The Browns hope to carry over their positive performance against the Ravens when they travel to Oakland this Sunday to face the Raiders. Both teams are winless and the Silver and Black are coming off a bye week. With Aaron Brooks injured, they will be forced to throw out Andrew Walter at quarterback, who will be making his first career start. They have had trouble getting anything going offensively, despite having a star in Randy Moss on the outside. The offensive line has been shaky and without a strong front line, we all know how difficult it can be to win.
For the Browns, they must find a way to run the football. Otherwise, defenses will continue to pin their ears back and come after Frye, who can’t afford to take the shots he did last week every week. The Raiders defensively are strong against the pass but second to last against the run so if there’s a time to get the running game going, this would be it. If they can bring the same amount of intensity they showed against Baltimore to the West Coast, there’s no reason the Browns can’t pick up thier first victory of the season.
This game can set the tone for the rest of the year. Seriously, if they can get the running game going this week, and make big plays on the ground, it will give them something to build on. If they can get other defenses to respect the run, and gameplan for it, that will take some pressure of Charlie, and it wont get him killed. Think about it, if the Browns can take advantage of Oakland’s poor run defense, and put up a 200 yard game, defenses will take notice. They wont be sending the house at Frye, because they wouldn’t want to overrun certain plays. Let’s hope Carthon can take advantage of this.
I totally agree we must establish the run this week. Let’s hope Droughns is back. It’s up to the O line to open some holes this week. I’d hate to be the team that loses this game!
if we cannot beat a team in such total disarray as the raiders we do not deserve to win another game the rest of the year.
the raiders are easily the biggest joke in the nfl this year.
it isn’t even close.
The Browns have to establish a running game to open up the field for Edwards. If not, look for doubling Edwards (since Winslow appears to be out). Charlie may also have to run for some yards as well unless the O-line can give him time or give him a moving pocket.
But, I have a wierd feeling that with Andrew Walter’s strong arm, Oakland is going to air it out to Moss in the first half. If that is successful then the Browns secondary will be in for a long day. If they shut Moss down in the first couple of plays, then he’ll probably take the rest of the game off , since he only plays when he feels like it, and becomes frustrated at not getting the ball when he’s thinks that he is open (on every play). The one thing about Moss is that he can get into the air higher than most d-backs, so pressure on Walter will also be important.
So establish the run and give Charlie some time to keep the defense honest and the Browns can get their first and confidence building victory.