Stillers vs. Browns Pregame Analysis
(Game # 3, vs. Cleve)
The Stillers resume play
after the bye week as one of the most humbled and humiliated NFL teams this
side of St. Louis.� On the other hand,
the Browns have collected themselves after their opening day give-away, and are
standing atop the division after a thrilling come-from-behind win over the
Titans.� Any game against the hated
Browns is always a big game, but due to the Browns resurgence and the Stillers
seeking their first win, this particular game in the 100-game series of these
two teams looms as the biggest one since the January '95 playoffs.��
* When the Browns have
the ball, they�ll
bring the best offense they've had since the team re-formed in 1999.�� Hell, this is the best Browns offense since
Bernie Kosar once slung the ball for Cleveland.� The Cleve O-line is by no means dominant, but it's exponentially
better than the rag-tag crew the Browns had their first couple years in the
league.�� The left side is obviously the
far stronger side for the Cleve O-line, with former Packers Verba and Stokes
manning LT and LG.� They are by no means
spectacular, but quietly adequate.� The
glaring O-line weak spot is at RT, where the Browns have to choose between
journeyman Ryan Tucker or stumbleum Roger Chanoine, who has the mobility,
footwork, and quickness of a scarecrow.�
As if Chanoine isn't already physically challenged enough, he's listed
as questionable with a banged-up knee.�
Last year, as you may recall, Chanoine helped Jason Gildong gain a pro
bowl berth by way of laying out a red carpet for Jason to stumble unimpeded to
multiple Dong Sacks of Tim Couch.�
Tucker himself is a bit banged up, and is listed as probable.� Jamel White has done a good bit of the
chores at RB, although the Browns have virtually ignored the ground game thus
far and none of the RBs has developed bursitis from toting the pigskin.� White, who is very quick and fairly fast, is
very capable and dangerous out of the backfield in the passing game, and could
give the Stillers fits if they ignore him.�
Highly touted rookie RB William Green might carry the ball a few
times.� He's not impressed me thus far,
as he's been tentative and running a bit too wooden and upright for my tastes,
but eventually -- with his size and raw talent -- he'll probably emerge as the
regular back for the Browns.� Tim Couch,
coming off a sterling effort in the win over the Titans, will start at QB,
although backup Kelly Holcomb gave the Browns good QB play the 2 prior games
while Couch rested his injured arm.�
Should Couch's arm problem flare up, or some other malady occur,
journeyman Holcomb seems capable of stepping in.� After facing such talented receiving corps as the Patriots' and
Raiders' the first 2 games, some Steeler fans might be lulled into a sense of
complacency as we face the Browns.� Mark
my words, nothing could be further from the truth.� For the first time in his career, Couch actually has a full array
of weapons to throw to.� He's always had
the ever-trusty Kevin Johnson, who is easily among the top 6 or 7 best WRs in
the conference.�� But in addition, the
Browns, through the use of 4 consecutive 2nd round picks, have assembled a fine
corps of WRs.�� 3rd-year man Dennis
Northcutt is finally living up to his potential, and gives Cleve a good threat,
as does last year's #2 pick Quincy Morgan.�
This year's #2 pick, Andre Davis from V-tech, has already made his
presence felt and is a threat every time he gets the ball in his hands.� The key matchup will obviously be the
Cleve passing game against the Stiller pass defense/pass rush.� White and Green won't find much room to run
against the Stillers, and Cleveland hasn't shown any interest in establishing a
grinding running game.� And, of course,
we all know how badly this Stiller pass defense has been abused, so it's a
no-brainer that the Browns will throw and throw again.� As Couch did last year, look for LOADS of
the short slants that Couch absolutely loves, and some of the short outs and
curls that Couch likes as well.� Couch
does not have the arm to throw deep, or to throw the deep out/deep flag, but he
will slice & dice you on the slants and shorter outs if you allow him.� Couch would love nothing more than to face
the softee vanilla, which he carved up nicely in last year's 15-12 struggle
before the Stillers finally clamped down tighter.� And, as noted, Couch has a full complement of 4 good WRs and a
dangerous RB out of the backfield.� The
key is whether the Stiller defense will jump those shorty slants and if the D
will play in tighter coverage.� The
counter by Cleveland will be to use play-action and pump fakes, both of which
Couch sells very effectively.�
* When the Stillers have
the ball, they'll
face a decent Cleve defense, but a defense that has seen its share of beatings
and abuse.� Cleve's front 4 is chock
full of talent and experience, especially with #1 picks Warren and Brown.� However, this line -- much to the dismay of
the city of Cleve -- has been quite soft against the run.� The LB corps took a huge hit when legit Pro
Bowl OLB Jamir Miller was lost for the season in camp.� Darren Hambrick replaced Miller, which is
roughly the equivalent of, say, replacing Mel Blount with Chris Oldham.� Former Stiller Earl Hitman Holmes mans the
middle, with boneheaded helmet-heaver Dwayne Rudd manning the other.� Facing his old mates, Holmes will most
likely play at a high level of intensity and fury.� The secondary is a mediocre group that has no abundance of talent
or size.� Former Vikes Fuller and
Griffith make up half the starters, along with the diminutive McCutcheon at one
CB and Bush as FS.� The key matchup will
be the Stiller ground game against the Cleve run defense.�� I expect Cowher to return to basics, and
for this Stiller offense, that means plenty of Bettis, and some Fu and Amoz,
pounding a Cleve defense that has been gouged by the run.� To be sure, the Cleve pass defense is also
ripe for the picking, but Stew's erratic play, combined with a desire to avoid
the home-crowd booing of Stewart and avoid giving Cleve's effective offense
more time with the ball, should provide Cowher with enough conviction to grind
the ball on the ground as much as possible.�
I expect the Stillers to fully win this matchup in near-dominating
fashion, but if Cleveland finds a way to somehow throttle or minimize the Stiller
ground game, then it changes the complexion of the game.�
* Special Teams: �With The Browns -- Troy and Tim -- out of the way, it seems
plausible to rest easy on special teams.�
Not so.� Denny Northcutt has
taken one punt return to the house, and Andre Davis is a speedy and dangerous
kick returner.� Phil Dawson has evolved
into a pretty reliable field goal kicker, and has even booted a 52-yarder this
year.� Peterson hasn't gotten a plethora
of work, so the jury is still out on his accuracy and leg strength (although
I've not been impressed at all with his leg strength).�
* Interesting battles: Former Stillers O. Roye and Hitman
Holmes against their old mates.� For
Roye, it's becoming old hat, and actually, he's not done much against the
Steelers.� This will be Holmes' first
battle against the Black & Gold.�
The Stillers must expect Holmes to play with fire, and they must hit and
punish him at every opportunity.�
* Synopsis: Last game (vs.
Oak) was quite close to must-win.�
Obviously, this game, both emotionally and statistically, is a
must-win.� No if, ands, or buts about
it.� Losing at home to first-place
Cleveland would not only be crippling in the divisional race, but it would
emotionally kill a team that, just a few scant weeks ago, was referred to as
the AFC's front runner for the Super Bowl.�
Unlike a game against, say, New Orleans, Cowher knows that he will be
publicly embarrassed and humiliated if he blows this one.� Spurred on by a desperate coach, the rabid
home crowd, and the extra week of preparation, the Stillers will grind out a
23-19 win over the Brownies.