Jake Delhomme Set to Return Against a Familiar Foe
by Chris Pokorny on Oct 7, 2010 9:02 AM EDT
in General News
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PrintWhen the Cleveland Browns get set to face the Atlanta Falcons this week, fans will likely see the return of starting quarterback Jake Delhomme. With that in mind, let's quickly trace back to how Delhomme did in Week 1 and why we were intrigued by him in the preseason.
Preseason: Delhomme played in three games this preseason and played very well, completing 38-of-48 (79.1%) of his passes for 345 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Beyond the stats, one word defined him: efficient. Almost all of his balls were on target, he went threw his reads quickly and found the right receiver, he seemed to diagnose the defense prior to the snap, and he had chemistry with our tight ends and wide receivers.
Week 1: The final stat line doesn't look pretty, as Delhomme was just 20-of-37 (54.1%) for 227 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. A few things stand out about the Browns on that day:
- First off, they threw the ball way too often. It wasn't until the past two weeks that they found their offensive identity again (running the football) behind a great offensive line.
- Delhomme and the Browns offense moved the ball well in the first half. The disaster came when Delhomme threw the near pick-six to Ronde Barber as he was falling down. He hurt his ankle, and then just didn't look like the same quarterback in the second half.
The reports from the local media indicate that Delhomme looked much more comfortable on his ankle in practice Wednesday, as he took about half of the reps with the first team. I'm really excited to see Delhomme play against the Falcons, and one of those reasons is because he throws a better deep ball. You can bet that after the Browns are pounding it with Hillis, Delhomme is going to target Mohamed Massaquoi deep again, and probably connect. We brought Delhomme in to make the big throws when the defense tried to key in on the run, and I think he can do a better job at that than Wallace can.
Also, here is a possible advantage for Delhomme this week in terms of confidence: remember how poorly he did with the Carolina Panthers overall last season? Guess who his best two games of the season came against? The Atlanta Falcons.
- Week 2 (2009) at Atlanta: 25-of-41 for 308 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception (Panthers lose 28-20)
- Week 10 (2009) vs. Atlanta: 15-of-24 for 195 yards, 2 touchdowns (Panthers win 28-19)
It'll also be really interesting this week to see if the Browns get back to the Cyclone formation this week, especially since Wallace has had a lot of playing time with the first team the past several weeks. The tough thing for Brian Daboll to decide on is exactly what type of balance he should have between giving Peyton Hillis enough carries and putting Delhomme in a situation to get into rhythm, all while seeing if he can mix in the "gadget" plays without disturbing the other priorities.
In other brief Browns news...
- New linebacker Jayme Mitchell may play some OLB, according to Mangini. Mitchell has never played in a 3-4, and he said he was "shocked" by the trade.
- WR Brian Robiskie and OL Shawn Lauvao practiced Wednesday but were limited.
- The same three defensive linemen who missed Wednesday and Thursday last week, but played on gameday, did not practice Wednesday (Kenyon Coleman, Shaun Rogers, and Robaire Smith).
- A user on the OBR commented that on Sirius NFL Radio, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he didn't really have a problem with T.J. Ward's hit after seeing in on tape, although he understands why the league penalized him for it. He said he's see worse; but if you ask Mike Pereira, it's the most vicious hit in the world and Ward should pay the ultimate price.
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Hmmm, how about you try it out as a FanPost this week, and if it doesn’t seem like it gets a lot of attention/feedback over there, in later weeks it can be as a comment in a post like this?
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Oct 7, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Jake’s arm may not be what it once was, but he should be able to get a few deep shots on target. The TD he threw to Massaquoi in game 1 is a good example. Let’s hope Hillis stays healthy and we maintain the running game.
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin
by Spidey on Oct 7, 2010 9:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
yea he does throw a better deep ball
but if you go back and look at the tape from that throw to mo mass against the bucs it was really more lucky than good
by tytryon biggums on Oct 7, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Wallace threw a similar pass to Cribbs vs ravens
by HenryDawg on Oct 8, 2010 8:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
and has since proven that was a fluke.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Oct 8, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
you mean the one pass he tried downfield on 3rd and 2 when he just should have run the ball?
