Brady Quinn gives this team the best chance to win, but the defense gives this team the best chance to lose. Fortunately, on Monday night, the defense played just good enough not to lose the game (although, they tried their best to blow it).It was an exciting, yet ugly win. I'll take it, though. And, I hope the Browns can use it to build some momentum for the rest of the season.
Passing out grades this week was tough, but someone has to do it:
Offense
- Offensive Line - There was a major hole in the middle of the offensive line Monday night. Quinn was under pressure all night long from the blitzing Bills' defense. The line has played better, and we all expect them to.
Grade: C- - Tight Ends - Winslow didn't have the monster game he had last week, but he did have three catches for 40 yards. Steve "The Swede" Heiden was a non-factor in the passing game with no catches. Quinn used them well last week, and this week he threw down field more.
Grade: C - Wide Receivers - Braylon had a decent game, leading the team with 104 yards on eight catches. But, the big story is still his drops. he's got to work on holding on to the ball ... if he's going to be the big time receiver he thinks he is, he's got to learn to catch.
Grade: C
- Running Backs - Jamal had only 18 carries for 65 yards. Again, the middle of the O-line was plugged up most of the game, making it hard for him to even get those 65 yards. Harrison continues to impress, breaking free for a 72-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
Grade: B - Quarterbacks - While his numbers
weren't as good as they were last week against the Broncos, he was decent against a good defense that threw everything they had at him. He continued to handle himself well under pressure, and caught a couple of lucky breaks on passes I'm sure he wishes he hadn't thrown. He also showed he can run. Again, he engineered some great drives that put them ahead in the fourth quarter. I was already a fan of his, but as he continues to show us what he can do, I get more and more excited at the prospect of him leading this franchise for years to come.
Grade: A- - Summary - Not a great showing, but a good one. With Quinn at the helm, this unit will continue to adjust to his leadership and work together as a cohesive, dynamic unit.
Overall Grade: B
- Defensive Line - Although it was announced on the pregame show that Rogers would not play due to injury, he played any way -- and played well. Getting him this offseason was the best move the Browns made. If they address some of the other issues on defense and get him some help, he'll be a Pro Bowler for years.
Grade: C - Linebackers - In the first half,
they played great. Wimbley and Davis each intercepted Trent Edwards and McGinest had some good tackles. D'Qwell Jackson continues to lead the team in tackles with 11 against the Bills. After that first quarter, though, they returned to playing like a bunch of Pop Warner kids who don't know how to tackle and were chewed up by Marshawn Lynch.
Grade: D+ - Safeties & Corners - With the exception of McDonald's interception in the first quarter, this unit played horribly once again. This needs to be the first thing Savage addresses during the offseason. We need help in the secondary, that's for sure.
Grade: D - Summary - The defense tried as hard as they could to blow another double-digit lead -- in fact, they did. Quinn and Dawson put us ahead at the end of the game, and the defense finally did their part to stop the Bills and force the missed field goal that sealed the win.
Overall Grade: D
- Special Teams - Dawson is a stud. He has been the hero of so many games over the years. It's great knowing that whenever he steps on the field, we have a good chance to score.
Grade: A
- Coaches - Romeo actually showed some emotion toward the end of the game, and his clock management has improved. But, as I've said before, one decently-coached game does not save his job in my opinion. This team still has some serious problems, and it falls on the coaches.
Grade: D
Go Browns!
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