When the Cleveland Browns get set to face the Atlanta Falcons this week, fans will likely see the return of starting quarterback Jake Delhomme. With that in mind, let's quickly trace back to how Delhomme did in Week 1 and why we were intrigued by him in the preseason.
Preseason: Delhomme played in three games this preseason and played very well, completing 38-of-48 (79.1%) of his passes for 345 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Beyond the stats, one word defined him: efficient. Almost all of his balls were on target, he went threw his reads quickly and found the right receiver, he seemed to diagnose the defense prior to the snap, and he had chemistry with our tight ends and wide receivers.
Week 1: The final stat line doesn't look pretty, as Delhomme was just 20-of-37 (54.1%) for 227 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. A few things stand out about the Browns on that day:
The reports from the local media indicate that Delhomme looked much more comfortable on his ankle in practice Wednesday, as he took about half of the reps with the first team. I'm really excited to see Delhomme play against the Falcons, and one of those reasons is because he throws a better deep ball. You can bet that after the Browns are pounding it with Hillis, Delhomme is going to target Mohamed Massaquoi deep again, and probably connect. We brought Delhomme in to make the big throws when the defense tried to key in on the run, and I think he can do a better job at that than Wallace can.
Also, here is a possible advantage for Delhomme this week in terms of confidence: remember how poorly he did with the Carolina Panthers overall last season? Guess who his best two games of the season came against? The Atlanta Falcons.
It'll also be really interesting this week to see if the Browns get back to the Cyclone formation this week, especially since Wallace has had a lot of playing time with the first team the past several weeks. The tough thing for Brian Daboll to decide on is exactly what type of balance he should have between giving Peyton Hillis enough carries and putting Delhomme in a situation to get into rhythm, all while seeing if he can mix in the "gadget" plays without disturbing the other priorities.
In other brief Browns news...
0 recs | 102 comments
CP is this where you would like supporting stat stuff for you or would you like it in a fanpost?
sleepy042 - October 7, 2010
Hmmm, how about you try it out as a FanPost this week, and if it doesn’t seem like it gets a lot of attention/feedback over there, in later weeks it can be as a comment in a post like this?
Chris Pokorny - October 7, 2010
Jake’s arm may not be what it once was, but he should be able to get a few deep shots on target. The TD he threw to Massaquoi in game 1 is a good example. Let’s hope Hillis stays healthy and we maintain the running game.
Spidey - October 7, 2010 via mobile
yea he does throw a better deep ball
but if you go back and look at the tape from that throw to mo mass against the bucs it was really more lucky than good
tytryon biggums - October 7, 2010
Wallace threw a similar pass to Cribbs vs ravens
HenryDawg - October 8, 2010 via mobile
and has since proven that was a fluke.
notthatnoise - October 8, 2010
you mean the one pass he tried downfield on 3rd and 2 when he just should have run the ball?
bross09 - October 8, 2010
Seriously – is it just me or are there a lot of plays he could have run forward for a sizable gain but went sideways looking for open anything and threw it away or just plain missed the intended target.
browndawgbacker - October 8, 2010
No, he is referencing the TD pass to Cribbs
Bernie19Kosar - October 9, 2010
but his TD pass to cribbs was in the KC game.
bross09 - October 9, 2010
As long as we maintain the running game I still think we need to get some more looks with Delhomme. I think it’s pretty safe to assume we know what we’re gonna get with Wallace, which is fine, but I do want to see a healthy Delhomme a bit more before they decide to pull the trigger and go with wallace full time.
johnnyphoenix - October 9, 2010
If Jake starts sunday, I really like our chances of getting a win; I’m sure they’ve had time to figure out that they can’t allow him to throw that many times, and I think we’ll see a healthy balance of Hillis pounding-Jake throwing.
Dawg Nuts - October 7, 2010
I think we win with either QB
HenryDawg - October 8, 2010 via mobile
OT: SB check your email if your still up for trading.
Kimble_79 - October 7, 2010
Got it.
SpecialBrownie - October 7, 2010
Brilliant move on your part. You essentially traded a bench rider for a likely must start going forward.
Well played.
Simmsinns - October 7, 2010
Why thank you.
SpecialBrownie - October 7, 2010
I won’t vote against it, but you’re getting swindled.
Simmsinns - October 7, 2010
I had no other QB’s besides Vick on my team. After he went down, I’ve decided to go for depth at that position. It’s all good.
