Browns vs. Packers: Preseason Game 1
- I am in awe of Lambeau Nation. A crowd of 50k+ showed up for a meaningless game and cheered "Go-Pack, Go" the entire game. What a great fanbase!
- The good news for the Browns was that this was the first preseason game. The bad news was that there were no signs of improvement from the RAC era.
- PS, did't anyone tell Mangini about the "curse of the poopey pants"?? We wore those solid brown pants last year in preseason against the Giants and got blown out. It was those pants that all of our woes were attributed too! The Browns did offer a slight modification to the pants though. Instead of solid brown socks to go along with the pants, they had white socks with brown and orange stripes. That combination looked a lot better than last year's version.
- The Browns were without several notable players including OT- Ryan Tucker and DT- Shaun Rodgers. The Packers however were without several key players of their own, including CB's Charles Woodson and Al Harris. In other words, there was no excuse.
- Mangini has preached discipline and intelligence since Day 1, yet on a field goal attempt, our O-Lineman (Hank Fraley) was called for a holding penalty. This penalty moved the ball far enough back for our kicker to miss on the 2nd attempt. 3 points were squandered. On a 3rd and long with the Packers driving, the Browns got called for a defensive holding that extended their drive and eventually led to a TD. When your team lacks skill players, you have to play smart. This team won't be able to overcome stupid mistakes and squandered points like that in the regular season.
- Mangini had an interesting QB rotation. Quinn started the first series. Then, Derek Anderson the next two. Quinn came back in the third series with 2 minutes remaining in the 1st half.
- Overall, Quinn looked like the better QB of the two. He drove the team down for a score attempt in both series', yet the team didn't come away with points. In the first series, the kicker missed a field goal, which was set back by a penalty. In his other series, he hit Braylon Edwards dropped a TD pass. In the very next play, Quinn went back to BE and this time he threw behind him and it got intercepted. Another squandered attempt....
- Derek looked awful. In two series', he was 0 for 2 with 1 interception. To say that the Mighty Quinn has a leg up on the starter position is an understatement.
- Speaking of Braylon, what the F* is his problem? It looks like his case of the dropsies from a year ago is still an issue with him. He lead the league in drops last year. Not a good first impression this year in dropping his first catch attempt either. Quinn hit him square in the chest in the endzone, yet Braylon lept in the air for some odd reason (trying to be dramatic?) and he dropped it. 6 more points down the drain. Thanks Braylon. Why don't you do us all a favor and go back to Michigan!
- Our defense didn't look any better this year either. I realize we play Green Bay again this year and we might not want to show them all of tricks, but by the looks of things, nothing has changed from the previous years. We couldn't stop the run. We got beat on long passes. Our defense suddenly goes to "Prevent" in 3rd and long situations. (Thanks a lot you Fat Tub-O Goo!!!!!!!!) Salsa, I was hoping you were wrong, but if this one game was any indication, I get what you were trying to tell me...
- Mangini still declares the QB competition open. If Quinn started this game, will Anderson start against Detroit? What if Anderson lights it up against the feeble Lions this Saturday in Game 2, which is very possible? I'll tell you what, we are right back to square 1 in determining a starting QB, heading into game 3!
- By the all around pathetic performance on Saturday, I expect Mangini to correct these things. He now has gametape to review and the players to study. The good news is that we have 3 more "fake" games to correct some issues. I want to see progress starting this Saturday in the Great Lakes Classic against the Detroit Lions. If I don't, I'll really begin to panic.......
