ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Browns vs. Bengals Friday, November 26, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Browns and Bengals. Now they're back with a
second look.
The injury to Cleveland ROT Rex Tucker has proven more serious than
originally thought. A torn medial collateral ligament and partially torn
meniscus in his left knee will force the Browns' best offensive linemen to
miss the remainder of the season. Tucker's loss coupled with the injury to
ROG Kelvin Garmon, who was also lost for the season with torn knee
ligaments, means Cleveland will have to replace the entire right side of
the line.
At this point it remains unclear how the Browns will adjust their
personnel for Sunday's game. Joaquin Gonzalez, a natural tackle who
started at guard against the Jets, may move to Tucker's spot on the
outside. Enoch DeMar and Paul Zukauskas are options at the vacant guard
position.
The injuries to Tucker and Garmon are particularly bad news for an
offensive line that has struggled to protect QB Jeff Garcia. This group
hasn't played as a cohesive unit and the breakdowns in protection actually
caused Garcia to miss the second half of last week's game after he fell
awkwardly and strained his throwing shoulder.
Making matters worse is QB Kelly Holcomb will likely fill in as the
starter for Garcia, who is unable to play. Holcomb is far less mobile than
his predecessor and the breakdowns in protection that Garcia was able to
mask with his mobility will cause Holcomb to take some big hits. This
could lead to a number of stalled drives as a result of sacks or turnovers
if Holcomb fails to protect to the ball in the face of pressure.
Expect Cincinnati to overload the right side of the Browns' offensive
line. Gonzalez, DeMar and/or Zukauskas have very little experience playing
together and they may struggle to adjust in protection as a result. This
will leave a stationary target in Holcomb going up against the Bengals'
blitz.
The Browns' running game has shown flashes this season, but it remains too
inconsistent for Cleveland to build its offensive game plan around it. Too
often the blocking has broken down and RBs William Green and Lee Suggs
have been forced to make their first cut behind the line of scrimmage.
One way Cleveland can keep the Bengals from becoming overzealous
against the run is to use WR Dennis Northcutt on reverses. This can serve
as a nice change of pace for the Browns while exploiting an aggressive
Cincinnati defense that tends to overpursue.
Ironically enough, Cincinnati's inability to stop the run has adversely
affected the Bengals' running game. Last weekend, the Steelers held onto
the ball for nearly 39 minutes, which limited RB Rudi Johnson to just 16
carries. If that trend is to reverse itself, Cincinnati must sell out to
stop Green and Suggs, so expect SS Robert Griffith to be heavily involved
near the line of scrimmage.
The Browns' secondary is missing too many tackles, which has allowed
opposing receivers to gain valuable yards after the catch. Just last week
CBs Anthony Henry, Daylon McCutcheon and Michael Lehan missed on crucial
opportunities to prevent the Jets from either converting on third down or
getting into the end zone. This group needs to stop trying to deliver the
knockout blow and revert back to fundamentals. Break down, square up and
make the play.
The overall lack of creativity in Cleveland's offensive game plan has made
life easy for opposing defensive coordinators. Granted, injuries and bad
luck have both played a role in the Browns' demise, but Terry Robiskie
needs to do a much better job of mixing his plays up. Motion, formational
shifts, screen plays and a variety of sets out of which to operate are
just a few things missing from Cleveland's attack.
Special Teams
The Bengals kick and punt cover teams have been dependable for the most
part this season, but they struggled last week going up against Pittsburgh
RS Antwaan Randle El. Part of the problem was P Kyle Larson's inability to
get adequate hang time on his kicks. This gave Randle El plenty of room to
work once he made the catch and ultimately allowed the Steelers to hold a
considerable edge in the field position battle.
Clevand has gotten decent production from RS Richard Alston, who is
averaging 25.3 yards per kickoff return, but the rest of the Browns'
special teams seemed to fall apart last weekend. PK Phil Dawson missed
field goals of 42 and 34 yards, snapping a successful streak of 27
consecutive kicks. He also booted a kickoff out of bounds. Meanwhile, P
Derrick Frost failed to swing field position, twice registering his first
two touchbacks of the season.
