But, let us not forget the any improvement is a giant improvement over how the Browns played the first four games this season. Let's face it, the Browns sucked and I for one am not convinced after just one good game that they're legit.
Yes, the honeymoon of the giant win (seriously, I'll stop) is over. I was just as excited and happy as everyone else in Browns Nation, but it's time to face reality. Romeo, DA and Braylon, among others, are not off the hot seat after just one good game. Let's see if they can keep it up against the Redskins this week -- obviously, they're capable of winning.
Until then, it's time for my Week 6 grades:
Offense
- Offensive Line - Now that's how you work together to open holes and protect the quarterback. Great job, guys. Keep it up.
Grade: B+ - Tight Ends - Winslow was out with an (ahem) unspecified illness, but it was OK. Remember Steve Heiden? Anderson finally did and he pulled in five receptions for 59 yards.
Grade: B - Wide Receivers - Finally, Anderson threw it to more receivers than just Braylon -- and Braylon actually caught the ball. Eight different players caught DA's passes -- and they were all Browns! Braylon led the team with five catches for 154 yards and a TD (it still doesn't give you a free pass to act like a jackass, so knock off the antics, Braylon).
Grade: B+ - Running Backs - Our best rushing day all season -- 144 yards (88 from Jamal) -- and Harrison had a whopping 41 yards on just two carries to go along with his 26 yards receiving on two catches.
Grade: B+ - Quarterbacks - It's difficult sometimes to really judge how someone plays when you're at the stadium. I know DA's numbers were solid -- 310 yards, 2 TDs -- but I really couldn't tell how he was playing. Says my buddy Palms, "Honestly, he looked confident and commanding." Well, all I can say is, keep it up DA. You're not Brett Favre or Peyton Manning, which means you don't have the luxury of laying an egg next week ... you'd better keep this up and convince us this is the real you, and not the DA we all saw the last 10 games.
Grade: B - Summary - Balanced. Aggressive. Explosive. And yet, also a bit sloppy.
Overall Grade: B+
- Defensive Line - Still prone to giving up big runs -- Ward, 10 carries, 110 yards -- but still improved from last season.
Grade: C+ - Linebackers - D'Qwell Jackson still leading the team in tackles each week, but the other LBs are no where around. This is a serious area in need of off season improvement.
Grade: C- - Safeties & Corners - Let's see, they picked off Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning three times, and returned one for a TD -- the nail in the coffin. They're young, but talented.
Grade: A - Summary - Big, big, big improvement over last season. Since the Dallas game in Week 1, this unit has continued to improve.
Overall Grade: B+
- Special Teams - Cribbs bobbles the opening kickoff, but recovers. Dawson misses a 51-yard field goal. No huge screw-ups, but nothing great either.
Grade: C- - Coaches - It's safe to say our coaches do a good job of game-planning when they have TWO WEEKS in which to do it. Umm, this is the NFL, guys, we need it every week. The game plan was solid, but there were still 10 stupid penalties for 55 yards. Still unacceptable. And, just like DA, Romeo is NOT off my hot seat yet. Show me you can keep it up. I'm not fooled.
Grade: C
Peter...
ReplyDeleteI think you shorted DA....for THIS game he was A+. I fully agree, he needs to keep it up, but I would venture to say this was his best game as a pro, including the 5 TD game against Cincy last year.
If he lays an egg in D.C., we can go back to the "Brady, Brady" chants, but Monday night, he was A=.