Grades are out for the Browns, and it should be no surprise that only the defense passed.
View full sizeBrowns quarterback Seneca Wallace, who threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, got a D-plusfor his performance in Sunday's 16-14 loss to the Chiefs.It's Tuesday and that means it's grade day for the Cleveland Browns. Professor reporter Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com has posted grades for Sunday's loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ulrich likes how the defense has played, but the turnovers and sputtering offense has been been less than desired.
The offense received a D for its performance last Sunday. Here are some of the breakdowns on offense:
• Quarterback: D+. Wallace was late on a pass to Chansi Stuckey, and Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers intercepted it and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. To his credit, Wallace rebounded with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Josh Cribbs. Wallace completed 16-of-31 passes for 229 yards, but he was 5-of-10 for just 44 yards in the second half.
• Running backs: D-. Jerome Harrison had 16 carries for 33 yards (2.1 average, longest 8), and Peyton Hillis had eight carries for 35 yards (4.4 average, longest 12), including a 1-yard touchdown. Harrison, who had 286 yards rushing and three touchdowns last season against the Chiefs, also lost a fumble that led to the Chiefs' first field goal. Mangini challenged the fumble, but the call stood after a review. Harrison and Hillis combined for six catches for 61 yards. I include fullbacks in this category, and Lawrence Vickers was called for holding and did not have his best game.
The defense received a B grade based on the solid play from linebacker Marcus Benard, lineman Robaire Smith and safety T.J. Ward's nine tackles.
COACHING: D
By popular demand, I added this category. Players need to execute regardless of coaching, but coaches should be held accountable, too. The use of timeouts was an issue, and there seemed to be some confusion on defense in the second half. More important, the offense didn't have a turnover in the final two quarters but still did nothing. That falls on the coaches.
More talent needed
CantonRep.com reporter Steve Doerschuk interviews former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, and Kosar says the Browns’ biggest problem is a lack of talent.
A year after undertaking his biggest role with the expansion-era Browns, including extensive film review and consulting with coaches, Kosar is in Jim Brown’s boat to an extent. That is, he was offered a role with the team, just not the one he had before Mike Holmgren took over as president.
Unlike Brown, Kosar has not denounced Holmgren and says he continues to live and die with the team on Sundays.
Kosar said the roster is “devoid of difference-makers on offense and defense,” a trait that is manifesting itself in second halves.
“You can’t trick a team for four quarters,” he said.
From The Plain Dealer
Coach Eric Mangini is tired of penalties, dropped passes, interceptions and the ilk. Almost as tired of 'em as Cleveland fans are. But unlike the fans, Mangini is in a position to do something about it. That's why he told beat writer Mary Kay Cabot what he did:
"Whether it's turnovers or penalties, if it becomes a pattern, then we can't play the people who create turnovers or penalties because it hurts our chances," said Mangini.The Browns had two turnovers -- a Seneca Wallace interception and Jerome Harrison fumble -- that cost them 10 points, and nine penalties that led to the 16-14 loss to the Chiefs.
"I don't really see it as me benching anybody," said Mangini. "I see it as either hold onto ball and get carries or you don't hold onto the ball and you don't get carries. And I'm not limiting it to the running backs. This isn't just about Jerome [Harrison], let me make that clear.
"The same thing with penalties. Either you stay onsides or you don't. If you jump offsides on third down, then we're not going to play you on third down. That's it. We'll put somebody else in and if they beat us on the play, they beat us on the play. If that person's maybe not exactly who we'd want on that play, it's going to be better than giving away a first down. We've got to do it. There's no alternative."
Cabot also talked to center Alex Mack, who was flagged for a personal foul penalty that turned what would have been a chip shot field goal for Phil Dawson into a snap hook that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. Turns out, Mack might still have been fuming over Kansas City (and former Browns) defensive lineman Shaun Smith. Mack says Smith grabbed his private parts in a scuffle on the sidelines. You know, there are personal fouls, then there are PERSONAL fouls. This falls into the latter category, for sure.
Meanwhile, columnist Bill Livingston didn't drop the ball. He picked it up and ran with it, wondering why it appears the wildcat package -- or basically anything that puts the ball in Josh Cribbs' hands, pretty much got left in the don't-open-till-Christmas box.
And finally, columnist Terry Pluto throws a flag on the many penalties the Browns have accumulated so far in the young season: 15, eighth among the 32 teams in the NFL.