Kimble_79 - October 7, 2010
This is a 14 man league. Davis is a must start. You’re trading him for a rental QB.
I’m very confident your TE plug-ins get you nothing near what Davis would have.
Simmsinns - October 7, 2010
When will this take effect? Before Sunday correct?
Kimble_79 - October 7, 2010
I believe so. I’m not certain on how many days they give the league to vote, but after that (assuming it’s not voted down) you’re good to go.
Simmsinns - October 7, 2010
Nevermind, I just got the email. Looks like by Saturday.
Kimble_79 - October 7, 2010
there are much better waiver wire Rental QBs than rental TEs
bross09 - October 7, 2010
Just another reason this trade hurts WV.
Simmsinns - October 7, 2010
exactly. I think its gonna bite him in the butt. Then again, Vernon Davis is underperforming but that has a lot to do with QB play. for SB, this is a perfect sell high and buy low.
bross09 - October 7, 2010
I hope they start Troy Smith soon (for reasons that have nothing to do with FF)
HenryDawg - October 8, 2010 via mobile
Does he
bite his tongue?SpecialBrownie - October 7, 2010
Ugh, this is the third time I’ve done this.
Mods, please delete and I’ll try again…
SpecialBrownie - October 7, 2010
I’m leaving it up because I’m fascinated with how in the world it could be happening that often and want to hear your response (do you know why?)
Chris Pokorny - October 7, 2010
you like listening to him squirm?
sleepy042 - October 7, 2010
If its a bug, I can report it.
Chris Pokorny - October 7, 2010
personally i prefer the squirm part….adds more life to the site.
sleepy042 - October 7, 2010
…No, I keep getting them confused haha.
SpecialBrownie - October 7, 2010
I’ve done it once by clicking to fast.
Simmsinns - October 7, 2010
Ha! I never noticed that before. Now that you mention it, he is doing that in just about every picture of while he is in mid-throw.
Kimble_79 - October 7, 2010
Hillis
How much does the emergence of Hillis help Delhomme? How much does it help the receivers? Is Hillis play what Delhomme needed to be the efficient quarterback the Browns were hoping for? Thoughts
champion64 - October 7, 2010
Greatly, Incredibly, and Yes! Jake needs to be a game manager, not carry the team on his shoulders. I think this will greatly help Delhomme moving forward. I think Chris hit the nail on the head above. Run, Run, Run, then hit them with a deep ball off play-action to MoMass. This is what Jake was contracted for.
Kimble_79 - October 7, 2010
Well, Jake had two very good RB’s in Carolina last year. Just saying.
TheDriveStillHurts - October 7, 2010
I think we’re hoping that Jake has decided to work on minimizing his mistakes and rely on his running game. I might be the only one, but I think Jake still thought he was more than a manage the game QB last year and dug himself a very large hole very quickly.
Villeslgr - October 7, 2010
That’s actually about what he said himself. He said he was constantly trying to do too much.
notthatnoise - October 8, 2010
Having a running game has never hurt a team.
rufio - October 7, 2010
Having and using a running game has never hurt a team
woodsmeister - October 7, 2010
this.
discoinferno083 - October 7, 2010
The original statement was true too, y’know.
Chemo - October 8, 2010
If we’re running the ball as much as I’d like us to, it won’t matter which of them are in.
I still voted Delhomme.
Simmsinns - October 7, 2010
I think the Browns should be running more double tight with Watson and Moore, then having Hillis lining up in the back field. This formation could be good to both run and pass out of.
The Brown Note - October 7, 2010
I am a huge fan of double tight formations. I run just about my entire offense in Madden on this premise. (I know, Madden is not the NFL) I like to pound the ball off tackle with I formations, then slip in play-actions with TE’s running seam routes. I also like to throw deep to my wideouts from this formation.
Kimble_79 - October 7, 2010
Oh no no no no no. Madden IS the NFL. My self-worth is hinged upon that fact.
troy145 - October 7, 2010
A few of us have brought this up before. I hope we see some more of this formation, especially now that we are confident that Moore is totally recovered from his concussion.
notthatnoise - October 7, 2010
The Delhomme acquisition never signaled let´s try to win. There is nothing to complain about if we lose. Hillis is a work horse, but he´s not Barry Sanders, so either get that to work in a tandem, or he should balk, to put it bluntly. I hate the Browns to be the team that can get guys to succeed on almost nothing, or situate them into oblivion. That´s a little to middle class ghetto attitude for my taste.
mooncamping - October 7, 2010
truer words were never spoken.
notthatnoise - October 7, 2010
He´s more like Walter Payton, but no rationale in the world will make him a halfback.
mooncamping - October 8, 2010
Hillis shares the attribute with Walter Payton in that he likes to run over defenders. Other than that he is very different from Walter Payton.
