Posted on Sunday 8 October 2006 by John Blake @ 3:22 pm
Offensively, the game started out promising with the Browns marching down the field for a field on their first possession. However, a quick Carolina interception return for a touchdown off the hands of Dennis Northcutt was the turning point. The Panthers took hold of the momentum and never looked back, beating the Browns 20-12 Sunday afternoon.
The Panthers’ front four, especially Julius Peppers, disrupted the Browns and put pressure on Charlie Frye for most of the day. The offensive line also committed some key holding penalties that kept the Browns from getting into any sort of offensive rythym. Joshua Cribbs gave the team a spark with a couple of big returns but the Browns unfortunately had to settle for field goals.
what, you guys actually think the O-line is all of a sudden going to start to block people this week
if it isn’t obvious to you all by now, let me spell it out. THE O-LINE BLOWS. they are nearly completely worthless.
i am not sure how they could be so bad seeing as all these guys came from somewhere else where they performed well.
i think a good part of it may be coaching.
i said it 2 weeks ago and i’ll say it again, 2-14 but i don’t see any change with the coaching, they will just dig in deeper and continue the biggest joke in the league.
I disagree with the dire predictions. Carolina is a much better team, and we played them on the road. Of course, Northcutt killed them.
Yet the defense played very well. Wimbley is a stud. He’s not as good as Peppers . . . yet.
We’re also seeing Frye develop as well.
Let’s face it, this is a young team with a young quarterback. They should develop and get better as the year goes on.
i hate to be the voice of doom but check the schedule, conceivably the last 2 games of the season are the only 2 that look remotely like a win at this point.
i’d be interesting in seeing how many passes northcut has dropped or tipped within the last quarter of a game.
i’m still haunted by that drop in the playoff game against the steelers.
Great job by the defense yesterday. Even without Baxter, I thought they played very well. The offense is a different story. Granted, Peppers is an animal, but at least put a body on him! Mix in a tight end on pass blocking once in a while!
One bright spot - the Steelers lost, too!!!
The o-line is horrid. They can’t pass or run block. I think the o-line coach may carry some fault-like 10% and the rest is on the players. You can’t even call the play you want because these guys were so bad. They had a TE or RB in the game to chip on Peppers but the line was letting people in free so that player of course picks the free guy up so Frye doesn’t get rocked. Also, Frye is young and a stud but he has to stop throwing INTS in the 4th. 0 TD’s + 8 INT’s= disaster
Here is the problem. Tell me if Ohio State gave up an interception Td in the first quarter would thatbe the turning point? Of course not. Tell me how you can have a turning point play occur in the first quarter. Here is my turning point we have the ball in the 2nd half the score was 17-6. First and goal on the ten yard line and we run Reuben twice up the middle and are faced with a 3rd and goal from the 9. I don’t care if you have Elway and the Broncos in that scenario…if you continue to have 3rd and long you will not be successful especially from the 9 yard line. I don’t get it. Why not throw on first down. Plays that are short run on second and at worst you may be facing 3rd and 5. Carthon does not get it. He does not play schem and he has absolutely no clue on how to make adjustments throughout the game. He needs to go to Jim Tressel School of Coaching soon or we need to get someone in here who knows how to actually prepare and adjust.
these guys are pathetic on the o-line. we really need to start spending some early round draft picks on the o-line this upcoming off-season.
picking up veterens in the off season just is not working for us.
hands down the weakest part of this team at the moment.
and one more thing - i still don’t get how it seems that VICKERS is this teams 3rd down specialist.
how the hell does this rookie fullback get so much playing time while producing so little?
Basically The Coach/Coordinator is supposed to put the players in the best postion to be successful & Carthon has no clue how to do that!! We are predictable, if we as fans know what play is coming next then you know the scouts 4 opposing teams who do this for a living know whats coming!!! Why do we draft Braylon Edwards if we never throw deep. Why is Juravicis not on the field when he catches everything, Vickers should not be in the game. We have no offensive identity. We never run any plays for Charlie to roll out especially in the red zone!! I just can’t understand why they dont play to their players strengths!!! BYE NEEDSCUTT!!!
