Ravens vs. Browns: Joe Flacco will pick apart Browns' secondary

Last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Oakland Raiders continued a new wrinkle in their offense. Trailing late in the game, Oakland went to a no huddle offense to push the pace of the game and keep the defense from making substitutions. Because this is only his first year in the new Greg Knapp offense, Carson Palmer is just becoming comfortable in the no huddle, but expects it to get easier as the offense gels.



    “A big thing you get in a no huddle is bluff coverage and bluff pressures,” Palmer said. “It is not completely a veteran thing; it’s more years in the offense. The more and more comfortable I get within this offense the more of a package we will put in I am sure. Just because this is year one, I am still learning in it and growing in it so as the season goes on and I get more and more comfortable within the offense I am sure the package will expand a little bit.”

The Raiders did not start using the no huddle attack until their second drive of the fourth quarter when they trailed by three points. On the nine play, 50 yard drive, Oakland used five no huddle plays, four of which were runs to Darren McFadden. They came away with a game tying field goal.

On their final drive of the afternoon, the Raiders again mixed in some no huddle offense and came away with a game winning Sebastian Janikowski 44 yard field goal. There is tremendous responsibility put on Palmer and center Stefen Wisniewski when the team goes without a huddle. Both players must identify the protection schemes and Palmer must make sure the skill position players know the call and where to line up. Because of its effectiveness, the Raiders may work it into the offense more this week and especially after the bye week.

    “There’s a lot communication that’s really difficult on the road and it really limits you in what you can do,” Palmer said. “Especially at the center spot. There are so many things that can happen to the center. Then you get to gun and he’s got to worry about making sure that you’re ready for the snap and getting the ball back to you. It definitely limits you and puts a lot of stress on those guys. But Wiz being a second-year guy, acts and plays like an eighth, ninth, tenth year guy. That’s been a bonus for us.”

Now the Raiders will travel to play the Denver Broncos this Sunday. With the hostile atmosphere in an AFC rivalry game, Oakland will have to be meticulous in its preparation to run the no huddle and execute the offense.

    “Our fans get it,” Palmer said. “They understand football; they know what we’re trying to do. They do a good job of staying quiet. As soon as you get on the road it really changes everything, makes it a lot more difficult.”

Cleveland Browns' Trent Richardson eager for the challenge of facing the Ravens defense

BEREA, Ohio -- Trent Richardson served notice back at the NFL Combine in February that he'd never back down to Uncle Ray.
Baltimore's future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, that is. Granted, Richardson reveres Lewis and ranks the Ravens' star with Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. But what kind of aspiring superstar would the Browns' rookie be if he didn't try to bulldoze right over Ray-Ray?
"It's a mindset thing with me," Richardson said at the combine. "I'm not saying that Ray Lewis ain't going to take me out, because when it comes down to it we're going to have to see each other in the hole. And I love Uncle Ray to death and he's going to bring me all the contact he can and beat me up in the hole, but why would you stand down in front of that?"
On Tuesday, with the Browns heading to Baltimore for the Thursday night game, Richardson stood by his remarks.
"Not to be cocky or talking mess, but if you're an athlete or you're a competitor, why would you stand down for anybody?" he said. "I know Ray Lewis is going to come at me and I'm going to come right back at him. That's just football. He knows what football's about and I know what football's about, we've been playing it for years. Both of us are going to give all we can."

A student of the game, Richardson admits he's still a little in awe of the 17-year veteran.

Not to be cocky or talking mess, but if you're an athlete or you're a competitor, why would you stand down for anybody?

