Monday mornings always feel a little lighter after a Browns win, don't they? Those type of Mondays have been few and far between for this franchise of late, so we'll savor this one right until opening kickoff against the Dolphins on Sunday. I think it is safe to say that the Browns don't win Sunday if Manning is under center - but the Browns made strides toward respectability.
Credit the Browns for cutting down on penalties and mental errors. They executed well in a very loud, hostile NFL environment and finished the game in the 4th quarter by making some plays. I heard Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot on WKNR 850 make a startling point that I knew, but had forgotten: this coaching staff has only been with these players for 7 weeks now. Add to that the fact that 24 players, or 45% of the roster are in their first or second year in the NFL. The Browns youth and the coaches' unfamiliarity with the new players can manifest itself in frustrating ways at times, but it is worth remembering and perhaps cutting this team some slack, to a point.
So let's review the good, the bad, and the ugly from week two at Indianapolis.
The Good:
Colt McCoy: Just as the Colts were hapless without Manning - the Browns don't win Sunday either without McCoy's agility and ability to throw on the run. McCoy was running out of the pocket all day thanks to Mathis and the Browns' sorry excuses for right tackles, Artis Hicks and Oniel Cousins. But McCoy keeps his eyes down field and is always looking to make a play. He throws accurately on the run and so far, has avoided interceptions. I think McCoy gets hamstrung by the play-calling at times, especially in the red zone, but he is executing and avoiding costly turnovers. McCoy's production should only increase as he gets more comfortable with the offense and the receiver rotation stabilizes. Good game from the young QB in a hostile environment.
Defensive Line: The coaching staff moved rookie DE Jabaal Sheard from the right side to the left this week. The move paid dividends as Sheard made more tackles and came up with a strip-sack and fumble recovery at a crucial point in the game. This shows that the coaching staff is still learning their personnel and figuring out the best use of their young talent. The defense allowed some gashing runs early but settled down much quicker this week and started shutting down the run in the second half. The line also kept enough pressure on the Colts QB to affect some throws and create turnovers. This group is young and will have its ups and downs, but on any given play, they can change the game. Though, Jabaal Sheard needs to stop going all Clay Matthews and hang onto the ball next time!
Josh Cribbs/Special Teams: For the second week in a row, Cribbs reeled off two big returns that sparked touchdown drives for the offense. Field position is so important and starting at the 40 or beyond is a luxury for a struggling offense. The punting was much improved thanks to veteran Brad Maynard and the dome. Overall, the Browns won the field position battle and Cribbs helped his team. Special teams came up big at the end of the game too, when the Colts employed a tricky onside kick. It didn't rattle the Browns and Cribbs caught the ball and sealed the game. Where would this team be without Josh Cribbs? How many games has he kept the Browns in with his big play ability?
The Bad:
Short Yardage Play Calling: Can we please scrap that short, up-back hand off to Owen Marecic on third and short? It doesn't work. He doesn't get enough steam before running into the defense and it doesn't surprise the defense at all. Two weeks in a row it got stuffed. The Browns offense did a good job of getting manageable third downs all day, but some of the third and short play-calling was terrible. And I'm just not a fan of shotgun spreads on third and short. That just tells the defense you aren't going to run. Why not stay under center and keep them guessing? And I know teams are expecting Peyton Hillis on third and short, but the coaching staff keeps out-smarting themselves by refusing to give it to him anyway. He can get two yards even if everyone knows its coming. Make them stop you - don't stop yourselves. Minor complaint.
Red Zone: The decision to insert Montario Hardesty late in the game in a crucial goal line situation was baffling. It almost blew the game when Hardesty fumbled. Use Hardesty earlier, but please, for the love of God, give it to Hillis near the goal line. He can't be stopped.
And where were the tight-ends in the red zone Sunday? Evan Moore didn't get to play as much because the team assigned Alex Smith to help block the right side, but Smith made his opportunity count for a touchdown after a scramble by McCoy. I'd like to see more tight ends in the red zone - multiple tight ends split out to create match-up problems. Evan Moore and Jordan Cameron would be a nightmare together in the red zone. Or how about putting Hillis and Hardesty on the field together in the red zone? We've heard about that package but have yet to see it.
You need play-makers and to create match-up problems in the red zone, so why not put in a personnel package that does so? Pretty uninspired, conservative play-calling in the red zone Sunday. They'll need to get more creative when Pittsburgh and Baltimore come to town.
The Ugly:
The Colts: Yes, for once, there was nothing "ugly" about the Browns performance Sunday. Instead, the Colts were ugly without Manning. The expressions on the faces of Colt's fans reminded me of Cleveland Browns Stadium. I recognize those looks of frustration and feeling like there is no hope of winning the game. They are all-too-familiar to Browns fans. The Colts are a textbook example of how important a QB can be to a franchise. For the first time in a long time, the Browns had the better QB performance in an NFL game....and it felt pretty good.
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