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
Seriously – is it just me or are there a lot of plays he could have run forward for a sizable gain but went sideways looking for open anything and threw it away or just plain missed the intended target.
by browndawgbacker on Oct 8, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
No, he is referencing the TD pass to Cribbs
by Bernie19Kosar on Oct 9, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
As long as we maintain the running game I still think we need to get some more looks with Delhomme. I think it’s pretty safe to assume we know what we’re gonna get with Wallace, which is fine, but I do want to see a healthy Delhomme a bit more before they decide to pull the trigger and go with wallace full time.
by johnnyphoenix on Oct 9, 2010 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
If Jake starts sunday, I really like our chances of getting a win; I’m sure they’ve had time to figure out that they can’t allow him to throw that many times, and I think we’ll see a healthy balance of Hillis pounding-Jake throwing.
OT: SB check your email if your still up for trading.
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."--John Madden
Brilliant move on your part. You essentially traded a bench rider for a likely must start going forward.
Well played.
Anderception [an·der·cep·tion] -noun
1. the logical end result of a Derek Anderson pass
Why thank you.
Peyton Hillis is my Hero.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 7, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I won’t vote against it, but you’re getting swindled.
Anderception [an·der·cep·tion] -noun
1. the logical end result of a Derek Anderson pass
I had no other QB’s besides Vick on my team. After he went down, I’ve decided to go for depth at that position. It’s all good.
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."--John Madden
This is a 14 man league. Davis is a must start. You’re trading him for a rental QB.
I’m very confident your TE plug-ins get you nothing near what Davis would have.
Anderception [an·der·cep·tion] -noun
1. the logical end result of a Derek Anderson pass
When will this take effect? Before Sunday correct?
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."--John Madden
there are much better waiver wire Rental QBs than rental TEs
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
Just another reason this trade hurts WV.
Anderception [an·der·cep·tion] -noun
1. the logical end result of a Derek Anderson pass
exactly. I think its gonna bite him in the butt. Then again, Vernon Davis is underperforming but that has a lot to do with QB play. for SB, this is a perfect sell high and buy low.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
I hope they start Troy Smith soon (for reasons that have nothing to do with FF)
by HenryDawg on Oct 8, 2010 8:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ugh, this is the third time I’ve done this.
Mods, please delete and I’ll try again…
Peyton Hillis is my Hero.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 7, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m leaving it up because I’m fascinated with how in the world it could be happening that often and want to hear your response (do you know why?)
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Oct 7, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
If its a bug, I can report it.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Oct 7, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
…No, I keep getting them confused haha.
Peyton Hillis is my Hero.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 7, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Hillis
How much does the emergence of Hillis help Delhomme? How much does it help the receivers? Is Hillis play what Delhomme needed to be the efficient quarterback the Browns were hoping for? Thoughts
Greatly, Incredibly, and Yes! Jake needs to be a game manager, not carry the team on his shoulders. I think this will greatly help Delhomme moving forward. I think Chris hit the nail on the head above. Run, Run, Run, then hit them with a deep ball off play-action to MoMass. This is what Jake was contracted for.
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."--John Madden
Well, Jake had two very good RB’s in Carolina last year. Just saying.
Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Peyton Hillis pajamas.
by TheDriveStillHurts on Oct 7, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we’re hoping that Jake has decided to work on minimizing his mistakes and rely on his running game. I might be the only one, but I think Jake still thought he was more than a manage the game QB last year and dug himself a very large hole very quickly.
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
I understand, as a big daddy come and take my spot type of demeanor?
by mooncamping on May 14, 2010 7:24 AM EDT
That’s actually about what he said himself. He said he was constantly trying to do too much.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Oct 8, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Having a running game has never hurt a team.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Having and using a running game has never hurt a team
"If Brown is the answer, then you’re asking the wrong question." - Ryan
by woodsmeister on Oct 7, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think the Browns should be running more double tight with Watson and Moore, then having Hillis lining up in the back field. This formation could be good to both run and pass out of.
I am a huge fan of double tight formations. I run just about my entire offense in Madden on this premise. (I know, Madden is not the NFL) I like to pound the ball off tackle with I formations, then slip in play-actions with TE’s running seam routes. I also like to throw deep to my wideouts from this formation.
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."--John Madden
A few of us have brought this up before. I hope we see some more of this formation, especially now that we are confident that Moore is totally recovered from his concussion.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Oct 7, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
The Delhomme acquisition never signaled let´s try to win. There is nothing to complain about if we lose. Hillis is a work horse, but he´s not Barry Sanders, so either get that to work in a tandem, or he should balk, to put it bluntly. I hate the Browns to be the team that can get guys to succeed on almost nothing, or situate them into oblivion. That´s a little to middle class ghetto attitude for my taste.
he´s not Barry Sanders
truer words were never spoken.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Oct 7, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Hillis shares the attribute with Walter Payton in that he likes to run over defenders. Other than that he is very different from Walter Payton.
by Monsters of the Midway on Oct 8, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
This should really not be that dificult.
Establish the run game (has anyone stopped Hillis yet, other than Daboll?), and use Delhomme as a Game manager.
RUN the ball.
I’m hoping Daboll has started to figure that out. Although, we will need a healthy balance against some of these upcoming teams.
by discoinferno083 on Oct 7, 2010 11:57 AM EDT reply actions
Jake will be Fine
Dont blame him for the game 1 when he got hurt
The team rocks!
The defensive backfield is getting noticed not just because of a cheap shot but overall..
The Losses this season have been against teams w total record of 8-2 by less than 12 points total..
The team rocks.. the Running Game rocks and will open up the passing game!!
Count a win against the Hawks!!
licking our chops for Pittsburg and rematch vs the Ravens
Browns will MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR even w the bad start!!!
i cant wait to see how BOSS DAWG does against the mediocre defense of the the falcons. also seeing the warden( WARD) playing as aggressive as he has been,( dont worry about what the bungholes or the nfl say, you hit who you want, when you want!) and i hope Enis(Haden) can really start playing alot more than he has been, he is starting to look very comfortable in there
Lifes A Dance, You Learn As You Go!
by findlaybrownslover on Oct 7, 2010 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
BOSS DAWG being Hillis!!!
Lifes A Dance, You Learn As You Go!
by findlaybrownslover on Oct 7, 2010 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
(Subtle shift in topic masquerading as a non-sequitur)
Somewhere maybe even a DBN thread I read something about the Falcons having a good penetrating defense. Not sure if that’s true but if it is does that make it more advantageous to try and get Harrison to the outside on some runs?
or screen pass/dump off like crazy
(Cribbs?)
by discoinferno083 on Oct 7, 2010 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
shhh. . . I’m keeping Turner on the bench.
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
I understand, as a big daddy come and take my spot type of demeanor?
by mooncamping on May 14, 2010 7:24 AM EDT
Man, I can’t wait for this game. Not only is my dad taking me to my first ever regular season game (I’ve only been to preseason games before) I get to see m favorite team take in my favorite non-browns player in Matt Ryan. Still hoping that Ryan gets destroyed by Bernard or Roth though.
"We don't take no prisoners! I say we kill'em, every other team! That way we don't got to feed them or nothing!
-Coach Kevin Hockett
by brownsboy14 on Oct 7, 2010 9:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
congrats.
don’t hold your breath on Ryan getting creamed, though. :(
by discoinferno083 on Oct 7, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
If we only ask Jake to throw the ball 25ish times, we should be fine. Any more than that and we are in serious, serious trouble. I am afraid that we didn’t realize we’re a running team, but instead that we went to the run when our starting QB went down, and we will return to being a 37 attempt team upon his return.
If we understand that we are a grind-it-out, keep em honest run team, we’ll be absolutely fine. Otherwise, we’re in deep, deep trouble.
