While everyone wants to talk about the Browns' quarterbacks, this team had better start tackling when it matters.
View full sizeSheldon Brown was a step behind Brandon LaFell when the Panthers receiver caught the Jimmy Clausen pass that set up John Kasay's last-second field goal attempt on Sunday. Too many times, Browns defenders have been a step late or just incapable of making an essential tackle in the key moments this season.BEREA, Ohio -- I know you want to talk about quarterbacks.
Here's what you need to know: Unless he has a near-miraculous healing of his sprained ankle, Colt McCoy won't play Sunday in Miami. The odds are that Jake Delhomme will start again.
I know you want to debate that. But something else is bothering me.
Tackling. That's right, old-fashioned tackling.
As in near the end of the last three games, the Browns failed to make basic tackles. Twice, it led to losses.
The Jets' Santonio Holmes ran past Eric Wright and T.J. Ward for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Ward and Wright seemed to stall for a moment, expecting the other to make a big tackle.
Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew caught a screen pass and ran 75 yards to set up the winning touchdown with 1:16 left. Sheldon Brown tried to force a fumble, rather than make a basic tackle. A few other Browns had a chance to bring down Jones-Drew, but failed.
On Sunday, Carolina's Michael Goodson turned a short pass into a 32-yard gain when it seemed a couple of Browns were in poor position. This play nearly led to a loss.
To his credit, Eric Mangini was not happy with the defense. He talked tackling. He talked about "wrapping up" the guy with the ball, not just going for the big ESPN highlight hit. He talked about "gang tackling ... hats to the ball," meaning everyone near the runner getting into the action.
He also mentioned that the defense didn't have a good week of practice, and it showed against Carolina. He challenged the defense to play with "more intensity."
While it's more fun to talk offense and argue quarterbacks, the Browns' two biggest victories this season have been ignited by the defense. When they beat New Orleans, 30-17, they held the Saints to only 58 yards rushing. Linebacker David Bowens picked off two of Drew Brees' four interceptions and returned them for touchdowns.
A week later was a stunning 34-14 victory over New England, which had only 68 yards rushing and lost two fumbles. Early in the season, the Browns beat Cincinnati, 23-20, holding the Bengals to 67 yards rushing.
But in the last three games, the Browns have allowed 151, 144 and 172 rushing yards. In their first eight games, the Browns had only one opponent (Atlanta, 165 yards) running past the Browns.
Some of this is due to losing defensive end Robaire Smith and linebacker Scott Fujita to injuries. Both are excellent defenders against the run, solid tacklers and team leaders. But Mangini and defense coordinator Rob Ryan sense that the defense has lost some of its edge. There has been some slippage in the basic tackling. In the last two games, Jacksonville and Carolina have average more than 5.1 yards per carry.
Obviously, pass coverage is a big deal, too. All three plays that I mentioned were passes, two of them very short, but still long gains. But the struggles against the run are indicators of the tackling problems.
With five games left, the weather turning cold and a chance at something approaching a decent season -- now is the time for the team to play what Mangini calls "Browns football." Part of that not only is a hard-hitting defense, it's a defense that makes sure the ball carrier hits the ground.