Monsters of the Midway - October 8, 2010
Hillis reminds me of Mike Alstott. I wonder what Number Mike wore?
Suppa Bob - October 8, 2010
40 or 41
SpecialBrownie - October 9, 2010
This should really not be that dificult.
Establish the run game (has anyone stopped Hillis yet, other than Daboll?), and use Delhomme as a Game manager.
RUN the ball.
I’m hoping Daboll has started to figure that out. Although, we will need a healthy balance against some of these upcoming teams.
discoinferno083 - October 7, 2010
Jake will be Fine
Dont blame him for the game 1 when he got hurt
The team rocks!
The defensive backfield is getting noticed not just because of a cheap shot but overall..
The Losses this season have been against teams w total record of 8-2 by less than 12 points total..
The team rocks.. the Running Game rocks and will open up the passing game!!
Count a win against the Hawks!!
JohnnyRockU - October 7, 2010
licking our chops for Pittsburg and rematch vs the Ravens
Browns will MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR even w the bad start!!!
JohnnyRockU - October 7, 2010
i cant wait to see how BOSS DAWG does against the mediocre defense of the the falcons. also seeing the warden( WARD) playing as aggressive as he has been,( dont worry about what the bungholes or the nfl say, you hit who you want, when you want!) and i hope Enis(Haden) can really start playing alot more than he has been, he is starting to look very comfortable in there
findlaybrownslover - October 7, 2010
Enis? That don’t make no right sense.
shep615 - October 7, 2010
Enis and Lumi?
Villeslgr - October 7, 2010
BOSS DAWG being Hillis!!!
findlaybrownslover - October 7, 2010
(Subtle shift in topic masquerading as a non-sequitur)
Somewhere
maybe even a DBN threadI read something about the Falcons having a good penetrating defense. Not sure if that’s true but if it is does that make it more advantageous to try and get Harrison to the outside on some runs?JustBob - October 7, 2010
Oh, those formatting woes.
JustBob - October 7, 2010
or screen pass/dump off like crazy
(Cribbs?)
discoinferno083 - October 7, 2010
Did you guys know we haven’t given up a rushing TD yet?
StuckInPa - October 7, 2010
shhh. . . I’m keeping Turner on the bench.
Villeslgr - October 7, 2010
We also haven’t allowed a 100 yard rusher. Although we did allow a 222 yard receiver. Yikes.
StuckInPa - October 8, 2010
Man, I can’t wait for this game. Not only is my dad taking me to my first ever regular season game (I’ve only been to preseason games before) I get to see m favorite team take in my favorite non-browns player in Matt Ryan. Still hoping that Ryan gets destroyed by Bernard or Roth though.
brownsboy14 - October 7, 2010 via mobile
congrats.
don’t hold your breath on Ryan getting creamed, though. :(
discoinferno083 - October 7, 2010
If we only ask Jake to throw the ball 25ish times, we should be fine. Any more than that and we are in serious, serious trouble. I am afraid that we didn’t realize we’re a running team, but instead that we went to the run when our starting QB went down, and we will return to being a 37 attempt team upon his return.
If we understand that we are a grind-it-out, keep em honest run team, we’ll be absolutely fine. Otherwise, we’re in deep, deep trouble.
troy145 - October 7, 2010
discoinferno083 - October 8, 2010
Off Topic kinda: Browns Boy mentioned he is going to his first regular season game and has only been to the preseason. That reminded me that my dad is probably selling the his 2 steelers tickets this year. I dunno if he’d wanna go through somewhere like here, but I am 99.99% sure they are for sale…2 of them.
This is why that division rivals rule for the end of the season sucks. It makes sense in that they want competative games, but playing the steelers at home that late just sucks. the team has nothing to play for at that point and those games never turn out to be that good…those are the only ones I end up ever getting to go see.
bross09 - October 7, 2010
2009 Browns 1-11
Week 14 Beat Pitt 13-6.
