(Tracy Boulian/The Plain Dealer)Browns' coach Eric Mangini, left, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.Dang. No need to play Sunday. ESPN.com's Tim Graham, in previewing the Browns contest against the Dolphins in Miami, ran 10,000 computer simulations on something called AccuScore. Cleveland lost 69 percent of the time. The computer says the key for both teams is the running game. Well, DUH!...
Browns' coach Eric Mangini, left, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.The computer says the key for both teams is the running game. Well, DUH! That's what it's been since the Chicago Cardinals defeated the Providence Steam Roller, 16-0, in 1929.
Yeah? Well here's a stat for you, too. Hillis has rushed 199 times for 905 yards so far this season. That's an average of 11 times a game, and 4.5 yards per carry. So he's AVERAGING more than 81 yards per game. Four of his 11 games have seen him carry the ball for more than 100 yards. Don't think Tony Sparano and the Fins should put this one in the W column just yet.
If Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams each can run for at least 50 yards against the 21st-ranked run defense, then the Dolphins have a whopping 89 percent chance to win. If the Browns' defense can hold them to under 4 yards per carry, then the Dolphins' chances plummet to just below 50 percent.
Running back Peyton Hillis is the key for Cleveland. The forecast is for 65 yards, but if he can push it to at least 75 yards, then the Browns have a 42 percent chance at victory.
“It was just a decision we made at the time in the best interest of our football team,” Sparano said. “Matt was an outstanding player for us. Obviously, he’s playing really well there now. He’s a physically strong, gifted athlete. He did a great job while he was here, but from our end we felt we needed to go in another direction at that time for our football team.”
Roth signed a one-year tender with the Browns after last season. He said there have been no discussions about a contract extension.
Stock rise and fall
ESPN's James Walker gives us his take on the highs and lows of the AFC North. Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals is number one when it comes stock falling, but who cares about the Bengals. Unfortunately, quarterback Jake Delhomme is number 2.
Browns coach Eric Mangini made a risky decision to go back to Delhomme last week, despite little proof that he's the right person for the job. The thinking was his familiarity would help against the Carolina Panthers, but it nearly backfired as Delhomme threw two interceptions -- including a pick-six -- in a 24-23 victory. Delhomme has one touchdown and six interceptions this season, while both Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy have played more efficiently. McCoy is currently nursing an ankle injury.
It's not a surprise that Peyton Hillis is number two on the list of rising stock. Hillis is clearly Cleveland's MVP this season, writes Walker.
For the first time in his career, he's been the feature back for most of the year and he's proving his worth by leading the Browns in rushing (905 yards) and receptions (46). Hillis rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers last week. He is the one constant threat on offense opponents have to account for every week.