Moisture is the essence of wetness.
by discoinferno083 on Oct 8, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Off Topic kinda: Browns Boy mentioned he is going to his first regular season game and has only been to the preseason. That reminded me that my dad is probably selling the his 2 steelers tickets this year. I dunno if he’d wanna go through somewhere like here, but I am 99.99% sure they are for sale…2 of them.
This is why that division rivals rule for the end of the season sucks. It makes sense in that they want competative games, but playing the steelers at home that late just sucks. the team has nothing to play for at that point and those games never turn out to be that good…those are the only ones I end up ever getting to go see.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
the team has nothing to play for at that point and those games never turn out to be that good
2009 Browns 1-11
Week 14 Beat Pitt 13-6.
Sometimes one game can make your whole season worthwhile.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Oct 8, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah. true. I believe the steelers game is week 17. the home game on week 17 is always ends up getting very poor attendance.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
AHH forgot it was the last game. If the Steelers have clinched a spot by that week, they won’t be playing their big names. A win there would be less satisfying.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Oct 8, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
yep. either way, the browns will have nothing to play for.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
could be playing to keep the steelers out of the playoffs
by DontCallMeJoey on Oct 8, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
This. Where the hell did all the optimism everybody had coming into this season go. We just beat the Bengals, who had an 8 game winning streak against AFC North opponents. That’s got to put a hell of a lot of confidence into this team going forward.
And with the way teams are looking right now, 9-7 or even 8-8 might possibly get a wild card birth.
And don’t forget, we were in EVERY game til the very end.
"My mother always told me: ‘You will see the light of people when they hit adversity. You’ll get a good sense of their character." - Ironic words from LeBron James
For the love of Joe Thomas.....
by North Coast Flea on Oct 9, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I meant to say we probably won’t have anything to play for. in the new browns history, that game has generally not been a good one. maybe the team goes 8-8 and i hope that.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
I was only able to make 2 games last year and the last one was the finale against Jacksonville. How can you not like seeing the Browns run the ball down an opponent’s throat in freezing temperatures?
And the Steelers. Shit man, that could be a great game. The Browns might even get the chance to play spoiler. And come on, 8 times a year the Browns play at home, 8 times! Just go to the game!!!
by Monsters of the Midway on Oct 8, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Check that. I’ll buy bross’ tickets if he flies me out there to see the game. Hell, I’ll even take bross!!!
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Oct 8, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Guys: Quick FF question for you. I usually go with my gut on these, but all I’m feeling today is stuffed from a sausage, egg, n cheese biscuit.
Who do you start this week?
Percy Harvin against NYJ (Pearcy is long overdue for a breakout game and with Moss taking some pressure off it could come soon, but the Jets corners are tough)
or
Ochocinco against TB (Ocho hasn’t done much of anything yet this year and I feel he is overdue for a big game as well and think TB corners are not nearly as good as the Jets above)
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."--John Madden
I would start Johnson, but since I have Harvin I’m hoping he’s the one with the breakout game.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Oct 8, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Johnson.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Oct 8, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
ochocinco.
if Harvin plays a big game, trade ’em.
heck, if one of them plays big, trade either for someone more consistent.
by discoinferno083 on Oct 8, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Harvin.
Think what Randy Moss did for Wes Welker.
by Bernie19Kosar on Oct 9, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. Harvin just became a must-start.
"And the 2010 National League Central Division Champs are the Cincinnati Reds!" -- Marty Brennaman
no. Harvin became a fool’s errand due to his migranes.
by discoinferno083 on Oct 9, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
His migraines are better than they have ever been.
I wouldn’t worry about that.
by Bernie19Kosar on Oct 9, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
does anyone have any info on alex mack’s status? i know he’s missed wed/thur practice with a shoulder injury…
Another Fantasy question since Kimble started this:
I have 3 WRs and I don’t know which 2 to start
Santonio Holmes
Steve Johnson
Johnny Knox
My top 2 WRs have a bye. I am leaning towards benching knox b/c of Cutler’s injury.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
you’re probably right.
Holmes and Johnson, fairly easy.
by discoinferno083 on Oct 9, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
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