2019 Browns Rant Thread

[Norm]

The hard thing for me is I have no idea if Monken is part of the problem, or part of the solution. I don’t even know what he does or how he works with the offense. He doesn’t speak to the media often.

To some people, our offense would be better if Freddie gave up playcalling and let Monken call from the booth. To others, Monken’s plays and offensive philosophy (which he’s previously had success with) are the main problem in the first place.

Don’t know what the right move is.

Freddie needs to give up playcalling. It's almost like we got too cute with all of our weapons, yet we're rendering those weapons useless.

Let Monken call the plays. And for the love of all that is holy, stop lining up in shotgun for 95% of the plays.

 

[Douglar]

It’s absolutely insane the lack of innovation in our offense.

That's what kills me. Last year, there where a number of things that the team did that were inventive & creative and when you looked at them on paper and on film, they looked like sound decisions that gave our team an advantage.

This year, it looks like the Browns are doing the opposite of sound play calling to gain the element of surprise. Doesn't seem like it is going to suddenly start working either.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

That's what kills me. Last year, there where a number of things that the team did that were inventive & creative and when you looked at them on paper and on film, they looked like sound decisions that gave our team an advantage.

This year, it looks like the Browns are doing the opposite of sound play calling to gain the element of surprise. Doesn't seem like it is going to suddenly start working either.

That’s what worries me. I can only think of a couple scenario’s based on what we’ve seen, and none of them are that good:

1. We’re running Monken’s system and Freddie’s actually a terrible play-caller

2. We’re running Monken’s system, his system actually sucks and is a bad fit for this team but we’re sticking with it.

3. Freddie’s trying to appease Monken and it’s not working.

4. Freddie’s real offensive system sucks. What we saw last year was actually a watered down version given the situation which made play calling easier and was heavily influenced by the players.

5. We’re watching someone who never should have been a head coach in the first place who capitalized on a rookie QB, the worst head coach in the history of the NFL, about 20 years of bad football, a soft schedule, and performing well with zero pressure or expectations.

6. Freddie shouldn’t be calling plays

Don’t know which one it is, but my gut is telling me a strong dose of 5 and 3 with a pinch of 1 and 6 for flavor.

The more I see Freddie in pre and post game interviews, play-calling, and situational management, I’m just worried we picked a guy who was ill-prepared to be a head coach.

 

[Triplethreat]

More from last season.

WHERE IS THIS MISDIRECTION. It was there.

Didn’t Bob Wylie say some shit about how it wasn’t even Freddie doing the coaching or scheming of the offense last year???

I’m starting to believe it.

 

[Norm]

That’s what worries me. I can only think of a couple scenario’s based on what we’ve seen, and none of them are that good:

1. We’re running Monken’s system and Freddie’s actually a terrible play-caller

2. We’re running Monken’s system, his system actually sucks and is a bad fit for this team but we’re sticking with it.

3. Freddie’s trying to appease Monken and it’s not working.

4. Freddie’s real offensive system sucks. What we saw last year was actually a watered down version given the situation which made play calling easier and was heavily influenced by the players.

5. We’re watching someone who never should have been a head coach in the first place who capitalized on a rookie QB, the worst head coach in the history of the NFL, about 20 years of bad football, a soft schedule, and performing well with zero pressure or expectations.

6. Freddie shouldn’t be calling plays

Don’t know which one it is, but my gut is telling me a strong dose of 5 and 3 with a pinch of 1 and 6 for flavor.

The more I see Freddie in pre and post game interviews, play-calling, and situational management, I’m just worried we picked a guy who was ill-prepared to be a head coach.

Too much on his plate. And trying too hard on offense.

We have a really good back. 2 WRs that excel after the catch. Run the ball. And quick hitting throws. Our defense is going to be wore out in a few weeks if our offense can't string together some long sustainable, clock eating drives. Garrett was sucking wind last night in the 3rd quarter as alot of our big boys on D were.

 

[AZ_]

It’s absolutely insane the lack of innovation in our offense.

Every time I watch these other teams, including even the rams last night I’m seeing wide open guys getting the ball multiple times PER DRIVE, and yet when we play it seems like there is absolutely none of that going on.

Not sure why we aren’t incorporating more of the stuff that the Chiefs have been doing in the Twitter post above. A ton of misdirection, which actually helps your offensive line in pass pro.

I actually feel bad for Baker.

I mean, beyond the countless videos of Baker missing open receivers (that apologists are going to apparently ignore), thinking that adding more misdirection is some sort of key unlock to the problems of this offense is somewhat disingenuous.

They're among the league leaders in RPO, we're watching players get open and the ball being delivered late and off-balance.

Don't feel bad for Baker, he's been bad. You can baby it all you want, but "misdirection" ain't fixing the problem right now.

 

[Triplethreat]

I mean, beyond the countless videos of Baker missing open receivers (that apologists are going to apparently ignore), thinking that adding more misdirection is some sort of key unlock to the problems of this offense is somewhat disingenuous.

They're among the league leaders in RPO, we're watching players get open and the ball being delivered late and off-balance.

