Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns - Positional Breakdown
by Chris Pokorny on Dec 31, 2011 7:00 AM EST
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The Pittsburgh Steelers were favored at every position when these two teams met several weeks ago, but the end of the final whistle, it seemed like the Cleveland Browns were a lot more evenly matched than I originally thought. Is it fair to cherry pick one game though, or how the units have done on a season as a whole? The positional breakdown for the Browns' final game of the season is after the jump...
Position-by-Position Breakdown
| Pos | Adv | Reason |
| QB |  |
Ben Roethlisberger is expected to start for the Steelers after missing last week's game with the ankle injury he suffered against the Browns a few weeks earlier. He still is not fully recovered from that injury, but it is expected that his mobility will be much improved. Even with a limp, Roethlisberger has the strength to keep plays alive and allow his fast receivers to get open. Seneca Wallace loves to roll out to the right, but that might not be the wise thing to do this week with Tony Pashos out. |
| RB |  |
Peyton Hillis is fresh and running very strong. He hasn't had a "big" game against Pittsburgh like he's now had twice against Baltimore, but if someone is going to lower the boom on James Harrison during the whistle, it's going to be him. Rashard Mendenhall is efficient, but I'm kind of in awe of what their newly-promoted backup, John Clay, can do. The guy just looks massive, almost Bus-like. |
| WR | |
Forget James Harrison. The guy who irritated me the last time these two teams met was wide receiver Antonio Brown. It didn't take very long for Brown to pick up that smug Steeler attitude that makes you cringe, and to top it off, he had a long catch-and-run touchdown reception to seal the game. The Browns will need a better effort from Greg Little this time around against Pittsburgh, and we should see just as much, if not more, of tight end Evan Moore. |
| OL | |
I was dead-set on making these category "even" until I found out that Tony Pashos would be out with an injury. I really think the absence of Pashos will collapse the right side of the offensive line to the point where Cleveland's run game and pass game will suffer significantly. How much worse could it get, though; the Browns could only manage three points the last time they faced Pittsburgh. |
| DL | |
Two backups, Brian Schaefering and Scott Paxson, were the tandem to bring down Roethlisberger the last time. If the Browns want to make the veteran quarterback feel the pain again, they'll need to do it with full-blown effort throughout the entire game. When the Steelers' offensive line needed to protect Big Ben in the second half the last time these teams met, they got the job done. |
| LB | |
James Harrison. He has taken out Mohamed Massaquoi, Joshua Cribbs, and Colt McCoy with cheap shots over the past two seasons. It's too bad tight end Alex Smith isn't active, because he's the type of guy who wouldn't have minded getting a little chippy within the rules (see what he did to Seattle's Red Bryant). The Browns could use another monster game from Chris Gocong; the last time, he helped stop Mendenhall on the goal line for four consecutive plays. |
| DB | |
Sheldon Brown did not have the best game the last time these two teams met, and Joe Haden had a slip-up at the end to put the game away. The safety play hasn't been bad for Cleveland, surprisingly. After a couple of strong weeks for Haden and company, can they create a few key turnovers early on in the game? |
| ST | |
Joshua Cribbs may not be back to elite status just yet, but his punt return for a touchdown last week was encouraging; maybe it'll get him over the hump when it comes to being tentative. There might be a rain/snow mix in the forecast for Sunday's finale, so the kicking and punting game could play a major role for both sides. |
I picked the Browns in an upset last week, and while they tempted with a surprising comeback, they obviously came up just a bit short. I think the right tackle situation hurts the Browns early in the game, and once you're down by a couple of possessions to the Steelers, it's not so easy to battle back.
