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Browns Getting Healthy Again Heading Into Week 4 Match-Up Against Bengals

Despite being 2-1, the Bengals haven't exactly been a very impressive football team.

Streeter Lecka - Getty Images

Despite being 2-1, the Bengals haven't exactly been a very impressive football team.

As Week 4 approaches, Cleveland Browns fans can only hope for a victory this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. It seems a little awkward when you compare the two teams in the Battle of Ohio this week. The expectations for the Browns weren't very high heading into the season, but I get the sense that this team could easily have been 3-0 rather than 0-3. On the flip side, the Bengals are sitting at a record of 2-1, but I could easily see them being 0-3.

Each team has underachieved in their own right. For the Browns, it has been a combination of horrid second half offense and a poor game from a cornerback last week. For the Bengals, it has been the combination of a horrid defense one week and their offense never really living up to expectations in any game.

While the records don't indicate it, I think both of these teams will be battling head-to-head on a rather even playing field this Sunday. With many of the Browns' players ready to return from injury, could that end up being the difference maker.

Star-divide

Here is what the Browns have going for them:

  • First and foremost, the Browns found their identity on offense, and that is Peyton Hillis. Besides his fumbles in Week 1, he has ran the ball better than expected and is also a consistent threat out of the backfield. Teams seem to be ignoring him in the flat, and if they continue to do so, that's an easy throw for our quarterbacks. If they start coming up to cover him, then that should open some more things for our receivers and tight ends.
     
  • RB Jerome Harrison returned to practice, a player I am still very high on. With that said, given Hillis' production, I'd be crazy to call for the slow-starting Harrison to receive more touches this week. It'll be interesting to see how the team utilizes Harrison this week, because this goes back to the potential issue when Jamal Lewis was here.
     
    I was fine with giving Lewis some carries (when he was doing well), but the problem was that Harrison was never utilized. If Hillis is the featured back now, Harrison can still be an asset on screen plays or as a change of pace back to the outside. I think defenses will still respect him if they see a playaction fake too.
     
  • WR Brian Robiskie was at practice Wednesday too, and there's nothing wrong with him being inserted back into the starting lineup. Why? Because, as I've mentioned all season, Joshua Cribbs is a player who can be the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 receiver, RB, QB, etc. on any given play. It's almost like a rotation. Robiskie hasn't had the chance to shine yet, but I think he'll do better once Jake Delhomme gets back.
     
  • Speaking of Jake Delhomme, I really hope he is at practice today like Eric Mangini suggested. While I commend Seneca Wallace for what he has done the past two games, I still haven't gotten my "fill" of Delhomme running the offense. Remember, he had a tremendous preseason and looked to be in sync with Mohamed Massaquoi, Ben Watson, and Chansi Stuckey. That's not to say he wasn't in sync with Robiskie or Cribbs, but I think he demonstrated the ability to make his reads quicker and get the ball to the right player.
     
  • UPDATE: The ABJ notes that Mangini stated Delhomme will start against the Bengals if healthy. That might seem like an obvious statement, but if he is healthy enough to practice Thursday and Friday, then I think that is a sign that he'll start. Mangini confirmed this morning that Delhomme will practice today (Thursday).
     
  • On the offensive line front, wouldn't it be great to see Shawn Lauvao and Tony Pashos starting this week? John St. Clair sat out of Wednesday's practice, and Lauvao finally practiced (in a limtied role).
     
  • Defensively, Marcus Benard is back. Although Carson Palmer ran all over the Browns last year, we need a guy who can get pressure on the quarterback more often to try to prevent our cornerbacks from being on an island too often.
     
  • My confidence in Eric Wright right now? It's still high. He needs to forget about last week's game and focus on covering players he's faced several times in his career (Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens).
     
  • The Browns were without Shaun Rogers, Robaire Smith, or Kenyon Coleman in Wednesday's and Thursday's practices, so that's really the noteworthy position to watch this week on the injury reports. Mangini stated that all three are expected to practice on Friday.

More information should be out shortly regarding who is practicing Thursday.

Poll
Will the Browns pull off a victory this week against Cincinnati?
Yes
839 votes
No
275 votes

1114 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  117 comments

Comments

What is Rogers’ status these days? Will we see him at all this season?

Honestly, I don’t know what was wrong with him in the first place. Leg or something I believe.

It was a broken leg towards the end of last year that put him out for the season. Haven’t really heard much in the way of a recovery timeline – worries the hell out of me.

Rogers played Week 1, and I thought he played Week 2. He missed last week with “hip and ankle issues.” Mangini included Rogers in the list of players who are expected to participate in practice on Friday.

You’re right. He played in week 2 as well.

He is listed on the injury report with a hip and ankle.

