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MISSING A GREAT POINT
After the Pittsburgh game, the media talked a lot about how Todd Haley and Hue Jackson failed to communicate about the starting lineup.
The Browns head coach, Jackson, said that Josh Gordon would not start.
The Browns offensive coordinator, Haley, had Gordon on the ground for the first play.
How easily it could have been avoided. Each team writes the first 6-12 games they intend to use in a match. There was a list somewhere.
The first part of Haley featured a wide receiver (Gordon) and three tight ends. It beats me how Jackson did not see that.
Whatever it is, it is not something that will change Western civilization. He had no impact on the 21-21 draw with the Steelers.
But something has bothered me early in the game … and you have to fix it.
The call to play
1. The first two games were passes, though quarterback Tyrod Taylor ran on one of those where he did not find an open receiver.
2. Then the Browns had consecutive false start penalties. Then Taylor ran for a first run.
3. Of the top 10 games of the Browns, nine were passes. Taylor ran a few times. But only once in the first 10 games, running back Carlos Hyde carried the ball.
Much more than the starting lineup, I'm more concerned about why Haley pitched the ball so often, especially early in the game, rainy Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.
General Manager John Dorsey built the Browns to throw the ball.
That's why he signed Hyde and recruited Nick Chubb in the second round. Both are bullish backtracking.
That's partly why the Browns decided to bring Joel Bitonio back to his more comfortable left guard position. The Browns wanted Bitonio (who had spent time at the left tackle) to team up with JC Tretter and guard Kevin Zeitler to block the game.
Browns can not be Air Tyrod. They are supposed to be a physical racing team capable of breaking some great passing games. But the heartbeat of the offensive is supposed to be the ball.
You can claim that the Browns played the ball well, with a run / pass division of 50-50.
1. They ran it 39 times.
2. They launched it 40 times.
3. But eight of those races were done by Taylor, while he was supposed to pass. He was also fired seven times. It's like adding 15 more passes in total, even if the passes have not been started.
4. Hyde, Chubb and Duke Johnson totaled 30 races.
5. I know this is not 1936 and that NFL teams can not live on the ground. But in bad weather, with a team built to run, why was there so much emphasis on throwing the ball?
Jackson was right to say that the race statistics (177 rushing yards) "are a bit inflated" because Taylor won 77 yards in eight races.
Hyde, Chubb and Johnson have amassed 100 yards in 30 carries. The Browns have to improve that.
ABOUT BAKER MAYFIELD
Some fans have sent an email about Baker Mayfield not playing in the first match.
How smart is it to put a rookie quarterback in his first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers …
Under the incessant rain …
With an offensive line that had never played a single preseason game together …
With a left rookie who was not drafted and played last season in West Georgia …
On a team that has a record of 4-44 in the last three years …
The reason why Dorsey has acquired so many veteran players in key locations is that the Browns do not have to rush on their rookies.
He does not want Mayfield to be another Tim Couch or another young quarterback rushed into action before the team is ready to help him.
Perhaps Mayfield is one of those few players who can go straight from college to the category immediately with the worst record of the NFL in the last three seasons.
When I interviewed Dorsey a few weeks ago, he pointed out that young quarterbacks were "never hurt while waiting to play". But they can take a real shot (physically and emotionally) when they are put into action.
ABOUT JOSH GORDON
Todd Haley told the truth when he said this about receiver Browns: "It's a process … We have a guy who missed a long time when he was not practicing here." It does not only slow down its process, but the process of all our offense. "
Gordon has not always known all the pieces of the past. The best way to learn them is muscle memory – practice. He did not play in one pre-season game.
"You can not just snap your fingers and say," Put it there, "said Haley.
Still, Haley had Gordon on the field for 69 of 89 shots. It's Haley's fault.
The Browns knew for a long time that something was wrong with Gordon … again. He did not know all the pieces. He did not practice much. And then he had more personal problems this weekend, leading to his release.
Although few people say so publicly, it was difficult for coaches and players (especially in attack) to deal with Gordon. Then he did not know when he would be there, how long he would stay with the team … or if he knew the game book.
Gordon has only played 11 games since 2013. The Browns have tried everything to help Gordon solve his addiction problems. Now, it's only about him being responsible for his recovery.
ABOUT BROWN
1. One of the discreet gestures of reception that could pay off is Damarious Randall's trade, which is a natural security. He plays "the angel" in the defense of Greg Williams, the last line of defense. He made a terrific interception against the Steelers.
2. The Browns exchanged DeShone Kizer at Green Bay for Randall. Kizer briefly played for Green Bay when Aaron Rodgers was injured in the first game. He was 4 out of 7 by the way. But he lost an escape. He also launched an interception for a TD.
3. Randall had 10 interceptions in three seasons with the Packers. He played a lot of cornerback. The Browns believe that he is best suited for safety, his main position at Arizona State.
4. The Browns coaches were happy with JC Tretter's play, which did a good job against some strong inside defensemen.
5. Browns defenders Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward have received a lot of attention. They deserved it. Ward was named Rookie of the Week in the NFL. But the coaches were very happy with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who had seven tackles and a sack.
6. Ogunjobi played against Pro Bowl Maurkice Pouncey's center, making his performance all the more impressive. The third round of North Carolina Charlotte could become an impact player.
7. This is not something that makes the headlines, but Browns have had very little soft tissue injury (muscle traction, etc.). VP of Player Health and Development Joe Sheehan has developed a plan and the coaching staff is committed to reducing these injuries.
8. The debate between Jackson and Haley on "Hard Knocks" about some players who do not practice dealt with Jackson after the program to avoid these injuries. Gordon has a hamstring injury, but he appeared in a camp with a thigh problem.
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