"You're talking Ray Lewis, he's one of the ultimates that ever played the game, [not just] at linebacker but as an NFL player," Richardson said. "It's going to be an honor just to be on the same field with [him]. I looked up to him for years. Still look up to him, especially to his leadership and how he handles stuff."
But sharing the turf with Lewis and fellow superstar Ed Reed is just the extra kick Richardson needs heading into M&T Bank Stadium, where the Ravens have won a league-high 12 straight and 20 of their last 21.
"Just to try to make a name on these guys who are going to be in the Hall of Fame and you can say you did this on this guy [is motivation]," he said. "Baltimore's whole defense is full of legends. I know what type of heat they're going to bring."
But there's nothing in the coaching manual of offensive coordinator Brad Childress that can prepare Richardson for the intensity of Lewis, who blows out of the tunnel with force of a tsunami.
"[It's] on-the-job training," said Childress. "You don't get it until one of those guys gets right in your grill. [Richardson and Brandon Weeden) have played at a couple of the best conferences in the United States. [But] Ray himself, you've got to witness that to experience it."
Richardson is undaunted by gaining just 27 yards in 12 carries against the Bills. Nor is he intimidated that Ravens rock the NFL in run defense every year, finishing second last season and in the top 5 the past six years. They rarely allow a 100-yard rusher -- although Peyton Hillis gashed them for 112 last Christmas Eve -- and limited the Patriots to 77 yards Sunday night.
"My mindset has always been that I don't feel like no team can just stop me," Richardson said. "My mindset has always been that I could set my goals high and prepare for this game and I've watched a lot of film on them. They're a very explosive defense, one of the sharpest I've ever seen. Coming from where I came from, I know what I'm going to have to deal with."
The key, said Childress, is to get Richardson past the line of scrimmage and not make him scuffle so much there like he did against the Bills. How to accomplish that against tackle Haloti Ngata and the gang?
"You play better in the offensive front, you run the ball better, you scheme better," he said. "It starts with us as coaches."
But Richardson puts it all on himself.
"I'll go into battle with [the offensive line] any day," he said. "Anybody wants to talk bad about em, that's their fault and they have to deal with the repercussions and consequences. I got their back all the way. I feel I could've made more people miss."
He'll try to do just that to Uncle Ray on Thursday.

Browns report: Brandon Weeden getting little help from receivers

BEREA, Ohio—It is becoming clear that the Browns’ receiving group isn’t good enough to hasten rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden’s development.
Mohamed Massaquoi got off to a good start through two games, but two things happened Sunday that raised concerns. First, he pulled up in traffic, using alligator arms on a Weeden pass that was on the money. A bit later, he pulled a hamstring, echoing concerns about his durability.
Browns QB Brandon Weeden isn't getting much help from his young receivers. (AP Photo)

Greg Little dropped too many passes as a rookie last season. At the time, it could be chalked up to missing the 2010 college season. Already this year, he has made glaring drops, including one that stalled a drive during a crucial point of a winnable game against the Bills.

Little's maturity and consistency are question marks.

Rookie Travis Benjamin is fast and courageous, but he's undersized (5-10, 170) and inexperienced. It's clear Weeden likes throwing to him—he caught a touchdown pass against the Bills. It's not yet evident that Benjamin can develop into more than a role player.

Josh Gordon (6-3, 224) has the best combination of size, speed, athleticism and elusiveness, but he has been a minor factor to date. Gordon is the youngest player on the team, at 21, and didn’t play college ball last year.

His timing is off, and his lack of productivity could seep into his confidence.

If Massaquoi can’t play at Baltimore, possession receiver Jordan Norwood will be active. He had a knack for getting open from the slot late last season and might help jump start the offense.

It also is possible return ace Josh Cribbs will be used more. Cribbs is a veteran with big-play ability. He should be used more.

Cleveland Browns : Solid Play Of WR Mohamed Massaqoui at Bengals, Reason For Optimism

Overshadowed by the franchise-record performances of running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden, was the solid play of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaqoui.

Massaqoui, a second-round pick out of the University of Georgia, would catch five passes for 90 yards on seven targets against the Cincinnati Bengals in a 34-27 Week Two loss.

Massaqoui would average 18 yards per reception and make timely catches to help keep drives alive. With his performance, Massaqoui leads the team in receiving yards with 131 yards, receptions with eight and yards per catch with 16.4

While Massaqoui has shown flashes of brilliance in possibly being the Browns No. 1 wide receiver in the past, the main issue with him is his inability to avoid injury.

A four year veteran, the 25-year old Massaqoui has had a career hindered by various injuries, most notably two helmet-to-helmet head injuries within the last two years.

