2014 Regular Season
As we ready to start the season, one thing I said we couldn’t afford has already struck. We are already decimated on the DL with injuries:
Code:
Henry Garner, LDE - Strained Foot Ligament, Out, full strength in about 2 weeks.
Lincoln Limon, LDE - Severe Wrist Sprain, Out, full strength in about 4 weeks.
Jimmy Fox, LDE - Separated Shoulder, Out, full strength in about 4 weeks.
Willie Oliveira, LDT - Torn Rotator Cuff, Out, full strength in about 19 weeks.
This is pretty tough to handle, as we haven’t even played a regular season game yet. We sign one placeholder guy in Skip Coleman, but will have to depend on our LB corps, I think, to get any pressure.
Preseason Week 5: Philadelphia at Cleveland
Actually, a pretty big matchup – as we face our old coach Earnest Carlyle, who has the Eagles back in top form. We use a split rotation at RB, with Arsenault getting 14 carries, Stewart 13, and Newman 13, as our ground game is pretty strong all day. Clancy goes 17 for 20 on the day, but is felled with a minor injury, and James Houston has to finish up the 29-21 victory.
We’re ready for the season, I figure – everyone is primed and prepared for the real thing.
Week 1: Cleveland at Cincinnati
We edge the Bengals in a mostly FG battle, with rookie Mo Crain going 5 for 5, including the game winner in OT. Not exactly a superior start, but a win. We got carries for all three backs, also – with Newman leading the way with 13-54 on the day. Marco Clancy’s 4 interceptions probably held us back from having a big afternoon here.
Week 2: Atlanta (0-1) at Cleveland (1-0)
We really get rolling here, notching a 52-17 win. Clancy throws 4 TD passes (including two to the ever-surprising Cornelius Tilton) and rookie Gus Stewart gets three short TD runs (though only 32 yards on the day). TE Devin Norton has over 100 yards, and is off to another good start for the season.
We have lost veteran RB Daniel Newman for an injury – but clearly he’s not the focus of the offense that he might have hoped to be.
Week 3: Kansas City (1-1) at Cleveland (2-0)
Our high-flying offense has to eke out 13 points to get this win, but we extend to 3-0 with a narrow 13-10 victory. Roderick Arsenault outgains Gus Stewart as each have 12 carries – Stewart isn’t hitting the ground running quite as quickly as we might have hoped, but we’re winning games.
Week 4: Tennessee (1-2) at Cleveland (3-0)
We settle for another low-scoring, uninspiring win – but the defense plays pretty well as we prevail, 10-0. We are +7 in turnover margin, which may be the single best reason why we are 4-0 and not 2-2 at this point. The team is not really dominating at all.
Week 5: Cleveland (4-0) at Jacksonville (1-3)
Jacksonville is looking pretty bad this year, and we are installed at 18-point favorites here. We make it a push with a 35-17 win. This, it seems, is Gus Stewart’s breakout game – he runs 17 times for 182 yards as we pulverize the Jags. TE Devin Norton is again a force, with 11 catches for 146 yards – dominating the underneath coverage schemes of the Jags’ overmatched defense.
Week 6: Cleveland (5-0) at Houston (2-2)
We get another point spread push here, with a 17-7 win. TE Devin Norton has 5 more catches to push his season total to 38 through 6 games (second highest of anyone in the league) – he’s on a path to break any TE record in the league, but our offense has generated these numbers before, so it’s no major surprise.
Week 7: Baltimore (6-0) at Cleveland (6-0)
If you were wondering who was our nearest division rival – now you know. Baltimore has kept pace with us, and even has looked better in my book. We have a great first half, and build a solid 21-0 lead. Baltimore storms back, but we hold on for the 27-21 win. Stewart and Clancy are both sharp, and we win with ball control, basically.
We got 7 sacks on them (including 3.5 by young DT Bailey, who is getting lots of playing time this season due to injuries), and that made a big difference – our impaired OL kept Clancy protected, and we avoided the big, bad play. A big win in the division.
