Observations before the opening kickoff as the Browns seek their second win of the season.
View full sizeCan the Browns get some useful production from Jerome Harrison against the Falcons? Otherwise, they risk the long-term health of power back Peyton Hillis, says Terry Pluto.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some pregame scribbles as the Browns prepare to take on the Falcons.
1. While he hasn't talked about it much, Peyton Hillis was "pretty sore" following last week's 23-20 victory over Cincinnati, according to some close to the Browns running back. No surprise, given how he is a punishing runner -- who also takes a lot of physical punishment. He has 49 carries in the last two games, and none are soft runs around end. When his thigh tightened up, the Browns wisely were careful with him in practice this week. It's not widely reported, but Hillis missed four games in 2006 with "calcification of the bone in the right thigh" when he was at Arkansas.
2. Hillis also missed the final four games of 2008 in Denver with a partially torn hamstring. His only other injury was missing a game in 2004 with a sore back. This is not to claim Hillis is injury prone, but it is a fact that he can't carry the running game alone. That means Jerome Harrison (zero carries last week) needs to be worked into the offense. Hillis seems like a rock with legs when he runs, but he is human.
3. Browns fans know Jake Delhomme had a miserable 2009 season with Carolina, but you couldn't prove that by how he played against Atlanta. In two games, he was 40-of-65 passing. He threw for four TDs compared to only one interception. Consider that four of his eight TD passes last season came in Delhomme's two games against Atlanta. Or try this: In his other nine starts, he had 17 interceptions compared to four TD passes in his nine non-Atlanta games. Carolina split with the Falcons last season.
4. But one of the keys to the Browns winning will be if offensive coordinator Brian Daboll can be "tough minded," to use his own words. He meant that he has to stay true to the game plan of running the ball. I really believe Daboll was enticed by the improved passing shown by Delhomme in the preseason, and he came out throwing against Tampa in the opener. That led to some early success, but cost the Browns in the second half. And they also threw too much in the Game 2 loss to Kansas City.
5. After the first two games, the Browns had 20 more passing attempts than runs. Remember, the Browns led both of those games after three quarters, so it was not like they fell behind early and had to throw to catch up. In the last two games, a solid 24-17 loss at Baltimore and the 23-20 victory over the Bengals, the Browns have 10 more running plays than passes.
6. The Browns' best defender on special teams is Ray Ventrone, with five tackles. Right behind are Nick Sorenson, T.J. Ward and Joe Haden with four each. According to profootballfocus.com, Haden is the team's best on punt coverage. The Browns have been very impressed with Haden's tackling. The coaches are not happy with the special teams already being flagged for six penalties, Blake Costanzo with two.
7. Also according to profootballfocus.com, Matt Roth leads the team with 15 QB pressures. That's no surprise. But they have Shaun Rogers next at six, followed by Robaire Smith with five.
8. When Atlanta's Matt Ryan does throw the ball, you can be sure his first thought is Roddy White -- 50 of Ryan's 149 passes have been in White's direction. White has 32 catches (18 for first downs), so Eric Wright better be ready for another challenge. But I am very worried about veteran Tony Gonzalez (19 catches). The 34-year-old tight end is a future Hall of Famer. He had seven receptions last week against the 49ers -- and we know how the Browns struggle with covering tight ends.