Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

December 10th 8:20 ET

The Browns hosted one of the best teams in the league when the high flying San Diego Chargers visited Cleveland on week 13.  Although they lost 30-23 the Browns showed a bunch of heart despite playing without their three best players on defense.  Unfortunately the defense had their weekly blown coverage, this time to a slow full back.  Mike Tolbert rumbled down the sideline for a 66 yard touchdown on what was a simple five yard completion on a flat route.  On offense Cleveland was led by QB Brady Quinn who threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns.  Finally, finally yes finally WR Brian Robiskie was active and got some playing time.  Robo responded with four catches for 69 yards.  The biggest story of the day was TE Evan Moore who was activated from the practice squad.  Moore showed very good hands as he hauled in six balls for 80 yards.  The Browns are starting to play much better on offense and will get a chance to prove that against the hated Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even though the Browns are just 1-11 this is a huge game for not only Quinn and Mangini but the whole city of Cleveland.  The Browns desperately want to beat rival Pittsburgh and keep continuing their improvement on the offensive side of the ball.  What is best for the long term success of the Browns?  Is it to win games and instill confidence in a very young offense?  Or is it improve and lose in order to get the most dominating player to come down the line in a long while?  Ndamukong Suh is an absolute beast and will likely be the #1 pick in the 2010 draft.  Many compare him to large d-tackles such as Warren Sapp but he has more to offer than that.  To me he could be the next Reggie White.  If so, Suh lining up beside Shaun Rogers would instantly make the Browns defense extremely good.  Either way despite the horrible season, the remaining games could be very entertaining for Cleveland fans.

Prediction: The Steelers have everything to lose with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.  They will be without WR Hines Ward which could hamper their offensive play calling even against a Browns secondary which is struggling mightily.  On defense, the Steelers have been getting lit up  through the air even by the likes of Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski.  The Browns will find success through the air but offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will not open it up enough to gain the victory.  His conservative play calling combined with a defense that will have difficulties getting off of the field will result in another Pittsburgh victory in Cleveland.

Pittsburgh 31 Cleveland 27

Scott Dryden, Senior Writer

Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions

November 22nd 1:00 ET

The Browns got an appearance on Monday Night Football.  They proved they didn’t deserve it as they were listless in a 16-0 defeat.  The Browns offense is one of the worst in the league’s history as they have gone 1-14 in their last 15 games.  Their only victory was a 6-3 bore fest at Buffalo where the offense failed to score.  During the Monday Night Football broadcast both Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski criticized the Browns play calling.  First time Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll has been horrible with most of the plays being predictable and within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.  The Ravens simply sat on the routes.  The play on the right side of the offensive line has been atrocious.  Right Tackle John St. Claire was dominated start to finish which halted pass plays and limited the effectiveness of the running game.  Rob Ryan’s defense played hard and kept the Browns in the game.  Although lacking talent on the edge and being on the field far too long, the defense has still played hard and given the Browns a chance to win.

Prediction: The 1-8 Browns face the 1-8 Lions in week 10.  This will be a better game to evaluate QB Brady Quinn against a team with equal talent (or lack thereof).  The Lions defense has struggled throughout the year which should give Quinn time to throw the ball.  Inexplicably, the Browns continue to leave Jerome Harrison out of the game plan.  For a team that cannot score Harrison should be in the game for his playmaking ability.  The Browns defense should be able to put pressure on Detroit rookie QB Matthew Stafford.  Look for Shaun Rogers to have a big game against his former team.  The game will be very close and likely ugly.  Quinn finally looks like the QB Cleveland fans envisioned as the Browns pull out a narrow victory.  Cleveland 20 Detroit 17

Scott Dryden, Senior Writer

The Sports Cognoscenti

Ohio State Football Preview

Week 3 Toledo

The Buckeyes will travel north to Cleveland Browns Stadium to battle the Toledo Rockets.  Ohio State will try to right the ship after a tough loss against the USC Trojans in Columbus.  Toledo is coming off of an impressive drubbing of the Colorado Buffaloes, 54-38.

Ohio State should have a clear advantage against Toledo on the offensive side of the ball.  Purdue put up well over 200 yards rushing yards against the Rockets while Colorado had over 400 total yards.  Ohio State will be without right tackle Jim Cordle due to injury.  Much ballyhooed recruit, JB Shugarts will fill his position.

Toledo has some effective weapons on the offensive side of the ball.  QB Aaron Opelt has over 742 yards passing in two games while WR Eric Page has hauled in 15 passes for 266 yards with 2 touchdowns.

Prediction:  Football crazy Cleveland will get to see their beloved Buckeyes in person.  The atmosphere will be electric as two Ohio schools battle it out.  In the end, Ohio State’s athletes on both sides of the ball will be too much.  Terrelle Pryor will have a huge game and the Buckeye defense led by Brian Rolle, Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson will slow down the Rocket offense.  Ohio State 41 Toledo 16

Scott Dryden, Senior Writer