GameDay Preview: Browns vs Lions

Its Back!  Football season has returned to the shores of Lake Erie and it never comes fast enough for this Browns fan.  Last week the Brownies beat up the defending Super Bowl champs.  This week they square off in the GLC (Great Lakes Classic) vs. the Detroit Lions.  As usual I am heading to the game tonight so here are three areas I will be trying to pay close attention to.  At this stage in the game I'm looking for some consistency out of our Browns' young players.

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#1 Colt McCoy

The quarterback position is the most important for any team and probably even more so for the Browns.  Since our return to the league we have not had a consistent signal caller.  In my opinion this is the #1 reason for our losing ways. 

Colt showed great poise in the pocket as well as quick decision making last week vs. Green Bay.  I can only remember questioning two of his decisions. The first was on the opening drive.  He started to scramble out of the pocket and fired a lateral pass to Owen Marecic instead of just running the football.  Owen dropped the pass and the Browns were potentially close to a turnover.  In that situation Colt could have scrambled for at least a five yard gain before sliding to avoid damage.  The second questionable decision was the beautiful pass that he threaded through six Packers defenders to Robiskie.  While the pass was pretty the decision was poor.  The window there was just too tight.  That's a batted ball or a turnover more times than not.

Other than these two plays I was very impressed by his performance.  He needs to show this same poise against Detroit tonight.  Make quick decisions, get the receivers involved, recognize blitzes, and move the team.  I expect at least 10 points out of the first team offense tonight.

#2 Offensive Line Performance

The offensive line is the 2011 Cleveland Browns biggest asset.  They are easily the best in the AFC North and need to play that way.  I was somewhat disappointed in their push against the Packers when trying to run the ball in the first half.  Neither Hillis (3.2 ave) or Jackson (3.5 ave) really established much in my opinion.  Id like to see them win the battle up front against a good Detroit defensive line.  Establishing the run will be a key factor in the overall success of this offense. 

#3 Rookie Impact

The Browns front office states that we are building through the draft so I want to see something out of these draft picks.  Id like to see Taylor occupy space in the run game and collapse at least one pocket tonight.  Id like to see Sheard get some pressure and at least not look lost on running plays.  I'm interested to see the play of Buster Skrine and James Dockery, who both should see some extended time.  Greg Little needs to build on a decent game against the Packers.  No drops, good routes, and some YAC (yards after catch).

Realistically the Browns are positioning themselves to make a splash on the contender scene next year.  We have the draft picks in place to do so and we will have the cap money to go after an impact player or two in free agency.  This year's draft class is paramount to our long term contention plan.  If these young kids can solidify spots as starters or key backups it will keep us on track to achieve our goal.  If they falter it will add another year onto our contention timeline.

All in all though its football and I'm excited its back!  So here's to watching the Browns tame the Lions tonight and the Tribe chasing those Kittens up a tree.