Browns vs. Bengals: Breaking down the game
Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Chad Ocho Cinco vs. Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald
The name in the newspaper has changed, but Bengals receiver Chad Ocho Cinco is still the same talented Chad Johnson who has killed the Browns for years.
Ocho Cinco — he officially changed his name, but continues to wear a No. 85 Johnson jersey because of a marketing deal with Reebok — has just eight catches for 88 yards and no TDs this year, but is due for a big game. The Browns seem like a good bet to host his breakout, as Ocho Cinco has 73 catches for 1,043 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 career games against the in-state rival. In Week 2 last year, he had 11 catches for 209 yards and two TDs.
“He really stretches the defense,” cornerback Brandon McDonald said. “He’s a great player, a Pro Bowl guy. Chad’s a great route runner and gets in and out of his breaks really quickly.”
Ocho Cinco has been slowed by ankle and shoulder injuries this season, but Browns coach Romeo Crennel thinks the slip in numbers is primarily a result of constant double coverage.
“The quarterback looks over there and sees him doubled, so he knows he shouldn’t go over there,” Crennel said.
The Browns assign their cornerbacks to a side of the field, so both will get a crack at Ocho Cinco. Eric Wright was supposed to be Cleveland’s top corner, but has struggled in the 0-3 start. The Ravens attacked him out of the gate last week, completing hooks in front of his soft coverage. McDonald has been solid, but missed an interception against Pittsburgh that wound up as a pivotal deep completion.
Wright and McDonald will have their hands full, but Ocho Cinco also presents an opportunity. Their predecessor, Leigh Bodden, made a name for himself — and millions of dollars — by shutting down Ocho Cinco one day at Paul Brown Stadium.
NICKEL COVERAGE
(Five points of interest in today’s game)
Commit to Jamal
Running back Jamal Lewis was fuming last week after getting just 12 carries against the Ravens. For the year, he has
44 carries for 156 yards and no touchdowns.
The Browns should rededicate themselves to the run today, especially with quarterback Derek Anderson struggling to keep his job. Lewis ran
48 times for 308 yards and a TD in two games against Cincinnati last year, and the Bengals rank 28th against the run, allowing 174.3 yards a game.
Lewis has more 100-yard rushing games (nine) and rushing touchdowns (10) against Cincinnati than against any other team. In 13 games, he has 1,551 yards and a 5.5 average. If Lewis can’t get going this week, the Browns are in serious trouble.
IQ test
It’s bad enough the Browns are losing, but they’re killing themselves with stupid mistakes and penalties. Their 28 penalties are tied for most in the league, and they’ve looked disorganized at times on offense. Coach Romeo Crennel is under the microscope, so he needs to prove that his team is mentally prepared.
“This team has had too many penalties,” he said. “We put the emphasis on it, point it out on films, in practice. Some of them are those kind of penalties that with better discipline, you can eliminate.”
Here’s Carson
Don’t be fooled by the early season statistics, Carson Palmer is still one of the best quarterbacks in the game. And he began to resemble his old self last week against the Giants, just in time for the Browns’ visit. He was 27-for-39 for 286 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and a 98.9 rating.
Palmer has befuddled the Browns with his use of a no-huddle attack that keeps the defense off balance and from substituting. Cleveland defensive lineman Shaun Smith, a former Bengal, admires Palmer but has a recipe for success.
“He doesn’t like being hit,” Smith said. “So when he gets hit, he gets frustrated and starts harping on the offensive line.”
Line dance
The offensive line was billed as perhaps the biggest strength of the Browns during the preseason. But injuries and sub-par play have made it look ordinary, and left quarterback Derek Anderson vulnerable — to the opposition and Brady Quinn.
The Browns may get left guard Eric Steinbach back from a shoulder injury today, but until veteran Ryan Tucker returns, probably at right tackle, the line will have to step up its performance without all of its parts.
Rudi’s replacement
For years, running back Rudi Johnson was a pain in the side of the Browns. But he’s gone, replaced by former first-round pick Chris Perry.
Perry missed all of last season with an ankle injury, but was given the starting job in training camp. He has a pedestrian 180 yards and 3.0 average in three games, but broke loose for a
25-yard touchdown against the Giants, Cincinnati’s longest ground score in 61 games.
“We can’t underestimate him,” Browns linebacker Andra Davis said. “He’s not a physical runner like Rudi was, but he can get the job done. He can hurt you.”
GAME FACTS
WHERE: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
WHEN: 1 p.m.
RECORDS: Browns 0-3; Bengals 0-3
LAST WEEK: Browns lost 28-10 at Ravens; Bengals lost 26-23 at Giants in overtime
SERIES: Bengals lead 35-34
SERIES AT CINCINNATI: Bengals lead 22-13
LAST MEETING: Bengals won 19-14 on Dec. 23 in Cincinnati
COACHES: Romeo Crennel is 20-31 with Browns and overall; Marvin Lewis is 42-42 with Bengals and overall, including 0-1 in playoffs
TV/RADIO: Channel 19, with broadcasters Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon; WMMS 100.7-FM
NFL RANKINGS (OUT OF 32 TEAMS): Browns — offense 32nd (30th rushing, 31st passing), defense 23rd (25th rushing, 18th passing); Bengals — offense 30th (25th rushing, 26th passing), defense 24th (28th rushing, 12th passing)
BROWNS UPDATE: WR Braylon Edwards had 16 catches for 198 yards and four touchdowns in two games against Cincinnati last year.
• Rookie LB Alex Hall made his first start last week and had seven tackles, a sack and two quarterback pressures.
• The Browns rank second in the league in kickoff coverage, with an average start of the 21.9-yard line. They’ve only kicked off nine times. Chicago leads (20.8-yard line).
• NT Shaun Rogers will make his 100th career start. He leads Cleveland defensive linemen with 17 tackles and has a sack.
BENGALS UPDATE: Rookie LB Keith Rivers, the ninth overall pick out of USC, is second on the team with 27 tackles.
•T.J. Houshmandzadeh tied for the NFL lead with 112 catches last year. Houshmandzadeh is third on Cincinnati’s all-time list with 433 catches and sixth with 5,094 yards.
•K Shayne Graham is No. 2 all time in NFL field-goal accuracy at 85.25 percent. He would move past Mike Vanderjagt with 17 straight makes.
•The Bengals are plus-41 in turnover margin under Marvin Lewis. They are 29-4 in games in which they win the turnover battle.
•They will wear black jerseys and pants.
BROWNS INJURY REPORT: Out: S Sean Jones (knee), TE Martin Rucker (knee); Doubtful: WR Donte Stallworth (quadriceps), LB Willie McGinest (hamstring); Questionable: G Eric Steinbach (shoulder), OL Ryan Tucker (hip), LB Kamerion Wimbley (groin), LB Kris Griffin (calf); Probable: QB Derek Anderson (right forearm), WR Braylon Edwards (shoulder), DL Shaun Smith (hand), NT Shaun Rogers (shoulder), T Kevin Shaffer (hand).
BENGALS INJURY REPORT: Out: S Dexter Jackson (thumb); Doubtful: S Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle); Questionable: QB Carson Palmer (elbow), CB David Jones (knee), TE Ben Utecht (chest), RB Kenny Watson (hamstring); Probable: CB Jamar Fletcher (illness), S Nedu Ndukwe (groin), T Levi Jones (knee), DT John Thornton (knee).
THE PICK: Derek Anderson and Romeo Crennel get to keep their jobs for another week.
Browns 27-24.
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Filed by Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram September 28th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 3% |
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