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Week 9: Buccaneers @ Browns: 1:00 P.M. on FOX

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What Hoyer did do is prove that he can compete with a lackluster receiving corps and an exposed interior line. I posted a breakdown of how zone blocking works in another Browns season thread. If the guards and center are no longer getting to their second assignment, the running back is easy pickings. I can't stress enough that the backs who looked great behind Mack are the same damn backs. If the team doesn't find some help at center or guard to finish out the season, it will be up to Shanahan to design plays that this line can indeed execute.

On to the receivers, before the season began we knew that Cameron would need to step up with Gordon on the shelf. He is the only guy who can grab a pass with tight coverage. Miles is running on fumes, everyone else is a midget. So what happens? Cameron gets banged up when he is needed most.

And somehow, if the Browns get Cam healthy and Gordon can look like the player he was last year... I think Hoyer's red zone passing will be back to where the Browns were last year. The schedule provided some nice breaks, and those are gone now. They won most of the games they needed to win. I am concerned about the line, but at least the receiving disaster has a light at the end of the tunnel.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/completionPct
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Thanks for the week old stats, NtG. Additionally, thank you for the most simplistic analysis of a quarterback possible. If you don't see how the rest of the offense around the quarterback changes the what a quarterback can do, that's your loss. Its a beautiful game once you understand it.
 
They exceeded expectations, but expectations were as low as any receiving corps since 1999. I would love to see someone like V. Jax or Evans on this squad. Somebody that has some presence in the red zone.
Totally agree the need for a redzone threat is there. When Cameron and Gordon get back, I think we will be looking at a very good corps. Elite, if Gordon and Cameron can get back to playing like last season. Should help open the running game up as well.
 
Few changes I'd like to see going into Thursday and if you disagree then you're an asshole.

Taylor Gabriel needs to be the main return man.

Terrence West needs to start and finish, we seemed to move forward more with him. Mix in Crow more which means less of Tate.

One of you guys start at center. McDonald needs to go back at Miccy D's.
 
You are catching on Pick6. Also should say Whitner seems to step up for home games. I thought the game was going to be won or lost by the run defense, and they came together in the second half. Luckily Glennon is putrid and the Bucs kept throwing.
 
Pros:

Defense played well overall. They were gashed in the running game in the first half but made adjustments to prevent that in the second half.

Whitner had a big game for the defense.

Battled through some tough matchups with Skrine on Evans etc.

Hoyer made some big plays when he needed to. The running game was a bit better.

Cons:

Consistency. We had some great moments but there were a lot of bad ones.

Taking advantage of opportunities. Having the ball on the half yard line on 2nd down and only getting a FG was awful. Need to capitalize more.

The interior offensive line is still really bad.
 
What Hoyer did do is prove that he can compete with a lackluster receiving corps and an exposed interior line. I posted a breakdown of how zone blocking works in another Browns season thread. If the guards and center are no longer getting to their second assignment, the running back is easy pickings. I can't stress enough that the backs who looked great behind Mack are the same damn backs. If the team doesn't find some help at center or guard to finish out the season, it will be up to Shanahan to design plays that this line can indeed execute.

On to the receivers, before the season began we knew that Cameron would need to step up with Gordon on the shelf. He is the only guy who can grab a pass with tight coverage. Miles is running on fumes, everyone else is a midget. So what happens? Cameron gets banged up when he is needed most.

And somehow, if the Browns get Cam healthy and Gordon can look like the player he was last year... I think Hoyer's red zone passing will be back to where the Browns were last year. The schedule provided some nice breaks, and those are gone now. They won most of the games they needed to win. I am concerned about the line, but at least the receiving disaster has a light at the end of the tunnel.


Gabriel and Gordon on the field together can be sick. Both are deep ball threats the defense has to worry about.
 
Worst rushing attack in the NFL the past three weeks.

Too much focus on a position that is quietly getting the job done (QB) not enough focus on the real issues: running game, run blocking, punt returning, a consistent run defense.

We improve even a couple of those areas and suddenly the quarterback's job gets even easier.
 
Gabriel and Gordon on the field together can be sick. Both are deep ball threats the defense has to worry about.

Gabriel has improved every week, which is all you can ask for from an undrafted free agent forced into a bigger stage than any other franchise should expect. This has been my biggest beef with the receivers going back to cut day: these are all slot receivers aside from Miles. If a team like Tampa Bay had Hawkins, Gabriel, or Benjamin as a slot receiver, these guys would be weapons in the middle of the field and likely never play in the red zone. But, because the team suits up the Ghost of Miles Past and a bunch of blocking tight ends, the team uses slot guys on the outside. Outside receivers were the clear biggest need on the roster since August.
 
Worst rushing attack in the NFL the past three weeks.

Too much focus on a position that is quietly getting the job done (QB) not enough focus on the real issues: running game, run blocking, punt returning, a consistent run defense.

We improve even a couple of those areas and suddenly the quarterback's job gets even easier.

Or helping out the run game with a consistent pass game to avoid the loaded box.
 
I understand that Hoyer is working with sub-par receivers and the run blocking has been atrocious since the Mack injury, but I can't help but think that Hoyer is going to get exposed badly against teams that have formidable defenses. His accuracy has issues, even when there is no pressure. When there is pressure, he needs plays like the one Terrence West made to keep him upright. That resulted in a TD throw to Gabriel on a play where TB's defense broke down. Hoyer threw the ball off his back foot on that play.

I am not saying to bench him because he has an offense that is without three pro bowlers, but I'd like to see him be a little more accurate. Throwing passes two feet behind a WR on a quick slant has to stop.
 
These are all still NFL teams. We were 4-12 last year and in most games. I think the team will be fine if get the weapons back and the oline can start to play better.

Some of you expect perfection every snap. This was a 4-12 team last year who is now 5-3 and has been missing 3 of its top 4 players on offense. Let's give the team some slack and hope we cont to see a team get better.
 
Or helping out the run game with a consistent pass game to avoid the loaded box.

What I'm seeing is that personnel may dictate the team become a little more pass first, run second. They can't keep calling zone blocking plays behind a bad line. The domino effect falls from there. Middle pressure with delayed blitzes neutralize both the runs and bring tremendous heat on Hoyer right in his face before his receiver's routes develop. Will Shanahan experiment with more tight end and receiver bubble screens? That would be the next logical counter move with a bunch of slot receivers who run after the catch. It just isn't the type of offensive philosophy on which Shanahan hangs his hat.
 
I must've been watching a different game today. I could've sworn Hoyer picked out a number of precision inch-perfect passes that had me pumping my fist - thought he really did well this week.

On another note, our rushing offense is a piece of shit.

Biggest game of the season coming up on Thursday.
 

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