At 6’2 and 207 pounds, Massaqoui is a perfect fit for Cleveland’s version of the West Coast Offense (WCO).  Unfortunately, Massaqoui has yet to show that he can develop into the reliable playmaker that the much-maligned Browns offense—and wide receiver corps—desperately need.

Since being drafted in 2009, Massaqoui’s receiving yards have gone down from 624 yards in 2009-10, 483 yards in 2010-11 and 384 yards in 2011-12.

While averaging 33.6 receptions a season, Masaaqoui’s catches have dropped from a career-high 36 in 2010-11 to 31 in 2011-12.

Combine that with his recent head injuries, and you can understand why many Browns fans were—and still are—on the proverbial fence when it came to the under-achieving Massaqoui due to his inconsistency.

Could the 2011-12 season be the year that he breaks out? Possibly.

While Massaqoui has not yet scored a touchdown, based on his performance in Cincinnati, he has a good chance of equaling—or breaking—his season total of two in 2011-12 and his career total of seven touchdowns based on the growing chemistry that he has with Weeden.

If Massaqoui can continue his solid play that he would display against the Bengals, there is a real possibility that he will finally emerge into the No.1 wide receiver prospect and provide a real reason for optimism in the Browns offense in 2012.
Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/09/17/cleveland-browns-solid-play-of-wr-mohamed-massaqoui-at-bengals-reason-for-optimism/?X7feKqp01lymf0q0.99&wT5DKgAws4sOtFMz.99

Browns notebook: Coach Pat Shurmur knows 0-3 record would spell doom

BEREA: When Browns coach Pat Shurmur was a student at Michigan State University, he detested one particular subject.
“I was a business major, but statistics was my least favorite class,” Shurmur said Monday during a news conference. “It was all the way across campus. I took it in the winter. I had to walk there, and I didn’t understand it.”
Still, it’s not difficult to comprehend the importance of avoiding a record of 0-3 to start the season. The Browns fell to 0-2 Sunday with a 34-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Buffalo Bills (1-1) visit Northeast Ohio in Week 3 looking to maintain the momentum from their dominant 35-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We need to do what we can to win this football game against a team that’s coming off a big victory,” Shurmur said. “And I’ve got a lot of respect for Buffalo because in my opinion they’ve done a lot of things to upgrade their roster in the last couple of years.”
The Browns also believe they have upgraded their talent in recent seasons. Nevertheless, they’re 0-2 for the seventh time since their rebirth in 1999. After starting 0-2, they have finished 2-14 (1999); 5-11 (2003); 4-12 (2006); 4-12 (2008); 5-11 (2009); and 5-11 (2010).
Since the playoffs expanded to 12 participants in 1990, 22-of-184 teams (12 percent) have qualified for the postseason after going 0-2, according to ESPN. In the past three seasons, 0-of-24 have made it.
Only three teams have gone 0-3 and earned a playoff berth since 1990. The Bills, coincidentally, were the most recent in 1998.
Coming off a 4-12 record last season, the Browns weren’t considered a playoff-caliber team heading into 2012. But the point is early losses foreshadow agony more often than turnarounds.
“We’ve got to find a way to win, and I think we will,” defensive end Frostee Rucker said. “We’ve just gotta keep chopping wood, and I think everyone in this locker room understands.”
The defense had five takeaways and the offense provided virtually no support in the Browns’ 17-16 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Bengals, the offense bounced back with an encouraging outing, but the defense and special teams didn’t do their parts.
