There's a difference between reasons (what I gave) and excuses, ya know, like someone trying to explain why Jake Delhomme threw six picks in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at home vs. the Cards a few years back, or, yeah, why the Browns end up 5-11 this year.
Romo is not a reliable winner. That's a fact, Jack. Get your ***** *** excuses out of my sandbox.
If you really want
reasons, here's my take on our game tomorrow. I really can't wait.
As a brief aside, the NFL is forcing the Browns (along with every other team) to tribute Art Modell. This is not going to be pretty. Basically there is no way Cleveland comes out of this event clean. Either the fans sit there and take it, giving the NFL fodder to put that POS in the HOF, or they boo(much much more likely) and everybody points the finger, oh, Cleveland, they have no class etc. etc. I really hope the front office gets this and tells Goodell to go F himself, that's the only way this would work out with any class whatsoever. Okay, that's just an intro.
As far as the game goes, Philadelphia is not a great red zone team, and Vick is prone to mistakes. So, the plan will be to keep the ball in front of us and force the Eagles to make a lot of first downs to get to the end zone. Haden has already tweeted he will be shadowing Jackson. I think the Eagles will try to run Shady right at the OLBs. Both of our starters are out we will have Maiava on the weak side and some guy at SAM(it's coming out that Fujita is dinged and will not play, his backup is also unlikely to play, the guy we are plugging in there will be one of Tank Carder, LJ Fort, or Craig Robinson. So, some guy). You'll run right at those guys until we can stop you, and if we have to bring a safety down to do that it's gonna get ugly. DE play against the run is going to be very important. These two staffs are very familiar with each other so scheme wise there will not be any surprises. A lot will hinge upon mistakes or a lack thereof.
On the other side of the ball Philly's D is built to protect a lead. They are GREAT at pass rushing and WEAK defending the run. Clearly this means Trent Richardson will have something to say about the outcome. Now, those guys are not bad players, quite the opposite, but specializing the way they do has its disadvantages. Those DT's in Philly are a little light in the pants, and that wide technique the ends use is vulnerable to a strong ground game. So for me the matchup of the game is the Brown's interior 3 vs the Eagles' DTs. IMO we win that battle as long as our young players can keep from committing penalties. If we get into long passing situations that Eagle D is at a huge advantage. But if we don't the advantage is ours. Quick tip for you, Wes, Trent isn't hurt. That guy is a man child and will absolutely be a wrecking ball tomorrow. If Philly stuffs the box as I expect, Weeds has already shown the ability to recognize and lob the ball over the top. Of course you know this, that's why you drafted Gordon.
So to summarize, Philly is favored and for good reason. I can't say that the Modell thing will motivate the team, they are so young they can't understand that stuff. But they are also too young to know they are supposed to lose. If the Browns can keep big plays to a minimum on D and penalties to a minimum on O I like our chances. IMO we are stronger at the point of attack on both sides of the ball, and a close game favors us. Also now that rat ******* Art is dead and so is the curse. Anything can happen now.
Cheers, and here's to no injuries.
