Browns take hit on offensive line

CLEVELAND: The injury bug continued to bite the Browns in crucial areas. The latest victim: right guard Rex Hadnot, who went down during the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears.

[Touchdown Tony]

Going to the Superbowl? Yeah right, let the excuses begin.

[San Antone Bill]

Hmm, as I look at the standings it looks like three other teams have tied us for first plsce. So it looks like it will take the entire season to actually find a division winner. So as of today we are in first place. I'm so excited.

I remember the last time the Browns lost all their pre-season games they went to the play offs. Just a thought.

[Annoyed]

San Antone Bill wrote:

Hmm, as I look at the standings it looks like three other teams have tied us for first plsce. So it looks like it will take the entire season to actually find a division winner. So as of today we are in first place. I'm so excited.
I remember the last time the Browns lost all their pre-season games they went to the play offs. Just a thought.

Right on, that's what I'm saying. The thing that really sucks about preseason games are the fact that season ticket holders are forced to pay full price for "glorified practices," along with $20 parking and $7 beers. Alas, the curse of Art Modell will linger as long as "preseason" does, since he was one of the brainchildren behind that one. What an a$$ he is...

[larryc]

Well here we go again, excuse after excuse as to why the Browns will have a losing season once more.Truth is till Crennel and Savage are gone the Browns are not making to any playoff games and the best why to get rid of the above two is no butts in seats, no seven dollar beers, no twenty dollar parking money talks bull shi- walks

[robert s]

your right the browns pre season was a bust - I am a long suffering browns fan from canada - the things I noticed are that defence was unable to manufacture a sack in four games - I think the browns need to revisit the idea that the 3 - 4 will work - the guys up front are simply too big - they lack lateral movement - the left outside linebacking spot has been total wash - no pressure and poor tackling - the linebacker as a group need to shed blocks better - they seem to always run into the blocks rather than sidestep them - too many of their tackles are off the line of scrimmage - only the right side sees any penetration - the team should take a page from the dallas book - lean fast and aggressive would sum up their defense - the safety position and cornerbacks are better than some would assume - however if the line does not penetrate they will be chewed up by some of the offenses they will face this year - the hope remains with the offense - Anderson has the quick release and for the most part is as much responsible for the lines improvement as the line themselves - note the penetration whenever the quaterback hangs onto the ball - Quinn and Dorsey were running for their lives - my hope this year is that we see more of cribbs on screens an short slants - he was and is the difference maker on this team - I would have him only return kickoffs - let steptoe take the punts - I don't know that lewis dropping all the weight and figuring at this stage in his life he will run around traffic rather than quickly through it - jamal runs best when he hits the hole and bounces off someone coming up to meet him - here is my prediction - the browns will go 8 and 8 - there will be little line penetration and teams will throw like crazy against them - at the end of the year there will be alot of finger pointing but nobody will figure they need speed rather than simply size - crennel might hang on based only on the difficulty of this years schedule - I hope I'm wrong- I enjoy reading your sports section keep up the good work

[Josh]

All the bitching and moaning is so comical... I'd like to see one regular season game before we all go crazy here, ok?

Hey Larryc, mr toughguy, why dont YOU skip all the games and go watch tennis if you're so disgruntled? Or maybe soccer is more your speed?

These clowns calling for Crennel/Savage's head are the same ones who will be lining up if the Browns start 5-1 this year to buy playoff tickets. Get on board or go away...

[frank]

preseason smeseason i dont even worry about it. the thing i worry about is the players getting injured. 2 games should be the most played. my point being, we lost how many players in the four we played. i have every confidence we are going to be good once yhe regulars play a full game.

[Jopa-n]

robert s wrote:

your right the browns pre season was a bust - I am a long suffering browns fan from canada - the things I noticed are that defence was unable to manufacture a sack in four games - I think the browns need to revisit the idea that the 3 - 4 will work - the guys up front are simply too big - they lack lateral movement - the left outside linebacking spot has been total wash - no pressure and poor tackling - the linebacker as a group need to shed blocks better - they seem to always run into the blocks rather than sidestep them - too many of their tackles are off the line of scrimmage - only the right side sees any penetration - the team should take a page from the dallas book - lean fast and aggressive would sum up their defense - the safety position and cornerbacks are better than some would assume - however if the line does not penetrate they will be chewed up by some of the offenses they will face this year - the hope remains with the offense - Anderson has the quick release and for the most part is as much responsible for the lines improvement as the line themselves - note the penetration whenever the quaterback hangs onto the ball - Quinn and Dorsey were running for their lives - my hope this year is that we see more of cribbs on screens an short slants - he was and is the difference maker on this team - I would have him only return kickoffs - let steptoe take the punts - I don't know that lewis dropping all the weight and figuring at this stage in his life he will run around traffic rather than quickly through it - jamal runs best when he hits the hole and bounces off someone coming up to meet him - here is my prediction - the browns will go 8 and 8 - there will be little line penetration and teams will throw like crazy against them - at the end of the year there will be alot of finger pointing but nobody will figure they need speed rather than simply size - crennel might hang on based only on the difficulty of this years schedule - I hope I'm wrong- I enjoy reading your sports section keep up the good work

Excellent point on Cribbs. He needs to atleast try to be more of a weapon on more plays in more games. His mere presence has to make defenses think about covering the flat tighter, which could open up holes down the deep middle and or promote more single coverage needs for the wideouts/tightends.
I strongly disagree on the concept of smaller/quicker downlineman in the 3-4. To me, the bigger/stronger, the better. The 3-4 premisis is totally based on allowing the LB's to play more agressively. That's where the speed and quickness is needed.
The 3-4 LB's all should be superquick off the snap, whether rushing the passer, flowing to the ball, hitting the gaps, or even dropping into coverage. The DL's need to clog the middle, force double teams, stand up the pulling guards, and create a new line of scrimmage off the snap. that means Defensive lineman that are heavy, but strong and can keep a low center of gravity throughout the play. It also means LB's need to explode off the snap or flare out into to coverage to create chaos for the QB and offensive lineman.

[Jopa-n]

Browns fans edge out Philly fans for the #3 spot in ESPN Poll of footballs best fans. Wow! that's dedication when you consider all the Browns fans have been through.

[Desmon]

Uhhm!! Crennel and Savage are the reason why the Browns are improving. Yes I do remember last time the Browns lost all of their pre-season games they made it to the playoffs...The true test of this season will be their first two games. That's when die hard fans will cheer when they are winning and still point out there positives if they are loosing...GO BROWNS!!

[Josh]

REAL fans... not morons who need to validate themselves by jumping on a bandwagon. Cleveland fans are the toughest on the planet, and when we win that title, it'll be awfully sweet.