Tale of the Tape - Browns vs Chargers

[Orion]

We've played 8 games, the Chargers 7, so rankings can be skewed a bit....but the yards per game isn't lying at this point in the season.

We are respectable against the pass.  As are the Chargers....but like us, they haven't put up big passing numbers.  They should get their average rushing yards (or better) against us...whereas we have not been able to do much on the ground and they're not too bad against the run.  We're a struggling offense with 2 new things....Chubb & Winston (also Wyatt Teller back and Dewan Jones in for Wills...umm, that's 4 new things I guess).

By the numbers, the Chargers are better than us in every category...but not by much. 

I wonder how many of their 4 wins can be attributed to them being plus 6 in the turnover differential?  

This is a game that we'd have a chance at winning.  If winning is something that we actually want to be doing while we're sitting at 2 wins and possibly the 3rd pick in the draft.  

The offensive line changes last week had a dramatic affect on pass protection for the QB.  Winston actually had some time to throw, several times.  This is something that hasn't been the case all season.  And he turned in a good game.  Flash in the pan?  I don't know...but with a plus 6 turnover ratio, Winston better not hit the Charger defenders in stride like he did the Ravens'.  

We're kind of a weird team right now.  Winston does not represent the future of this team.  Although he could stay on as the backup.  It's either DTR, Watson, or the Draft that is the future QB of this team.  

 

[TexasAg1969]

7 hours ago, Orion said:

We're kind of a weird team right now.  Winston does not represent the future of this team.  Although he could stay on as the backup.  It's either DTR, Watson, or the Draft that is the future QB of this team. 

FIFY😁

[Orion]

4 minutes ago, TexasAg1969 said:

FIFY😁

I happen to agree with you.  But now we're going to be playing Winston exclusively because he had decent pass blocking and won a game.  What we really need to do is get DTR back out there asap to watch him flounder such that we head into the offseason knowing that he's not the guy.

[Flugel]

8 hours ago, Orion said:

We've played 8 games, the Chargers 7, so rankings can be skewed a bit....but the yards per game isn't lying at this point in the season.

We are respectable against the pass.  As are the Chargers....but like us, they haven't put up big passing numbers.  They should get their average rushing yards (or better) against us...whereas we have not been able to do much on the ground and they're not too bad against the run.  We're a struggling offense with 2 new things....Chubb & Winston (also Wyatt Teller back and Dewan Jones in for Wills...umm, that's 4 new things I guess).

By the numbers, the Chargers are better than us in every category...but not by much. 

I wonder how many of their 4 wins can be attributed to them being plus 6 in the turnover differential?  

This is a game that we'd have a chance at winning.  If winning is something that we actually want to be doing while we're sitting at 2 wins and possibly the 3rd pick in the draft.  

The offensive line changes last week had a dramatic affect on pass protection for the QB.  Winston actually had some time to throw, several times.  This is something that hasn't been the case all season.  And he turned in a good game.  Flash in the pan?  I don't know...but with a plus 6 turnover ratio, Winston better not hit the Charger defenders in stride like he did the Ravens'.  

We're kind of a weird team right now.  Winston does not represent the future of this team.  Although he could stay on as the backup.  It's either DTR, Watson, or the Draft that is the future QB of this team.  

 

Something that isn't new?  Injuries to significant players.   Not having JOK out there will hurt.  Denzel Ward got another concussion so I hope this pass game ranking of 28th for the Chargers helps the Defense problem solve the potential loss of its best corner.  I'm starting to wonder what player will need to retire first Ward or Tua?   It seemed like Cameron Mitchell stepped up and made some plays in our secondary.  Another guy that made a lot of plays was our young LBer Diabate.  That play he wrapped both of Henry's legs behind the line of scrimmage so teammates could swarm was beautiful.  It felt like he was all over the place making plays...

I'm so excited to see our OL & QB not sentenced to the entitlement of Wills.  In this story, there was no Wizard of Oz putting a heart in the empty football chest.  Left Tackle as a very important position for the passing game; and it showed.  Jones did a great job at LT as others have mentioned in some of our threads. It was nice to see Crablegs jumper cable up a passing game for us.  If he can do it again, GREAT!  

When/if we do see DTR get a start within the next month or so - it would be nice to see him get a full week of practice leading up to the game with the 1st unit using the game plan; as opposed to QBing the scout team offense all week in practice only to be told at the last minute before/during the game - "You're in - go get em kid!"   

[Dutch Oven]

I like DTR, he seems like a very nice young man, but I hope that if Stefanski sticks around we get QBs in here who are the more traditional pocket passers who will throw downfield that seem to work well with him. That definitely is not DTR.

[bbedward]

57 minutes ago, Dutch Oven said:

I like DTR, he seems like a very nice young man, but I hope that if Stefanski sticks around we get QBs in here who are the more traditional pocket passers who will throw downfield that seem to work well with him. That definitely is not DTR.

DTR is very likable and easy to root for, but I mean he’s a 5th round pick. Him being a good starter would be a purdy like anomaly.

I could see them going with another project this draft and continuing with a journeyman type of starter next year like Winston I guess.

[Dutch Oven]

44 minutes ago, bbedward said:

DTR is very likable and easy to root for, but I mean he’s a 5th round pick. Him being a good starter would be a purdy like anomaly.

