Preview: Steelers at Browns

Going to be a bare bones preview this week since I see the Steelers challenge in week 2 to be almost identical to the challenge faced vs the Texans last weekend.  No need to re-invent the wheel or say the same things twice.  For a real in-depth Preview you have to check out FC’s GOSPEL at SteelerFury.com

Like Houston, the Browns provide 1 real threat at the WR position (Braylon Edwards), a good TE (Heiden), a few no-name depth WRs (Steptoe, Sanders, etc..) and Kellen Winslow (who will play TE and WR on Sunday).  Cribbs is a real good return man, and the Steelers need to lock him up just like they did with Andre’ Davis last game.  As you can see, this Browns lineup isn’t that far off from the Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, Kevin Walter, Andre’ Davis lineup that Houston brought into Pittsburgh last weekend.

RB Jamal Lewis is a proven threat but the Steelers seemingly always handle him better than most teams.  Last year the Steelers held Lewis to a grand total of 70 yards on 27 carries in the two games they faced eachother, averaging 35 yards per game vs the Black and Gold.  If the Steelers D can lock him up once again and keep the Browns in 3rd and Long and in obvious passing situations, the game should go exactly like last week’s Texans game.  Cleveland might be able to string together a few passes here and there but overall, they shouldn’t be able to make a habit out of moving the ball on our defense.

When the Steelers have the ball, look for them to get up early by throwing the football and taking advantage of the Browns secondary.  They have a few DB injuries and they don’t have the depth capable of keeping Washington, Miller, Ward, Holmes, etc…in check for 4 QTRS.  After getting on the scoreboard early we can go to our traditional ground-and-pound game with a few playaction passes mixed in to put the nail in the coffin.

Matchup to watch:  DT Shaun Rogers vs C Justin Hartwig

This is the test we’ve all been waiting for. If Hartwig can get the job done tomorrow, he will have answered all the questions we have about him.  Can he handle medium sized guys, can he pull, can he pass protect, can he get movement in short-yardage situations?  The answer is YES to all of those questions.  Can he handle the massive NTs and DTs that got Sean Mahan shipped out of town? We’ll know the answer to that one on Sunday night.  If he is able to handle Shaun Rogers, get some push on short-yardage and goalline runs, keep the pocket from collapsing, etc…then we have oursleves a sturdy Center who will be able to handle just about all the challenges that the other NTs and DTs on our schedule will present.

Conclusion:

Don’t let the preseason hype fool you.  The Cleveland Browns are not a good football team right now. I think last year they beat one team with a winning record? I’m not 100% sure of that fact but I think I heard it somewhere a few days ago.  The Steelers offense is a very solid unit; if Dallas was able to put up nearly 500 yards of offense against the Browns defense last week, what do you think the Steelers are going to be able to accomplish?  Look for the Browns to be in long passing situations most of the game and the Steelers will tee off on Derek Anderson when necessary.  (Remember at times last year the Steelers felt the best way to beat Anderson was to back off in zone and let him make mistakes with his footwork and accuracy).  So don’t expect the Steelers to set up shop in the Browns backfield like they did vs Schaub, but that will be because of scheme, not because we CANT get to the QB.  Final Score: 34-17

————————————-

Remember this?  (we put this post up last year just to show you guys how the Browns were using Kellen Winslow.  Look for some of the same on Sunday night)

Why are TEs so “in” right now? (all from Drive 1)

We all know what Heath Miller brings to our offense. Any fantasy football GM can tell you how great it is to have Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Chris Cooley, and other TEs on your roster each week. Let’s look at how the Browns used Kellen Winslow last weekend.

Here, Winslow is lined up on the sidelines originally and then shifts closer towards the slot. With another WR near the line as well, this just about guarantees that Kellen Winslow is going to be matched up against a Strong Safety (usually not very good against the pass) or a LB. If you’re Derek Anderson, then your pre-snap read tells you that you have Winslow (one of the best TEs in the NFL) going head-to-head against either Farrior, Harrison, or Polamalu.

Winslow drags across the middle of the field and picks up the first down. Obviously, too fast and athletic to be guarded by a Middle Linebacker in open space.

That’s good for a first down.

Another 3rd down play on the opening drive. Winslow shifts in again just like he did on the previous 3rd down play. This time, the Steelers seemingly anticipate that Anderson will look for Winslow and make sure they get a DB on him.

Unfortunately, Deshea Townsend isn’t the biggest or strongest guy in the world, and Winslow creates

enough separation off the line, gives him a shove, and “boxes out” for a first down.

Here is another angle.

Push. First Down.

Another 8 or 9 yards needed for a first down, and the Browns utilize Winslow once again.

Pick Play here. You can’t on your screen but there is a WR at the bottom of the frame. He will come into the picture and set a pick.

Watch the pick here on James Harrison that frees Winslow.