Browns will have to throw the ball reasonably well to hold off the Panthers.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some pre-game scribbles as the Browns prepare to take on the Panthers at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
1. The coaches are telling the players not to be fooled by Carolina's 25th-ranked defense against the run. They say the Panthers' problem is the offense, near the bottom of the league in several categories. That leaves the defense on the field forever as the opponents try to run out the clock.
2. All of that sounds like coaches worrying too much until they mentioned two sets of numbers: A) The Panthers are second in the NFL in racking up negative plays against the run. B) They rank 11th against the run in average yards per carry (4.0).
3. That means Carolina plans to force Jake Delhomme to throw the ball, as the Panthers will key on Peyton Hillis. They also know Delhomme will be rusty, having been injured most of the season -- playing on six quarters. They also know how Delhomme became a turnover-prone quarterback a year ago (8 TDs to 18 INTs). They know that Delhomme has a tendency to try to make a big play, "force things" in coach-speak, and they want him to be in that mindset.
4. Meanwhile, the Browns' approach is the opposite. They want Delhomme to manage the game, make the obvious throws and put together long drives that chew up the clock. When throwing long, throw long. If Delhomme is to miss, overthrow the receiver. Some of his interceptions come when he throws downfield, short, into coverage.
5. Carolina plays a 4-3 base defense, much like Jacksonville did last week -- when Hillis had his worst rushing day with the Browns (48 yards, 21 carries). Some of the Browns' offensive linemen said the scheme gave them problems. The coaches showed the linemen a lot of film revealing the real trouble spot -- physically, the Jags were tougher and far more intense. It was far more an issue of effort than scheme.
6. ESPN's Matt Williamson on Eric Mangini's future, from an Internet chat. "For sure (Mangini should be back in 2011). Unless Mike Hollmgren decides that he is going back to coaching. But, Mangini would not be unemployed very long. Has done a whale of a job."
7. That's why the Browns need to win some games. A 3-7 record doesn't look like a whale of job, even if the effort and preparation have been evident in nearly every game.
8. Profootballfocus.com ranks Joe Haden as the No. 4 rookie in the NFL, and No. 13 overall among cornerbacks. He leads the Browns with three interceptions and with 10 pass breakups. He will start in place of the injured Eric Wright.
9. I hear Colt McCoy could be out for several more games, at least three, with that high ankle sprain. It's possible that he can heal quickly, but the Browns want him mobile before putting him back on the field. Scott Fujita's knee injury will keep him out of the lineup for several more weeks.
10. Carolina is only the second Browns opponent with a losing record -- the Bengals are the other. The Browns' opposition this year has a 66-34 record (.660). Buffalo's schedule is next in difficulty, at 58-42 (.580).