I could see them going with another project this draft and continuing with a journeyman type of starter next year like Winston I guess.

Speaking of Purdy, I saw a video recently talking about the last few 49ers quarterbacks and how successful they were for their first few seasons, then how they kind of disappeared…. Purdy is almost at that point, will he interesting to see what he does rest of the season. It will be interesting to see what the Browns do this offseason. They pretty much have to move on from Watson being the starter, but how they do it will be fascinating 

[Ibleedbrown]

This week in tv viewing sees us lowly Cincinnatians joining my forsaken homies in Van Wert as the only Ohioans not getting the Browns game this weekend. Actually, there’s a little spot next the WV border that’s SOL too, right around Coolville. Not cool Coolville…

But some of you Appalachian Americans in Eastern KY and around Charleston, WV get the game. You lucky ducks.

And speaking of ducks, the west coast from San Diego to Eugene gets the game too.

Eugene, OR was named after its founder: Eugene Skinner. I personally think Skinner, Oregon would have been a much more amusing name. Missed opportunity there Oregon…

 https://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2024&wk=9

[Bob806]

I see some are seeking a QB in the draft, please no, not again. 

We need offensive lineman. We need linebackers. Can't ignore those positions anymore folks.

As far as this game goes,  I certainly hope the Browns are motivated. The Chargers have given the Browns problems the last few meetings. Time to reverse things,especially with another Harbaugh coming to town.

[bbedward]

39 minutes ago, Bob806 said:

I see some are seeking a QB in the draft, please no, not again. 

We need offensive lineman. We need linebackers. Can't ignore those positions anymore folks.

As far as this game goes,  I certainly hope the Browns are motivated. The Chargers have given the Browns problems the last few meetings. Time to reverse things,especially with another Harbaugh coming to town.

They will likely not draft high enough to pick the slim choices this year. They will probably grab one in the 3rd-6th though if they see enough potential in a guy.

[Dutch Oven]

7 hours ago, bbedward said:

They will likely not draft high enough to pick the slim choices this year. They will probably grab one in the 3rd-6th though if they see enough potential in a guy.

I don't think Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward is a Stefanski-type QB anyways.

Guys like Allar and Beck, etc will be available. Doesn't mean they have to pick them - the last thing I want is the Browns to reach for a QB - but guys who could fit what the Browns like to do will be there. This IMO will still be a team drafting in the top 10. 

And there's plenty of other picks to get OLinemen and linebackers. I can guarantee the Browns will not be taking a LB with their first round pick. 

[Bob806]

3 minutes ago, Dutch Oven said:

 

And there's plenty of other picks to get OLinemen and linebackers. I can guarantee the Browns will not be taking a LB with their first round pick. 

Right. They don't value LBs, but at least they found a good one in JOK. 

Taking a QB would be a bad idea IMHO. The Browns went from a young, upcoming team to one of the oldest in the NFL since 2018. 

[tiamat63]

27 minutes ago, Dutch Oven said:

I don't think Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward is a Stefanski-type QB anyways.

Guys like Allar and Beck, etc will be available. Doesn't mean they have to pick them - the last thing I want is the Browns to reach for a QB - but guys who could fit what the Browns like to do will be there. This IMO will still be a team drafting in the top 10. 

And there's plenty of other picks to get OLinemen and linebackers. I can guarantee the Browns will not be taking a LB with their first round pick. 

 

I'm curious why a 6'2 and change pocket passer in Sanders isn't a "Stefanski type" QB?

[TexasAg1969]

10 minutes ago, tiamat63 said:

 

I'm curious why a 6'2 and change pocket passer in Sanders isn't a "Stefanski type" QB?

Some have not truly watched him play entire games.

[Dutch Oven]

1 hour ago, tiamat63 said:

 

I'm curious why a 6'2 and change pocket passer in Sanders isn't a "Stefanski type" QB?

Because he’s another thin-skinned head case. Stef already had Baker and Deshaun.

[tiamat63]

12 minutes ago, Dutch Oven said:

Because he’s another thin-skinned head case. Stef already had Baker and Deshaun.

 

That's fair.  I thought you were talking more from a physical skill stand point. Which was a head scratcher. 

 

1 hour ago, TexasAg1969 said:

Some have not truly watched him play entire games.

 

Dutch's assessment isn't wrong about SS's mentals though. 

[Dutch Oven]

1 hour ago, tiamat63 said:

 

That's fair.  I thought you were talking more from a physical skill stand point. Which was a head scratcher. 

I zigged when everyone thought I would zag! I’m a riddle wrapped up in an enigma, smothered in intrigue, topped with a healthy dose of shenanigans.

[Dutch Oven]

Been seeing a few very positive write ups regarding Mohamoud Diabete, who replaced JOK. It'll be interesting to see how the undrafted second year player does while JOK is down.  

[Orion]

5 minutes ago, Dutch Oven said:

Been seeing a few very positive write ups regarding Mohamoud Diabete, who replaced JOK. It'll be interesting to see how the undrafted second year player does while JOK is down.  

Yup.  #43 stuck out to me while watching.  He's also on today's injury report.  thigh, groin - Limited.

[Dutch Oven]

18 minutes ago, Orion said:

Yup.  #43 stuck out to me while watching.  He's also on today's injury report.  thigh, groin - Limited.

Well as a lifetime Browns fan, that makes sense.