I’m disappointed with Rogers this year. Seems MIA even when in the game.

Yeah, I’m not sure everything is quite right with him. Obviously not with the injury status.

This is hard to know but I suspect an effort issue.

That would be unfortunate.

Let’s assume that it’s an injury issue so long as he’s listed on the injury report.

My prediction:

Browns win a tight one with a final score of 35-30
Hillis: Rushes 25x for 155yds and 2 TD’s
Watson/Moore: 7 Catches between the two for 2 TD’s
Defense will hold Palmer under 200yds in the air and Benson to 80yds on the ground with a Pick 6 at some point in the game.

Tomorrow’s Powerball: 6,9,14,25,32,40 and a PB of 19.

If Hillis runs for +150yds I’ll do a little jig.

Wright can teach you one.

Wright should have spent more time prepping for Boldin than his dance moves last weekend.

Wow, we’ll put 35 on the board??!

Thanks for the Powerball numbers.

You have to split it with me if you win though

I’m irrationally optimistic about an 0-3 team.

I wouldn’t say I’m irrationally optimistic so much as I’m simply not direly pessimistic.

I had a moment of extreme optimism, like, “we could still win 10 games” optimism. It has passed, but I sort of liked it.

Well, the early results of the poll spell “optimism.”

The correct spelling is
I-R-R-A-T-I-O-N-A-L O-P-T-I-M-I-S-M

Put me in that irrationally optimistic group. I really think the alternative is unimaginable. I mean, if the Browns lose another tight one, I expect Mangini will literally explode on the sideline, like spontaneous human combustion stuff…

Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year, it’s just not widely reported

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZrqC5LL_oo

-Take it easy with Hillis, he should last. It´s nice that you see him at the pinnacle immediately, but you have to give this juggernaut, a scheme of persistence, timing and efficacy. The best solution is to figure in a tailback. I saw the highlights versus the Ravens, and the combo Hillis/Vickers looked real good. I swear that will give you 6 yards per punch, we´d be in a position to get first downs at will, exactly what the doctor ordered to get a decent passing game going. Just don´t be so predictable, we need to get away from the sold out pass on the first two downs (especially all fly patterns), run on the third and punt on the fourth. Sock it to them, then throw it, I don´t mind being predictable in that regard at all, then throw at will, once that´s established. Throw that wildcat in if you want to, but they should know their main predicament is a running game they must respect.
-Jerome Harrison is a scat back size wise, not terribly fast, but a hefty runner at that size. I agree that he´s a situational type guy. James Davis, with either Vickers or Hillis, or both, has the fundamental skills, to be a great little tailback. Tailback, mind you. Halfback or feature back as you call it, sorry, not so much. Keep your eyes peeled for “tailbacks”, I bet there are some that were cut the past few years, because they failed at the highly unrealistic single back formation. I reiterate what I once stated, namely, that even for Barry Sanders that formation was quite the challenge.
-Brian Robiskie was successful in college as a man amongst boys type, he used good body positioning on most of his catches. Something a tight-end would do in the NFL. Once again my challenge to him is specialize. Be an end-zone threat, or a possession receiver, continue to hone your skills, because you are neither fast or intimidating in the NFL. Jumping? Probably also not exceptional. Maybe you should order a pair of those weird plateau, heelless, basketball jump improvement shoes.
-At this point, if you don´t want to break in Colt McCoy, while we´re not exactly sizzling, I think Seneca Wallace is the more exciting player, even if not accustomed to winning under Holmgren. Delhomme should do exactly what he came here for, apply for his pension in Cleveland.
-I want Massaquoi challenged constantly. Lets see if he´s the real deal for a number one receiver.
-Regarding the defense. We need marquee players, ones that will sell jerseys to fans. Currently I count: NG Shaun Rogers, DT Ahtyba Rubin, S Abe Elam…Eric Wright as a physical FS maybe. If we ever arrive at an 1985 Bears lineup or a 70ties Steelers or Raiders line-up, where you could sell 11 defensive jerseys, we´ve arrived.
Until then: Look good, play good. How you play it should get you who plays it.

I can’t tell whether I’m buying into your philosophy more, or if you’re the one who has adapted. Either way, good post. I agree on Massaquoi. While I don’t want this to be a pass-happy team, it’s always nice to know if you have a true No. 1 receiver or not, and the only way to find that out is to give him some more looks.

