| 20 August 2009
As we've done in the past with a mock draft, I exchanged thoughts on Saturday's exhibition tilt with Don Delco of the Cleveland Browns blog "No Logo Needed." What follows is Don's take on what the Browns are going to try an accomplish against the Lions in their attempt to win the Great Lakes Classic trophy!
This is for all the marbles...and a goofy looking ore carrier trophy!
Nov. 17, 2008. That was the last time the Cleveland Browns scored an offensive touchdown. It caused a regime change, but the results were the same in the team’s preseason debut last Saturday at Green Bay.
17-0.
On T.V., closeups of the new head coach, Eric Mangini, told 1,000 words. The coach stood there with a grimace on his face and hands on his hips. We were able to figure out six of those 1,000 words: “Why did I come to Cleveland?”
Entering Saturday’s Great Lakes Classic, regaining the barge for the first time in three years is, sadly, not at the forefront. Instead, the Browns will be looking to their quarterback position.
Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson?
Quinn seems to have taken a lead after last week’s performance — 7-for-11 for 68 yards, one interception and one touchdown pass dropped by Braylon Edwards. Meanwhile, Derek Anderson was 0-for-2 with one interception.
Mangini has made no indication that a starting quarterback will be named following the Lions game. It will be hard pressed to stick with that mantra especially if Quinn puts together another good game while Anderson struggles.
As you might imagine, coming off a 4-12 season quarterback is not the only issue. A lack of a running game and a poor defense also continued to plague the Browns last Saturday.
Regardless of position battles, the goal for the Browns is simple come Saturday.
Just score a touchdown.
What insider secrets did I give Don? None at all. But I did have some things to say about the Lions, and my comments are after the jump!
I have only 10 words to say about the Lions 2nd exhibition game in the //sarcasm on// highly anticipated //sarcasm off// battle with the Browns in the Great Lakes Classic...
Matthew Stafford.
Matthew Stafford.
Matthew Stafford.
Matthew Stafford.
Matthew Stafford.
Oh, you want more?
Stafford was the most impressive of the 3 Lions QB's against the Falcons (the others being nearly washed up Daunte Culpepper and stained by the touch of Millen Drew Stanton), As he has shown an incredible amount of talent during camp workouts, gets the start under center Saturday. (By the way, Stafford's stats would have been MUCH better if '08 waiver wire pickup WR Kerry Colbert hadn't dropped 3 passes, all of which hit his stone-like hands.)
New head coach Jim Schwartz says there's nothing to read into Stafford getting the starting nod. Don't you believe it...
There are some in the MSM who say Stafford could make a big time move towards winning the starting nod on September 13th with a good performance against the Browns. That might be getting a little ahead of ourselves, but not by much. The Lions themselves have all be said as much, without actually saying it. But word from the beat writers is Stafford has more than lived up to the pre-draft hype, he may be exceeding it in the eyes of the team.
What Stafford has done to this point is move up the timetable towards taking over under center considerably. He has done nothing but impress scouts, national and local media, and most importantly, Detroit's coaching staff, with his talent, leadership and grasp of the offense. Combine Stafford's high level of play with his 1st overall draft status and $45 million contract, it's now not a matter of if he will start, but when.
The other area worth watching isn't nearly as impressive. In fact, it isn't impressive at all.
The Lions' defensive line, one of the worst in the league in '08, wasn't any better in the exhibition opener. There were gaping holes against the run, absolutely no pressure against the pass. Push was non-existent, same for playmaking. Expect to see Schwartz and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham continually rotate players on the D-line, looking for some combination to click.
Between you and me, I'm not expecting much of anything to click defensively.
Don said in his preview, the Browns' goal is to "Just score a touchdown." Trust me, you can expect the Browns to score early and often on the Lions' struggling defense.
Also, don't plan on seeing the great Calvin Johnson, as he remains out with a sprained thumb. It's not serious, as he'd be in the lineup if this were a regular season game. Megatron (the nickname he was given by Roy Williams) was the only reason to watch the worst season in NFL history. It's your loss, as Johnson is a sight to behold when given the ball...which was not near enough in the season we will never speak of ever again. Which is another reason Stafford needs to live up to his billing, so Johnson has someone capable of consistently giving him the ball in space...or getting him the ball, period.
So the Lions' goal for Saturday night is for Stafford to continue to improve, and the defense to rise from God awful to merely bad. I expect only one goal to be reached...
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