As Seen by Me... The Cleveland Browns

The Next Big Thing makes his second appearance on As Seen By Me, another fine read.

OK, we've all shaken off the Baltimore hangover...well most of us. I like matchup this week because it really gives us a chance to get back to basics. The Lions aren't an overly strong opponent and provide us an opportunity to dictate the game (at least offensively) as we wish. I was relatively harsh on the game planning of Coach Carthon and Coach Grantham last week but all would be forgiven with a strong plan which can lead to a win this weekend.

After watching all the post game shows and reading the articles I think it's safe to say that the populist theories played out...the shotgun first play and apparent abandonment of the run was low hanging fruit for both myself and the local writers to pluck from the tree. After thinking about it a little, I'm actually going to ease up a bit and give Carthon credit for the game plan with one caveat...he simply over thought it. I give the guy credit because he is trying to stay one step ahead of the defense. What do they do well....rush the passer and play great d in the secondary, and therefore we assume that we will stay away from their strength. With that, Mo assumes that the Ravens will expect the Browns to run the ball and load up the box to stop it. Mo was hoping to outfox them by going right at their strength hoping to catch off-gaurd.

With a less overwhelming defense this week, let's hope that Mo decides that it is not about gamesmanship and instead takes our game to the Lions. We haven't seen it yet, but I still think our best offense will come when we use Reuben Droughns like a scratched cd...cd....cd....cd...cd. You get the picture...run him over and over again and be opportunistic in both the play action passes underneath to the tight ends and taking a shot or two deep to loosen up the secondary.

I think the public outcry has been loud enough in both the fan community and the media that the game plan will really showcase Droughns. So...rest assured, the Lions will stack the box. Nonetheless, pound the ball...big on big, man to man....a real trench fight. It will be boring for a while as we trade a couple running plays and punts from side to side, but sooner or later, our boys will hit their stride and we will start road grading the Lions defense. That's my hope.

Defensively expect more of the same. Bend and don't break and play to keep it close. Again, no breaking news here, but Joey H-bomb is on maybe the hottest seat in the NFL right now so we need to at least try to mix it up and confuse him with a combination of coverages and smart blitz packages. Maybe some of the safety blitzes we saw out of Chris Crocker in the Bears game. The Lions have a ton of potential no shows for the game on Sunday including Roy Williams who is hurt, Charles Rodgers suspended, Marcus Pollard will play but is in the doghouse, and potentially RB Kevin Jones and LT Jeff Backus also out with injuries we have a great opportunity to dominate the game. Still...play to win and dominate, and don't play to 'not lose' to a battered team. We can use any momentum we can get....so if we get a chance to throw a team a knockout punch, or kick someone when there down....we have to do it to build off of some successes.

A win is a win, and this is a league of pelt's. Let's go huntin' and get us a Lion.

More later this week...I'm out.