I got some laughs off of this Browns message board.....

[DisturbedShifty]

They've assembled an excellent coaching staff. When Sparano was here i pushed for Chud to replace him. He has an exceptional understanding of offenses and every player who has played for him has bought into the coach because of his intelligence and game planning. Tight ends especially flourish under Chud.
No one on here should have to explain former Dolphins coordinator Norv Turner. He might be a crap head coach but hes an brilliant teacher for quarterbacks and gets the best out of his players.
And, of course, Ray Horton has proven to be exceptional as well. People forget the Cardinals started out 4-0 last year. That was pretty much accomplished by Horton and his defense. The Cardinals originally wanted to keep Horton and insisted the coaches they interview agree to keep him on. He ended up leaving because he felt he didnt get a fair chance at the head coaching job. There were some burned bridges on his way out.

As for the players, on offense: Weeden had a great preseason. He did everything he didnt do last season: showed precision, touch, and decisiveness. He struggled in his 3rd game, but in his first two he completed 18/25 pass attempts and was 3-0 in touchdowns to interceptions.
Jordan Cameron has shown up in a big way. Holmgren drafted the former basketball player as a project, knowing it would take 2-3 years for him to develop. Well, its his 3rd season and he was a monster this preseason. He sustained a minor injury during the 3rd game(which im convinced caused Weeden to struggle), but should return for the regular season.
Trent Richardson is blowing it up as well. People forget he played with broken ribs last season, hence his struggles. A year of experience and a clean bill of health and hes good to go.
As well, they have a good offensive line, with Alex Mack and Joe Thomas being the anchors.

On defense: they have what every team needs, 2 pass rushers. Jabaal Sheard has been improving since they drafted him, he has had 15.5 sacks in his first two seasons. And while im not a fan, Paul Kruger was a beast the second half of last season. Throw in Mingo, who is a physical specimen, and they could be fierce.
Their defense line is a monster of a unit. Phil Taylor has been improving and is now back in a system that benefits him(3-4). Ahtyba Rubin has been one of the more underrated players in the league, and hes always played his best ball in a 3-4 system. And he light clicked on for Desmond Bryant last season.
Their backfield has problems but they have a solid safety in TJ Ward and have a damned fine corner in Joe Haden. People forget about Haden, hes been playing some good football for the Browns and it looks like hes going to be making bank shortly. Ray Horton has already announced he is going to use Haden like he used Patrick Peterson while in Arizona.

Compare the two teams and they have a lot of similarities.
Can anyone definitively say Tannehill is currently better then Weeden? I cant, both have shown flashes this preseason.
Can anyone definitively say they feel more confident with Wallace-Hartline-Gibson over Jordan Cameron-Greg Little-Devone Bess? I cant, its to similar.
Can anyone definitively say our defensive line is better then theirs? I cant, both units have strengths and weaknesses. Even if i feel Miami's is better(i actually do), both are going to be so productive its not going to really matter who is technically better.
Can anyone definitively say our defensive backfield is better then theirs? I cant, both units have giant question marks at free safety and the second corner spot.

Meanwhile, Cleveland has some clear advantages. Lets call a spade a spade and point out that Richardson is better then whatever we are doing at running back and the Browns offensive line is better then ours. Oh, and the game is taking place in Cleveland.

So yes, im not sleeping on the Browns. I predicted a hard fought game, low scoring game, with the Browns inching out a win after Miami kicks field goals instead of scoring touchdowns. Basically, Dolphins gonna Dolphins. Even if people disagree with that, i dont see how anyone can dismiss the Browns. Their record wont reflect it this season, but they arent the bottom feeders they used to be.

Oh. Ok. So they are being considered sleepers because of the coaching staff. That makes much more sense to me now. Right on Spesh.

 

[state06]

we need to score TDs and not settle for 3. its not like the browns haven't beaten us before and they could potentially bring lots of pressure. Look for Tannehill to play conservative and try to get the ball out quick with lots of short 3 step drops. We need to run crisp routes and keep our QB upright... I can see the browns coming on top, but it would be due to our lack of execution...and maybe a deep ball from Weeden to Benjamin over Carroll (read it here first, lol).

 

[finjim]

Oh. Ok. So they are being considered sleepers because of the coaching staff. That makes much more sense to me now. Right on Spesh.

