Great article about game today

[Kvoethe]

I really liked the stuff pryor says

 

MIAMI, Florida -- What were you thinking after watching Cody Kessler's first series as an NFL quarterback.

 

It began with a delay of game penalty.

 

Then a 6-yard run by Isaiah Crowell.

 

Then Kessler fumbled the snap from center, but the rookie recovered it.

 

Then Kessler dropped back to pass, hung on to the ball for an eternity -- and was sacked by Miami's Cameron Wake.

 

This time, the Dolphins came up with the loose football.

 

At that point, I thought of the email a reader named Sean sent me right before the game:

 

"Either you are the ultimate optimist or you don't want to offend the Clowns front office. Don't see how they score in this game. Kessler will be another QB joke for this pathetic team. I'm thinking 30-0."

 

The final was Miami Dolphins 30, Browns 24. For the record, I picked them to lose, 27-13. So that was not exactly singing Hosannahs about the Browns.

 

But as I watched Kessler in that first series, I thought 30-0 could be optimistic.

 

Or as Browns veteran Joe Thomas told me: "It could have been a disaster."

 

Instead, the Browns turned this into a very good game. They were one field goal away from their first victory of the season.

 

Instead, Cody Parkey missed a 46-yarder at the end of regulation.

 

Instead, the Browns defense finally wore down in overtime and they are 0-3.

 

DMan's QB Report: Cody Kessler earns B- at Dolphins

DMan's QB Report: Cody Kessler earns B- at Dolphins

ARE THEY CLOWNS?

 

But after three games, I'll say this much about the Browns.

 

They are not Clowns. The 29-10 opening loss in Philadelphia was a mess.

 

Next, they lost 25-20 to Baltimore. A good kicker also could have made a difference in that game.

 

Then there was this frustrating loss.

 

After the game, Hue Jackson said, "I'm not here to lose. There are no feel good stories."

 

But the story of this game is that the team is playing hard. Several young players are improving.

 

No one is about to proclaim Kessler the next Carson Wentz ... but the rookie pulled himself together.

 

"He was amazingly unflappable in his first NFL game," said Thomas.

 

Thomas said the Browns were a bit surprised by the noise level in the renovated Hard Rock Stadium. He indicated it sounded a bit like a dome, "and it was a hostile environment."

 

Thomas explained the Browns went to hand signals and other things to cope with the noise, and Kessler handled it well. The rookie from USC was 21-of-33 passing for 244 yards and an 85.9 rating.

 

Kessler doesn't have a big-time arm. There were times when he was surprised by the speed of the game, how quickly the pass rush arrived.

 

But it was not a clownish performance.

 

PRYOR'S STATEMENT GAME

 

If Terrelle Pryor ends up being an impact player for the Browns, you can point to this game.

 

He played receiver. He played quarterback. He threw passes. He ran like a running back. He even was on defense at safety on the final play of the first half.

 

And after the game, Pryor's voice cracked as he talked about how Hue Jackson saved his career.

 

"The best coaching staff I've been around," he said.

 

Jackson came up with an innovative game plan, mixing up Kessler with Pryor at quarterback.

 

"(Pryor) said 'I'm here to help you,'" said Kessler, who appreciated Pryor's backing.

 

Using Pryor at times as the quarterback made it difficult for the Miami defense. Pryor had a 15-yard run the first time he touched the ball in the shotgun formation.

 

Later in the game, he ran for a 3-yard touchdown.

 

And he also threw a 26-yard pass to Gary Barnidge.

 

And he caught a 40-yard pass from Kessler.

 

"What Terrelle did was unprecedented," said Thomas, marveling at the different skills displayed by Pryor.

 

"I know Terrelle well so I wasn't surprised by what he did," said Jackson.

 

The coach then talked about a pass dropped by Pryor in a key third-down situation. Pryor mentioned the same play later when he was interviewed.

 

It shows how the players and the team are growing together.

 

Thomas said the team will look at the video of the game and should come away encouraged that victories will come.

 

"We're pretty close," he said. "We're right there. We really are."

[Opal312]

I have to admit if they would have won it would be one for the ages. We'd be telling our grandkids about it.

[Mark O]

And there would be assclowns on here complaining that by winning it was hurting the draft position. It would've been an epic game to win with a rookie 3rd string QB and it looked pretty dismal down 11 early in the 4th but this team doesn't quit and despite it not being all that talented at this point, it somehow manages to stay in the game and it was a game they should've won if they had a guy who can kick.

[Canton Mike]

What is amazing is that they tend to look better each game in spite of loosing key players each week. Kudos to the Players never say die attitudes & also to Hue & his Staff who seem to thrive on dealing with adversity. I'm proud of the effort....Now let's bring on Robbie Gould.

 

Mike

[hoorta]

And there would be assclowns on here complaining that by winning it was hurting the draft position. It would've been an epic game to win with a rookie 3rd string QB and it looked pretty dismal down 11 early in the 4th but this team doesn't quit and despite it not being all that talented at this point, it somehow manages to stay in the game and it was a game they should've won if they had a guy who can kick.

Nah- game we had won. Parkey should be parked. What does Hue & Co. have against Coons? So he gets kicks blocked, 100% inside the 40.

