Cleveland Browns defense will face stern tests in 2008 (NFC East games only)
BROWNS BEAT BLOG
by Tony Grossi Plain Dealer Reporter
We're all assuming that the Browns' offense is now on auto-pilot and the season will be charted by their defense.
With that in mind, here are the challenges posed to coordinator Mel Tucker by the Browns' 2008 schedule. We analyze the first eight games today and the rest on Wednesday.
• Game 1, Dallas
Very tough game for the safeties. If Brodney Pool doubles Terrell Owens, then Marion Barber pounds the ball on the ground. And who covers Jason Witten? It might be too early for rookie Felix Jones to have impact, but the Cowboys intend to use him as a complement to Barber. What an opener.
• Game 5, N.Y. Giants
We will know for sure by this game if Eli Manning, in fact, has ascended into the elite quarterback ranks or whether his superb post-season and Super Bowl triumph was an aberration. This offense doesn't scare you, but it has collected a good stable of receivers and backs. This is a very blue collar team that can wear down a defense. This is another line of scrimmage battle.
• Game 6, Washington
If Joe Gibbs couldn't make this offense go, what should we expect from Jim Zorn? The new Redskins' coach is installing Seattle's version of the West Coast offense -- shorter dropbacks and quicker pass routes. Will that benefit fourth-year quarterback Jason Campbell, who has a big arm, or impede the progress he seemed to make last season?
• Game 14, Philadelphia
This is another team with issues at receiver. The Eagles reportedly are still holding out hope of trading for a No. 1 receiver. The only time they reached the Super Bowl under Donovan McNabb was with Terrell Owens making plays downfield. Brian Westbrook might be one of the league's all-purpose stars, but he can't carry an offense. McNabb is said to be healthy and more inclined to use his legs to make plays, which, again, would be a thorn to the Browns' defense.
by Tony Grossi Plain Dealer Reporter
We're all assuming that the Browns' offense is now on auto-pilot and the season will be charted by their defense.
With that in mind, here are the challenges posed to coordinator Mel Tucker by the Browns' 2008 schedule. We analyze the first eight games today and the rest on Wednesday.
• Game 1, Dallas
Very tough game for the safeties. If Brodney Pool doubles Terrell Owens, then Marion Barber pounds the ball on the ground. And who covers Jason Witten? It might be too early for rookie Felix Jones to have impact, but the Cowboys intend to use him as a complement to Barber. What an opener.
• Game 5, N.Y. Giants
We will know for sure by this game if Eli Manning, in fact, has ascended into the elite quarterback ranks or whether his superb post-season and Super Bowl triumph was an aberration. This offense doesn't scare you, but it has collected a good stable of receivers and backs. This is a very blue collar team that can wear down a defense. This is another line of scrimmage battle.
• Game 6, Washington
If Joe Gibbs couldn't make this offense go, what should we expect from Jim Zorn? The new Redskins' coach is installing Seattle's version of the West Coast offense -- shorter dropbacks and quicker pass routes. Will that benefit fourth-year quarterback Jason Campbell, who has a big arm, or impede the progress he seemed to make last season?
• Game 14, Philadelphia
This is another team with issues at receiver. The Eagles reportedly are still holding out hope of trading for a No. 1 receiver. The only time they reached the Super Bowl under Donovan McNabb was with Terrell Owens making plays downfield. Brian Westbrook might be one of the league's all-purpose stars, but he can't carry an offense. McNabb is said to be healthy and more inclined to use his legs to make plays, which, again, would be a thorn to the Browns' defense.
posted by The Gryphon at 2:20 PM
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