Week 8: Cleveland Browns (3-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (5-1)

• BR1986FB

  Mitchell could be a key to the Browns passing game whether he catches a ball or not. Gotta throw it to him deep a few times and open things up for Moore & Little.
• like_that

  

  BR1986FB;949135 wrote:Mitchell could be a key to the Browns passing game whether he catches a ball or not. Gotta throw it to him deep a few times and open things up for Moore & Little.

  This is what I don't get. You may not complete the deep passes, but at least attempt them to make the defense honest.
• BR1986FB

  like_that;949150 wrote:This is what I don't get. You may not complete the deep passes, but at least attempt them to make the defense honest.

  Exactly. It seems like they have no designed deep routes and the only time McCoy chucks it is when a play breaks down, he scrambles right and one of the WR's luckily breaks away from a defender.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Well in his defense, its hard to throw deep when the guards and trying to block from their ass. The line has to improve to allow for longer drops. I agree with you guys though, we have to do something to open up some running lames and get the defense out of the 9 man front.
• like_that

  

  Why not running a few plays from shotgun? There has to be something Shurmur can try. It's ok to try new things when your offense sucks.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Shotgun isn't a bad idea at all. I would also like to see some no huddle, McCoy looks more comfortable under no huddle and keeps the pressure o the defense.
• BR1986FB

  If the intent was to use McCoy under center most of the time they never should've drafted him. He's CLEARLY more effective from the gun.
  
  Cowboys cut Tashard Choice...
  
  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/29/cowboys-cut-tashard-choice/
• like_that

  

  BR1986FB;949280 wrote:If the intent was to use McCoy under center most of the time they never should've drafted him. He's CLEARLY more effective from the gun.
  
  Cowboys cut Tashard Choice...
  
  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/29/cowboys-cut-tashard-choice/

  Like I said, Shurmur needs to stop being stubborn and give some new plays/formations a try. This team has nothing to lose. Shurmur's job is safe this year. He oughta find out what works this year as oppose to panicking next year for his job and then switching everything up.
• OhioStatePride2003

  BR1986FB;949280 wrote:Cowboys cut Tashard Choice...
  
  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/29/cowboys-cut-tashard-choice/

  I'd like to see the Browns sign a player like Choice. He played well when he had the opportunities. I think Cleveland's O-Line will come along before the end of the year, they haven't been healthy all at once all year. Right now I don't trust Hillis. I like what Ogbonnaya can do, but that's just based off one game. If Hillis doesn't get his crap together, I'd be comfortable with Hardesty (If he can continue to get near 100 per game) and Ogbonnaya out of the backfield. Choice would be an interesting play out of the backfield behind those two. I think if you surround McCoy with as many (average) playmakers as possible (Get Evan Moore involved), and the O-Line does come along like I think it can/will, 8-8 is still possible.
  
  I like the match-up this weekend. Gore will be a nice test for our D. I like what we did with McFadden. We played him well I thought, and his only TD was from within the 10-yard line. Make Alex Smith beat you, and you should/could win this game.
• zach24oz

  I agree with what you say about that game tomorrow...if the D can stop Gore or at least stop him enough to where Smith has to throw the ball to win the game I think that will help the Browns out big time! How is Haden coming along with his injury? If he is fine and can play well that will big another plus for the D.
• BR1986FB

  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/10/cleveland_browns_counting_on_a.html
  
  http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x671079682/49ers-Harbaugh-has-style-that-can-rub-opponents-the-wrong-way
  
  http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x671079539/Browns-notebook-Holmgrens-team-back-in-hometown
  
  http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x780395457/Browns-at-49ers-game-preview
  
  http://news-herald.com/articles/2011/10/30/sports/nh4684512.txt
  
  Found this quote interesting...
  
  Coach Pat Shurmur won't say so, but (Andrew) luck is something the Browns could use a strong dose of today.
  
  http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/10/terry_plutos_talkin_about_depa.html
  
  About the offensive coordinator ...
  What the Browns mean by an offensive coordinator and what most fans and media members consider the post are not exactly the same. Most people assume the offensive coordinator calls the plays.
  Head coach Pat Shurmur serves as the Browns' offensive coordinator, and he calls the plays. Even if the Browns do hire someone in 2012 with the title of offensive coordinator, the Browns insist Shurmur will still call the plays. The system set up by Browns President Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert is for the head coach to call the plays. Holmgren did it. In Philadelphia, where Heckert received most of his experience, head coach Andy Reid called the plays.
  Sometimes, a coach on the staff had the title "offensive coordinator." It is a way to give a veteran coach more money or to reward a promising young coach. That guy does not call the plays, at least not in the Holmgren/Heckert system.
  Heckert has said one of the main reasons he wanted to hire Shurmur was for his West Coast offense and for Shurmur to do the play-calling -- and nothing has changed. Never say never, but it's doubtful anyone but Shurmur will be calling the plays for the offense next season.
• royal_k

  

  Any word on Hillis yet? I may insert Hardesty in my line up if he's out.
• killer_ewok

  

  What exactly is going on with Hillis?
• like_that

  

  killer_ewok;950790 wrote:What exactly is going on with Hillis?

  Hamstring, he was listed questionable, I am going to say he doesn't play.
• killer_ewok

  

  like_that;950796 wrote:Hamstring, he was listed questionable, I am going to say he doesn't play.

  A lot of things being said in the media about his situation in Cleveland. Is he just unhappy about his contract? How do the fans feel about him?
• like_that

  

  killer_ewok;950800 wrote:A lot of things being said in the media about his situation in Cleveland. Is he just unhappy about his contract? How do the fans feel about him?

  Fans are fine wit him, nobdoy in the front office wants to see him go, Hillis loves Cleveland wants to work a contract (so does FO), media just spewing bullshit, and that pretty much sums it up.
• BR1986FB

  royal_k;950755 wrote:Any word on Hillis yet? I may insert Hardesty in my line up if he's out.

  Hillis ruled OUT, Braylon Edwards active for SF
• Writerbuckeye

  

  like_that;950816 wrote:Fans are fine wit him, nobdoy in the front office wants to see him go, Hillis loves Cleveland wants to work a contract (so does FO), media just spewing bull****, and that pretty much sums it up.

  Hillis is giving them plenty of fodder to spew -- he and his agent have totally mishandled his situation.
• wes_mantooth

  

  BR1986FB;950840 wrote:Hillis ruled OUT, Braylon Edwards active for SF

  Braylon may be the biggest waste of talent in the NFL in quite a few years.
• iclfan2

  

  Grossi just tweeted that maybe Dawson doesn't kick it into the endzone because the team might prefer hangtime. Ummm gtfo you talentless hack.
• wes_mantooth

  

  lol...the browns have the worst "insiders" ever. Mary Kay and Grossi are awful
• dazedconfused

  

  grossi comes off as such a pompous pr**k on twitter
• zach24oz

  Is Haden playing today?
• iclfan2

  

  zach24oz;950903 wrote:Is Haden playing today?

  He should. I hope so.
• BR1986FB

  zach24oz;950903 wrote:Is Haden playing today?

  He's active.