FanNation

G.O.A.T. said 06/14, 08:44 AM
A turnaround from 4-12 one year to 10-6 the next is not be some miracle, Foosball. They still had somewhat of a change on the defensive side of the ball.

Don't get me wrong, stats can show a lot of things, but by the end of the season the Browns' defense had greatly improved. In their last four games, they did not give up more than 19 points in any of them, which included a shutout of the Bills and holding the 49ers to only 7 points. Now, I realize neither of those teams were all that great, but consider this: In 2006, NOT ONCE did the Browns hold their opponent under 10 points in a game.

The defense is improving for them. They started to show that towards the end of the year and will prove it this year.

Foosball, I realize the loss to the Bengals killed them, but they only gave up 19 points in the game! It's not like they gave up 35 points. That game could IN NO WAY be blamed on the defense. Derek Anderson was only 29-48 throwing with two touchdowns to FOUR interceptions.

Stop making their defense out to be so bad. It was improving and was showing how good it can be at the end of last season. Their balance was getting better as the season went on. Stats don't show that

G.O.A.T. said 06/15, 10:37 AM
I don't care where their defense ranked overall, Foosball. You're not refuting what I said. I am talking about how they improved from the start of the season to the end, which they obviously did. Putting together the entire season is not all that fair, in my opinion.

Anderson was a Pro-Bowler last year, as you mentioned, but he, just like the defense, improved as the season progressed. In the first 8 weeks of the season, he threw over 250 yards only twice. In the remaining 9 games, he threw over 250 yards FIVE TIMES.

Regarding QB rating, the SB-winning QB ranked 25th in the League in that category. How important is it really?

Concerning interceptions, one of the greatest QBs of this era holds the record for most career interceptions. (Brett Favre with 288) That same quarterback has a CAREER rating of only 85.7. So I ask you again, how important is it really?

Your mention of a focus on the running game actually helps my argument. That means the Browns had a balanced attack last season. I'm pretty sure that's good and only helps my case for their being for real.

In those 3 losses, they were blown out once at the start of the year. No one is consistent every week.NoRoom

G.O.A.T. said 06/15, 03:55 PM
You didn't refute the fact that their defense was getting better by the end of the year. All you did was repeat that they were in the bottom third.

Okay, yes, he had 19 INTs, but he also had 29 TDs. That's a +10, okay. Drew Brees was +10 as well. Tony Romo, a top 5 QB in the stat you seem to love (QB rating) also threw 19 picks last season.

Also, you failed to respond to the fact that great quarterbacks (such as Favre) can, in fact, throw an above average number of interceptions. Chad Pennington threw 10 touchdowns to Anderson's 29. Jackson threw 9.

You're right; I don't care where the D ranks overall. If you were paying attention to my argument, you would understand why. Because THEY IMPROVED as the season went along. If they had had Anderson as their QB the entire season, I see them making the playoffs. You also can't forget the fact that the Colts practically ushered the Titans into the playoffs.

Bottom Line: The Browns have a solid D, not a great one, but a solid one at the least to go with their dynamic offense of Anderson, Edwards, Winslow, and Jamal Lewis. You also can't forget their special teams with Josh Cribbs. They are FOR REAL.