Have the Browns become inconsequential?

By Lane Adkins The Orange and Brown Report It was ugly. It was very ugly. So goes the 2011 season of the Cleveland Browns following a thorough butt-kicking by the Baltimore Ravens, 24-10. Rushing for 290 yards and passing for another 158 yards, the Ravens overwhelmed the Browns at every turn, despite the Browns being within striking distance in the third quarter. In essence, the Browns had no reason to be in this game. The scoreboard is the only evidence they ever were, as the Ravens offense and defense over-powered and pushed the Browns around, nearly at will. Especially on defense, the Browns battled, but were no match for the superiority of Baltimore's physicality, preparation and experience. But youth wasnt the basis of this demoralizing loss. It was all talent. It is coaching. It is confidence. Week after week, the same is viewed on game-day. The Browns cant move the football, throw extremely short passes, balls get dropped, and they punt. Defensively, the Browns defense stops the run for a play or two, but gives up just enough yardage on the ground to keep them on the field. In a nut-shell, this is a poor football team. Years and years of turmoil, change and indecision has left Cleveland Browns football to what it is, and has been for the better part of 12 years. Poor. There are no acceptable excuses for the manner in which this team plays. The National Football League is about one thing winning, and the Browns must learn how to play the game on that level. Much is said about the youth and inexperience within the player roster. 23 players with a year or less experience is an alarming number. Much more should be said about those putting this team into the position it is. A fine line separates a successful team and a team that is an after-thought. The Browns began the season by playing the youth and inexperienced player(s). Other teams may compete by adding bodies of experience to help bridge the gap between such youth and development and winning. But if a team fields a young QB, basically a rookie in a new system and surrounds the balance of the offense with questionable talent, what is the true chance of success? Obviously, those chances are slim if the 2011 Browns are the example. When you look at the Browns, blaming the likes of QB Colt McCoy or offensive linemen Jason Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao isnt the answer. These guys are playing as well as they can in the structure they are in. Simply put, they may not be good enough to make a difference for this team on game-day, not today, not tomorrow, maybe never. They were put into the position they are today. Granted, a football player seeks the opportunity to compete. That chance is something any player wants, but its what the player does with the opportunity that makes or breaks his future potential. There has been a bright moment within the darkness of Cleveland Browns football in the 2011 season. Though, guys such as McCoy, Lauvao, Pinkston and others just may not be good enough, not at this time, not thrust into the fray of a new system. Its not to blame those mentioned. The three players may be the most noted when discussions about the state of the team are engulfing. But, why? McCoy is the QB and he hasnt proven to be the presence a team in the game today at the position. Lauvao and Pinkston man the LG and RG spots and have been beaten too often on game-day attempting to protect McCoy, or in run-blocking situations. Much of the same could be said about the WRs, the LBs, the D-line and so on. Without the talent, coaching, experience and confidence at the professional level, the fine line between winning and losing is often immeasurable. What we think about McCoy, Lauvao, Pinkston and others really means very little. Its those men bunkered in the Browns training facility that mean everything. Hopefully those men continue to retool this team objectively, as the issue doesnt appear to simply be the on-field talent. Next year is a common phrase associated to Browns football. Next year, Pat Shurmur and company have to be much better, or the masses of Browns fans may continue their unparalleled march away from the team. Because a 4-8 record is not good enough and the Browns are becoming inconsequential on Sunday in Cleveland. The vast number of empty seats only help prove the notion as fact. Quick Hitters - QB Colt McCoy again didnt see receivers breaking into the clear against the Ravens. While the receivers werent beating coverage consistently, opportunities were present and those opportunities werent capitalized on. - Not to blame this ongoing issue solely on McCoy, as he did break the called play in completing a downfield pass to RB Peyton Hillis and another to TE Evan Moore late in the game. The issue is these two completions were the exception to the vast rule. - The Ravens showed many defensive looks upfront against the Browns. Interestingly, there were a couple stunts not viewed on tape, which left the Browns right-side of the offensive line baffled and waving as Ravens defenders merged at the spot McCoy was standing. - An offense has little chance to succeed if they are unable to run a defense off the ball. Throughout the game, the Browns passing game was consistently comprised of short routes run which the Ravens defense respected little. - This game was yet another match-up where the Browns passing game was basically relegated to short attempts. Whether by design or inability, this organization must improve this facet. Its understood head coach Pat Shurmur likes to utilize the short passing game much like a running play, but the problem this team encounters is the inability to do anything other than that. You dont win in the NFL without being a down-field threat. - Josh Who? Why line up the man if he isnt going to be looked toward. Cribbs has every right and every reason to be upset with the lack of touches, the lack of winning and the lack of utilization. - If the season is going to remain one of playing the youth, why isnt WR Carlton Mitchell on the playing field? At the very least, he is the quickest receiver and can run a vertical route. - A big difference between the manner which the Baltimore Ravens play and that of the Browns is physicality. The Ravens are physical, confident and force their will upon an opposition. The Ravens offensive line and defensive front-seven get their bodies into the opposition and are relentless. The manner which the Browns offensive line and defensive front-seven were man-handled was a work of art. - This isn't to make scapegoats out of players thrust into a position -- but the play of the Browns safeties leave something to be desired. While Mike Adams and Usama Young have contributed, neither player has elevated his play, as neither player supports the run well and take bad angles against the pass. - RG Shawn Lauvao and RT Tony Pashos struggled against the aggressive pressure coming from the Ravens defensive front-seven. While Pashos' struggles could be expected as the player being rather slow-footed, but Lauvao's footwork isn't bad, but his reactionary skills have been slow to develop. - For the past few weeks this column has pressed the question as to why this team doesn't utilize the screen pass to beat a hard-charging defensive scheme. I suppose my answer was watching Pashos try to lead the screen blocking -- sorry guys, way to slow, frighteningly so.