How to Recover

Hehe, I like the sound of the title -- it's as if I know! Well, I don't know, but I have a couple ideas anyway. They could be dumb, who knows, but their worth a try....

1. Line up and run the ball -- What's going on with our prized new addition? The Browns have failed to run the ball effectively, and Terrelle Smith hasn't been much of a force. Most of that has to do with the team getting into long yardage situations and Green not always following Smith's blocks. Not now we need to get the 3 and 4 yard gains, and Green/Suggs running behind Garmon, Faine and Smith is the way we have to do it. Perhaps in some sense the loss of Winslow will help this happen from a better blocking perspective. Perhaps.
   
2. Stretch the secondary -- The effectiveness of Jeff Garcia as well as the ground game depends on the defense not being able to stack the line. The only way the Browns can effectively do this is to threaten to make big gains down the field. Andre Davis and Quincy Morgan should rarely be running routes that are less than 8-9 yards, and I'd make the post and fly routes common to almost every play being run. Let Northcutt and the tight ends + running backs catch the short balls, at least to start the game. I'd point out that the Browns don't even have to complete long bombs to make the defense compensate.
   
3. Linebacker play -- I'll say it: Andra Davis and Co. have been unremarkable so far. Considering the competent play of the DL so far, this is disturbing. Maybe it's time to use Chaun Thompson as a pass rusher more. Or start rolling the dice on blitzes more often.
   
4. Survive in the secondary -- it sounds like Henry and Cutch may both sit. This could be big trouble. The way I see it, that means a defensive gameplan of getting to Warner while playing conservatively in the secondary. And that just keeps us in this week's game.
   
5. I'm running out of things.... anyhow, overall I think there's a chance we see a better football team when it comes to the simple stuff -- there are so many players out that everyone should be focused and executing. We might fall short, but I think the effort will be there. Hopefully that is enough for Garcia to do something with on offense and gut out a win.