Browns Provide a Huge Test

Fraidy Cat

Well, here we are, at the doorstep of the 2011 NFL season and once again the Bengals are the preseason favorites to...get the 1st pick of the draft! (They actually have an outside shot at running the table in reverse and going DEFEATED-the imperfect 0-16, but in keeping with tradition this will be the last time I mention that until about Week 12). In order to get that 1st pick, the Bengals will not only have to NOT play to their full potential, they will also have to get some unlucky breaks. 


The Browns are the perfect measuring stick to see just how bad this Bengals squad is. The Browns are an improving team with a lot of potential, but also a lot of young players. They are decent, but not quite there yet. If the Bengals handily defeat the Browns, prepare for Armageddon. If the Bengals are competitive, I don't think anyone will know what to make of that. If the Bengals struggle, we can expect them to stay in the hunt for the #1 pick all season long. So here it is, your Week 1 Keys to Defeat:

On Offense:


1. Throw the ball! If they let Dalton throw 40 times, the defeat is theirs. The Bengals need to put the ball in the hands of their rookie signal caller right away. Take the reins off Dalton and let him hurl the ball around the entire field early and often! Take Dalton off the leash and let him loose because now is the time!

2. Run outside the hash marks. Forget running off tackle and pounding the Browns D Line. Do not exploit their OLBs from the inside, but instead, send Benson and Scott on the edges and get Big Whit out there to do some pulling and open field blocking. Slow-developing end around plays can't hurt the cause either.

3. Use Benson in all 3rd and long situations. Quite often the Bengals offense will find itself in 3rd and long situations. I know I said let Dalton throw 40 times in the opener, but not on 3rd and long. I know I said run outside the hash marks, but not on 3rd and long. On 3rd and long, run Benson off tackle.

3. Keep the game plan complex. Open up the playbook for Dalton to explore. I mean you have to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Cleveland to secure the loss. I call it baptism by fire!

4. Overcome the loss of key coaching. With Brat gone, the Bengals have lost one of their greatest keys to defeat, and I am not sure how they can overcome this. It is an obstacle to be sure, but the Bengals must find a way not to shine under the new play calling of Gruden.

On Defense:

Hall's official new nickname: "Coma-toast"

1. Let the secondary play man coverage. Let Leon Hall lead the way and get right in the face of Josh Cribbs. They need to be aggressive back there and keep their backs to McCoy. The DB's also need to cover their men down field even if a run play crosses the line of scrimmage, just be persistent and stick to your man.

2. The D Line needs to keep the pressure off McCoy. The Bengals are magnificent at not getting pressure on the QB. They have to let McCoy get comfortable in the pocket and feel at ease back there. Keep the passing lanes clear for the 2nd year McCoy and do not mix the blitz packages. Predictability here will be crucial.

3. Get out of the pursuit lanes. On running plays, when pursuing up-field, the front 7 needs to stay undisciplined, get out of their lanes, and not contain. If Cribbs gets the ball in a reverse, all 11 need to run on a straight line right to him and forget about containment.

Special Teams:


Whether on punts or kick returns, kick line drives directly to Cribbs and as we discussed in the D Line keys, stay out of lanes and be undisciplined by running up the field in clusters.
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The Browns will not be an easy loss for the Bengals, but if they can follow some of these keys they should be assured a lousy start to a disillusioning and yet strangely interesting season.