Instant Recap: Lions Defeat Browns 35-27
by Chris Pokorny on Aug 29, 2010 12:33 AM EDT
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These two teams just can't face each other in a low-scoring affair, can they? The Detroit Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns 35-27 in their third preseason game of the year, but there were still a lot of positives to take away from the game if you're a Cleveland fan. Most of those positives came on the offensive side of the ball, but I'll get to the specifics when I do my in-depth game recap. For now, let's get to the instant recap of how the scoring went down...
The Browns once again began a preseason game with the football and Jake Delhomme marched the team down the field for an eventual 35-yard field goal attempt from Phil Dawson. The drive saw a lot of different throws going to different receivers, but when the offense got inside the ten yard line, things got interesting. The Browns brought in backup quarterback Seneca Wallace on first down for two plays. It really didn't help the Browns move the ball very much, but it's the first time in a preseason game that the Browns have inserted Wallace into the offense before Delhomme was done for the night.
After Dawson connected on his field goal, Detroit rookie running back Jahvid Best bolted 51 yards on the Lions' first play of the game. Two plays later, Matthew Stafford hooked up with Bryant Johnson for a 7-yard touchdown pass. For all the work the Browns did to get a field goal, the Lions made things look much easier and quickly punched it in for the score, giving them a 7-3 lead.
That would be their final lead until late in the second half though. On the Lions' next drive, running back Kevin Smith was stripped of the football by Brian Schaefering. The ball literally scooted into the lap of Eric Wright, who took off 44 yards and a walk-in touchdown, giving Cleveland the 10-7 advantage. After forcing a quick punt, Delhomme marched the Browns' offense down the field again, but not before first overall pick Ndamukong Suh grasped his facemask and then threw him to the ground well after the ball had been thrown. The personal foul penalty allowed Delhomme to toss a touchdown pass to fullback Lawrence Vickers a few plays later.
Unfortunately, on the Browns' next offensive series, running back Jerome Harrison fumbled on the first play and the Lions ran the ball back for a touchdown to make it a 17-14 game toward the end of the first half. It wasn't a great game for Harrison again, who had 11 carries for 34 yards, 3 catches for -3 yards, and the coughed up touchdown.
With Peyton Hillis in the game for the hurry-up offense to close out the second half, the versatile running back was all over the place, eventually scoring on first-and-goal from the one on a handoff. That gave the Browns a 24-14 lead at halftime.
The Lions received the ball to start the second half and Stafford led his team right down the field again for a touchdown, channeling the same type of "shootout" feeling from when these two teams met last season. Although Delhomme had a great first half (20-of-25 for 152 yards and 1 touchdown), it was surprising that he didn't get a series in the third quarter. Instead, Seneca Wallace came in and led the Browns to one field goal over two drives.
Although the Browns' first-string defense didn't exactly shine, the second-string defense was so bad that it's kind of hard to believe. Lions running back Aaron Brown had two fourth quarter touchdowns to give the Lions the 35-27 lead. The Browns played Colt McCoy for a couple of series in the fourth quarter, and while the third-round rookie made a few better throws this week, the offensive line didn't give him enough time to throw again.
McCoy should receive some more reps against the Chicago Bears on Thursday as the Browns close out their preseason.
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Schaffering is really growing on me. He seems to be around the ball a lot.
Hillis looks good and has better hands than I expected.
Haden looks good as well. I really like how he uses his hands. He is always choping at the ball as soon as the WR seems to catch it. This is good, because I am starting to believe that Sheldon Brown is borderline washed up.
Delhomme looked like he was in complete control. I am cautiously optimistic that he can keep this going when the games count.
Our pass rush straight up blows. We couldn’t even get to the passer going against the Lions second string line. Even when we blitzed we got stoned. Marcus Bernard needs to play more because he seems to be the only guy who has the ability to get to the passer.
I know we are missing Big Baby, but I can’t shake the feeling that we are going to need to send 7-8 men to get to the QB.
We are getting rushers free. The problem is that when we send blitzes they aren’t disguised enough or complex enough to make the QB take the extra second or two on his read so that the free rushers can make it.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I think Ryan has firmly decided to go the smokescreen route for our preseason defense.
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
I didn’t see anyone coming free, granted I didn’t see half of the Ram and Packer games.
The Veikune play was the only one where I remember a blitzer coming free. Too bad he got tripped up, he had a nice chance to lower the boom.
by Bernie19Kosar on Aug 29, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
When McCoy plays next week, will he be playing behind the first or second o-line?
Kill them. Kill them all.
Why will we put Thomas and Mack in the 4th preseason game?
I can't believe Cribbs was considered the second best athlete in Cleveland.
LBJ. Lying. Backstabbing. Jackass.
by SpecialBrownie on Aug 29, 2010 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
A good gauge would be to find out which linemen were active or played last year when Ratliff started.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Aug 29, 2010 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I would doubt that the Browns will risk playing Joe Thomas, Alex Mack and Eric Stienbach.