 

I'm seeing improvement. Still too many penalties.

[Mark O]

 

I'm seeing improvement. Still too many penalties.

 

well..most of the penalties were on one person so if we can get rid of that guy...the penalty count will improve.

[LogicIsForSquares]

I'm seeing improvement. Still too many penalties.

Soo many penalties on Pasztor.

[Opal312]

That's another thing people dismiss. Injuries to 2 quarterbacks, Coleman, Nassib, Haden, and Lord knows. But managed to get 430 yards of offense with Pryor responsible for 200 of those yards. Incredible. We are the youngest team in the NFL and damn lucky to have a guy like Hue. After watching Terrelle Pryor's press conference I have new respect for him and the whole team. I had no idea Pryor was so passionate about the Browns. I've been ragging on him since TattooGate but always wished him success.

He's talented and could easily have been sitting on his couch instead of Passing, Running, Catching and playing safety for Hue today.

This team will grow and learn to win. I just hope there are more games like today that end in a "W" I was appreciative that CBS showed it here in Tampa. I won't see another game until they play on a Thursday.

My prediction; We get a win against Washington

[Mark O]

That's another thing people dismiss. Injuries to 2 quarterbacks, Coleman, Nassib, Haden, and Lord knows. But managed to get 430 yards of offense with Pryor responsible for 200 of those yards. Incredible. We are the youngest team in the NFL and damn lucky to have a guy like Hue. After watching Terrelle Pryor's press conference I have new respect for him and the whole team. I had no idea Pryor was so passionate about the Browns. I've been ragging on him since TattooGate but always wished him success.

He's talented and could easily have been sitting on his couch instead of Passing, Running, Catching and playing safety for Hue today.

This team will grow and learn to win. I just hope there are more games like today that end in a "W" I was appreciative that CBS showed it here in Tampa. I won't see another game until they play on a Thursday.

My prediction; We get a win against Washington

 

 

I like it...

[TexasAg1969]

I like the fight in the undersized dog!! Too bad we don't have the FO helping them with paying the $$$ for a contract with Gould. 34 is still relatively young for a kicker to give you another 5-6 years. A 3-4 year contract would have been a no brainer for these clowns up there sacrificing a great team effort for $$$. Especially considering that with this O we will be kicking a lot of FGs this year.

[bbedward]

I think a win would have been huge for the young guys and Kessler. Too bad we didn't get it.

[browns52]

And there would be assclowns on here complaining that by winning it was hurting the draft position. It would've been an epic game to win with a rookie 3rd string QB and it looked pretty dismal down 11 early in the 4th but this team doesn't quit and despite it not being all that talented at this point, it somehow manages to stay in the game and it was a game they should've won if they had a guy who can kick.

yeah i agree... I think its a 2-3 yr deal here still...the browns culture to me is still the same...at this point...they get blown out game 1...blow a 20 point lead game 2...come back in nice fashion only to lose because we have a shitty kicker...and the worse is the penalties...this is the same old stuff....again, at this point...i like jackson and i think we need to stick with kessler regardless how he plays but we could have made a statement here if we had beat miami, and we did not...instead it was the same old browns. Maybe, just maybe we can make a cultural change this weekend vs the skins...skins will have the momentum and they beat a team that was playing pretty good d...We shall see....

[darubes]

You've got to look at this game as a positive. With an average NFL

kicker this is a win. Kessler can be an average QB and hold the fort

til McCown gets back and until we get a franchise QB.

 

I was somewhat impressed with the defense and their ability to stop

the run. Granted Miami is still a lower rung NFL team but all in all a

good job stopping the run compared to previous Browns teams.

 

Browns COULD be 2-1 with a decent kicker and throwing out that

bullshit call against Pryor in the Ravens game.

 

For the love of god get someone who can play right offensive tackle!!!!!!!!

[bbedward]

 

Browns COULD be 2-1

 

This is the sad story every year. Could be, should be - but we're 0-3.

 

There's a lot of positives to take away from this game IMO, which is pleasantly surprising since I thought we were going to get killed.

 

Cody Parkey needs to get cut asap, but otherwise the team showed promise in a lot of ways.

[browns52]

 

 

 

This is the sad story every year. Could be, should be - but we're 0-3.

 

There's a lot of positives to take away from this game IMO, which is pleasantly surprising since I thought we were going to get killed.

 

Cody Parkey needs to get cut asap, but otherwise the team showed promise in a lot of ways.

 

you hit the nail on the head bbedward...we are 0-3...all these folks with the woulda coulda shoulda ....go ask bill parcells what he thinks of the woulda coulda shouldas....he'd say, you are what you are....0-3....

[Kvoethe]

you hit the nail on the head bbedward...we are 0-3...all these folks with the woulda coulda shoulda ....go ask bill parcells what he thinks of the woulda coulda shouldas....he'd say, you are what you are....0-3....

I think people are just happy with how we have improved each week. Players are not quitting, other guys stepping up. We see a team that is improving.

 

There is alot of cynicism out there and it will take a while to overcome it.