I agree with all you guys. I have said it before–Romeo Crennel is a wonderful defensive coach—but ,on offense, he needs A LOT of help. Romeo needs to go out RIGHT NOW and bring in somebody with a little bit of play-calling acumen. Marice Carthon is TOTALLY clueless!!! Case in point–the Vickers option pass on third and inches!!! I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that!! —and—NO!!NO!! Romeo,
(Sorry guys–I hit the wrong button)
i was saying that Romeo can’t say , “well if it worked it would have been a good play”–No! No!–admit it, Romeo –THAT WAS A DUMB, DUMB PLAY CALL!!! Cleveland fans are not that stupid. You want to be a coach in this this town, you’ve got to know more about football than that I know the offensive line stinks—but at least you could get us somebody who can call plays–give us half a chance anyhow….
If you had the best offensive mind in NFL history on staff nothing would probably change. Bentley’s injury hurts more than what I ever thought. Carthon is the least of the worries. When did Tressel become a great offensive mind? I think that’s more Troy Smith than anything. I don’t have a problem with the play on 3rd and inches because you go on it on 4th and inches BUT guess who screwed that up….the one guy no one is talking about who should be the only one we’re talking about-RYAN TUCKER-I mean does he know he’s supposed to block someone? Young inexperienced QB with a penchant for throwing inoppurtuned INTS, O-line not blocking at all, wide outs who can’t catch handicapps your playcalling. For having Frye not throwing in the in endzone-Carthon did not trust Frye and that’s how I took it. Would you? He only leads ALL Qb’s in endzone INT’s in the league.
The only thing that happened yesterday that may help the Brown’s is that Northcutt left the game. Put him on the IR FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON and give Cribbs a chance to see if he can catch the ball. Mr. hands of stone, can’t catch anything but a punt Northcutt is a veteran player without a clue about what it means to be a veteran.
Now can anybody tell me when the offense is driving, the defense is resting and Carolina’s offense is off the field, you ask the O-line to pass protect a FULLBACK! They can’t protect Charlie!
QB sneak, or give the ball to Droughns and keep the drive going. Get some points on the board and give this team a chance to win!
To respond to Chris M
The problem with most people about Jim Tressel is he is misunderstood. He knows how to win and he knows how to play to his team’s strength. Sure Troy Smith is a one of the best QBs that OSU has had in a long time, but lets face it you still have to run the plays on the field that make Troy successful and the last time I checked Troy was’t calling the plays. Additionally, Tressel is one of the best game adjusters I have ever seen and that is something Carthon does not have a clue.
in livingston’s column today carthon reminds us belichick wasn’t appreciated in cleveland either. well, moe-rice thanks for the update but “genius” bill left with a losing record, and he wasn’t exactly appreciated in new england until bledsoe got hurt and tom brady made bill the genius he and moe-rice thinks he is. here is a suggestion for moe-rice, spend less time reading cleveland brown failed bit head coaches bios and more time in an nfl offensive playbook.!! idiot
To respond to David
I am not calling Tressel offensively inept but before anyone compare his situation with Carthon remember
1. OSU has more talent than all it’s compettors
2. The Browns do not have more talent than their compeieitors
3. I don’t think it’s a coinsidence that OSU offense is prolific and Troy Smith is the starting QB.
4 Butch Davs was a great college coach-espicially on offense.
5. I don’t think Tressel is a great offensive mind but he’s something more important-A Winner.
As Cleveland fans we usually think of the negatives we want instead of what is actually there. Truth is -the players in the trenches -where the game is won or lost-stinks. BOTTOMLINE. Carthon could call those same plays for the Colts, Philly, Chicago, Seattle and they would work. Untill the o-line is near the realm of decent-I cannot call the coaching into question. Savage must be question for bringing these grown millionaires in.
I agree with many of the posters here, the problem is the o-line. Calling plays with a horrible o-line is being set up to fail. If you play conservative and fail, you are criticized for being unimaginitive. If you play aggressively and fail, you are second guessed for not playing conservative. If Vickers does a better job of executing and selling the fake and ends up with 7 pts, no one is second guessing the call. Vickers was getting ready to pass as soon has he received the pitch, giving the DBs time to recover.
