This upcoming bye week could be interesting for a number of reasons. A fired head coach and/or a potential new hire to the front office...Stay Woke.

Cleveland Browns 2017 Season Preview: The Defensive Backs

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

**PREVIOUS**
The Coaching Staff
The Running Backs
The Offensive & Defensive Line
The Quarterbacks
The Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
The Linebackers


The Cleveland Browns defensive back group just got a bit interesting with the release of Joe Haden. The Browns have a few spots open at DB that will likely be filled with waiver wire pickups or maybe a trade.

Cornerbacks: We know for a fact the three starting corners for week one. Jamar Taylor, Jason McCourty, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Taylor and BBC were breakout players for the Browns last season.

Taylor was acquired from Miami last season on during the draft. The former second round pick played in 15 games last season. He finished the season with 46 tackles, 13 pass defended, and three interceptions. Taylor's play in 2016 earned him a three year contract extension and a starting job going forward. Its not like the talent wasn't there with Taylor during his tenure with Miami but seems like the change of scenery was need in order to get a fresh start.

Briean Boddy-Calhoun was an undrafted free agent pickup last season. BBC played in 14 games, starting half of them. Boddy-Calhoun recorded 36 tackles, 11 pass defended, and three picks (including one returned for a touchdown). During the preseason BBC has been everywhere. Playing not just at corner but spell some at safety.

The lone veteran at defensive back is Jason McCourty who will be entering his ninth season in the NFL. He has spent the last eight with the Tennessee Titans. The Browns brought him in because they absolutely needed someone with the veteran leadership McCourty brings. But its not just the leadership, McCourty spent a season with Gregg Williams so his familiarity with Williams gives the Browns almost another coach on the field. Despite his age McCourty's stats haven't really dropped. Last season he had 59 tackles, 12 pass defended, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in the 14 games he played/started. During the preseason, McCourty has been showing max effort, he's played solid defense and even forced a fumble that set up a scoring drive for the offense.

Outside of those three, the Browns defense backs are kind of a mystery. Expect them to keep one of the undrafted rookies (Najee Murray, Darius Hillary, Alvin Hill) or four year veteran Marcus Burley. And then use the waiver wire to add an additional corner to the team.

Safety: The Browns safety room is extremely young. They potentially could be starting a rookie and a second year pro at the two safety positions.

Jabrill Peppers is a lock to start week one. Peppers has impressed coaches and fans alike with his hard hitting tackling and his exciting playmaking ability when he gets his hands on the ball.

Opposite of Peppers will likely be Derrick Kindred. Kindred's rookie season was cut short because of an injury but in the games he played Kindred showed decent cover skills and being a sure tackler. During the preseason Kindred played extremely well and earned his spot as a starter on defense.

The backup safety position is fluid just like the corner position. The Browns traded for former first round pick Calvin Pryor during the off-season. Think of it as a Jamar Taylor 2.0 move. Pryor has played well during the preseason, he even recorded a safety during the Browns preseason victory over the Bears. Ibraheim Campbell is entering his third season with the Browns. Campbell isn't a lock to make the team, but it is expected. The preseason wasn't that great for the third year pro as he battled a concussion that kept him out for a couple weeks. It seems unlikely but undrafted rookie Kai Nacua out of BYU has played well. If the Browns cut either Pryor or Campbell, Nacua would be a logical replacement. He was always around the ball during the preseason. It wouldn't be surprising if Nacua makes the practice squad and gets called up during the middle of the season.


Defensive Backs Overview: The DBs in 2017 have talent but the Browns are really thin. If everyone stays healthy the defensive backs shouldn't hurt them too bad. And with the improvement of a pass rush the defensive backs will be given a position to succeed in 2017.

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.