Don't feel bad for Baker, he's been bad. You can baby it all you want, but "misdirection" ain't fixing the problem right now.

He’s been horrible.

But if you honest to god in any way think he’s been put in a good position to succeed to this point then you’re kidding yourselfz

 

[Mr. Orange]

Baker has been awful. And Freddie....well let's just say he isn't splitting the atom anytime soon. But I'll give them one more game. At 1-3 it's time to throw in the towel.

 

[Los216]

Baker has been awful. And Freddie....well let's just say he isn't splitting the atom anytime soon. But I'll give them one more game. At 1-3 it's time to throw in the towel.

PIT and CIN are one loss away from being out of it. We have to win Sunday and put BAL and LJ under some pressure. Season is not close to being over. This is our toughest stretch but a win on Sunday against BAL flips the whole Division and season around.

 

[Jordan]

He’s been horrible.

But if you honest to god in any way think he’s been put in a good position to succeed to this point then you’re kidding yourselfz

AZ isn’t saying that, though... this team has problems abound.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

I mean, beyond the countless videos of Baker missing open receivers (that apologists are going to apparently ignore), thinking that adding more misdirection is some sort of key unlock to the problems of this offense is somewhat disingenuous.

They're among the league leaders in RPO, we're watching players get open and the ball being delivered late and off-balance.

Don't feel bad for Baker, he's been bad. You can baby it all you want, but "misdirection" ain't fixing the problem right now.

Yeah I haven’t seen anyone excusing Baker’s play. He’s been really bad so far. Holding onto the ball too long, forcing throws, missing open WRs, not being able to read coverages, etc. Play-calling has been bad but Baker’s been pretty on par with the level of suck.

Most frustrating thing is the undisciplined play on offense that has forced us to abandon the run due to long down-and-distance situations. Chubb’s been the only real bright spot on offense when he’s had a chance but he’s just not getting enough touches.

Starting to wish we never would’ve gotten rid of Duke. Given some of the coverages we’re seeing, pass protection issues, and injuries / suspensions to other pass catchers and backs, he’d probably be useful right about now.

 

[AZ_]

He’s been horrible.

But if you honest to god in any way think he’s been put in a good position to succeed to this point then you’re kidding yourselfz

The open missed receivers would suggest that execution is the larger problem. Also a function of coaching, in a sense. What the hell are the QB coaches doing in film and in practice to explain why Baker is not hitting these guys.

If he's not pulling the trigger on open receivers, what good is improved play-calling going to do? Make them MORE open?

Maybe they'll improve his rhythm and timing...MAYBE.

But if you need to pigeonhole your QB this much to make him look competent, you have a BIG problem.

 

[Los216]

The open missed receivers would suggest that execution is the larger problem. Also a function of coaching, in a sense. What the hell are the QB coaches doing in film and in practice to explain why Baker is not hitting these guys.

If he's not pulling the trigger on open receivers, what good is improved play-calling going to do? Make them MORE open?

Maybe they'll improve his rhythm and timing...MAYBE.

But if you need to pigeonhole your QB this much to make him look competent, you have a BIG problem.

I actually think Baker‘s biggest issue this season has been his anticipation. From the pressure of the pass rush to the breaks in receivers routes. He’s not anticipating and it’s not surprising when you mix in new concepts with new players.

Now the question of which is the bigger issue of the new play concepts versus Baker just suck is hard to definitively say since well Baker sucks right now but the play calling in general sucks. If it was just the passing game it would be easy to say it’s mainly Baker but even the run game has been a disappointment. Chubb has a good game but almost every run was to the outside. The high amount of shotgun and single back sets are making the run game and pas game less effective. Probably need to take a different approach as far as game planning goes which according to Freddie is Monken‘s primary responsibility.

 

[Kbiz]

Baker looks uncomfortable and the coaching staff isn't doing him any favors. I am not sure if he is just underprepared coming into this year or there are issues between Monken and Kitchens that are hindering him from grasping the concepts needed to establish any semblance of rhythm in this offense. He is still showing the makings of a good NFL QB with pretty tough throws here and there but sheesh, there's a lot that needs cleaned up.

Awful offensive play calling was the nail in the coffin last night. You have four chances to punch it in to tie the game and Chubb isn't featured as a potential running / catching threat out of the backfield once? No excuse for that.

Regardless it seems that these problems are fixable throughout the season, assuming Freddie isn't just a moron but he's yet to prove that he can fill HC shoes, and the musings from the media / outside pressure is only going to increase as the L's pile up.

Hopefully Dorsey's voice is shot by the end of the day.

 

[Akron330]

Baker and the play calling have been extremely underwhelming. Bad play calling and bad quarterback play is a recipe for disaster and that's exactly what this offense has been. Throwing in some sort of misdirection will certainly help, but it won't solve all of our problems. It wouldn't hurt to get Baker under center and boot him out from time to time the way the Rams did with Goff last night. Some of the Rams biggest offensive plays were off of boot and drag routes. They don't do anything to keep defenses guessing, there's absolutely zero window dressing pre-snap.