Heard a funny thing on the radio today........with what happened to the Browns Oline coach over the weekend, Cleveland now has someone suspended for week 1 at every level: GM, coach and player ! Now I see why the Browns fans call their stadium "The Factory of Sadness" I mean, a lot of Jets fans complain or talk about how snake bit we are as a franchise, but IMO, cheering for Cleveland has got to be tougher (maybe @CleveSteve can chime in?). Since they've come back into the league in 1999, they've had a winning record only once. It's just been a revolving door of GM's, coaches, and QB's for Cleveland over the last 16 years.......
Wish I was home to watch the Colts Bills game, I think that'll be a great one. Matchup between 2 teams who couldn't possibly be more different. The Bills made Aaron Rodgers look like an imbecile last year, can they do the same to Luck? I love their front but I'm not sure they have the back end to compete with that WR corps. They should be able to run all over that defense, given that McCoy is healthy. Should be a fun one, I'll DVR it. Hopefully you give us a blueprint to beat them week 2.
Ahh regular season is finally around the corner. I think the Jets will be able to run early and often on the Browns allowing them to stay conservative with Fitzpatrick. They'll use their WRs but I see this as being one of our most run heavy gameplans for the year. Defensively, I think we can stop the run and make them one dimensional. Key things I'm looking out for: RZ offense efficiency Our LB/S in coverage Can we create turnovers
Per Rotoworld Browns RB Duke Johnson was still in concussion protocol on Monday. Coach Mike Pettine declined to say if Johnson would be ready by Sunday, but the reports the Browns plan to promote Shaun Draughn off the practice squad suggest Johnson is questionable at best for Week 1. Isaiah Crowell will open the season as the Browns' clear lead back.
We'll see. Philosophy wise, I actually like Jim Schwartz's scheme better than what I've seen so far from Rex. We have the horses up front to wreak havoc with just four, dropping 7 into coverage and not leaving any holes to throw into. Rex seems to blitz a lot more and that caused some big plays when Pettine was here. We will see how it plays out. It will really hurt not having Dareus and McKelvin on the back end.
Wow, I completely forgot about Dareus. That could change the complexion of the game. Without him Gore might actually be able to pick up yardage. I figured Buffalo would force Indy to throw it 40 times. I think that defense revolves around him, as good as Hughes and the Williams's are.
I share an office with a Browns fans and they are actually thinking the Jets will be easy compared to the other teams in their division and ours that they will play this year. I on the other hand feel the jets DBs will make this an easy game; Jets 31, Browns 13. I will even bust out my old Revis Jersey and wear it on Friday.
To be fair, this probably is a easier game on their schedule but no way is this a easy win for the Brownies. They are still the Browns.
Yeah, if I was a Browns fan, I would rather play the Jets than the Patriots, Steelers, Bengals, Ravens and Bills. Dolphins/Jets is a toss up, but I could see someone rather playing Fitzpatrick than Tannehill. Again, just talking from a Browns fan point of view.
Key to the game: our offensive line and Fitz. Their Qb is experienced and while not great can find openings and move he ball. But I think our D is an overmatch for him. Prediction: Jets 24 Cleve 14.
The defense for sure revolves around him. The players, coaches and fans will all tell you that. It's no secret in buffalo. People who don't watch the bills play will say Dareus is great because they can look at his stats, and there's no question he's got great stats, but when you watch the games and focus on him you can see how truly great he is. He impacts every.single.play somehow. He's a force, and he is worth every penny of the $100 million dollar contract he will sign.
it will be a punt fest. I think the Jets will win because they are at home and its difficult for anyone to win on the road week 1. I think it will look similar to last year's opening win vs. the Raiders. Kinda sloppy, lots of punting, Jets in control most of the game but not pulling away by any means. Jets 17-Cleveland 14
I get all the way down here to your post, and the general observations you have are closest to mine, with one caveat. Your score indicates the Browns' get two td's. I think an FG from them at some point is likely, so maybe they score 10 or even 13. Make no mistake about it, with the Qb who started pre-season as the backup, and coming off an injury, with Smith waiting in the wings (where he hopefully stays), and the first outing for Bowles and the CS as a group, this is a big game for an opener. The pressure will be on. Still, I think Fitz will avoid picks because the D will not let the Browns get a lead, certainly not a big lead. The key will be (as most everyone else notes) Ivory, and I think he gets it done.