Prediction: Browns 23, Bengals 21
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Browns and Bengals. Now they're back with a
second look.
The injury to Cleveland ROT Rex Tucker has proven more serious than
originally thought. A torn medial collateral ligament and partially torn
meniscus in his left knee will force the Browns' best offensive linemen to
miss the remainder of the season. Tucker's loss coupled with the injury to
ROG Kelvin Garmon, who was also lost for the season with torn knee
ligaments, means Cleveland will have to replace the entire right side of
the line.
At this point it remains unclear how the Browns will adjust their
personnel for Sunday's game. Joaquin Gonzalez, a natural tackle who
started at guard against the Jets, may move to Tucker's spot on the
outside. Enoch DeMar and Paul Zukauskas are options at the vacant guard
position.
The injuries to Tucker and Garmon are particularly bad news for an
offensive line that has struggled to protect QB Jeff Garcia. This group
hasn't played as a cohesive unit and the breakdowns in protection actually
caused Garcia to miss the second half of last week's game after he fell
awkwardly and strained his throwing shoulder.
Making matters worse is QB Kelly Holcomb will likely fill in as the
starter for Garcia, who is unable to play. Holcomb is far less mobile than
his predecessor and the breakdowns in protection that Garcia was able to
mask with his mobility will cause Holcomb to take some big hits. This
could lead to a number of stalled drives as a result of sacks or turnovers
if Holcomb fails to protect to the ball in the face of pressure.
Expect Cincinnati to overload the right side of the Browns' offensive
line. Gonzalez, DeMar and/or Zukauskas have very little experience playing
together and they may struggle to adjust in protection as a result. This
will leave a stationary target in Holcomb going up against the Bengals'
blitz.
The Browns' running game has shown flashes this season, but it remains too
inconsistent for Cleveland to build its offensive game plan around it. Too
often the blocking has broken down and RBs William Green and Lee Suggs
have been forced to make their first cut behind the line of scrimmage.
One way Cleveland can keep the Bengals from becoming overzealous
against the run is to use WR Dennis Northcutt on reverses. This can serve
as a nice change of pace for the Browns while exploiting an aggressive
Cincinnati defense that tends to overpursue.
Ironically enough, Cincinnati's inability to stop the run has adversely
affected the Bengals' running game. Last weekend, the Steelers held onto
the ball for nearly 39 minutes, which limited RB Rudi Johnson to just 16
carries. If that trend is to reverse itself, Cincinnati must sell out to
stop Green and Suggs, so expect SS Robert Griffith to be heavily involved
near the line of scrimmage.
The Browns' secondary is missing too many tackles, which has allowed
opposing receivers to gain valuable yards after the catch. Just last week
CBs Anthony Henry, Daylon McCutcheon and Michael Lehan missed on crucial
opportunities to prevent the Jets from either converting on third down or
getting into the end zone. This group needs to stop trying to deliver the
knockout blow and revert back to fundamentals. Break down, square up and
make the play.
The overall lack of creativity in Cleveland's offensive game plan has made
life easy for opposing defensive coordinators. Granted, injuries and bad
luck have both played a role in the Browns' demise, but Terry Robiskie
needs to do a much better job of mixing his plays up. Motion, formational
shifts, screen plays and a variety of sets out of which to operate are
just a few things missing from Cleveland's attack.
Special Teams
The Bengals kick and punt cover teams have been dependable for the most
part this season, but they struggled last week going up against Pittsburgh
RS Antwaan Randle El. Part of the problem was P Kyle Larson's inability to
get adequate hang time on his kicks. This gave Randle El plenty of room to
work once he made the catch and ultimately allowed the Steelers to hold a
considerable edge in the field position battle.
Clevand has gotten decent production from RS Richard Alston, who is
averaging 25.3 yards per kickoff return, but the rest of the Browns'
special teams seemed to fall apart last weekend. PK Phil Dawson missed
field goals of 42 and 34 yards, snapping a successful streak of 27
consecutive kicks. He also booted a kickoff out of bounds. Meanwhile, P
Derrick Frost failed to swing field position, twice registering his first
two touchbacks of the season.
Prediction: Browns 23, Bengals 21