Week 8: Indianapolis (4-3) at Cleveland (7-0)
Another pretty solid effort offensively, as Stewart is very solid and Clancy is effective (but makes his share of mistakes, too). Another TD for WR Tilton, who remains very productive even though he has shifted roles nearly every week for us. (I’m starting to love this guy – 36 passes thrown his way, 26 catches for 342 yards and 4 TD)
At the halfway point through our season, here’s our stat snapshot:
Code:
2014 Summary for Cleveland Browns
Record: 8-0
Winning Pct.: 1.000
Cleveland Browns Team Rank
Rushes 239 4
Rushing Yards 1039 2
Yards Per Carry 4.34 8
Pass Attempts 298 3
Completions 173 4 (T)
Passing Yards 1969 4
Yards Per Attempt 6.60 17
3rd Down Conversions 45.0 11
Points Per Game 26.6 2
Turnovers 14 23 (T)
Turnover Margin +8 2 (T)
Opponents Team Rank
Rushes 184 7
Rushing Yards 808 15 (T)
Yards Per Carry 4.39 25
Pass Attempts 286 27
Completions 140 11 (T)
Passing Yards 1920 28
Yards Per Attempt 6.71 17
3rd Down Conversions 35.0 3
Points Per Game 14.0 1
Turnovers 22 1
It’s our offense that is carrying the team, generally, while our defense gives up yards but not points (we’re #1 in causing turnovers). Not a totally dominant effort, but we’re doing well with it, obviously. You don’t complain at 8-0.
Week 9: Cleveland (8-0) at Pittsburgh (2-6)
On paper, the Steelers don’t pose much of a threat. But we need to take very game seriously – especially with Baltimore just behind us at 6-2. Thos one is not an easy win, but we get the 27-20 victory to stay unbeaten. Another big game for rookie back Gus Stewart, who tallies 153 yards on the ground along with a TD reception.
QB Marco Clancy pulls up with a hamstring pull, and is listed as questionable. I decide to let him sit for a couple of weeks, rather than invite another more serious problem. Plus, with Cinti falling twice in a row, we are almost assured of a bye week, which is the real prize we’re after right now.
Week 11: Cincinnati (5-4) at Cleveland (9-0)
We play a pretty close to error-free game behind James Houston, and beat the Bengals 13-3. Not a bad effort, but again not very dominating.
Week 12: Cleveland (10-0) at New Orleans (6-4)
Marco Clancy returns, and we end up in something of a shootout with the Saints – it goes down the final play, and Clancy hits Zach Blair for a 38-yard TD strike as time expires to give us the 27-24 win, to keep unbeaten. Clancy is still a bit dinged up, and I think Houston will be ready to go again.
Week 13: Cleveland (11-0) at New York Jets (3-8)
James Houston is super-sharp, and we pound the hapless Jets 37-7, looking again like a power team. We get RB Daniel Newman back into action, but he re-injures his ankle, and is now done for the year.
We lose DT Gary Cascadden to another injury – this time an elbow, but it’s just one more in a series that has plagued him all season. Of course, we just locked him up to a big money, long-term deal – so now he can become a slagging shell of his former self.
Week 14: Carolina (2-10) at Cleveland (12-0)
We’ve got James Houston in again, as Clancy probably needs the rest. With Houston in the fold, we play okay – but barely escape with a win here. Carolina scores with a minute left, but cannot convert the two-point conversion, and we hold on 22-20.
Week 15: Pittsburgh (5-8) at Cleveland (13-0)
TE Devin Norton has fallen off his 100-catch pace, and now will be sidelined with an injury for the rest of the way. Indeed, he suffered a serious injury to his ankle, and his recover is not at all assured.
Week 16: Cleveland (14-0) at Tampa Bay (4-10)
Well, it was bound to happen. Tampa Bay gets two late field goals, and manages to tie, and then pass us, to win this one, 23-20. James Houston is disappointed, after trying to step into Earl Morrall’s shoes – but we can’t hang this one on him. I’m much more worried about our defense—we’ve suffered injuries all along the front seven, and are struggling to field even a passable team up there.
Week 17: Cleveland (14-1) at Baltimore (8-7)
When these two teams were at 6-0, this season-ender was looking like it might be a huge one. Alas, the teams have gone in different directions since we beat them in week seven.
We put a 24-7 hurting on them to wrap up the season, and will head into the playoffs as the top seed in the AFC, as the path to the Superbowl once again runs right through Cleveland.