[nickers]

Can't understand how anyone can be a sunshine pumper for this team.. year in.. year out.. it's the same...

[browns52]

I think people are just happy with how we have improved each week. Players are not quitting, other guys stepping up. We see a team that is improving.

 

There is alot of cynicism out there and it will take a while to overcome it.

i do agree with that, however we have seen this before many times. We still don't know how to win. we have shown improvements from time to time with each coach we have had only to show complete failure. I know this is only 3 games in but i still see the same old shit...blown leads...penalties...missed opportunities like the missed fg yesterday. to me for improvement i need to see the w's start to accumulate. You are right about the players not quitting also, but seen that before. Unless it translates to wins, its all for nothing.

[stillmotion]

 

 

 

This is the sad story every year. Could be, should be - but we're 0-3.

 

There's a lot of positives to take away from this game IMO, which is pleasantly surprising since I thought we were going to get killed.

 

Cody Parkey needs to get cut asap, but otherwise the team showed promise in a lot of ways.

 

He does need to be cut. And pastztor needs to be at least benched.

 

what kind of message is it to cut Lee for not making the special teams tackle, (which didn't end up being a bad decision), but not cut the kicker that sucked and lost up the game.

 

If the browns have the playoffs on the line, do we want this guy kicking?

 

phil dawson would've nailed it.

 

aside from that i'm happy with the direction hue and kessler have us heading.

[bbedward]

It really sucks losing a game because your kicker misses 3 field goals inside the 50. Including a dead center potential game winner. Hard to really fault the players or coaches for yesterday - especially missing Coleman, Haden, McCown, etc.

 

Our talent sucks balls that's the bottom line, nobody expected us to win a lot of games this year. They're exceeding expectations so far despite being 0-3 - people have reason for early cautious optimism with the direction they're going.

[The Gipper]

It really sucks losing a game because your kicker misses 3 field goals inside the 50. Including a dead center potential game winner. Hard to really fault the players or coaches for yesterday - especially missing Coleman, Haden, McCown, etc.

 

Our talent sucks balls that's the bottom line, nobody expected us to win a lot of games this year. They're exceeding expectations so far despite being 0-3 - people have reason for early cautious optimism with the direction they're going.

I don't think our talent sucks balls. In fact, on offense I think the Browns could prove to have one of the most talented skill players in the league:

Crow/Duke/Barnidge/TP/Coleman/Gordon when he gets back...and a couple of decent backups in our rookies and Hawkins.

We have Pro Bowlers on the Left side of our line....a steady veteran now at center....

But yes, on offense we have a few spots of concern. QB as always. RT...maybe RG 8 out of 11 solid, talented players on offense.

Defense may be a bit more concerting. We need a better pass rush, and better coverage. Injuries don't help.

[browns52]

I don't think our talent sucks balls. In fact, on offense I think the Browns could prove to have one of the most talented skill players in the league:

Crow/Duke/Barnidge/TP/Coleman/Gordon when he gets back...and a couple of decent backups in our rookies and Hawkins.

We have Pro Bowlers on the Left side of our line....a steady veteran now at center....

But yes, on offense we have a few spots of concern. QB as always. RT...maybe RG 8 out of 11 solid, talented players on offense.

Defense may be a bit more concerting. We need a better pass rush, and better coverage. Injuries don't help.

pryor might be the best athelete this team has had since jim brown...i believe he could have kicked the game winning fg yesterday...i think he can play just about any position on the field if asked including lb and db given the chance to practice those positions. Most importantly, I think he will be a leader on this team which is what we need...

[wargograw]

You guys realize when you say "we look the same as every other year" that we are "looking the same" with a roster like 4 years younger on average across the board? That's improvement.

[browns52]

You guys realize when you say "we look the same as every other year" that we are "looking the same" with a roster like 4 years younger on average across the board? That's improvement.

yeah well, we have been young alot since 99. I'm not going to go back and figure out the avg age, but we have been young alot. we have been the youngest team in the nfl more than once or twice or close to it and we are still young with 1 playoff to show for it. It's ok to be young, its a natural cycle in all sports but during those cycles it has to pay off and it still has not for this franchise...

[medicineman]

I really thought that Pryor would never make the team, boy was I wrong. Dude is a beast that wants to win. I love it. I really think we can beat the Skins and I like our chances.

[medicineman]

Of course they have the Skins 9.5 favorites but they had the Phins 9.5 fav as well. The great part of yesterday was seeing Philly kick the shit out of Pisspuke

[DieHardBrownsFan]

You guys realize when you say "we look the same as every other year" that we are "looking the same" with a roster like 4 years younger on average across the board? That's improvement.

Just younger shit.

[flyingfooldoug]

You guys realize when you say "we look the same as every other year" that we are "looking the same" with a roster like 4 years younger on average across the board? That's improvement.

0 and 3 but it's a good 0-3 right? WTF?

[medicineman]

Some of these so called fans think it was good because it was close. If you ask me a 30 point loss is easier to digest than another heartbreaker

[flyingfooldoug]

Some of these so called fans think it was good because it was close. If you ask me a 30 point loss is easier to digest than another heartbreaker

Yep, that almost always almost winning is for the birds and apparently Texans too