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NFL > Cleveland Browns > Browns Vs. Saints - Monday Thoughts

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October 25, 2010, 10:50 AM

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Well folks that was one heck of an entertaining game! When is the last time we could be genuinely surprised by trickery that really worked. Kudo's to the coaching staff for drawing up plays that would work to knock the Saints on their heels and never really let them feel comfortable that what they were seeing is what they were going to get. Straight up football... we don't win that game. Being creative... we do! Very nice!

Here's how I thought we did:

1. Colt McCoy didn't make a costly mistake, and managed the game well. I know I am going to catch he** for this, but I still wish he were sitting and watching and Seneca were able to play, just because that was our plan and Seneca would have also managed this game well and probably would have provided more offense. That said, it is what it is and the rookie didn't hurt us and he got some confidence. Grade: C

2. Offense - Hillis had a pretty good game considering his yardage was sub-100. He still looks good and really is a clock killer. Bell wasn't terrible either... the two did a nice job keeping the clock moving and doing their job. Passing was mediocre at best, but it wasn't the gameplan. The offense did just enough. Grade: C

3. Defense - We looked a lot better yesterday. Two touchdowns earns us the win. I really liked the concept of everyone remaining standing and producing some really cool and confusing looks for Brees. Mostly, however, I was happy that WE didn't look confused this week. The defense looked like it knew what it was doing and executed (for the most part). I would give us an A EXCEPT that Wright still scares me to death. If I am not mistaken, he got beat badly twice and got lucky because a flag was thrown. Somehow we have got to have opposing QB's not looking for where #21 is and throwing it there... Grade: A-

4. Coaching - Let's face it, that was the best display of coaching we have seen from this group. Honestly (with the rumors that Gruden is possibly on the table), I am not sure I want to shake things up. Mangini seems to be putting something together and week over week we seem to be improving. We are just a few playmakers on offense and defense away from a very solid team. The trickery was not only exciting... but it was well planned, well executed and called in terrific situations. Grade: A

5. Special Teams - Really nice execution throughout the game. No huge returns for the Saints and two really awesome trick plays. A

Overall Grade: B+

Let's not get carried away, we have a long way to go to be the team that we want to be. However, we have takes steps forward and I would rather be us than the Bears, Tampa, Cincinatti, Bills, Denver, Arizona & Jacksonville. I might even through SF in there... but I can't figure them out. In any case... being able to list 6 teams is way different than it has felt in a long time!

Go Browns!

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October 25, 2010 10:51 AM ET

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Throw not Through.... wow... where did THAT come from???!!!???

BuckAye

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October 25, 2010 10:57 AM ET

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Morning BuckAye, good post! A game plan that worked....things are looking up.

LowCountryBrownsFan

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October 25, 2010 11:18 AM ET

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It became a lot easier to send McCoy back to the bench for Wallace after that game. It would have been impossible if he put up another 280 yds on the road again. At this point I'd be good either way.

On the defense the only thing you can say is that it FINALLY worked out the way Rob Ryan drew it up. The front seven was manhandling the o line of the Saints and they were finally able to get quick pressure. And congrats to Bowens. Heck of a game for the big man. And Scott Fujita too. I think he was the key. It's obvious he remembered that New Orleans playbook.

HellsGrimeTyrant

Van Nuys , CA

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October 25, 2010 11:24 AM ET

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You are the hardest playing football team in all of the NFL. Keep up the great work !

FanForLife

Dayton , OH

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October 25, 2010 12:13 PM ET

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It's hard to believe Ryan out coached Payton, It was perfect game planing and the fake punt was Genious!!!

Sam NYG v3.0

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October 25, 2010 12:32 PM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 12:13 PM ET 10.25 by Sam NYG v3.0

It's hard to believe Ryan out coached Payton, It was perfect game planing and the fake punt was Genious!!!

Fugita's knowledge of the playbook/tendencies probably helped when they were drawing up the gameplan for the Saints. Gotta love that Cleveland's punter, Reggie Hodges, was the teams second leading rusher.

LowCountryBrownsFan

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October 25, 2010 12:38 PM ET

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Kudos to the Browns and their fans, The Saints were out played, out matched and out coached Sunday, a well deserved win by Cleveland.

*Charles*

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October 25, 2010 01:01 PM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:38 PM ET 10.25 by *Charles*

Kudos to the Browns and their fans, The Saints were out played, out matched and out coached Sunday, a well deserved win by Cleveland.

Agreed....Puff out your chest fellow Dawgs! It's a good week to be a Brownie!

sme2thcwe

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October 25, 2010 01:10 PM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 11:24 AM ET 10.25 by FanForLife

You are the hardest playing football team in all of the NFL. Keep up the great work !

I don't know about THE hardest... but I agree we don't give up, and that is nice. Thanks for the kind words to you and the others who have chimed in!

BuckAye

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October 25, 2010 08:21 PM ET

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A couple of post's ago, I was calling for Ryan's head for how poorly we defended the Steelers. I am happy to be eating my words. The defense performed quite well and also finally had some "luck" go in their favor. And kudos to Mr. Bowens for giving us the 14 points that kept us from loosing by one point.

As far as Colt being the current starter, the parallels with the '85 Browns and Bernie Kosar are uncanny. Take over as starter in week 6, run oriented offense, plans to ride bench for a couple of years, etc. Check out the following articles for a refresher in Browns history. I am starting to get excited. The running backs, the trick plays....I am ready for some Browns football!

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/year-by-year-results/1985.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Kosar

ITZMEBROWNSFAN

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October 25, 2010 08:52 PM ET

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I have 2 words for ya... Madden Curse....LOL Brees is horrible this year for no other logical reason.

KikinYoAzz

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October 25, 2010 08:58 PM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 01:10 PM ET 10.25 by BuckAye

I don't know about THE hardest... but I agree we don't give up, and that is nice. Thanks for the kind words to you and the others who have chimed in!

I agree, Browns are hard working but despite the goose egg in the win column, the Bills work their A*S*S*S* off every week despite not having a win to show for it.

KikinYoAzz

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October 26, 2010 05:06 PM ET

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They are tweaking the roster again. Sorry to see Davis go, but he hasn't done squat yet anyway.

Yamon Figurs (WR) cut.
Demetrius Williams (WR) signed.
Thomas Clayton (RB) acquired from waivers.
James Davis (RB) cut.

ITZMEBROWNSFAN

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October 26, 2010 09:44 PM ET

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Congrats Browns! You went down to the 'Dome and kicked-A**/didn't take names...... A tongue-in-cheek "thanks" is also warranted, as your humiliation of the Saints may lead to them giving the Steelers all they can handle at home on prime time this weekend..."thanks again." LOL

Maybe if we're smart, we'll be looking at alot of game film this week.........