FINAL PREDICTION: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Cleveland Browns 10
CHRIS' OVERALL NFL PREDICTIONS RECORD: 156-82
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normally i am a complete smartass but right now, in all honesty and in my fullest sincerity, I want to see a perfect game from our Brownies. I want to see them trounce the SHIT out of the steelers. I don’t care if this game means nothing for the record, it means something to us fans. I want the steelers to go 3 and out on every single one of their possessions. I want the browns to rack up the points. I want for Cribbs to run so many kicks back which the tenacity he had from years past that they take him off return duty and give someone else a try. I want to have a glimpse into the future, say the next 50 years at minimum, of the Cleveland Browns’ dominance over the steelers; to feel the speculation exuding from steelers fans that their streak of bullshit luck might be over; to hear, “oh the steelers used to destroy the browns” as the fallacy of steelers nation dwindles and their fans fall off of the wagon with every pothole they hit. I want to watch this game with beer in hand with my Browns friends at the bar that I always go to wearing my Joe Thomas jersey and see the idiots wearing black and piss yellow around me complain and whine about every flag and call that was called correctly or watch as they stare in disbelief that they don’t get the first down when the ball hasn’t passed the first down marker. I want to offer to shake each and every one of their hands as they file past me at game end knowing full well that offering to shake their hand at that exact moment with the largest grin on my face is the most asshole-ish thing I could do at that moment. I want to pat my Browns friends on their backs and tell them I will see them next year. I want to call my friends who are steelers fans the next day and spit into my phone from laughing and yelling so hard. I want to fax newspaper articles of the Browns trumping the steelers directly to mike thomlin’s office and to Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmur’s offices.
I want to revel in the glory of a currently bad team getting better to beat their opponents and triumph over evil.
And then I want to do it all again next year, exponentially.
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
by pwndabear on Dec 31, 2011 7:34 AM EST reply actions 12 recs
and then i’ll post some pics of animated gifs and go fishing for more douchy steeler fans.
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
by pwndabear on Dec 31, 2011 7:34 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Aye, I’ll drink to that.
PS- I’m actually old enough to drink now. So I am literally drinking to that right now.
Cheers mate.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks! Since coming home for the New Year’s holiday, I found another beer that I don’t think tastes like horse piss (the list consists of Killians Irish Red and Yuengling, Killians being the one I had this weekend), and I got a nice assortment of other liquers for our Christmas exchange. Unrelated, but I also got a big ass knife, which is awesome.
Now what’s say we beat the Shittsburgh Squeelers into utter oblivion to complete a wonderful weekend :)
Molson Canadian.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Excuse me, Molson Canadian, the beer that will never make u puke and always get you happy.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
If u need a knifing scenario, please talk to oreokat. I gotta fly.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
My dad swears by Killians And Molson. He thinks Yuengling is a stupid fad that people around here like because it was the first American brewery and it was close to Ohio. Also, it’s from Pennsylvania and he’s just not going to give that crappy state any love. You should be ashamed.
XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.
by SpecialBrownie on Jan 1, 2012 1:36 AM EST up reply actions
haha. When I was back there in October all we drank was Yuengling. I was told it wasn’t around for a while and it had just came back. I can see how it became a fad. It isn’t bad though. I kind of liked it. You can’t find it out here either.
by Brownie's Year on Jan 1, 2012 6:13 AM EST up reply actions
considering the price you can usually find it at, it’s pretty good. I think it’s generally about 6 bucks a 6-pack. It’s about the price of getting Corona iirc and I think it’s much better.
I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
Follow @BRoss2013
I was unaware it was the first American brewery, that’s kinda neat. I knew it was from PA, which admittedly made it a little more difficult to swallow, but in the end I decided to deal with it. It doesn’t taste like horse piss, so I like it. But now that you mention it, I am a little bit ashamed.
But rest assured, there will be no PA beer today.
It’s funny to hear you guys talk about Yuengling as something unique and different. I’m in central PA and Yuengling has always been a mainstay at every bar you go to here. I never even gave a thought to the fact that it isn’t everywhere, all the time.
Resident Tim Couch Apologist.
it only recently came to Ohio.
I had it when I went to school in Buffalo and it’s good. It probably gets a bit overrated because it’s a quality mainstay in a lot of places, but it’s definitely quality.
