With the Cleveland Browns losing their opener 23-10 yesterday to Miami; it will be a pair of 0-1 teams facing each other this coming Sunday here in Baltimore. Both the Browns and Ravens will be looking for win number 1 overall, with the added importance of capturing a Divisional victory as well.

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1) The Browns again changed their leadership this past Winter. Michael Lombardi left the NFL Network to again join an NFL Front Office as VP of Player Personnel. Rob Chudzinski left his position as Offensive Coordinator of the Carolina Panthers, to become the Browns Head Coach. The Defensive Coordinator is Ray Horton, who held that same position with Arizona the last two years. The Offensive Coordinator is Norv Turner. While Turner was always regarded as an average NFL Head Coach, Turner is long remembered for his success as OC with the Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl Champions teams of ’92 and ’93.

2) One of the more awkward aspects of the Lombardi hire, is that even as late as January 2013, Lombardi was the NFL Network calling the selection of Brandon Weeden, “Panicked Disaster.” Weeden coming out yesterday and immediately turning the ball over 3 times, brings those comments right back to the forefront. If Weeden was a normal 2nd  year player, you would just be asking for him to show natural development. With him turning 30 October 14th, there is a sense from his detractors that what you see is what you get.

3) The other 2012 1st round pick was RB Trent Richardson. With not a ton of skill around him, Richardson ran for 950 yards (3.6 yards per carry) as a rookie. He also caught 51 balls out of the backfield. Yesterday, Richardson saw just 13 carries (same 3.6 ypc). I think it can be expected that giving him additional touches will be a priority of the Browns Sunday. Ravens camp favorite Bobby Rainey is now the Browns backup RB. Will he get the opportunity to show the Ravens they made the wrong decision?

4) Cleveland’s Offensive Line is led by 3x All-Pro LT Joe Thomas. At Center is 2009 1st rounder Alex Mack (a 2010 Pro Bowler). At RT is 2nd year player Mitchell Schwartz. Drafted in the 2nd round, Schwartz played in all 16 games for Cleveland last year. Pro Football Focus named him to their All-Rookie team, lauding him for his pass blocking.

5) There was an expectation going into this season that TE Jordan Cameron was ready to emerge. In Week 1, he was targeted 13 times, making 9 catches for 108 yards and a TD. With Josh Gordon suspended, the Top 3 WR’s are Greg Little, Travis Benjamin, and Davone Bess. Little is a big physical target (6’2, 220 lbs), that looks the part. He has played in all 33 games of his career, and has caught 53+ balls each of the past two years. However, he has the reputation of poor hands, and for his career is averaging just 11.7 yards per catch. Benjamin had 18 grabs as a Rookie 4th rounder out of Miami last year. At 5’10, 172 lbs he lacks great size; but he did run a 4.31 at the Combine. Yesterday was Bess’ first game as a member of the Browns, as after spending the 5 previous years in Miami. With the Dolphins Bess had at-least 51 catches in each of those seasons. He was primarily known as a slot receiver, and has averaged just 10.7 ypc for his career. Yesterday he caught 5 balls (targeted 10 times) for 47 yards.

6) 2011 1st rounder Phil Taylor had a strong Rookie season, but missed a lot of time last year. He anchors the Browns D-Line at NT.  RDE Desmond Bryant had 2 sacks yesterday vs. the Dolphins. Reserve 2yr lineman Billy Winn is pushing for time.

7) Former Raven Paul Kruger signed a 5 year $40M dollar deal with the Browns this Winter. In ’11, Kruger emerged as a nice situational pass rusher. Last year, Kruger had 9 sacks on the year – and was often the lone pass rush while Suggs was on the shelf. Those are significant dollars he is making now. The Browns need him to influence games each week. He did have a sack yesterday. I’ve seen Kruger interviewed several times this Summer, talking about the change. He’s been very complimentary of the Ravens organization, but I’ve also noted that he believes he is an all-around talent at LB, and was ‘surprised’ he didn’t receive a more significant opportunity to show those all-around skills. I don’t think it will be hard to motivate him Sunday.

8) Opposite of Kruger is Jabaal Sheard. Sheard has put up 15.5 sacks in his first two years in the League. Like Phil Taylor, he was named to the All-Rookie team by Pro Football Weekly in 2011. The ILB’s are Craig Robertson, and D’Qwell Jackson. Robertson was an Undrafted Free Agent who had 93 tackles last year (62 solo), with a sack, and 2 picks. The former MD Terrapin Jackson is already in his 8th year in the league. In 2012 he was #96 in the NFL Network’s list of the Top 100 players overall.  2013 1st round pick (#6 overall) Barkevious Mingo missed yesterday with the bruised lung he suffered in the Pre-season.

9) The Secondary is led by 2010 1st rounder (and Maryland native) Joe Haden. Opposite of Haden is 5’9, 185 lb Buster Skrine. Skrine was a 2011 5th rounder. At Strong Safety is TJ Ward, who started in 14 games last year. The former Oregon Duck was a 2010 2nd rounder. At Strong Safety is Tashaun Gipson who played in 10 games as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent last year.

10) Some numbers from yesterday:
Miami held the ball for 32:47.
Cleveland was 1 for 14 on 3rd down, the Dolphins were 8 of 16.
Miami had 23 rushes for 20 yards.
The Browns were sacked 6 times, and had 4 sacks of their own.

Bonus) Rainey had 4 KR’s, averaging 25.8 yards per return. Former Raven Billy Cundiff made his one Field Goal attempt (39 yards).

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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