Spesh is a very knowledgeable poster. His football savvy is unmatched. So I am on board with whatever he says.

We need more posters like him!

 

[MD]

U coul say the same for Weeden

I can't believe I am hearing this from you.

 

[Spesh]

Spesh is a very knowledgeable poster. His football savvy is unmatched. So I am on board with whatever he says.

We need more posters like him!

 

[dlockz]

I can't believe I am hearing this from you.

I said over and over again I would not take weeden because he has no time to develop but that doesnt make our corners beyond Grimes worth a crap esp with a guy that wasnt good enough for cleveland's secondary as our starter

 

[phinfan40353]

I'm reminded of games in the past few years when we played teams we should never have lost. I remember when the lowly Texans came into town and beat us on opening day a few years ago.

Last year, I remember losing to the Jets, Cardinals, Bills and Titans. In 2011, we lost to the Browns. In 2010, we lost to the Browns. In fact, how many times have we been to the playoffs in the past decade?

Until we beat the teams we are supposedly better than... until we win consistently... until we win playoff games.... until we do anything but what we have done, nothing else matters.

Winning is how you prove you are better.

 

[templarwd]

The Browns still don't have a place-kicker. While the weather on Sunday should be spectacular, it's going to be windy. That's doesn't bode well for whoever they and up signing. Also, the Browns looked BAD in the 3rd pre-season game in Indy.

Something has to give; the Browns have won ONE season opener since their return in 1999. The Phins have never beaten the Browns in CLE since their return in 1999.

 

[rob19]

Can anyone definitively say they feel more confident with Wallace-Hartline-Gibson over Jordan Cameron-Greg Little-Devone Bess? I cant, its to similar.

I'll say that. Cameron's a nice tight-end but he doesn't compare to what Wallace brings to the table. Little vs. Hartline & Bess vs. Gibson are a little murkier, but if we still had Keller this wouldn't even be a conversation.

Btw that color scheme of theirs is hard on the eyes.

 

[dlockz]

The Browns still don't have a place-kicker. While the weather on Sunday should be spectacular, it's going to be windy. That's doesn't bode well for whoever they and up signing. Also, the Browns looked BAD in the 3rd pre-season game in Indy.

Something has to give; the Browns have won ONE season opener since their return in 1999. The Phins have never beaten the Browns in CLE since their return in 1999.

placekicker may play a part but thats basically the one plu and play piece in the nfl

 

[Spesh]

I'll say that. Cameron's a nice tight-end but he doesn't compare to what Wallace brings to the table. Little vs. Hartline & Bess vs. Gibson are a little murkier, but if we still had Keller this wouldn't even be a conversation.

Btw that color scheme of theirs is hard on the eyes.

To be fair, you could say the same thing about Cleveland. If Josh Gordon was in the lineup, then they would easily eclipse us.

Wallace is a nice piece, and Cameron is unknown, but i figure an athletic tight end causes as many problems for a defense as a primary receiver. At least in today's NFL.
Id take Hartline over Little but i would take Bess over Gibson. For the latter, its all about consistency, especially in the slot. We all know Bess is going to catch what comes his way even if he doesnt do much with it. I cant confidentially state "which Gibson" is going to show up this Sunday.

Regardless, there can be a debate on the matter. I just dont see one side having a clear advantage over the other. Not in a way that tips the balance.

 

[RockyMtnPhinfan]

Brown- like a stain in your undies.

 

[psfign]

This thread is ridiculous. While you're laughing at Brown's fans being optimistic on THEIR OWN site, I'm sure the same is being said about fans on this one. You have zero reason to be this egotistical about the fins or this week's game. But hey, at least you're showing a little class by not going over there and trolling. And if the browns end up beating us, I'm calling this thread a jinx!

 

[Ruckus45]

U coul say the same for Weeden

I'm not so sure you can. Grimes is looking good, Jones is....well Jones, Clemons is avg/better than avg, and Patterson is Avg. Our pass rush will get there quick and the Browns are down a weapon. I think Weeden will be forced to manufacture yards especially if they can't get their run game going early.

 

[Birdmond]

At least 50% of the Browns fans are picking Miami. I don't see anything unreasonable in the thread.