I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
Follow @BRoss2013
its definitely not americas first brewery. its currently just the oldest running.
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
by pwndabear on Jan 1, 2012 2:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Maybe that’s it. Still don’t care though.
XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.
by SpecialBrownie on Jan 1, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Lol I know you live there and are an alum of Penn State. But you live in the state of the Squeelers. That automatically ruins your state
XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.
by SpecialBrownie on Jan 1, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t forget the Eagles fans.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Jan 1, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
…and Penn State.
*Runs away.
XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.
by SpecialBrownie on Jan 1, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Shep- Sounds like you need some british style ales. American style IPAs (which I really like) are loaded with hops and a bit of an acquired taste.
If you ever get the chance look for Old Speckled Hen in the import section. I found a few cans in Toronto over the holidays as a 2012 present to meself. :-)
....just need a guy called Byner to play RT...
newcastle is great. Kinda overpriced imo even thought its good. would rather have GLBC beer at that price.
I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
Follow @BRoss2013
Don’t get the kid started on IPAs. You’ll ruin him!
by Brownie's Year on Jan 1, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
And you like cookies and candybars.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
Unless u got some other ’splanation?
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
CANDYBARS!
I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
Follow @BRoss2013
by bross09 on Dec 31, 2011 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Dick…still lmao as i just see it.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry. Seriously, I almost lost a gut.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
I have brownies.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 6:51 PM EST up reply actions
Got one!
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
by pwndabear on Dec 31, 2011 9:45 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Love this post….let’s win baby!
"There's a gleam men, there's a gleam!" Marty
by Red-Right-88 on Jan 1, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
I think winning would be cool but we can’t keep them out of the playoffs and i’m not quite sure it would be worth it draft wise. I would like to to see us lay a good beating on their offense though, like last game. Get them a bit sore for the playoffs. I could be just as happy with pwnda’s scenario though.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 9:02 AM EST reply actions
We play to win. There is no higher sense of purpose in this game than kicking the crap out of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hey, even Brady Quinn said it. This is our Superbowl.
by BuenosAires_Dawg on Dec 31, 2011 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
That is the problem , this is always our Superbowl. Lose the game trade 2 first rounders this year and our first rounder next year for Luck
I’d rather not sell out our next two drafts. Sit tight and see what falls to us.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Dec 31, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
I’d rather see us wait and pick RGIII than mortgage the farm trading up for Luck.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Dec 31, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
Same, but I doubt he falls to us either. I wouldn’t mind trading both ones this year for RG3 and keeping a #1 next year.
The Rams are the only team that slightly worries me, but I think the T3 will be Luck, Kalil, and Blackmon.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Dec 31, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
You think the Rams will spend another 1st round pick on a QB so soon? I’m not so easily convinced.
Honor. Courage. Commitment.
by Brownsbacker488 on Dec 31, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, like I said, only slightly worried. If we end up with the #4 and no one trades ahead of us, I think we have a good shot of Griffin falling to us.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Dec 31, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions
Somehow the fact this is our Superbowl does not seem linked to our avg draft position.
One game is not going to turn a team around. I just want to beat the Steelers.
by BuenosAires_Dawg on Dec 31, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
This and this
"There's a gleam men, there's a gleam!" Marty
by Red-Right-88 on Jan 1, 2012 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
Looking to the future doesn’t mean someone has a loser’s mentality.
by Bernie19Kosar on Jan 1, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
I think winning would be cool but we can’t keep them out of the playoffs and i’m not quite sure it would be worth it
I wouldnt worry too much about that.
by jonnyphoenix on Dec 31, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
Heard that.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
Was this written by Tony Pashos’ agent? I know the other guys are bad too – but Pashos has been so slow this year he is not an appreciable upgrade over anyone.
