Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns - Official Game Thread

Game: Detroit Lions(0-1) vs. Cleveland Browns(1-0)
Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium (Cleveland, OH)
When: 7:00 PM EST (Browns Pre-game for Cleveland viewers is at 6:30 PM)
Last week, it seemed like quarterback Charlie Frye took control of the position over Derek Anderson, but the competition isn't over yet. Could a matchup against a porous Lions' defense permit some more success this time around? Last week, our secondary had no issues whatsoever with the Chiefs offense, but this week could be a whole different story. The Lions have one of the best passing offenses in the NFL: will we see any flaws from someone like Eric Wright? Let's find out what's in store for today's game...
What We're Looking For:
- Quarterbacks: Depending on who starts the game, it's tough to tell how much time each quarterback will receive in the system. Whatever happens though, a starting quarterback must be named after this week's game, or Romeo Crennel is an idiot. Even if the quarterbacks are close, he needs to make sure the starter develops more chemistry with the first-team offense without having to worry about the second team. Brady Quinn will get some playing time in the second half, and I'd expect him to try some throws down the field.
- Running Backs: After being limited to four carries last week, I expect the Browns to attempt at least one drive in the first half in which they feed Jamal Lewis the ball several times in a row. Granted, we'd like to see the quarterbacks get some reps to show who the starter will be, but it cannot be at the expense of the running game. Jerome Harrison has looked better in practice than he did on gameday last week and will be seeking redemption. Chris Barclay has seen more reps in practice after his game-winning kick return last week, so it'll be interesting to see if his number is called when Quinn is in the game.
- Wide Receivers: I haven't really seen too many injury updates on Tim Carter, but it would be nice to see how effective he can be as a slot receiver. Travis Wilson and Joshua Cribbs failed to impress last week as receivers, but they will probably see action before Maurice Mann and Steve Sanders, two men who have been looking very good in camp. Joe Jurevicius wasn't really targeted last week, but based on Derek Anderson's success with him last year, it would make sense to throw the ball towards his way often.
- Tight Ends: To be quite honest, I could care less if Kellen Winslow gets the ball in the preseason, because I'd really like to save all of his energy, and the plays associated with him, for the regular season. My interest here involves the competition between Ryan Krause and Darnell Dinkins, particularly how much better of a blocker Dinkins is than Krause.
- Offensive Line: The pass protection was solid last week, but we get more of a glimpse on the push they get in the running game today. It's early in the year, but hopefully Joe Thomas does not have another false start this week, considering he's only supposed to play about one half. Last year's draft pick, Isaac Sowells, may return to action with the second team offense. His progress may determine whether or not I'd rather put him on the PUP list to start the season or not.
- Defensive Line: The defensive line wasn't exposed last week, but that was more so related to the Chiefs being so inept offensively. The Lions are not notorious for their running game, as they'll feature Tatum Bell in the backfield to start things off. If the Browns are trying to defend the pass in certain situations, I want to see how well our defensive line reacts to the draw play.
- Linebackers: Linebacker David McMillan stepped up last week and could see some reps earlier in the game. During the week, Leon Williams has seen extensive playing time with the first string, and could actually start if Andra Davis is rested. I'd like to see if the Browns try out the combination where Kamerion Wimbley and Antwaan Peek rush from the same side, but that's probably something that they'll save for the season.
- Defensive Backs: The secondary couldn't have done a better job last week, but they'll be put to the test in a major way when they have to defend both Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. The Lions passed for around 500 yards of offense last week against the Cincinnati Bengals defense, and veteran Jon Kitna will not be afraid to attack Eric Wright often. I think Wright will be fine, but I'm particularly interested how Brodney Pool will do in coverage when one of the Lions' receivers cut towards the middle of the field on a deep ball.
- Special Teams: There are no concerns for Phil Dawson or Dave Zastudil, meaning the focus here will be on the punt return game. Chris Barclay started attempting some reps at the position in practice, but muffed a few of them. Syndric Steptoe was not flashy last week, and will get a second crack at showcasing himself.
This is the official gameday topic for the second preseason game of the year, featuring the Detroit Lions against the Cleveland Browns. All comments regarding the game should be posted in this topic. Last, but not least, GO BROWNS!!!
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41 comments
Comments
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by kjc on Aug 18, 2007 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by kjc on Aug 18, 2007 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
After that, all of the reps were given to the backups. I think Cribbs has both kick returns locked up.
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
Also, as expected, Lennie Freidman, Leon Williams, and Eric Wright are starting. Of those three, Williams has the best chance to gain based on his performance.
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 6:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
Anderson's first play of the game: Kevin Shaffer blows his assignment big time, Joe Thomas called for holding penalty, and Derek Anderson stripped of the football for a fumble.
