From: mocnik@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Browns News - Sept 29th (Shut out by Broncos)
Date: 29 Sep 92 14:57:29 EST

Browns News - Sept 29th
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Browns vs Broncos Notes
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1. OFFENSE - Rushed for over 140 total yards. This is an improvement, but
             the team should have had much more. Most of the yardage was
             in the first half. Denver eventually stacked the line of
             scrimmage, daring the Browns to pass. The Browns wouldn't or
             should I say, couldn't take advantage of this. They still tried to
             run. Most of the second half it was 3 plays and a punt.
           - Leroy Hoard had a 38 yard run. Had around 70 yards total for the
             day. Also had a nice catch over the middle. Good job Leroy.
           - Tommy Vardell and James Brooks were non-existent.
           - Eric Metcalf was used on a 4th and 1. DIDN'T THIS COACHING STAFF
             LEARN FROM THEIR PAST MISTAKES. 
             As a pass reciever, Eric was guarded by a cornerback
             instead of a safety. He couldn't get open. Mike Croel, Denver's
             best pass rushing linebacker, was replaced by a cornerback to
             cover Eric. Denver felt they would sacrifice a little pressure
             on Tomczak, so they could cover Eric better. It worked.
           - 70 or so yards passing is no indication of a great job by the
             defense. It really shows the lack of an offense on the Browns part.
             Denver's defense is pretty good, but not that good.
           - Tomczak was playing with a limited play selection. He looked 
             confused on occasion. He threw a couple of key interceptions also.
             His passes had no zip. He can only throw accurately for 20 yards
             or so. The defense realizing this, played closer to the line.
             The bye week should help him learn more Browns plays.
           - Browns never adjusted to the fact that Denver was bringing their
             safeties to the line of scrimmage to stop the run. A quick
             pass to a wide receiver or tight end over the deep middle would
             have stopped this. Denver did this the entire second half.
           - Which leads me to Michael Jackson. GET RID OF THIS STIFF!!!!!!
             That's 2 drops in 2 weeks. No wonder he doesn't get many balls.
             If it's thrown to you and your hands touch it, you should catch it.
           - Finally the coaching staff, Belchick included, should be embarassed
             again. Granted they had a new QB, but come on:
	     (1) - play Vardell and Brooks all the time in the backfield. Let
                   them develop a chemistry with the offensive line. The 
                   shuffling of players leads to confusion and doesn't help
                   develop any confidence. Or Leroy and Vardell. Take your pick.
             (2) - put Metcalf out as a wide reciever ONLY. DON'T hand him the
                   ball. Especially on 4th and 1.
             (3) - develop a better game plan. Expect future opponents will
                   be aware of Metcalf. Let others players, ie Holohan, become
                   a part of the game plan.

2. DEFENSE - the entire defense played well. They gave up some big plays, but
             also came up with a lot of big plays themselves.
           - 5 sacks of Elway. It's about time.
           - The defensive line was shooting the gaps so as to sack Elway.
             Because of this Denver was able to run quick openers and get very
             good yardage rushing. Many times the defender took themselves out
             of the play.
           - Denver's game plan was to play consevative and not have any
             turnovers on offense. This worked.
           - The secondary gave up 2 big plays that led to the first 2 field
             goals. On the first Wilburn was burned, on the second Randy
             Hilliard was called for pass interference.

3. SPECIAL TEAMS - botched snap of a field goal in inexcuseable.
                 - Hansen had a good roll and stop by Baldwin on the 70 yard
                   punt, but otherwise was inconsistent.

4. COMMENTARY -
          I am disappointed. This team could easily be 3-1. I have been a 
          Belichick fan up to now, but I am beginning to see a trend that has
          me concerned. The coaching staff puts in long hours to supposedly
          prepare the team. Evidentally the coaching staff doesn't prepare
          themselves to coach on game day. More than once I have heard,
          "We weren't prepared for ...." or "They didn't show any tendency to.."
          If an opponent one week blitzes and is successful, doesn't this
          coaching staff realize that every opponent will bltiz more than
          they normally do, until they are burned!!!! This is one example.

          I see no sense of direction with this team. At times this teams looks
          chaotic. It can't all be attributed to the new players and their
          mistakes. I've heard Belichick use the excuse, "The play didn't
          work because their was a breakdown...." once too often. The name of 
          the game is consistency. Use the same players and let them develop a
          chemistry. Don't yank someone out, if he blows ONE play. Take the
          player aside and tell him how to prevent letting the error
          happening again. Build confidence. 

          Finally Belichick had better realize 2 things. First he doesn't have
          as talented a group as he had in New York. 
          And secondly, he had better delegate some of his duties so he can 
          do a better job with his primary one. He is a good defensive 
          coordinator, but his skills with the offense may be better in 
          someone else's hands.

5. INJURIES - Dan Fike,OG , injured his ankle.
              Shawn Collins,WR, did not play. His chest was still bothersome.
              Eric Turner, S, injured a knee.
              David Brandon, LB, left with an injury. I'm unsure what type.

The Browns have a bye week, no game. Many players are expected back from
Injured Reserve. Minnifield, Mack, Goebel, Tillman, Stamms are all eligible.
     
My quarterly report on the Browns and the NFL will be out next week. 

See you then,

Don Mocnik
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro