The Secret behind the Browns 24 point comeback.

With the Browns there is very little question if the glass is half empty or half full. Since 1999 it has been totally empty. Yesterday the Browns staged one of the best comebacks we have seen since the Cardiac Kids. That was fun to watch. Browns fans have not had much fun since the rebirth of the team.

But the comeback would not have been necessary if the team had been mentally ready to play in the first half. As they have so often before, the team came out flatter than fallen Soufflé. The Browns are not good enough to spot an NFL team a couple of touchdowns and come back. The coaching staffs have changed. The roster changes but the flat start of the game seems to be endemic to the franchise. This can not continue. Getting the team ready mentally is a culture issue. If the players can not get their minds ready to compete then the coaches have to try to do it for them. If that does not work, the wrong guys are on the roster.

In the first half QB Brian Hoyer was erratic and under pressure way too often. The O line was leaking … Read more at FryingPanSports

Dissecting the 2014 NFL Draft – Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Draft (2)

Note: On News, Notes & Rumors Thursday we will be joined by former Browns QB Kelly Holcomb. Friday we have all pro RB Abner Haynes. Join us at 6 PM EDT on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

1/15 Ryan Shazier OLB – The Steeler D is getting old. Shazier adds youth, speed and instincts. He can play inside or outside and was a very good pick given their needs on D.

2/46 Stephon Tuitt DT – The team has seen DL players leave like the last one out had to play the dinner check. Tuitt was hurt and even when healthy was not as productive as he was in 2012. He will start only because of the lack of depth.

3/97 Dri Archer WR – Tiny was the fastest player at the combine. But at 5-8 173 you have to wonder how long he can survive in the AFC North. He has good hands and quicks but is only a slot guy.

4/118 Martavis Bryant WR – Bryant is a big fast WR that will make a real difference. He was a great value that could have gone in the 2nd round.

5/157 Shaquille Richardson CB – He has size but … Read more at FryingPanSports

NFL Draft grade for the AFC North

NFL Draft (2)

NOTE: NNR Tonight explores the Browns roster after the 2014 NFL Draft.  Join us on 6 PM EDT.
Thanks

In my opinion it is useless to grade a draft before the players have spent 3 seasons in the league. As a result, here are my grades for the AFC North in the 2011 draft.

Cleveland A

While the Browns ended up with a number of keepers, only one was a pro bowler.

21 Phillip Taylor DT Baylor – Solid starter that needs to get in better shape.

37 Jabaal Sheard DE Pittsburgh – Starter but suffered due to the change to a 3-4

59 Greg Little WR North Carolina – Starter that drops a lot of balls and should be replaced.

102 Jordan Cameron TE USC – Pro bowl starter

137 Buster Skrine DB Tennessee-Chattanooga – Undersized nickle back.

150 Jason Pinkston T Pittsburgh – Decent starter with a recent history of injury.

Cincinnati B+

The Bengals had fewer players make the team but they became part of a 3 time playoff team.

4 A.J. Green WR Georgia – All pro and one of the best in the league.

35 Andy Dalton QB Texas Christian – Under achiever that Read more at FryingPanSports

Why did the Steelers fall so far so fast?

Steelers

 

Note:  Join Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, Tony Williams Giants beat writer for Metro New York paper and me for a week 6 NFL preview Friday Oct. 11 at 6 PM Eastern on or catch the archives on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

 

The reason the Steelers have been so bad this year is their drafts have not refilled the pipeline of starters like it did in years past.  Here is the complete list of players drafted from 2008-2011.  The last two drafts are too new to get a good evaluation.

 

The bottom line is the Steelers have only 4 full time starters out of 33 total picks.  That is not enough to keep the Steelers competitive.  The issue this season is not the coach.  The problem is the front office.

 

2008 Draft  0 starters in 2013

 

1          23        Rashard Mendenhall   RB       Illinois

Mendenhall started for the Steelers for just 3 seasons and was let go in free agency in 2012.

 

2          53        Limas Sweed             WR      Texas

He never started a game for the team and had only 7 catches in 2 seasons.

 

3          88        Bruce Davis                LB       UCLA

He was only a special teams player in … Read more at FryingPanSports

News, Notes & Rumors Week 1

nfl

 

 

News:

The running game in week 1 was WAY down in part because lots of NFL teams have major O line issues.  The Seahawks struggled to score 12 points against the Panthers.  The Browns could not run or pass in a loss to the Dolphins.  The Steelers lose their C Maurkice Pouncey and score only 1 TD.  There was only one RB that got 100+ yards (Shane Vereen of the Pats). and he has a broken bone in his wrist.

 

Colin Kaepernick QB of the 49ers was outstanding against the Packers.  He was 27-39 412 yards with 3 TDs and no picks.  His new best friend is former Raven WR Anquan Boldin who caught 13 passes for 208 yards and a TD.  Despite only running for a total of 90 yards the Niners beat the Pack.   Jim Harbaugh is going to owe brother John a REALLY nice Christmas gift for the trade of Boldin.

 

While the Bills D played well, the Pats are clearly hurt by the loss of targets for Tom Brady.  Of course the two fumbles by RB Stevan Ridley did not help the O.  The same can be said for the Ravens losing … Read more at FryingPanSports

Thoughts about week 15 of the NFL

Thoughts about week 15 of the NFL

 

The 49ers with Kaepernick are for real.

The win over the Pats was very impressive.  Kaepernick put the team in position to blow out the Pats but the D struggled to keep up the pressure on Brady.  It was the D that gave up the 4 TD lead but Kaepernick ended the game with a TD.  This team is nearly ready to go for it all.  The change from Smith to Kaepernick should have been made earlier in the season.

 

The Jets are a joke that is not funny.

The issue with the Jets is not only QB Sanchez but the roster’s lack of talent.  Mike Tannenbaum Jet’s GM has blown drafts and free agent signings.  HC Ryan is not the best coach in the league but deserves better players.

 

Sanchez was never a favorite of mine because he had only one year of starting at USC.  If he could not beat out John David Booty who was a 5th round pick, what made Tannenbaum think he was worth a top 10 pick?

 

The Browns are not and never were a hot team.

The Browns’ three game winning-streak was … Read more at FryingPanSports