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Stillers-Browns Pregame Outlook

January 05, 2002 by Still Mill

Stillers-Browns Pregame Outlook

Since I'm a bit behind from the holiday season, I've only now gotten a chance to put together a pre-game outlook. (Actually, what really bogged me down this week was compiling all the laughable misplays from Jason GilDong for the GilDong Report, which consumed quite a bit of time. Those plays of Fat Jamain Stephens slapping about GilDong took me a lot of extra time to compile...)

Cowher has stated that he wants to win this Cleveland game, yadda yadda. And on the surface, I sincerely believe that. However, he's already hedging his bets with Bettis, saying that any wetness or snow will park the Bus in the garage. (Had to throw in a corny bus comment at some point this season.) Cowher would probably like nothing more than his first teamers to come out on fire, and then head to the locker room at halftime up, say, 20-3. He could then clear off the bench and avoid injuries to key starters. Even if the game is tied at the half, I don't expect to see too many regulars out there in the 2nd half. To risk injury at this point of the season would be foolish. Obviously, there aren't quite enough backups to remove every starter from the field, but I would expect to see at least 50% of the starters grab a heavy parka and camp out next to the heaters in the 2nd half.

Because this game has no playoff implications, and because the benchwarmers will receive a good bit of playing time, there's no sense in doing my regular pregame outlook. Instead, here's some key indicators to look for while watching this game:

- In the first Clev game, QB Tim Couch threw no less than about 19 short slants to his receivers. He had fairly good success, until the CBs finally started to jump on them. Surprisingly, the Browns never countered with the "slant and go". This game, look to see if the Stiller DBs are playing soft, or if they're playing tighter. This will be a good barometer of coordinator Tim Lewis. If Lewis has his CBs playing 14 yards off the ball, then you know he's fallen asleep at the wheel, because Couch does not have a big arm, and Couch loves throwing the short slants. On the other side of the coin, look to see if Couch goes with some pump fakes and then throws deep, as Chad is especially susceptible to jumping at pump fakes. This first half will also serve as a good barometer for Chad and DW, to see if they've bounced back from last week embarrassing scorching at the hands of the Cinci WR crew.

- If you enjoy watching good linebacking, this game will feature an outstanding outside linebacker in his 8th NFL season, who was deservedly named to the AFC Pro Bowl team this past week. His number is 95, and his last name is Miller. Watch this guy play, and you'll see what real hitting and real linebacking is all about.

- Speaking of OLB, Clark Haggans, on the final game of his 2nd pro season, will finally be allowed to play at linebacker in a regular season game. Heretofore, Haggans hasn't been allowed to play even a single down at LB. Haggans should be the heir apparent at OLB if some free-spending, imbecilic team throw millions at The Gilded Dong.

- See if Stewart gets his mechanics back in order. Last week, he slumped back into his penchant for throwing off the back foot, and also threw nearly a dozen passes poorly into the dirt.

- Watch the Stillers starting O-line, which will be facing a rather ordinary Cleveland front 4. Let's see if this gang can get it back in high gear before the playoffs.

To be sure, I have no desire to see the Stillers get whipped by the Browns. For that matter, I never, ever want to lose to any Cleveland in any sport, even if it were indoor lacrosse. Or soccer. But, in terms of approaching the playoffs, it's far more important for the starters to perform with intensity and effectiveness in their 2 quarters (if that) of play, than whatever the final scores happens to be when Tommy Maddox is finished dueling with Cleveland backup QB Kelly Holcomb. I'm not amongst those who thinks that the team "must win" to have "momentum going into the playoffs". The team has a first-round bye, and even if we beat Cleveland 43-0, that "momentum" will evaporate long before the end of the team's 13-day layoff before its first game. My main concern is that starting units, and the special teams, playing at a high rate of skill, teamwork, and effectiveness. For the offense, this means moving the ball, and more importantly, scoring points, preferably TDs. For the defense, this means hitting, hitting, and more hitting, along with crisp tackling, good QB harassment, and solid pass defense. Finally, for the special teams, it means anything better than that raggedy-assed shit we've been subjected to watch the past 15 games.

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