No brownie points for Anderson.
Great job by Browns defense in a short field...looking better without Andra Davis.
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 7:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What's up?
Whatever the answer, get it fixed.
by mkwng on Aug 18, 2007 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland ...
by TonyH on Aug 18, 2007 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland ...
by mrich on Aug 18, 2007 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland ...
I miss the BTF game chatters. Hopefully if the Indians make the playoffs there will be a resurgence.
by TonyH on Aug 18, 2007 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland ...
I've been doing the occasional LGT game thread, but it's just not the same without you, Dan, Kelly, and the rest of the crew.
by mrich on Aug 18, 2007 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland ...
And as I type this Bodden hurts his ankle. Great.
by TonyH on Aug 18, 2007 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland ...
by kjc on Aug 18, 2007 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bernie
Man, our QBs stink. Ooof.
by mrich on Aug 18, 2007 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Bernie
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Bernie
by BringBackKosar on Aug 19, 2007 5:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ankle
by mrich on Aug 18, 2007 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: ankle
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by TonyH on Aug 18, 2007 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
"You have nothing to lose in preseason. Aaaaaaabolutely nothing." LOL
by TonyH on Aug 18, 2007 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
QBs
by mrich on Aug 18, 2007 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: QBs
It will be interesting to see how quickly Brady Quinn gets to see the field.
by TonyH on Aug 18, 2007 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: QBs
Overall, just an ugly offense all around after Jamal Lewis, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow were taken out of the lineup.
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: QBs
by TonyH on Aug 18, 2007 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: QBs
by kjc on Aug 19, 2007 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: QBs
by romeomustgo on Aug 21, 2007 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by NickFantana on Aug 18, 2007 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by kjc on Aug 19, 2007 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
- wat happened with frye at the end of the half on 4th down?
- how did steptoe look?
- what happened with like 30 seconds left in the half where they scored a field goal after a TD?
- I was listening to the game and it sounded like Quinn did a lot of shotgun. did other qbs do a lot of shotgun too?
- how did Eric Wright and Joe Thomas do?
by kjc on Aug 18, 2007 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
Steptoe was okay, I guess. He had a drop as a receiver. He still looks slow to me on punt returns in making that first step.
After the TD, Frye floated a pass over Heiden's head, which was picked and returned to around the 20 of the Browns. Well drawn play, bad throw that floated well above Heiden.
Quinn did a lot of shotgun. Almost, if not entirely, every play was from the shotgun. Actually, he was smart with his plays in that the Lions went into a prevent, allowing Harrison to run after the catch, which he does well. So a lot of Quinn's throws were dump offs and got some YAC. But the other QBs weren't in the gun nearly as much.
I don't remember hearing Wright's or Thomas' name that often, so I'd assume well. Wright had a nice play or two early on, and I think he got pulled early with some of the other prominent names (Winslow, Jurevicius, Lewis, Washington, etc.). I'm not sure Thomas' name was mentioned and the protection in general, was pretty good.
by Fundamentals on Aug 18, 2007 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by kjc on Aug 18, 2007 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by BringBackKosar on Aug 19, 2007 5:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
- If I recall correctly, Frye tried a quick QB sneak with a yard and a half to go. Not only did the Browns fail to get it, I think someone was charged with either a holding call or not being lined up correctly.
- Steptoe may have gotten a catch in the fourth quarter, and he returned a punt or two. He didn't do anything to wow anyone.
- Frye threw the ball extremely high to an open Steve Heiden, and the ball was picked off.
- Quinn did more shotgun since we were in catch-up mode. We were trying to score quickly, so there was no need to really set up any formation that could involve a run play. Frye and Anderson were used under normal circumstances under center to permit the running game.
- Eric Wright had nice coverage on Calvin Johnson on an early pass; no glaring weaknesses. Joe Thomas had a holding penalty on the first play, but again, didn't seem to allow anyone to blow by him. The Browns seemed to run Jamal Lewis on the right side of the line though.
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 18, 2007 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by kjc on Aug 18, 2007 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
Have to save those thoughts for the review ;)
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 19, 2007 9:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
also if i had to pick right now krause would be above dinkins and as much as i am a fan of uncks special teams skills i say griffin will make the team over unck. also if unck gets cut im sure Atlanta will sign him with Rosburg over there.
by kjc on Aug 19, 2007 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
Edwards, Jurevicius, Carter, Cribbs, Wilson are the receivers. We'll utilize the TE's and RB's a lot in the offense, so having a sixth receiver wouldn't do much but waste a roster spot. Sanders is competing for the practice squad job with Kendrick Mosley and Maurice Mann IMO.
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 19, 2007 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by kjc on Aug 19, 2007 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
by ChrisPokorny on Aug 19, 2007 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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