It sounds redundant, but true, if it works, you are a genius. If it fails, you will be scrutinized.
after 5 weeks and reading all the posts here:
1 - The O-Line is definitely at fault for not doing their job what-so-ever.
2 - Carthon is at fault for calling plays that may work in INDY but they are not going to work here do to our line or other player issues.
So both are quite at fault.
The main issue for me is that even if the “VICKERS PASS PLAY” does work, the coaches do NOT look smart and it is NOT a good play. If that play works it is just DUMB LUCK. Even if we get 7 points on that play, I still question it. IT’S a ridiculous call.
VICKERS IS A FULLBACK AND A ROOKIE. Every other tail back on this team is more qualified to be out ther for that stupid play: Droughns, Wright or Harrison. VICKERS SHOULD BE THE LAST CHOICE.
It’s STUPID play calling. It ONLY LOOKS LUCKY IF IT SUCCEEDS NOT GENIUS.
this team needs to play to the few strengths it has.
what is the FRICKIN HANG UP WITH VICKERS???
i think moe-rice is living “vicker-ariously” through vickers! the problem is for this team to be in a position to win they need the best qualified coaching they can find, and no one NO ONE in this league other than crennel would consider carthon qualified. i am waiting for savage to step in or step up and demand a change. if he doesn’t than this organization will continue to flounder. any chance we can get ernie accorsi back?
Let’s not forget Northcutt missed two passes yesterday. Everybody is talking about the first one that led to an interception / touchdown. There was another play that hit him in the gut and fell to the turf. The announcers said the defender deflected it but the replay showed it went straight into his gut. What a loser!
ok the o-line blows however who runs, Droughns, a power runner with limited speed into the belly of one of the top defenses two times in a row from the 10 yard line..When by the way you have 3 receivers averaging about 6′5. Oh by the way it is the 4th quarter and you are down by 11
Oh by the way to all you people out there who believe that we only need an o-line. Rucker the defensive lineman from the Panthers said that they knew where the ball was going on most plays. If the defense knows where the ball is going it does not matter who your o-line is. You need to scheme,game plan,and keep the defense on their heels…something carthon does not have a clue
Aditionally Jeremy Green from ESPN stated today that insiders within the NFL have stated that the Browns are one of the easiest teams to gameplan for. Over the last 2 years under Carthon the Browns have run the ball approximately 70% of the time on 1st down….talk to me when you have facts….o-line the only problem please……
It’s not that the o-line is the ONLY problem. It’s the BIGGEST. We have a decent o-line we are at minimum .500 club. Of course teams know what the Browns are going to do the past 2 years. We’re running because we have had/ have the great quarterbacks of Dilfer, Frye and Dorsey. Not exactly Manning, Montana and McNabb? Most teams know what another team is doing. The get paid millions to know! Example-Everyone knows Atlanta and Vick are running? The past 3 years!!! And they have led the NFL in rushing-the past 3 years!!!
david -
it seems like a good portion of the people who follow the nfl agree with you, the o-line and talent on this team is part of the problem but coaching (carthon) is a larger problem.
from the posts i’ve seen, stories i’ve read around the nfl and in cleveland, from all types of experts (veteren players, commentators, media, etc), it is no secret that carthon’s poor job is the main subject.
that being said, he does not take all the blame when we repeatedly have receivers dropping balls, and an o-line that literally, is almost completely worthless.
frye, who clearly has potential, is going to end up beaten to crap just like couch was. maybe next year we’ll start to finally draft some o-lineman instead of more fullbacks.
no question about it. i’ve heard other teams talk about how easy it is to plan for the browns. just watch them on the field. the don’t really use any movement before the ball is snapped on either side of the ball. no trickery, no disguising. the play calling is high school at best.
right now, i say fire carthon, make robiskie the 0-coordinator and make it clear that you keep the same playbook but drastically alter the play calling.
