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Cleveland Browns - 28 vs Pittsburgh Steelers - 31
11-10-2007
QB Derek Anderson
When can Brady Quinn start? If
that is not doable, I'd rather have Frye back at this point.
What a choker this Anderson is. The guy had the happy feet the
whole second half while still having plenty of time to throw. He
also had receivers open the entire second half but couldn't hit
the broad side of a barn with this throws. He has a nice arm but
his accuracy has always been a concern and that second half
showcased what a problem it can be.
Part of it was his fear of the
nonexistent pass rush. This caused him to end up short arming
the ball many times. The other part is that a strong arm does
not equate to touch on the ball which affects accuracy. Real NFL
quarterbacks can do this, at least once in a while. Anderson
can't.
The biggest worry though is him
turning into a wet noodle mentally when the game was there for
the taking. The Browns had a 21-6 lead to begin the second half
and all that was expected from the offense was some ball control
- you know, if you can't run it at least be able to put a 30-40
yard drive together once in a while with short passes. This
should be pretty simple for a good offensive line, above average
receivers, and a great tight end. A first down or two would be
nice. Instead, Anderson melted down and acted like the team was
behind by 20 points and he was facing a defensive line with
their ears pinned back.
Another example was the last
drive where the Browns had great field position in Pittsburgh's
territory and only needed a FG to tie it. They make a couple of
plays and with about 19 seconds left, Anderson starts getting
nervous in the pocket and flings a safety valve pass to
Jurevicious over the middle for about a 4 yard gain. Since that
was 3rd down and there was so little time left the Browns only
option now was a 53 yard field goal attempt, which Dawson
missed.
Pathetic.
Anderson has been made to look
better than he is by the considerable talent surrounding him on
offense.
Mental toughness is an intangible
that is a requirement for the QB position in the NFL. It is not
something learned. They either have it or don't and Anderson
doesn't have it.
Other than the Brown's first
drive of the game he did nothing. Two of his three TD passes
were made by a great catch (Braylon Edwards) and a long kickoff
return to about Pittsburgh's three yard line by Josh Cribbs.
Speaking of Cribbs, he almost single handedly beat the Steelers.
The Browns offense also benefited in the first half by a nifty
Brodney Pool interception which also gave them great field
position. Pool made a great play on that ball.
The Browns have some excellent
skill players on offense - Winslow & Edwards, along with an
average+ offensive line. The big plays will be there every game
but all they need is a QB right now that can manage the game and
his emotions.
Otherwise, the defense was
horrific. Ben Roethlisberger makes Bernie Kosar look like Fran
Tarkenton in running ability. Well, not that bad, but Big Ben
should never be rumbling 30 yards down the middle of the field
for a TD, which is what happened in this game.
Nonexistent pass rush. It is a
wonder this team can stay in games with this defense. They've
got one pass rusher on the defensive line in Wimbley and a bunch
of overweight run stuffers that can barely move. The defensive
backfield is young but talented. But the line backing unit is
nowhere to be found and the biggest problem with this defense.
Their best player is the overrated Andre Davis. They appear not
to have any ability - no ability to stop runners, no help in
rushing the passer, and in this game, appeared to drop back in
pass coverage when the Browns had a big lead and just stand
there. Hello, you have to keep moving and try to keep the black
shirts away from the ball.
Partial victories are for losers,
which the Browns were in this game. The game was theirs to lose
and they managed to do it. They've still got a ways to go.
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