Poor kid will be running for his life again.
by Bernie19Kosar on Aug 29, 2010 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions
He may have Lauvao and Pashos and St. Clair though, which would be a marked improvement over anyone else he’s had in front of him.
Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.™
There may not be many 2nd or 3rd string NFL lines that aren’t an improvement over ours.
"There is a small, but important difference between peeing in the pool and peeing into the pool." - Demitri Martin
I still can’t figure why we dumped Hadnot.
Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.™
Not sure what Hadnots contract with us was, but he’s on AZ’s cap this year for 1.8 mil. That’s a lotta $ to pay, especially considering Joe Thomas is gonna make less than that this year.
"There is a small, but important difference between peeing in the pool and peeing into the pool." - Demitri Martin
I’m really trying to temper my enthusiasm for Delhomme. I’m scared to death that Jake of last year will return.
Not entirely sure how valid of a comparison this is, but I compared Delhomme’s preseason stats last year with the Panthers vs. this years preseason.
Through the first 3 preseason games last year, Delhomme was 21/32 for 265 yds, 0 TDs and 0 Ints. This is 65% completion and 8.3 YPA. Combined, this is good for a rating of 91.3.
Through this years preseason, he is 38/49 for 345 yds, 2 TDs and 0 Ints. This is 77.5% completion and 7.04 YPA. This equates to a rating of 109.7.
Looking at last years preseason stats, you could say that he was serviceable those first 3 games, but then the regular season started…we all know how that ended up.
Thoughts?
"There is a small, but important difference between peeing in the pool and peeing into the pool." - Demitri Martin
I would’ve actually liked to see him throw an interception at some point this preseason. That seems to be something that has rattled him in the past. That history is also something that probably will always sit somewhere in the back of his mind as well, as much as he may not want to admit it. How he manages to deal with those will probably play a big factor into how he does this season.
He throws the ball pretty hard obviously. If you saw the game yesterday, Im sure you noticed a few times that the receivers tipped a couple of balls that could have turned into an interception. That is a big thing that haunted Jake last year. Tipped passes that became interceptions. It’s going to happen this year, but hopefully not nearly as often.
I’ve watched all three preseason games so far and I feel much more comfortable with him running the offense than the other 2 qb’s last year. I would think that the other players on offense look up to Jake and I think he gives them more confidence too.
by Big Daddy Hickman on Aug 29, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Entirely different contexts for the stats. If Jake is throwing shorter, it would make it easy for his completion % to go up and YPA down. He is throwing to different receivers. He has a different support system around him. He is in a different system.
I am still cautiously optimistic that he will experience a mild bounce-back from last year’s regular season. Much better than DA/Quinn, probably in the 80s in terms of passer rating.
Regardless, he is an improvement over what we had and not a long term option. He is who we thought he was.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Loved how our first string offense looked. Not sure how that will translate to the regular season since the last two defenses (Rams and Lions) are not exactly the Jets or Ravens out there.
Defense needs a bit of work. First string looked ok. But like was said above, our pass rush is severely lacking, even when blitzing. Hope Rogers gets healthy soon, because we sorely need his pass rush.
And we better pray none of out top guys get dinged on defense too bad, the backups didn’t give me any confidence today at all.
i have to wonder how the browns’ defense would fare if they kept jhavid best in there longer. it seemed like they gave up a lot of yards to detroit’s TEs whenever they ran those short crossing routes. also, in case you missed it: suh hunting QBs
Jake is my hommeboy
Good question about Best. The defense got shredded by Steven Jackson last week against the Rams as well.
by Monsters of the Midway on Aug 30, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Our defense is built with larger players that might lack a bit in speed. This will become more apparent when we play in a dome, and I think the team will struggle in these games. I am not that concerned with the pass rush because I tend to believe we aren’t using our best defensive schemes until the regular season.
"I spoil a lot of people with my play."
"But I mean, even my family gets spoiled at times watching me doing things that I do, on and off the court." -Lebron James
I tend to think that when we get our two best defenders back things will improve.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
by notthatnoise on Aug 29, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Rogers and ? DQ?
fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com
Mosley
I can't believe Cribbs was considered the second best athlete in Cleveland.
LBJ. Lying. Backstabbing. Jackass.
by SpecialBrownie on Aug 29, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
for as much as we rag on DQ he is our best linebacker and (arguably) second best defender. maybe wright is better, but that’s debatable.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
by notthatnoise on Aug 31, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d say Rogers then Wright or DQ in some order.
"I spoil a lot of people with my play."
"But I mean, even my family gets spoiled at times watching me doing things that I do, on and off the court." -Lebron James
Here are some scary numbers:
1 sack in 96 pass attempts against. The offensive lines we have faced were horrible at allowing sacks last year (Worst, 7th, 9th in order).