“I was dead-set on making these category “even” until I found out that Tony Pashos would be out with an injury. I really think the absence of Pashos will collapse the right side of the offensive line to the point where Cleveland’s run game and pass game will suffer significantly"
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
I think the results speak for themselves- whatever you think of Pashos when he plays, which is somewhere around league average (I’d say above average, some would say below) he looks light years ahead of the Hicks/Cousins QB death machine.
....just need a guy called Byner to play RT...
by LondonBrown on Dec 31, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Hicks/Cousins QB death machine. Very appropriate. I think maybe RM forgot just how horrible things were with those two in. But beyond just relative value, Pashos has played decently when he was on the field. Yes, he got beat sometimes, but that’s much better than getting beat every time (see QB death machine). And since the comparison is between the Browns line and that of the Steelers (which hasn’t been one of their strengths) I think the two would be at least even with Pashos healthy.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.
OMG the Ravens blew across that line at WILL with Pashos in.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
Hicks/Cousins QB death machine
LMAO
Good think Wallace has some wheels. Seriously.
That was my understanding.
by burntorangeandbrown on Jan 1, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
I have to squint to see that though.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Jan 1, 2012 12:55 AM EST up reply actions
Slow down and relax.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Jan 1, 2012 1:00 AM EST up reply actions
unfortunately those wheels only have on direction. Out of bounds.
I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
Follow @BRoss2013
This is just plain false.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Dec 31, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
He is an average RT. Pretty good in pass protection.
The guys we have covering him are below average, and that is way too kind. It’s going to be a problem.
by BuenosAires_Dawg on Dec 31, 2011 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Lets get Dawson his record setting +50 yard field goal. The guy has been stuck with this team forever, let him have some glory.
the only dawson points i want to see this game are extra points.
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
I hope to Thomas that Dawson doesn’t actually feel like he’s “stuck” in Cleveland. Aside from Lou Groza, he’s our most legendary kicker. If we’re lucky he’ll stay here until his retirement. I love the guy.
Honor. Courage. Commitment.
by Brownsbacker488 on Dec 31, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Is our safety play really looking that good, with TJ out? Interested in opinions. I wouldn’t mind a high round ball hawking FS to round things out back there, but if our guys are coming through, that’s a pick we can use elsewhere.
....just need a guy called Byner to play RT...
When you said this:
a high round ball hawking FS
I thought you wanted to try to convert a pothead basketball player to free safety.
Dawgs By Nature: Holy Joe Thomas we suck
Stranger things have happened.
I take this optimism shit seriously.
"Who gives two shits about Matt Roth besides Matt Roth and Matt Roth’s mom?" - LocalMan
by The Licensed Optimist on Dec 31, 2011 8:26 PM EST up reply actions
I really like Mike Adams, and I’ve been satisfied with Usama Young. It just seems like everytime I watch a Browns game, Adams is coming up with a pick or a key pass breakup or something like that. And I think Usama has done a good job filling in.
I thought Elam was the same way in the second half of the season last year. I think neither him nor Adams are great safeties. They’re serviceable with flashes of good, but not elite or anything like that.
Even Doug Dieken admits Joe Thomas is the real #73
Check out Iloka from Boise. 4th rounder.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
Filling in space… all the tackles he missed.
by BuenosAires_Dawg on Dec 31, 2011 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
I think our safeties are our worst unit right now.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Jan 1, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Mike Adams was come up with a few key stops and at least 2 big time hits this year which has surprised me, but I can’t agree with him on Usama Young. I wouldn’t be too opposed to nabbing a CB with our 2/3rd pick to move Brown over to FS.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by North Coast Flea on Jan 1, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions
Can’t wait to see Stooler Nation at the game tomorrow…
GIFSoup
Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein - Joe Theismann
by Kosar19 on Dec 31, 2011 6:47 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This makes me thirsty. Rather not have some Iron Shitty. Night.
DBN=Where we hate Chuck Noll for going 1-13 his first season, 5-9 his second and 6-8 his third. Oh yeah, he didn't get fired, that's why.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Dec 31, 2011 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
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