Brown Notes,
I'll let you know what sig I want you to have soon enough. That said, I saw a decent amount of that game yesterday and yes the Raiders blow, but the Browns looked solid. Especially for a team who's fought hard almost all year and lost a lot of tough games. It would be very easy for them to just lay down at this point but they haven't. A solid road victory for their 4th win. Nothing impressive at 4-8 but they do look very competitive in every game. This offseason is huge for them. Mostly for Weeden. Their division is brutal and all three qb's are clearly better and he needs to elevate his play which has looked decent so far.
Weeds was 5/6 70 yards on the game capping 94 yard drive. He was getting drilled too ESPN recorded 10 QB hits. This is the sort of thing you want to see from a guy that you want to lead you to the post season. The Raiders have a NCAA level defensive backfield but it still says something that we were able to get that drive done, it's what good teams do.
Gonna be nuts playing KC with Hillis, Brady, Romeo, Daboll, and Carthon. The Chowns.
"I'm a moron for thinking the Browns could even sniff 10 wins in a division where the other three teams (two of whom almost always make the playoffs) made the post-season last year. Gyp Rosetti's thee God of football knowledge." - Brown Notes
Unfortunately you are correct. It is highly unlikely that there is a kicker available that would do any better than Akers. The 49ers did bring in two kickers for tryouts last week. Those two were Nate Kaeding and Billy Cundiff. It looks like we will likely be stuck with Akers the rest of the season. Hope we at least replace him before next season.
How many of you actually watched the play? Here's a link to a video with multiple replays. It is clear that the ball landed beyond the line of scrimmage after it went out of bounds. As explained in the video Mike Pereira confirmed that on this type of play the line of scrimmage extends out of bounds. It was a legal throwaway, which makes it a bogus safety. Free 2 points to the Rams from the refs. The really messed up part of this, is that as it is considered a "judgement call" it is not allowed to be reviewed. What is the point of instant replay if it can't be used to make sure calls like these are correct?
I'll be man enough to say that after having watched it twice, it does seem to be legal according to the rules as I know them.
That said, Harbaugh's still an arrogant douche and you're still a whiny fan who can't take the heat.
How do you get over the hump in that division next year? The other teams' coaching, qb play, leadership, and maybe most importantly, winning culture (not as much with the Bengals obviously) are all much better imo.
I suppose winning cures all so all you really need to do is look at how the team can get better. Weeden's development is #1 for me. What else though? I think wide receiver development (namely Gordon) and qb/wr rapport. What do you draft this year? A stud pass rusher? How are your safeties? How's your offensive line as a whole?
I watched it when it happened. I thought it was intentional grounding then and I still do. More to my point, don't run into the end zone when the line of scrimmage is the 17 and none of this matters. You feel the Rams were given 2 points, I feel the 49ers were given 3 points. In the end, the Rams won the game and all is good.
Browns need a dominant run blocking guard, a RDE, a FS and probably a CB too. TE and FB to a lesser degree. Gordon is a freaking beast, consider that after missing all that football the dude is leading all rook WRs. With a rook QB.
OL is set at both T's and C. There is going to be a great guard prospect out of Alabama, and there are lots of pass rushers in this draft so I hear. Most important will be Heckert. Typically you bring in new ownership & pres and these guys will want their own people but Heckert has been so, so good drafting the last 3 years. If they get rid of him we are F'd.
"I'm a moron for thinking the Browns could even sniff 10 wins in a division where the other three teams (two of whom almost always make the playoffs) made the post-season last year. Gyp Rosetti's thee God of football knowledge." - Brown Notes
As a Phins fan normally Jake Long being out the rest of the year would be a huge loss but with the way he's been playing this year.... well still gonna suck especially this week going into SF.
I so hate the Pats, how in the hell does the AFC East Div winner get the NFC West at home (except for SEA) and MIA is the one that goes on the road to face the NFC West Div winner. Yes this is sour grapes that it seems the Pats vs MIA schedule just seems like for always winning the Div they get most of their toughest games at home.
Love the Broncos at 12-1 to win the Super Bowl.