The three starting QB’s we have faced have combined for 30-36, 345 yards, 3 TD’s, 0 INT’s.
Yikes.
Preseason. I’ll start worrying when we come out of games 1 & 2 without any sacks.
Kill them. Kill them all.
Although, the same could be said about Jake Delhomme, and we should hold back our enthusiasm just a tad until we see some regular season play.
Kill them. Kill them all.
Any L. Asante or C. Francis sightings? Did they see the field? Any idea how the did?
by BuckeyeInTheBay on Aug 29, 2010 1:08 PM EDT reply actions
Too early for the panic button on the pass rush, guys.
Not saying we are gonna be beasts, but it won’t be this bad.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
How about some deep uncertainty?
Never underestimate the powers of Josh Cribbs
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Aug 29, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
cautiously pessimistic.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
by notthatnoise on Aug 29, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
If nothing else, Rob will play Man-0 and get someone to the QB.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
One of my favorite Buddy Ryan quotes….
“You can’t stop a passing game unless you put pressure on the quarterback. Some people are good enough to put it on with a 3 man rush. Well we’re not. In fact, I don’t know if we’re good enough to put it on with a four man rush. If we have to send 8 we’ll send 8 but we’re not gonna let you sit back there and pick us apart.”
by Monsters of the Midway on Aug 30, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent.
Never underestimate the powers of Josh Cribbs
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Aug 30, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I was a bit worried when it seemed at first that the Browns had opened up last year’s playbook, or maybe just trying to see how short they could throw the passes before they were called laterals. I know, they were working on specific aspects of the offense because it’s preseason, but it had me worried a bit anyways. Then Cribbs hauled in a 30-yarder on the sideline and that killed two worrisome birds with one stone.
The Browns can and will throw deeper than five yards and Cribbs can indeed be one of the intended receivers for those longer passes.
The defense dictates where you throw, almost definitely, in this offense.
If we are forced to throw short and into the flat, we should have guys like Harrison, Hillis, Cribbs, Watson, Moore, and Hardesty in space with some momentum against someone with a bad angle.
This is cheap, easy yardage and we should take it every down if the D will give it to us.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I hope Suh gets fined. That was an asshole move.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Aug 29, 2010 10:32 PM EDT reply actions
I agree. The guy is a beast and he seems like a good guy…but that facemask and body slam was way, waay out of line.
by johnnyphoenix on Aug 30, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d also like to have seen someone else get in Suh’s face……Protect your QB….
by Big Daddy Hickman on Sep 1, 2010 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Eric Wright
“The ball literally scooted into the lap of Eric Wright, who took off 44 yards and a walk-in touchdown, giving Cleveland the 10-7 advantage.”
I think this guy is reading too much of his own press. He got a gift and danced it into the end zone like he’d done something impressive. Not the end of the world in and of itself but he looked pretty bad in coverage before and after that play.
by Monsters of the Midway on Aug 30, 2010 1:17 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, he’s full of himself. And not in a good way.
Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.™
His support of DA saying we didn’t deserve a winner on Twitter last week was tough for me to stomach.
"I spoil a lot of people with my play."
"But I mean, even my family gets spoiled at times watching me doing things that I do, on and off the court." -Lebron James
i mentioned this in the game thread and was branded a curmudgeon, but i agree. it was a little overdone for a preseason game, especially from a player on a 5-11 team.
I missed the game thread this week so pardon me bringing it up again. We seem to be in agreement though and I applaud your use of the word ‘curmudgeon’, haha
by Monsters of the Midway on Aug 30, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t mind that he danced in to the endzone. I myself screamed "Yeah, Dion that sh*t".
It’s not everyday that a CB is "gifted" with a fumble recovery to the house.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Aug 30, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
If E. Wright had been making plays in the secondary like Deion Sanders, then by all means, take it to the house any way you want! But all I saw on Saturday was him getting burned by Calvin Johnson and Co.
by Monsters of the Midway on Aug 30, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
…I was not watching the same game you were apparently.
I can't believe Cribbs was considered the second best athlete in Cleveland.
LBJ. Lying. Backstabbing. Jackass.
by SpecialBrownie on Aug 30, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
How many times did he get burned in the first quarter? 2, 3, 4? A TD makes up for that in the 1st.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Aug 30, 2010 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t have the game on my DVR anymore so I can’t point out specific instances.
However, from reading this site, I know most of you have a much better grasp of defensive schemes and what particular personnel are supposed to be doing in the secondary than I do. I have probably over stepped my bounds and proven the old adage “It is better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”
by Monsters of the Midway on Aug 31, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually thought Wright played pretty well from what I could see.
I don’t have a huge issue with the celebration before the TD, but if he pulls a Lett or a DeSean, we should fine the hell out of him.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
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