“Both games have been close, so we’re right there,” middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. “We’ve just got to get over that hump, and once we figure out how to get over that hump. It’s like a snowball effect. It’s still early in the season, a lot of football to play, so we’re still upbeat about it.”
Sound familiar? Jackson acknowledged the company line has become repetitive, but he believes the Browns must remain optimistic if they hope to find a spark.
“My message is keep fighting, keep pushing forward because things could change in one week,” he said.
Injury report
Tight end Alex Smith was taken to a Cincinnati area hospital Sunday after the game, released in the evening and driven back to Cleveland, his agent, Kevin Robinson, told the Beacon Journal. A Browns spokesman said Smith has a concussion and his status is day-to-day.
Smith left the game after catching a 3-yard pass from rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter. He walked into the locker room with members of the team’s medical staff a few minutes later.
Rookie defensive tackle Billy Winn also suffered a concussion, and defensive end Juqua Parker sprained a foot, Shurmur said.
Cornerback Sheldon Brown did not start like he normally does because he is still dealing with the effects of the neck stinger he suffered while making a tackle in Week 1, Shurmur said. Brown entered the game for one of the defense’s 69 plays, extending his streak of consecutive regular-season games played to 162.
“He was limited throughout the week,” Shurmur said of Brown. “I’ve been with Sheldon a long time, and I’m a big Sheldon Brown fan. And I’m his coach and so I think his role will change as it goes along, and there’s a good chance you’ll see him in there more this week. But he was banged up through the week last week, and I don’t think that’s going to be an issue as we move forward.”
Buster Skrine started in Brown’s place. Dimitri Patterson started for Joe Haden, who sat out the first of four games because of his suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Rookie Trevin Wade served as the nickel corner.
“With Joe out, we’re going to look at all options to make sure we play the right combination of guys,” Shurmur said.
Jim Brown to return
Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown is set to attend the upcoming Alumni Weekend, a team spokesman said. Brown is expected to be present at an alumni golf outing Friday, a dinner Saturday night and the game Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Former defensive back Clarence Scott and former running back Ernie Green will be inducted into the Cleveland Browns Legends and honored during a halftime ceremony.
Extra points
Strongside linebacker Scott Fujita is expected to discuss the New Orleans Saints’ bounty case with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today. An appeals panel lifted Fujita’s three-game suspension for his alleged role in the scandal on Sept. 7, and he made his 2012 regular-season debut Sunday. … With starter Trent Richardson and backups Chris Ogbonnaya, Brandon Jackson and Montario Hardesty healthy, the Browns have a crowded stable of running backs. But Shurmur said he thinks they can keep all four on the roster. … Shurmur said the team tracks missed tackles, but he wouldn’t disclose the number tallied Sunday. “That’s a teaching aide for us,” Shurmur said. … Trailing by 10 points with 24 seconds left on fourth-and-6 from the Bengals’ 7-yard line, Shurmur elected to try a field goal. Shurmur said he won’t be convinced he should have gone for a touchdown instead. “Somebody would have had to grab me by the neck and tackle me,” he said.