Repley to Kessler and Chris M
Your points are well taken and I do agree that our current roster has improved talent but they are still limited due to youth or just not enough other role players stepping up. There just have been so many inconsistencies in the past and mostly just a lack of improvement. However, I am a Browns fan to the end and I am just trying to wait and be pataient as possible. I hope Phil and Romeo realize that the only real way to improve the o-line is through the draft because any body worth anything via free agency you will pay out the nose. (Ie Hutchinson).
Does anybody agree that there just does not seem to be much gametime adjustments. I mean why not try to throw on first down to at least put the defense on there heels from titme to time.
Anyway lets hope Bentley comes back strong and the Browns do address the o-line through the draft or maybe free agency, but probably unlikely. Lets face it all teams know a measure of success is a strong o-line and they will do all they can to keep good talent.
I also have a stronger feeling on Frye’s abilities. For some who have thrown him under the bus I don’t think it is a fair assessment. I meanthere are people preaching the o-line sucks and in the same breathe they say Frye is a bad QB. That makes no sense. Until we have an improved o-line and a offensive coordinator that is frankly not Offensive it is hard to judge Frye’s abilities. However, nobody can take away Frye’s passion, toughness, and relentlessness as and NFL QB and the pride he takes in being a Brown.
In response to David
I think in your last paragraph you are referring to me when you say some people say o-line and Frye sucks. I’m not saying Frye sucks but a QB and an O-line can suck at the same time. If Frye is working with inferior parts-what is Crathon working with. Does he exist on another reality or astroplane wherer the Browns have Peyton Manning, The Bears O-line and the Cowboys Wr gorp with LT in the backfield? My deal is this-you can add Weiss and Bill Walsh to replace Carthon and I don’t feel there would be a difference. The problem is within the personnel on the field. Everyone complains about the Vickers pass play but the person to complain about is Ryan Tucker who held when they would’ve gotten it on the 4th down. And it was one play-ONE! Besides changing personnel on the field there are no adjustments that can be made. Do anyone realize that teams aren’t blitzing us-it only looks like it. Teams are coming in with the let the 2nd year QB beat us with his arm and are getting the icing on the cake because their front 4 are getting to Frye. If I honestly felt there was enought alent and the coaching was causing the downfall I would have no problem saying it. Cleveland fans never want to recognize reality-it seeps imto the team, to the top brass of the organization because we are the fan base and therefore the boss-and the organiztion makes an idiot move that doesn’t even help the situation-sometimes make it worse ex-Harper for Ferry, Cutting KJ, Firing Silas in the middle of a playoff run….etc.
aer you kidding me? you honestly think replacing carthon won’t make a difference? do you smoke crack or what? that is one of most idiotic things i have ever seen written on this site! carthon has cost them at least, at least 1 win and possibly 2. man put the crack pipe down and start watching the games!
No and I’m not kidding and maybe you should get some knowledge and some commonsense. If changing Carthon doesn’t change the personnel on the field then it doesn’t matter. It would be like covering up what really stinks. Superficial and cosmetic.
You make it seem like these guys just started playing football at the beginning of this year. These guys have been playing the same position for at least 10 years. These players have a lack in fundamentals. That being said, Carthon had the entire training camp, and preseason to get these guys up to speed on fundamentals, which they should’ve learned as kids. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the offense, and as a coordinator, he should call plays that “play” towards their strengths. The Browns offense is a long ways from sending anyone to the Pro Bowl, and there were 6 centers before the season started, but the lack of offensive production has cost the Browns 3 games already. They should’ve beaten New Orleans, Carolina, and Baltimore.
If they have 3 proven receivers, why are they throwing passes to their punt returner? If one of their receivers played 4 years in college at QB, why is the fullback throwing a pass towards the endzone? Why even attempt a pass on 3rd and inches, if you have a QB who strength is running? If they have a proven 1000 yard rusher, and a rookie that was so impressive, that they waived William Green, and tried to trade and waived Lee Suggs, why are they running a sweep with the before mentioned fullback? Carthon must’ve kept his playbook from H.S., because his play calling is varsity at best. He must go, NOW!!!!!!