Cleveland Browns: Grades from the disheartening loss to the Giants
Coaching: F
This week was a little bit of a different week for the Browns, as they actually didn’t surrender a touchdown on the opening drive. As the first half progressed, it appeared that the team had come to play.
The coaching staff had the Browns ready to play, which is commendable. But once again, a failure to adjust cost the team, a responsibility of the coaches.
Browns’ coaches need to start helping their players out. When the Giants began rushing the passer in the second half, the offensive line didn’t adjust. They once again allowed a free rusher to come in untouched, delivering blow after blow to McCown as he released the ball.
Balance was once again a problem, though not as much as it has been in past weeks. 44 plays were passing plays, while just 21 were designed runs. Eventually, this got predictable, and the formations didn’t help.
On running plays, the Browns showed 12 personnel fairly consistently. On play action, 11 personnel. In the shotgun formation, it’s an automatic throw. This is the type of predictability with plagues the Browns week after week. And until the coaching staff makes adjustments during the game, the players can’t do anything about it.
Not only this, but given the fact that the Browns dominated many aspects of the game and failed to convert in the red zone does reflect negatively on the coaching staff. They had the edge in first downs, time of possession, total yards, and penalties, but turnovers made the difference.
The inability to overcome one element of the game despite all others going in Cleveland’s direction is another indication of a coaching staff which fails to make adequate adjustments.
For fans, seeing Hue Jackson smile at the end of the game as if nothing happened is sickening. Given the fact that he has done nothing to make the most of the potential on the roster he has, the fact that many fans still regard him as the coach of the future is puzzling.
Next: 3 takeaways from the loss to the Giants
Hopefully, Jackson is around for a long time. But beyond reputation, there’s nothing to show improvement thus far. And until the Browns win, there won’t be.