Video: Trent Richardson piles up stats, highlights for Browns

The rookie running back had 109 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns—one receiving—in his second NFL game. He became the first Browns rookie to run for 100 yards and score on a run and a pass.
But it wasn't just his numbers that were impressive, it was the way he came about them.

Trent Richardson piled up the stats and the highlights for the Browns in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. (AP Photo)

Richardson made a name for himself at Alabama as a punishing runner with enough burst to break away from defenders. He showed that ability Sunday against the Bengals, bouncing off and running through would-be tacklers before accelerating ahead.
Perhaps even more encouraging for Browns fans was the performance of another rookie—quarterback Brandon Weeden. Also in his second NFL game, Weeden passed for 322 yards and two touchdowns, which was a drastic improvement over his dismal debut last week.
Yet two encouraging performances weren't enough for Cleveland as Cincinnati got its first win, sending the Browns to 0-2.

Browns rookies Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden eager to rebound from disappointing debuts

BEREA: Surrounded by platters of sushi, redemption undoubtedly became a theme of dinner-table conversation Wednesday night for the new faces of the Browns.
Running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden planned to discuss their goals of bouncing back from disappointing NFL debuts while eating together at Shinto Japanese Steakhouse in Strongsville. Both are confident they’ll rebound Sunday when the Browns (0-1) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (0-1).
“I ain’t worried about it, and we ain’t worried about it,” Richardson said Wednesday after practice. “We know that we’re gonna come together as a team, and we’re gonna do what we’ve gotta do. We’re gonna get our timing down. We’re gonna get the right play-calling down. We’re gonna come together as a unit. Our defense is gonna keep doing what they’re doing. Special teams are gonna keep handling their business, and we’re just gonna back everybody up.”
Richardson, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, rushed for only 39 yards on 19 carries (2.1 average) in the Browns’ 17-16 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. On first-and-10 at the Eagles’ 13, he also dropped a pass in the flat that could have resulted in a touchdown during the second quarter.
“I was kicking myself, but at the same time, I’ve gotta get up and wipe it off,” Richardson said. “I can’t look backward, but I looked at that play probably two or three times, and I just knew I had a touchdown or I knew I was gonna get positive yards on that play. That’s not me. I got too happy. I smelled the end zone. If I could have just reached my hand out, I felt like I was touching it. So I got too excited. It won’t happen again.”
Weeden’s performance was even uglier. He completed just 12-of-35 passes for 118 yards, with four interceptions and two fumbles, finishing with a wretched passer rating of 5.1. He has forced himself to ignore the outside world ever since.
“I’m not tone deaf, I’m deaf,” said Weeden, the 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft. “I don’t listen to it. I don’t need other people telling me how bad I played. I know I played bad, so I’m not going to sit here and listen to anybody. These guys in this locker room, they’ve got my back and that’s really all I care about.
“I still to this day haven’t checked Twitter, don’t plan on checking Twitter. I don’t watch SportsCenter. It’s not my thing. If I play well, I’ll flip through and watch it, not to [watch] me, but to watch the stuff. I know I played bad. I don’t need the nation to tell me how bad I played.”
Weeden’s outing was so brutal that coach Pat Shurmur was asked Monday about fans clamoring for backup quarterback Colt McCoy to get a shot. Shurmur defended Weeden and made it clear he’s sticking with him as the starter.
“I talked to Coach Shurmur on Monday and then again yesterday and he told me the same thing,” Weeden said. “[General Manager Tom] Heckert said the same thing. It’s one bad game. You put it all in perspective. If I continue to do bad things, that’s on me. But I got to continue to build. I think they have a lot of confidence in me and my abilities, and they wouldn’t have named me the starter if they didn’t.
“I just got to prove to them that I’m the guy, continue to prove I can get better, not make the same mistake twice — I tell you guys that all the time — and go forward. I appreciate all the confidence they have in me, and I have the same confidence in myself. I just got to play better.”
After the game, Weeden spent time with family and friends who were in town. He needed the support.
“It was tough,” Weeden said. “I’ve scuffled — definitely scuffled in some games — but I don’t think I’ve had a four-quarter stretch like that where I’ve scuffled for an entire four quarters. Obviously, as a parent, you don’t want to see your kid do that. But my parents are supportive. They were like, ‘Brandon, it’s going to get better.’
“It can’t be any worse than it was the first week. … We’re all going to have rough stretches. I think, obviously, mine was the first week. I look at the mistakes I made, and you guys saw them. Guys were wide open, and I missed them. That’s not my character, not the way I usually throw the football.”
The Browns certainly hope not. The mistakes of Weeden and the offense spoiled the defense’s stellar effort, which was highlighted by middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson’s interception return for a touchdown and four other takeaways. Jackson sent Weeden a text message Sunday night encouraging him to keep his head up.
“I’ve told the defense over and over until I’m blue in the face — they should’ve won us that football game,” Weeden said. “That made me feel worse than anything. They played so well, so I’ve got to help them out and come away and just make one play.”
Strong safety T.J. Ward believes Weeden and Co. will reciprocate.
“I think they’ll come out roaring and much improved from last week,” Ward said.
“Usually [Weeden is] pretty accurate, so I was kind of surprised by the overthrows. … It was tough on him. I’m sure he’ll bounce back this week.”
Richardson said the players have faith in Weeden. And Richardson knows they believe in him as well.
“I’m always my biggest critic,” Richardson said. “That’s just me. I’ll always criticize myself and want to get better.”
Undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Aug. 9 and missing all four preseason games obviously took a toll on Richardson. He didn’t have his usual burst against the Eagles, but he’s sure he’ll knock the rust off. He said his knee has responded well since Sunday, as evidenced by his full participation in practice Wednesday.
“I’ve had no problem with it,” he said with a smile. “If you want to go outside, I’ll race you now.”