Month: September 2006 (Page 7 of 15)

Ten ugly observations

September 18, 2006 / Kenny Roda

Kenny Roda from WKNR SportsTalk 850 will be writing a weekly blog on Cleveland Scores covering the sports world both locally and nationally. Check back often for his updates!

I’m going to put as much time into this blog as the Browns seemed to put into their game plan for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati. The way I figure it, if they’re not going to put any effort into it, why should I force myself to break down a 34-17 loss to the Bengals that wasn’t as close as the score indicates.

1. The Browns weren’t ready for the Bengals no-huddle.

2. Why did it take the Browns three quarters before they decided to throw deep?

3. The Browns gave up 160 yards on the ground, 145 to Rudi Johnson. That’s 310 yards on the ground in two games. So much for that improved run defense!

4. Carson Palmer threw for 352 yards.

5. Braylon Edwards dropped 2 passes, while the team as a whole dropped 5.

6. Maurice Carthon should be fired, his play calling stinks!

7. Why doesn’t Kellen Winslow Jr. stay on the field for every third down opportunity, even if they use him just as a decoy?

8. Don’t look now, but the Baltimore Ravens are coming to Cleveland on Sunday with a 2-0 record, having outscored the opposition 55 to 6. Charlie, I hope you have life insurance!

9. In the AFC North, the Bengals, Ravens and Steelers (as of Sunday) are a combined 5-0…the Browns are 0-2.

10. Team MVP so far…Punter Dave Zastudil!

That’s it. Nothing more needs to be said.

Cleveland Browns, Kenny Roda

What the players had to say

September 18, 2006 / John Blake

Davis frustrated

“We get paid good money to go out there and make plays,” said linebacker Andra Davis. “The fans expect a lot out of us, and we expect a lot of ourselves. We have to go out there and perform.”

Davis termed the performance “terrible” and “embarrassing.” He said, almost apologetically, “I’m tired of losing, tired of talking” on his way out of the locker room.

Winslow upset

K2, probably the best weapon the Browns have on offense, was inexcusably taken out during a few of the third down plays. Sometimes I wonder. Does Maurice want to lose the game or what?

Winslow caught four passes for 42 yards. He was the subject of the latest controversial brainstorm by coordinator Maurice Carthon – removing Winslow on certain third-down packages.

Winslow was seen jawing with Crennel on the sideline after one third-down screen play to Droughns netted 2 yards in the third quarter.

“I do what the coaches say,” Winslow said. “I look at myself as a playmaker [who] makes things happen. All [the Bengals] ran was cover one – man coverage. Nobody can guard me man to man.”

Frye concurred, “Kellen can’t be guarded. He’s getting open. I’d like to see Kellen [stay in] on every third down.”

The lone bright spot

“I’m real proud of the way our offensive line came back and played [Sunday],” said Frye. “They played really well.”

Baxter disappointed

“We stunk it up today. I did,” he said. “We did as a team. There are a lot of things we should’ve done better. We left a lot of plays on the table. You have to give credit to Cincinnati. They came out and played a great game and they gave it to us.”

Braylon, on not making catches:

“They didn’t draft me to drop the ball,” said Edwards. “I’ve got to catch the ball, that’s what it comes down to. [There are] small things I just didn’t do today, and I hurt Charlie.”

“It definitely was an up-and-down day,” said Edwards. “Obviously, I expect myself to catch everything, regardless of the situation. I blocked well today, and that was a plus. We completed a deep ball, and that was a plus. I dropped the curl, that was not a plus. And I dropped the one that went over the DB’s head. Charlie made a heck of a throw. I didn’t even see him getting it over those two guys’ heads, and he did, and when it came, I wasn’t ready to make the play.”

Cleveland Browns

Errors aplenty

September 17, 2006 / John Blake

In the final game of their series, the Indians lost to the Twins 6-1, completing a dismal homestand. Paul Byrd started for the Tribe and took the loss, giving up five runs, four of which were earned, in six innings. Byrd didn’t get much help from his offense, nor did he find any support behind him in the field. Three errors and a few more misplays set an ugly tone for the game. If the Indians weren’t having issues in the field, they were somehow having problems against Scott Baker, who holds a whopping 6.33 ERA. Three of their eight hits came courtesy of Hector Luna.

“Our infield defense, at times, has been inexcusable,” Wedge said. “That’s the only word I can throw out there, among others, in front of you guys.”

The Indians now find themselves at the beginning of what could be a brutal West Coast trip.

Cleveland Indians

Browns ripped apart by Bengals

September 17, 2006 / John Blake

The Cincinnati Bengals totally had their way with the Browns defense as they romped them 34-17 Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengal offense proved to be too much, outgaining the Browns 481 to 301 yards. They scored on their opening drive and never looked back. Just as key penalties stalled the Browns offense last week, they were victim to some costly turnovers which put the team in a huge hole. They could not recover and were embarrased for the second straight week.

Going into this game, you had to think their play offensively would improve. Well, it didn’t. In fact, it was much worse as the running game again wasn’t effective and the third down play on both sides of the ball was terrible. The offensive line actually looked pretty decent and gave Charlie Frye some time to throw but whenever the Browns did sustain a good drive, it was quickly erased by turnovers. Add that to the lack of pass rush and some more questionable play-calling, and the Browns are left with numerous problems to deal with.

Cleveland Browns

Sabathia solid, but offense silent

September 16, 2006 / John Blake

Sabathia did what he could but failed to get much help from the offense as the Indians lost 4-1 to the Twins Saturday night. C.C went seven innings and gave up 10 hits and three runs. However, the bats were quiet as their lone run came in the first as a result of a fielder’s choice by Victor Martinez. They could not figure out Twins starter Carlos Silva and missed some rare scoring opportunities when they had the chance. Grady Sizemore went 2-for-4 and really was the only one to find any success at the plate.

Peralta committed another stupid error, his 16th of the season, and continues to struggle at the plate. After a strong July, his monthly numbers have declined. I’d like to think he fits with this team in the future, but my patience is running out and he’s giving Tribe fans reason to think otherwise.