There's no defending this defense

Too many questions for Browns, coach

By Patrick McManamon
Akron Beacon Journal sports columnist

Published on Tuesday, Sep 11, 2007

BEREA: Reducing the Browns' problems Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers to one position is kind of like reducing the federal deficit to one bad check.

But this is football, so most folks still will start with the quarterback.

At this point, though, if other areas of the team do not come together, it won't matter if Mother Teresa plays quarterback except maybe she could provide the miracle this team needs to start winning.

Somehow the defense escapes close scrutiny, and that unit was as bad as any Sunday. Their play led two observers both of whom have worked in the NFL before to say it looked like the players quit in the second half. Both thought Romeo Crennel must be wondering why he sticks his neck out for his players.

Nobody but the players can say if they quit, but anyone could see they played poorly.

As bad as things were in the first half, the Browns were still down ''only'' 17-0 at halftime. Yes, it seemed like 117-0, but if the defense could rise up and stop Pittsburgh early in the second half and the Browns got the ball and Mother Teresa dropped some holy water down from the heavens . . . well, who knows what would have happened.



Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) scores a third-quarter touchdown between Cleveland's Brodney Pool (21) and D'Qwell Jackson (58).

What did the defense do?

Cave.

Pittsburgh opened the second half with a touchdown drive of 71 yards.

After a Browns touchdown, the Steelers came back with a touchdown drive of 64 yards.

After a Browns punt, the Steelers had a field goal drive of 72 yards.

In the second half, Pittsburgh converted 6-of-9 third downs.

The going line is that the defense was tired. Worn down, I believe, is the appropriate phrasing.

This notion is laughable.

First, Pittsburgh opened the third quarter with a touchdown; why would the defense be tired after a halftime rest? Second, Pittsburgh's second touchdown drive followed a 76-yard drive by the Browns, again providing the defense a break.

Too, the defenders are allowed to do something about the other team.

Stop them. Force a punt. Get off the field. Then you won't be tired.



Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward beats the Browns' Eric Wright for a first-quarter touchdown.

Roger Goodell has changed much since he became NFL commissioner, but he has not passed any rule mandating a defense must allow first downs.

The Steelers had an early third down in their first drive of the second half. Not only did the Browns not stop the Steelers, but also they jumped offsides, meaning even if the Steelers did not convert, the Browns kindly would have given them the first down.

On the second drive, the Browns had forced a third-and-1 and gave up a 2-yard run to Najeh Davenport.

Just enough for the first down.

Pittsburgh then had a third-and-8 and Ben Roethlisberger was chased out of the pocket. He dumped a short throw to Davenport, who should have been stopped immediately. Davenport instead made at least four Browns whiff and gained 17 yards.

Hines Ward's personal foul set the Steelers back 15 yards. No matter. On first down, Roethlisberger found Heath Miller. Sean Jones whiffed, and Miller scored.

Four-year-olds make contact in tee ball more than the Browns did on those plays.

This is Davenport, a backup running back, and Miller, a tight end. Neither has ever been compared to Barry Sanders, but Browns defenders treated them like they were radioactive.

The effort on a fourth-quarter end around by Cedric Wilson was woeful. While Wilson ran, Browns defenders backpedaled.

How good can a defense play when it gives up 206 yards rushing 4.9 yards per carry? How good can it play when it allows the opposing quarterback a career high in touchdown passes, or is on the field for 60 percent of the game?

Blech.

There are many problems and many questions to be asked of everyone in the organization from the players to the coach to the GM.

But if the Browns don't start stopping the other team, this dismal opening game quickly will turn into a dismal season.

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Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com.