Big issue, though—QB Marco Clancy, back after a few weeks off, came down with a bum wrist, and now is doubtful for the next few weeks. My guess is that he will be back, but it’s no lock. We’ve had peculiarly bad luck getting our starting QB to be ready for the playoffs, and this year may be yet another chapter in that saga.
Code:
2014 Regular Season Standings
AC North W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
Cleveland 15 1 0 .938 407 230 12-0 6-0
Cincinnati 9 7 0 .563 356 333 7-5 3-3
Baltimore 8 8 0 .500 329 346 5-7 2-4
Pittsburgh 5 11 0 .313 269 289 4-8 1-5
AC South W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
Indianapolis 9 7 0 .563 334 339 7-5 4-2
Houston 9 7 0 .563 340 325 7-5 3-3
Tennessee 6 10 0 .375 232 292 4-8 3-3
Jacksonville 6 10 0 .375 316 338 4-8 2-4
AC East W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
Miami 9 7 0 .563 300 359 8-4 4-2
Buffalo 7 9 0 .438 348 352 6-6 3-3
New England 6 9 1 .406 315 319 6-6 3-3
New York J 5 11 0 .313 302 393 4-8 2-4
AC West W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
Kansas City 10 6 0 .625 284 270 9-3 5-1
Denver 8 8 0 .500 346 364 5-7 3-3
San Diego 6 10 0 .375 314 307 6-6 2-4
Oakland 3 13 0 .188 237 367 2-10 2-4
NC North W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
Minnesota 12 4 0 .750 382 274 8-4 3-3
Chicago 11 5 0 .688 385 287 7-5 3-3
Green Bay 9 7 0 .563 359 324 7-5 5-1
Detroit 7 8 1 .469 296 335 5-7 1-5
NC South W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
New Orleans 8 8 0 .500 345 323 6-6 5-1
Tampa Bay 6 10 0 .375 303 366 4-8 4-2
Atlanta 6 10 0 .375 323 402 5-7 2-4
Carolina 4 12 0 .250 251 349 2-10 1-5
NC East W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
Dallas 11 5 0 .688 324 295 7-5 3-3
New York G 8 8 0 .500 339 350 7-5 4-2
Philadelphia 8 8 0 .500 351 363 7-5 3-3
Washington 7 9 0 .438 285 312 5-7 2-4
NC West W L T Pct PF PA Conf Div
Arizona 13 3 0 .813 456 234 10-2 6-0
Seattle 10 6 0 .625 350 285 8-4 3-3
St. Louis 9 7 0 .563 355 327 5-7 2-4
San Francisco 5 11 0 .313 281 365 3-9 1-5
Well, this year, the comparisons with Philadelphia have abated – the Eagles dropped back to mediocrity, and we have soared to new heights. Arizona (remember them from the roster ratings?) looks tough from the NFC.
Code:
2014 Summary for Cleveland Browns
Record: 15-1
Winning Pct.: .937
Cleveland Browns Team Rank
Rushes 451 12
Rushing Yards 2075 3
Yards Per Carry 4.60 6 (T)
Pass Attempts 598 3 (T)
Completions 350 3 (T)
Passing Yards 3771 10
Yards Per Attempt 6.30 20 (T)
3rd Down Conversions 42.3 14 (T)
Points Per Game 25.4 2
Turnovers 26 16 (T)
Turnover Margin +15 2
Opponents Team Rank
Rushes 388 5
Rushing Yards 1616 6
Yards Per Carry 4.16 17
Pass Attempts 579 28
Completions 293 1 (T)
Passing Yards 3837 28
Yards Per Attempt 6.62 17 (T)
3rd Down Conversions 38.0 8 (T)
Points Per Game 14.3 1
Turnovers 41 1
Week Team Versus Oppnt
1 22 at CIN 19
2 52 ATL 17
3 13 KCY 10
4 10 TEN 0
5 35 at JAX 17
6 17 at HOU 7
7 27 BAL 21
8 37 IND 21
9 27 at PIT 20
11 13 CIN 3
12 27 at NOS 24
13 37 at NYJ 7
14 22 CAR 20
15 24 PIT 14
16 20 at TBY 23
17 24 at BAL 7
Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int
8 Clancy QB 407 235 2698 6.62 20 16
7 Houston QB 191 115 1073 5.61 9 1
**Team --- 598 350 3771 6.30 29 17
Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD
39 Stewart RB 282 1456 5.16 12
33 Arsenault RB 88 323 3.67 2
45 Pritchett FB 45 136 3.02 1
