Would you have...

There is no reason to let Ben do whatever he wants on the field, absolutely none. Ben hasn't been Ben in a long time now. When was the last time he made a game winning drive? He used to do that on a regular basis, including in the SB. When was the last time he did it? In fact, it seems these days he tends to throw INT's late in the game instead of TD's. Just off the top of my head and without even thinking about it, last week and Dallas last year come to mind. INT's to close out the game instead of TD's. It's been quite a few years since Ben has been good at what he used to do best. There's a reason RB's fizzle out at age 30, and the hits they take is only a part of it. The body begins to break down at 30. Suddenly hits lead to injuries when in the past they didn't. While the same speed may still be there, the quickness and explosiveness is gone. The pure athleticism to beat defensive players is gone. Ben is facing those same challenges and it has affected his game. He can't go out there and single handedly beat pass rushers like he used to. There may be the odd play where he still does it, but that's all it will be, is the odd play, the exception to the rule. For the most part, he'll get brought down or forced to throw it too early and it will be a bad throw. Sacks will start leading to injuries, like they have been the last couple years.

The only chance in hell Ben has of being a winning QB is if he stands in the pocket and makes accurate throws. He can't scramble around back there and wait for the play to break down. Those days are gone and have been gone for a while now. There's no reason to think he can still play that style today because he hasn't been able to successfully do it in a couple years now. Besides it's not like he was overly successful doing it in the first place. He won lots of games for us when combined with a great defence, but at no point have we ever been a great offensive team. Why settle for being an average offensive team when we can be great? Sandlot football will not ever allow us to be great. A QB throwing strikes will.

 

If that's the case, what part of Ben's game is Haley changing? Haley wants Ben to stay in the pocket. In fact, Haley was brought in the Rooney's to re-establish the running game and keep Ben in the pocket. That was and still is Haley's mandate. So if Ben can be effective in the pocket, what exactly is the problem with how Haley is using him?

 

Yeah NO! I don't mean wide open for a one yard gain because the defender is all over him. I mean wide open as in WIDE OPEN no one with in ten yards. Think Giovanni Bernard left all alone in no mans land between the LB and DB and running into the endzone. Ok maybe not quite that open but when I say a TE or RB is open in the flat I mean they are left alone and no one is there. I mean Ben can have a first down throw or wing it down field into Dbl coverage and he looks off the short throw and throws long. Why?

 

Send Richardson for Bell and a third.......

 

The most recent one would be after the phantom tripping call when Ben took the scramble sack instead of a check down to the rb in the flat.at least I was

 

OMG bf I know you have this need to support Ben but give me a break. He is a ten year vet not a rookie and yes when they show a replay in which no one is in five yards of the rb I will say he is wide open. While you are being condescending maybe you can tell me about your magic tv that lets you see how he can see over the same line under pressure to throw downfield into dbl coverage.

 

By the time he starts running and weaving it should be obvious that getting it downfield to a wr isnt an option. That taking a sack that puts you in the shadow of your own endzone is the last thing you want. Which is what I'm talking about. He is so focused on downfield he doesn't see the short completion that gives you a better option when punting

 

I will admit that I read something about ben the day camp started that has been brewing for a bit and may color my opinion of ben and his gunslinger play at times.

 

I don't know the way the game had unfolded to that point. I guess I am hoping for too much. I think the mantra right now should be don't hurt the team. *looks at Decastro and Gilbert*

 

The game has changed. Teams are racking up points by dumping it off to RB's. RB's are heavily involved in the passing game for all the top offensive teams in the league. We need to get the RB's more involved too. Dumping it off isn't a bad thing. RB's are lethal in the open field (not Redman, but actual good RB's). Ben needs to throw to the RB's more. A 5 yard completion is a good thing!

 

I have said I want to see Haley's offense the way he has it drawn up which I don't think we ever will. Just like with BA I will hold Haley accountable for the things he is in control of like the first series of the game. Three bad running plays aren't going to establish a rushing attack. Clearly they were trying something on the reverse because neither Tomlin or Haley could think that was a wise choice of personell. What I won't do is call Haley dumb for sending out subs for a redzone package when the play is ruled down bycontact. I mean how dare he does his job. I appreciate Ben fine now but I'm sorry shaner is right the in juries have taken their toll and he needs to learn to adapt or he will fall. I also have a few reasons like I said to TTF to be irritated at him.


Edit:I have also taken Tomlin to task for his zen or jedi master approach to leadership.

 

I think it was a terrible sitation all thec way around. Did anyone even react to Jones running with the ball? I agree with freak.Ben should have snaped it and taken the false start or too many men on the field call would have kept possession anyways.

 

Would you do this?

It sounds like the Browns are blowing it all up. Would you give this years 2nd and lower pick or next years first to get Joe Thomas? According to reports everyone in Cleveland is available. Not sure that we could get Thomas for a 2nd and lower but just food for thought. We definitely need to find someone that can play tackle.

Just curious to what everyone thought. I would not give up this years first since it could be in the top 5...

 

I said in another thread, but I don't think Cleveland is having a fire sale. I think the TRich trade was about their evaluation of TRich compared to what they could get in return, and they didn't feel he was good value. After 2 weeks they were 29th in rushing, they can easily duplicate those stats with a lesser RB. RB's are a dime a dozen in today's NFL. I don't think you'll see Cleveland ever trade Joe Thomas or Josh Gordon.