Defensively, switch T.J. Ward with Abram Elam and then we’re talkin’ ;)

Yes Pokorny, a bit iffy, I guess. I´m not an executive, I´m an idea person lacking implementators, I always thought that shtick was discernable.
T.J. Ward has star potential, he´d be rabid though, and a Lynch rewarded scenario at safety, with the concussion preogative medically at the moment, too risky. I prefer steady eddy Abe Elam at strong safety. T.J. Ward goes into the lost and found bin, actually found/not afforded. When we finally convince the apparatus, that football is an eternal contact sport, and that is physiologically impossible to unscrew your head or get the offense and defense to face the same direction by the rules, then we can afford impact players at DB.

aaaaand we’re back…

Delhomme should do exactly what he came here for, apply for his pension in Cleveland.

This made me laugh (even though I don’t entirely agree with the sentiments)

DABOLL! You sly S.O.B! Why you calling yourself Mooncamping?

I had no idea you found this website. We should tell Rob!

See ya later alligator!

Is he channeling me?

Pshaw. Daboll wishes he were one-tenth as creative as mooncamping.

He probably is, it´s just the Mangini doctrine, that he´s not satisfied until they´re no longer mashing teeth but gums.

Eric Mangini, major buzzkill? poSSIBLE,

Hello keyboard defect! Make that:

Eric Mangini, major buzzkill? Possible, but I’d need some proof to blame him over Daboll….

I´m not blaming him, I´m just trying to reacquaint myself with his leadership style.

I think Mangini keeps putting stuff in the Arsenal box for Daboll and Ryan to sit on. Wonder if he´ll take that cache with him unopened on his way out.

Moon, I have to say what you said made a lot of sense ( HOLY SHI-)….Disturbingly phrased as per usual , but on point nonetheless.

Yeah, thought I´d skim this one.

I hope if Delhomme comes back that he plays well. I’d hate to see another QB debacle.

Quinn/Anderson was perilous, because their contract situations gave them the chance to conscientiously alter their individual levels of performance. That´s why they are gone, but allowed to succeed on their own, somewhere else.
Good old fashioned quarterback controversies minus an agitative financial scenario? Knock yourself out.

That´s why they are gone, but allowed to succeed on their own, somewhere else.

I do not believe that either of these gentlemen have yet demonstrated what I would call success elsewhere….

I’ve heard several sports commentators use the term “Brady Quinn-esque” to refer to a QB who is indecisive or one that checks off a lot… always makes me chuckle a little.

You know you’re on the path to fame when people start using your proper name as a negative descriptor!

You’ve been mooncamped.

I’ve heard it now too haha.

I was more confused about the “conscientiously alter their individual levels of performance” part. So, Quinn’s structured contract along with his poor play was a reflection of his desire to make less money?

As long as you realize there was a tailored problem regarding retaining either both or none.

Like the Browns, the Bengals have a knack for playing ugly 15-10 type games. Unlike the Browns, they have a knack for winning them. That suggests to me that we’re going to have another frustrating just-out-of-reach game, but hopefully things will bounce right in the end this time. Certainly the Bengal offense doesn’t scare me much, but they’re probably saying the same thing about ours.

I’d be afraid of Peydirt Killis if I was the Bengals…

I hope they’re not afraid of him. So much the better for us!

Let’s not forget how penalties have hurt the Browns this year. Last year’s success involved much more discipline on that front, and I expect to see a similar dynamic this season.

This is a good point, and something that has been troubling me. I didn’t expect to get penalized so much.

SERIOUSLY.

Man up, Mangini. He got last year’s guys in line. What’s the deal this year?
What’s changed?

this (and losing as a result) bugs me.

I’ve been wondering about this a lot. Last year Mangini was a discipline-nazi (so it was said) and it paid off with very few penalties. Now we have more laid back Mangini and we have an 85% increase in penalties.

He’s still been punishing players for penalties. Not sure why it’s still happening.

have you gotten a warning from the mods yet? they are strict about you using the N-word around here.

What does that tell you?

We are?

I got a warning last week about a similar reference.

I was mostly kidding though. I don’t really care that much. the warning wasn’t from you anyways.

Well I didn’t really see it as a joke and other people didn’t either (see BY’s comment above), so there is no reason to make a comment like that. If you have a problem with a comment then either email one of us or flag the comment.

I thought this goes without saying, but I just want to point out that the context in which a word or phrase is used determines if it’s offensive or not. So just because you might have been warned about something in one situation doesn’t mean another person saying something which seems similar also will be warned or the comment deleted. A little bit of common sense is necessary.

That is my fault for making the joke the way I did. I used drier sarcasm which relies a lot on the tone which gets lost across the interwebs.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…

I don’t think making any type of jokes about which comments need to be deleted are appropriate, because they can be interpreted by some people the wrong way.

I see what you mean and I won’t again then. i didn’t think about it like that.

I explained to you why your comment was deleted. Why do you feel the need to bring it up again?

it was dry sarcasm. lets not get into an argument of why mine got deleted and his didn’t. I could try to argue, but there is no point.