**Team --- 451 2075 4.60 15
Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc YAC TD
6 Norton TE 116 69 729 10.5 175 6
45 Pritchett FB 84 58 390 6.7 210 4
81 Blair WR 101 55 798 14.5 113 6
86 Causey WR 89 44 580 13.1 92 4
83 Tilton WR 61 39 494 12.6 116 5
39 Stewart RB 41 26 184 7.0 82 2
23 Goodwin FB 32 19 189 9.9 80 1
**Team --- 596 350 3771 10.7 952 29
Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn
56 Perez ILB 91 33 0.0 2 5 5
20 Eskridge S 85 21 1.0 0 7 16
55 Davis ILB 83 29 14.5 10 1 6
24 Weed S 74 32 0.0 1 4 5
26 Douglas CB 62 20 1.0 1 2 11
96 Bailey DT 47 11 14.0 15 0 0
34 Callens CB 43 14 0.0 0 4 11
52 Regalado OLB 42 12 4.0 10 2 1
49 Stuff OLB 31 5 2.0 1 1 3
44 Freeman CB 29 5 1.0 0 1 4
77 Garner DE 28 14 2.0 11 1 0
90 Lynn DE 28 6 7.0 19 0 0
72 Cascadden DT 25 12 5.5 4 0 0
46 Ellery S 25 3 1.0 0 0 1
93 Fox DE 22 7 6.0 14 0 1
**Team --- 801 231 63.0 98 28 65
The efficiency of our running game received a major boost by the addition of a star back in Stewart. Our passing game remained fairly prolific, though not all that efficient. Marco Clancy – making $12 million this season – simply was not all that much of an improvement over our second stringer James Houston. Even though our one loss came under Houuston’s watch, we will think long and hard about Clancy’s contract for next year—we could afford to add three solid players for that kind of cash.
Our offensive line did okay, despite losing star left tackle Bennie Heinlein to a serious injury. We shuffled guys around – and our lack of quality depth was exposed. But the group performed pretty well together, and we came away with reasonable stats. LG Mickey Thornton, pressed into service at LT, had perhaps his best season.
Defensively, a season-long injury to DT Oliveira and nagging problems with DT Gary Cascadden pushed DT Zach Bailey into a featured role – and did he ever deliver! 47+11 tackles and 14 sacks made him an unbelievably productive force inside on our D-line. LB Curtis Davis had another superior season from the strong-side position as our main blitzing threat, and our secondary held together fairly well (considering the paltry investment in our CB position). We caused 41 turnovers – tops in the league – and that stat along played a major role in the season success. A little extra depth would have been really useful in the front seven, but all told, we can’t complain.
We head into the playoffs with this injury report:
Code:
Cleveland Browns Roster, Injury Report
Player # Pos Start Health Injury Full Strn.
**Heinlein, Bennie 71 LT Out ACL Knee Surgery 31 Weeks
**Ellard, Jimmy 87 FL Out ACL Knee Surgery 19 Weeks
**Norton, Devin 6 TE Out Torn Ankle Ligame17 Weeks
**Newman, Daniel 27 RB Out High Ankle Sprain14 Weeks
##Lake, Ed 91 SILB Out Ankle Surgery 12 Weeks
**Clancy, Marco 8 QB QB Out Severe Wrist Spra3 Weeks
**Blair, Zach 81 FL FL Out Strained Back 3 Weeks
**Thornton, Mickey 53 LG LT Out Strained Calf Mus2 Weeks
Regalado, Darrin 52 WLB Questionable Strained Adductor3 Weeks
Garner, Henry 77 LDE Probable Strained HamstrinUnknown
It’s hard to tell from that list, but our defensive front has been really wracked by injury this year. DE Jimmie Fox is off the list for the first time I can remember, and having only one DL there is a blessing. LB Ed Lake missed most of the season, and Darrin Regalado played hurt more often than not. QB Clancy’s injury is troubling – but we have pretty high confidence in James Houston’s ability to lead the offense, as need be.