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I am a multimedia nut, journalism, photography, videography, radio broadcasting and production. I’ve done it all, but I love to write and have a lot to say. I live in the Chicagoland area now and have always had an extreme love and passion for the Chicago Bears
Blogburst Contributor
 
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Written by Brett Solesky
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Saturday, 31 October 2009 00:54 |
So I watched some Cleveland Browns games, versus common Bears opponents from the 2009 season. The Steelers and the Bengals both teams from the same division that the Bears have already played. To see why the Browns are where they are, is not hard. They are clearly one of the worst teams in the league because they have essentially quit on defense.
Shaun Rogers is one of the key components of the Browns' defense. The 350-pound behemoth can be a real pain in the ass to block in the run game. He's as close to an immovable force as there is in the NFL and he mans the all important nose tackle position in the 3-4 defense the Browns run. There is a major catch to Rogers though, you can use his weight against him and be successful as a result.
Rogers is big and he is bad, but he is also prone to laziness and taking plays off. You want to neutralize Rogers? It's relatively easy, run away from him for a few plays, run no-huddle make him move and move a lot. He gets winded he gets tired and he quits. He flat out doesn't bother to try anymore he gives up and no longer cares. Not even half way through the Bengals game in which I watched Rogers the Bengals were in the hurry up and dropped back to pass. Rogers didn't even try to rush the passer, he just stood up and watched the rest of his line mates make an effort to get to Carson Palmer. When Palmer actually made his throw Rogers made a half-hearted attempt to jump to bat the ball down.
 This is what you can expect from Rogers a man who is tough to run at who can take on double teams and win battles at the point of attack. However once he tires out he quits on the team and that lack of effort and leadership begins to wipe through the rest of the defense like a virus. Once Rogers quit the rest of the Browns' defense quits and with the lack of talent they have on defense they have no business giving up and not trying.
The Browns' lack of talent on defense is frightening, there isn't one player that really causes me to worry. There are players who can make plays here and there but the overall lack of any quality talent really boggles the mind. They rank near the bottom of every category on defense for a reason and it doesn't take an NFL scout to see why.
On offense the Browns do actually have some talent, they're offensive line is easily the best unit they put on the field and it's easy to see why. Their line is good especially on the left side where Pro-Bowler Joe Thomas anchors in with Eric Steinbach who is one of the better guards in the league. The Browns' offensive line is so solid in fact that it begs the question, why did they draft Alex Mack, a center in the first round? The center position isn't the most important position to on the franchise with which to spend a first round draft pick on. Mack may wind up being a Pro-Bowler some day, I don't know but he wasn't worth spending a first rounder on when so many other quality centers can be found in later rounds.
After the offensive line the running game should be a lot better than what it is. It's a bit of an up and down rushing attack with Jamal Lewis leading the way. Lewis is a dangerous threat, because he can go off for a big game at any point during the season, but they're happening so few and far between now it's not very predictable when he is going to have a big game. Lewis is a big bruiser of a back who runs hard between the tackles who could very well give the Bears fits.
The Chicago defense is built on speed and Lewis is a thumper who could run through the under-sized front seven the Bears will line up with. If the Lewis train gets going it could alleviate some of the struggles facing the Browns' passing game.
Derek Anderson has a big arm and can make all the throws, his biggest problem right now is an extreme lack of confidence in himself and his own ability to make plays. This leads to Anderson being relatively inaccurate with his throws. It's almost as if Anderson is trying too hard to make the big play to put the Browns over the top. He wants to make that head turning throw or those consistent plays to separate himself from Brady Quinn as the clear cut starters.
The receivers the Browns have are good too, even without Edwards Mohammed Massaquoi has stepped up at times in his absence. Massaquoi looked really good in the game against the Bengals. He had over 100-yards receiving before the end of the first half. Massaquoi is a big, physical and relatively fast receiver and is one of the players the Bears had targeted during the 2009 scouting period.
What the Browns need to find is consistency with their run game to help the passing game find it's rhythm. The scary part is the Bears' defense may just be what the doctor ordered to find that groove. The Browns may be able to run the ball against the Bears and then if Massaquoi is able to use his abilities to work into the Cover-2 defense the Bears could be in trouble
If the Bears are unable to generate a pass rush with their front four and it is a strong possibility they won't be able to, then the Browns could find success on offense. The key for the Browns will be to take the heat off of Derek Anderson to make plays. If they are able to accomplish this and break down the Cover-2 because there is a lack of a pass rush it could very well be a surprisingly close game that the Bears aren't prepared for.
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