No Need For Luck

Sunday’s win for the Browns, over the Jacksonville Jaguars, was the first step Colt McCoy took in telling the front office “I can do this.” Sure it was an “ugly” win, and yes he did have the interception in the red zone, which is an absolute no-no, especially when you are a team that already struggles to score period. But, McCoy rallied, himself and the troops, and brought the team back and threw what would eventually be the game winning TD to Josh Cribbs.

I have said all along that it is difficult to judge or compare McCoy to a west coast offense quarterback because the Browns simply do not have the weapons for him to throw to, and at times this year they have not had the offensive line either. McCoy currently ranks 20th in the NFL in passing yards, and of the 19 quarterbacks ahead of him, only 3 have fewer interceptions throw on the season. And, four, have doubled the amount of interceptions he has thrown. He (McCoy) takes care of the football; his red zone interception against the Jags was his first red zone INT of the season.

With all of that being said, he made up my mind on Sunday. It may have been ugly, or a struggle, or not flashy, but he proved that, if we get him some weapons on the outside, he can be a viable quarterback, and he can win you games. It has been a struggle, but McCoy has slowly gotten his completion percentage up to 60% on the season. Clearly, that pales in comparison to the staggering 72% clip that Aaron Rogers is completing, but, has him completing the second highest percentage in the division and only 3 percentage points behind Ben Roethlisberger.

There are a few signs of hope, mainly Greg Little, and Josh Cribbs, but it is clear that the Browns lack speed, size, and reliability on the outsides. Greg Little is showing that he has 1st round talent, but still shows inconsistency (see the deep ball down the right side in the 1st half that Little should have caught) and that is exactly NOT what the Browns need. Cribbs, on the other hand, has impressed me with is improvement as a receiver. We know he is electric on special teams, but the knock has always been he is unpolished as a receiver. This year he looks like a legitimate wide receiver, and he proves ever week that the more you get the ball in his hands the better the results on the field.

The Browns have two first round draft picks in the next draft, and there is some serious talent coming to the NFL, especially at the wide out position. The Browns would be best suited to use those picks on talent that can come in and help this team right away, as opposed to packaging them both for the first overall pick and taking Andrew Luck. It would not matter if we had Andrew Luck or Aaron Rogers right now, they would not have the necessary weapons to stand out in this offense. The improvements are there, but the Browns need talent at skill positions, and they have two chances to improve those positions in the first round.

Just Sayin! NFL Week 1

After a so-so start to ‘Just Sayin’ where my esteemed sidekick Stephen Brook, or @StevietyBebop as
some of you know him, was only able to get me one of his picks in time, he now joins us for a full week of his picks. So without further adieu, let’s get to it.

We will make picks for week 2 of the NCAA games, and week 1 of the NFL.

NCAA:

Our “Master” (they aren't really have a sponsor but it would be cool if they were) Lock of the week:

BC: Stanford -21.5 @ Duke – Sticking firm with my lock of the week from last week. Stanford is a team that has the Heisman Trophy favorite, just put up 50+ in week one, and goes to the football powerhouse of Duke in week 2? Chalk up 50 more points, unless they get confused and think they are playing basketball.

SB: Agree with above. Stanford is giving three touchdowns to a team that just lost a close one in a
heated battle with the, wait for it, RICHMOND SPIDERS…..

UPSET Alert:

BC: ND -3.5 @ Michigan – Ok, yes, I hate Michigan. But I am still not sure how they are three and half point dogs, at home, to a team coming off a bad loss at home to a CUSA team. Notre Lame is switching quarterbacks, switching jerseys, but it seems like they need to flip a switch and come out of the dark ages, they look two steps slower than every team they play. Oh, and Denard Robinson has the ability to score, anywhere on the field, and its UM’s first night game in 85+ years. No way are they losing at home.

SB: Did not pick...

"JUST SAYIN" game of the week:

BC: TCU -2 @ Air Force: TCU was all the rage last year, especially after beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. After getting spanked through the air against Baylor they have to go face the ground cavalry this week against the Air Force (I know, I know ground attack by the Air Force?). This seems like TCU should be able to handle the Falcons, but their last two trips to Air Force? 2009 – Three point win 2007-overtime loss. Could TCU start the year 0-2? Just Sayin…

SB: Alabama -9.5 @ Penn State: All this talk about the new quarterbacks for the Tide, but they are still the #2 team in the Nation! And that defense! Just don’t see this one going well for the Lions offense (Sorry Zack).

NFL:

Lock of the week:

BC: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – it was hard to find a lock of the week in week 1. But I will go with the
Cardinals at home. Yes they have a new quarterback, but they still have Larry Fitzgerald. Oh yea, and
Carolina is starting a rookie quarterback.

SB: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – Arizona is going to blow out Carolina, especially since Newton can’t
complete a pass to a wide receiver with no one in his face. The Cardinals are going to blitz Newton all day long. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Larry Fitzgerald will be effortlessly embarrassing DB’s with his one-handed-eyes-closed-behind-the-back-barrel-roll catches in traffic.

Upset Special:

BC: Detroit +1 @ Tampa Bay – Did any team impress more than the Lions based on their draft and the preseason? I say no. Matthew Stafford appears to have “figured it out,” now all he has to do is stay healthy. And I said last season that Detroit’s D Line was legit, and then they go out and add Nick Fairly to go with Suh and Vanden Bosch. Once Fairly gets healthy enough to play that is a stout interior line. Tampa Bay overachieved last year, and it can be difficult for a team that has a “better than expected season” to come back and duplicate it. Detroit is a road dog, but I like them in this one.

SB: Buffalo +6 @ Kansas City – Why not? I think not only will they cover; they might actually pull
this thing out. The Bills have some weapons, and I really like C.J. Spiller this year, and KC is very very overrated, with the exception of the LSU players on its roster of course…

JUST SAYIN game of the week:

BC: Philadelphia -5.5 @ St. Louis – I’ve heard all the talk about the ‘Dream Team’ and the group of “All-Stars” that the Eagles have together. Prove it. I don’t think this team will click right off the bat. And their offense line is one of the worst in the NFL, the only reason statistically it doesn’t show is because Mike Vick bails them out more often than he get’s sacked. No one has talked about a Rams team that almost made the playoffs last year. And they just might catch the Eagles at the right time. I’ll take the Rams, at home, just sayin…

SB: Tennessee +3 @ Jacksonville – I think this is actually a game the Titans can win. Low scoring, figure to favor the Titans with lead foot Bironas kicking field goals from 50+ yards out. Oh, and the Jaguars just cut their starting QB 5 days before the opener! McCown was behind Blaine Gabbert two weeks ago, and now he’s the starter, just sayin….

There you have it...NCAA week 2/NFL week 1 picks are in the books...Like something else? Let us know who you like and why! We may just use you for our next piece! Good Luck!