Sometimes one game can make your whole season worthwhile.
Brownie's Year - October 8, 2010
yeah. true. I believe the steelers game is week 17. the home game on week 17 is always ends up getting very poor attendance.
bross09 - October 8, 2010
AHH forgot it was the last game. If the Steelers have clinched a spot by that week, they won’t be playing their big names. A win there would be less satisfying.
Brownie's Year - October 8, 2010
yep. either way, the browns will have nothing to play for.
bross09 - October 8, 2010
could be playing to keep the steelers out of the playoffs
DontCallMeJoey - October 8, 2010
in the alternative, stop the damn negativity and quit writing us off after only 4 games.
Dawg Nuts - October 8, 2010
This. Where the hell did all the optimism everybody had coming into this season go. We just beat the Bengals, who had an 8 game winning streak against AFC North opponents. That’s got to put a hell of a lot of confidence into this team going forward.
And with the way teams are looking right now, 9-7 or even 8-8 might possibly get a wild card birth.
StuckInPa - October 8, 2010
And don’t forget, we were in EVERY game til the very end.
North Coast Flea - October 9, 2010
I meant to say we probably won’t have anything to play for. in the new browns history, that game has generally not been a good one. maybe the team goes 8-8 and i hope that.
bross09 - October 8, 2010
It’s the Steelers.
Villeslgr - October 9, 2010
I was only able to make 2 games last year and the last one was the finale against Jacksonville. How can you not like seeing the Browns run the ball down an opponent’s throat in freezing temperatures?
And the Steelers. Shit man, that could be a great game. The Browns might even get the chance to play spoiler. And come on, 8 times a year the Browns play at home, 8 times! Just go to the game!!!
Monsters of the Midway - October 8, 2010
Check that. I’ll buy bross’ tickets if he flies me out there to see the game. Hell, I’ll even take bross!!!
Brownie's Year - October 8, 2010
they aren’t my tix. they’re my dad’s and he’d much rather just sell them to someone here than pay for airfare.
bross09 - October 8, 2010
Guys: Quick FF question for you. I usually go with my gut on these, but all I’m feeling today is stuffed from a sausage, egg, n cheese biscuit.
Who do you start this week?
Percy Harvin against NYJ (Pearcy is long overdue for a breakout game and with Moss taking some pressure off it could come soon, but the Jets corners are tough)
or
Ochocinco against TB (Ocho hasn’t done much of anything yet this year and I feel he is overdue for a big game as well and think TB corners are not nearly as good as the Jets above)
Kimble_79 - October 8, 2010
I would start Johnson, but since I have Harvin I’m hoping he’s the one with the breakout game.
notthatnoise - October 8, 2010
Johnson.
Brownie's Year - October 8, 2010
ochocinco.
if Harvin plays a big game, trade ’em.
heck, if one of them plays big, trade either for someone more consistent.
discoinferno083 - October 8, 2010
Harvin.
Think what Randy Moss did for Wes Welker.
Bernie19Kosar - October 9, 2010
Exactly. Harvin just became a must-start.
golanbatrac - October 9, 2010
no. Harvin became a fool’s errand due to his migranes.
discoinferno083 - October 9, 2010
His migraines are better than they have ever been.
I wouldn’t worry about that.
Bernie19Kosar - October 9, 2010
does anyone have any info on alex mack’s status? i know he’s missed wed/thur practice with a shoulder injury…
sleepy042 - October 8, 2010
MKC twittererd that he returned to practice today and will likely play Sunday.
Roger Dorn - October 8, 2010
Another Fantasy question since Kimble started this:
I have 3 WRs and I don’t know which 2 to start
Santonio Holmes
Steve Johnson
Johnny Knox
My top 2 WRs have a bye. I am leaning towards benching knox b/c of Cutler’s injury.
bross09 - October 8, 2010
you’re probably right.
Holmes and Johnson, fairly easy.
discoinferno083 - October 9, 2010
yeah. With Cutler healthy, I might take Knox over Johnson.
Man, I am gonna have a sh*tty week and I think my opponent if 4-0
bross09 - October 9, 2010
Anyone else hear about Mack? He sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday and was limited today. He said it’s up to the trainer if he plays.
StuckInPa - October 8, 2010
that is not good news.
notthatnoise - October 9, 2010
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