Trust me. As the record holder for having DBN’s most deleted comments, let it go.

I’m pretty sure I might be passing you soon.

I don’t mine deleted for cursing or bad mouthing though, just being annoying.

if you didn’t read it, i was letting it go. I said I don’t want to argue about it and I made a joke here that wasn’t in that good of taste.

I never said you weren’t.

Love the choice of picture by the way.

I’d like to point out an interesting fact… The Bengals are 2-1, while the Browns are 0-3. I took a little jaunt over to the Bengals DBN site and their fan confidence is lower than ours (and dropping, whereas ours is on the rise). Interesting.

On the same note though, some of their early predictions have them blowing out the Browns.

our fan confidence has only gone up in the past week. fans have only had confidence because we almost beat a team we should have lost to. if you look at the 2 weeks prior, the fan confidence plummeted.

I think the featured poll on LGT tackles this subject nicely.

Lesbian Gay Transexual?

I’m constantly trying to add a B to that acronym whenever I see it.

To make a BLT?

Its a new spin on a BLT. LGBT.

Lettuce, Guac, Bacon, Tomato

Oh. My. God. That sounds delicious.

Ha. Sadly, I think that acronym is already taken.

I know. I am contacting them to see if they can sponsor the sammich.

or maybe it’ll just be BLGT.

Good post. I see the Browns being conservative on offense no matter who starts at QB. Lots of handing off the ball and it is likely the Bengals will come out setup to stop the run. If the Browns can adjust to this or come out with a creative gameplan on offense, they might score a quick TD but frankly, I have no confidence in the coaching staff to pull off something unexpected like that. The conservative mode on offense will keep the Browns in the game, but it won’t win against the Bengals in my opinion so I think we will be looking at another loss. This makes me sad.

I hope we have success running the ball and do it early and often.

I’m afraid we are going to give Palmer too much time, and he’s just going to shred our still shaky secondary.

Cinci’s o-line has struggled thus far and I think we’re going to get to see Benard and Rogers back. I think this is the week we get some good pressure on the QB.

Palmer has not been good.

Yeah, well, doesn’t mean he won’t be good against us. Looks like his best game was in Week 1 against New England, whose defense seems to be struggling.

I agree with us coming out with lots of ground n pound on offense. I then see us opening up some play action, thus getting the TE’s and WR’s some catches. Then you continue to keep the two mixed and not predictable, all while maintaining good defense. This is how we will win this year. This is our offense this year. Daboll, are you LISTENING!

I agree with the strategy but I don’t have a lot of faith in Daboll’s ability to plan the tactics nor the team’s ability to execute the play-action part against the Bengals. I’ll still enjoy watching though. I’ve actually enjoyed watching all the games this year in spite of the losses. And with the lack of interest in the Indians (they were last in attendance this year) and that bouncy-ball-slamma-jamma-league—can’t remember what it is called but my favorite teams is the Whoever-is-playing-Miamis, I have to be pretty happy to watch the NFL.

I agree with the strategy but I don’t have a lot of faith in Daboll. ’s ability

Fixed.

Heh… I’ll accept that correction.

do you remember we have an anti-intuitive, moronic OC.
Let’s not get our hopes up that we’ll do something sensible yet.

Our First Win

I think the win will come this week. Follwed by another win next week. I think it is conceivable that this team will be at worst 2-5 going into the bye week. Thoughts?

as happy as that notion is, “2-5” sounds like a terrible record. :(

Is this meant to be ironic?

Wright also bullsh**ted Hillis out of the running for ground player of the week on NFL. com.

apparently your team has to win to be considered.

That’s stupid.

Not really.

Anyway the longer hillis goes unnoticed the better.

I was feeling pretty optimistic about this game, but the injuries on the DL make me nervous. We are potentially looking at starting Rubin, Schaefering and Robinson. I seem to recall that Schaefering played decently, but Robinson I don’t know about -as in really, I don’t know anything about him.

Schaefering really stood out to me in pre-season.

I like Schaefering a lot. With all of the injuries, it might be a good time to make use of some of these big ass linebackers we have. I know Roth can play with his hand in the dirt and so can Gocong.

i think that we’ll intercept cinci at least once and dawson will put us in the lead with a few minutes left.

Then I woke with a start… j/k.

“If Peyton is running the ball well, we’re going to keep giving it to him,” said offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

Hooray!!

One would hope that would go without out saying… but here we are.

I was actually worried we’d go back to 15 rushes per game and 40 passing attempts.

Would have been an entirely legitimate concern.

With Daboll in charge it still is, if you ask me.

This could mean something entirely different as in…

We’ll keep passing a lot but Hillis will be the main one running the ball.

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