Examining the Cleveland Browns at the bye: Turning the corner?

The 2014 NFL season has been interesting for the Cleveland Browns. They enter their bye week 1-2 and last place in the AFC North.

You can make the argument that the team should be 3-0. Then again, this team could be 0-3. Under new head coach Mike Pettine, the Browns have competed in their first three games, but old habits are hard to kick. From questionable play-calling late in the game to the defense having trouble getting off the field at critical points, it’s almost a rerun of last season.

But are the Browns turning the corner? The schedule after the bye week is in their favor with teams who have not won a game coming up, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders. To get over the .500 mark would be key for the Browns to build momentum going into the tough stretch of games late in the season.

Which component of the Browns have done well and which need work? Here are my positional grades through three games:

Quarterbacks

When the Browns drafted Johnny Manziel in May, many thought he would be the starting quarterback come September. It did not work out that way for Manziel fans, but they should not be upset with the performance of Brian Hoyer this season.

Hoyer has completed 64.2 percent of his passes and throwing three touchdowns. More importantly, he has not turned the ball over. While many like the idea of Manziel at quarterback because of his ability to elude defenders when the pocket collapses, Hoyer hasn’t had that much pressure when in the pocket. He’s only been sacked four times.

We have seen Manziel hit the field for a handful of snaps, but has only attempted one pass. The ‘Manziel Package’ puts the defense (and media) on alert, but does not offer anything productive.

Overall, Hoyer has done enough to keep Manziel on the sidelines. Being able to move the ball downfield in the air with receivers Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjamin and without Josh Gordon, Hoyer should be given the reigns for the rest of the season.

Grade: B

Running Backs

Going into the season, we knew Ben Tate had his injury problems. But for his injury to happen so early in the season has been a blessing in disguise. It’s given the chance for rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell to show what they can do.

The two rookie running backs have combined for 345 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. Both have shown a knack for getting into the endzone, something the Browns’ rushing attack had trouble finding early last season.

When Tate returns, he most likely will assume his starter role. If he isn’t productive, the Browns know they have two men waiting in the wings that have proven they can.

Grade: B+

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

No Gordon. Jordan Cameron banged up. You would think the Browns’ passing game would be nonexistent this season. Not so fast.

The makeshift group of receivers have done just fine for Hoyer. Led by slot receiver Hawkins (21 catches, 244 yards), the receivers have given Hoyer confidence to throw the ball in key situations, especially on third down.

Austin has caught 14 passes, including two key touchdowns in the redzone. Undrafted free agent Taylor Gabriel has six catches for 99 yards, including a huge catch late in the game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Cameron sat out against the Saints and caught only one pass against the Ravens. The bye week comes at the perfect time for Cameron to heal and become one of the key targets for Hoyer.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

The big boys in the trenches have held their own this season. They have allowed Hoyer time to throw and kept him off his back. And when the Browns have run the ball, they have given the rookie running backs room to run.

Rookie Joel Bitonio has stepped in and played well alongside Joe Thomas. But the surprise has been the right side of the line.

Mitchell Schwartz is one of the best run-blocking right tackles in the NFL. It’s evident when you break down the Browns’ rushing attack and see the pattern of success when they run the ball to the right side.

Grade: B+

Defensive Line

When the season started, the Browns’ defense was billed as the strength of the team. Led by key members of the line, Pettine was crafting his own defense and looked to become one of the best in the AFC.

You can’t be considered as one of the top defenses when you don’t stop the run.

During their Week 3 loss to the Ravens, the defense gave up 160 rushing yards and let Baltimore average 4.8 yards per carry. This included a drive where the Ravens rushed the ball nine straight times before ending with a touchdown pass to a fullback.

Phil Taylor needs to step up. Ahtyba Rubin needs to improve.

The offense can only do so much. And when the opponent is running the ball effectively, the Browns’ offense doesn’t see the field as much as they would like.

Grade: C-

Linebackers

Paul Kruger has lived up to his contract this season. His two sacks leads the defense and it seems like he’s been in the quarterback’s face through the first three games.

Barkevious Mingo has yet to show why the Browns drafted him so why in 2013. It’s time to give Jabaal Sheard more playing time though.

The Browns have split reps between Craig Robertson and rookie Christian Kirksey. While Robertson has struggled, Kirksey has proven he can play against the run. He deserves more playing time after the bye week.

Grade: B-

Secondary

Joe Haden has been exposed all season. Justin Gilbert hasn’t lived up to the status of a top-10 draft pick. Buster Skrine has done enough to keep the attention off of him.

When the Browns needed the defense to step up and get a stop, the secondary has come up short. Particularly against the Ravens, where Steve Smith Sr. burned Haden over the top for a key 32-yard catch to set up the game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Tashaun Gipson has played well at safety and has two interceptions. One of those he took back for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He’s the only reason why the Browns’ secondary does not get a failing grade.

Grade: C-

Special Teams

Two botched field goal attempts by the Browns might have cost them their game against the Ravens last week. Will the Browns look to get a new long snapper before their next game?

No impact by the return game, where it has been a committee of players returning punts and kickoffs.

Mix in Billy Winn not blocking his man who went on to block a field goal attempt, and you get a special teams unit that needs a lot of work.

Grade: C

The Browns have proved through three games that this team has more fight than last year. The record might not prove it yet this year, but this team is better than the last.

Every year, the Browns keep games close. It seems to be the motto for the last few years. Pettine wants to win games. He has the team to do it. They just need to play a full four quarters every week.

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