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Hard To Buy Cleveland Browns, Despite Johnny Manziel’s Success Against The Tians

By Nick Dudukovich

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Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns and Johnny Manziel made a lot of believers during Sunday’s win over the Titans, but fans should be cautious in how they manage their expectations for this team moving forward.

Johnny Manziel put book ends on the Cleveland Browns win over the Tennessee Titans by launching touchdown passes to Travis Benjamin to start at finish and finish the contest–but there was something missing from the Browns’ offense that makes their sudden fortune feel like fools goal.

After the Browns scored on their first touchdown drives, the offense went stagnant. Granted, when you’re playing with a lead, you don’t need to be heaving 40-yard bombs.

But sheesh. Offensively, the Browns became hard to watch. Offensive coordinator John Defilippo became easier to read than size 32 font. The coaches weren’t going to let Manziel blow the game. Run, run, pass. Five of the Browns next seven drives resulted in three-and-outs. Manziel ended the game attempting just 15 passes–completing eight.

Offensively, the Browns became hard to watch. Offensive coordinator John Defilippo became easier to read than size 32 font.

Compare that to the Browns’ 30 rushing attempts. Petition’s squad is going to run the ball a ton, so it’s not a shock to see more plays dedicated to the rushing game. The complaint is that the offensive could’ve been slightly more creative, even while playing with the lead.

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Manziel faced numerous 3rd-and-long situations that made him a prime target for Dick LaBeau’s blitz schemes. Manziel lost two fumbles on third downs, that if they hadn’t been recovered, could’ve been disastrous for a team slowly building its confidence. He’s now fumbled four times in two games, losing two.

With an ineffective offense from the second quarter though midway of the fourth, the Browns’ defense was forced to log a lot of minutes. Marcus Mariota showed big-time resilience by even giving the Titans the hope they could win after being down 21 points.

The point is the defense started to wear down. Dexter McCluster averaged 98 yards off 10 carries for a 9.8 yards per carry average! Cleveland had big trouble when the Titans employed two and sometimes three tight end sets in the second half. Besides turning up the running game, Mariota had more time to make throws and regain his composure.

The Browns aren’t a finished product, and they’re certainly better than the team everyone was burying for dead following the Jets’ defeat in Week 1. But an eight or nine win team? That’s what certain ESPN Cleveland radio hosts were shouting during the postgame show.

Winning is exciting, especially in a place where it doesn’t happen a lot, but there’s something to be said for perspective, too.

There was improvement. The Browns may not be Super Bowl contenders, and they may not be vying for the first pick in the draft. There somewhere in between, and there’s still plenty of work to get done.

Next: Browns & Titans: Player of the Game

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