Broncos vs. Browns: Getting to Know the Enemy With Mile High Report

This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Denver Broncos in Week 6 of the regular season. To help preview this week's game, I reached out to Sadaraine from Mile High Report and exchanged five questions with him. Enjoy!

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Chris: "Jordan Norwood was a bit of a fan favorite (rooting for the underdog) in Cleveland several years ago. He is trying to resurrect his career with the Broncos. I'm used to Peyton Manning's third receivers putting up big-time stats, but Norwood only has 10 catches for 81 yards. Do the Broncos not use Norwood very much? What is your general assessment on him?"

Sadaraine: "The Broncos use Norwood as much as any at the #3 role. The offense has been focusing most of its attention to DT and Sanders (and rightly so...they are awesome WRs).  Norwood has absolutely worked his tail off this year and earned his role with the team. I really like his skill set. He has the quickness I like to see in a slot receiver and he's shown some really good hands. He and Bennie Fowler both had a large hill to climb at the start of the year to get ahead of Cody Latimer and Andre Caldwell in the depth chart and have clawed and scratched their way onto the field and more importantly gained Peyton's trust."

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Chris: "Peyton Manning is my favorite NFL player -- any time the Browns aren't playing, I'm in his corner rooting for him. This year, though, it seems like he's not just dropped off a little, but significantly. It's almost to the point where I think Josh McCown looks like a better option at quarterback. What has remained Manning's strength this year, and what would you say has become his biggest weakness?"

Sadaraine: "Great insight there...he has dropped off in play to my eyes as well dating back to the back half of last season. His greatest strength this year is his mind. He still reads defenses like no other and knows where his open routes are going to be.

His greatest weakness is his tendency to lock onto poor choices in hot routes, stare them down and throw to them when pressure is coming.  It has been the largest cause of his INTs this year by far."

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Chris: "The Broncos' offensive line has been struggling this year. Can you go up and down the line and tell us who is stable and who isn't?"

Sadaraine: "Left Tackle: Currently Ryan Harris who is only a backup quality tackle at this point in his career. He started the season at RT and was moved over when our rookie LT Ty Sambrailo got injured. I think he's an upgrade in run blocking on the left side over Ty, but both of them kinda suck at pass blocking.

Left Guard: Evan Mathis holds down this spot and is the bright shining spot in the factory of sadness that is our offensive line. He's gotten better each game this season and is turning out to be our best free agent signing of the off season.

Center: Matt Paradis is a 2nd year player here who to my eyes lacks the power to hold down the center position. He's smart and has the technique, but he gets pushed around far too much from what I've seen so far this year.

Right Guard: Louis Vasquez is the one hold over from last year's line (though he finished the season at RT for us). He's not playing up to the level we are used to seeing him, but he's our 2nd best lineman and is equally good vs run and the pass.

Right Tackle: Michael Schofield is a 2nd year guy playing on the right side. He's an upgrade over Ryan Harris at RT, but he's making rookie mistakes from time to time. So far he's represented himself well and it looks to me like he'll get better as the season goes on."

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Chris: "With DeMarcus Ware out this week, I expect Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett to fill his void. How have each of them looked in their limited reps this year?"

Sadaraine: "Like starters. It is that simple really. Both of them are starting quality OLBs for most teams that run a 3-4. They know how to get after the QB and neither are a liability against the run. Shane Ray was a big win in this year's draft. Shaquil Barrett is an absolute gem to keep around and develop even with past injuries and few opportunities. He's looked better to me through the preseason than Ray looked (and rightly so given their tenures)."

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Chris: "We know T.J. Ward is going to be fired up to face the Browns. In his final (and very productive) year in Cleveland, he was used predominantly as an in-the-box safety to help defend the run. What type of role does he take on in Denver, and how effective has he been?"

Sadaraine: "They really have moved him around for different roles from game to game. I really hate it when they man him up on a tight end because he kinda sucks at man coverage. He's was an absolute powerhouse against Detroit earlier this season when he was used as a box safety and a blitzer. That's his strength and I'm hoping we get away from putting him in man coverage...he's better in a deep zone where he can attack the ball."

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Thanks again to Sadaraine for taking the time to answer my questions.