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7 things to watch: Rams vs. Browns
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_431a4b84-5b19-53b8-b27f-d1e83d17a26b.html
FACING MCCOWN (AGAIN)
The Rams are facing QB Josh McCown for the third year in a row but he’s been in a different uniform every time. In 2013, it was Chicago; last season, Tampa Bay; and now, Cleveland. McCown is extremely competitive. He will stand in the pocket and take hits, avoid sliding on scrambles to get the extra yard, and take chances with throws. If the Rams get consistent pressure, “Bad Josh” will make some ill-advised decisions. But give him time and “Good Josh” can shred defenses. Just ask Baltimore.
WHO IS THIS GUY?
Unless you’re a fan of the reality television show “Total Divas,” you probably didn’t know who Gary Barnidge was until this season. On the TV show, Barnidge dated a couple of WWE Divas in 2014. On the football field, he’s putting up Gronkowski-like numbers at tight end, with 27 catches for 413 yards and five TDs. He’s the first Browns TE with at least one TD catch in four consecutive games since Ozzie Newsome in 1981. Barnidge never had more than 13 catches or two TDs in any of his six previous NFL seasons.
TRACKING TRAVIS
It was supposed to be the Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline Show at WR for Cleveland. But both free-agent pickups have been major disappointments. Bowe, who had three 1,000-yard seasons for Kansas City, has been inactive in four games and doesn’t have a catch. Hartline has only nine receptions. Filling the void has been unheralded Travis Benjamin, a fourth-round pick in 2012 who never had more than 18 catches or 314 yards in any of his three previous seasons. The speedster already has 31 for 528 and four TDs in 2015.
BY COMMITTEE
The plan was for Cleveland to be a “run-first” offense, but that hasn’t been the case. The team ranks 25th in rushing offense, and has used Isaiah Crowell, rookie Duke Johnson Jr., and now Robert Turbin at RB. Keep an eye on Johnson catching passes out of the backfield — he’s third on the team with 24 catches. After three seasons backing up Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, Turbin was claimed off waivers by the Browns on Sept. 10. Turbin’s a power runner who made his season debut last week vs. Denver after an ankle injury.
LINE DANCING
Four of the top six players on Cleveland’s offensive line are either first- or second-round picks, so the Browns have invested in this unit. More mobile than straight-ahead blockers, the group has been better in pass protection than run-blocking. One of the day’s best matchups pits LT Joe Thomas, an eight-time Pro Bowler, against Rams DE Robert Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowler. Starting LG Joel Bitonio paid a “top 30” pre-draft visit to the Rams in 2014. Starting RG John Greco was a Rams third-round draft pick back in 2008.
ON THE BACK END
Cleveland boasts three Pro Bowlers in its secondary, but two of them probably won’t play against the Rams. CB Joe Haden (concussion/finger) was ruled out Friday; FS Tashaun Gipson (ankle) is doubtful after missing the Browns’ two previous games. But this unit has pretty good depth, and Broncos receivers weren’t running free all over the place last week. Lindenwood’s Pierre Desir (Francis Howell Central) played well in place of Haden last week and is expected to start in his hometown Sunday.
FAMILIAR FOE
Less than two weeks shy of his 34th birthday, LB Karlos Dansby is still making plays. He had two interceptions of Peyton Manning last week, returning one 35 yards for a TD midway through the fourth quarter. Dansby leads the Browns in tackles (46) this season, and leads all active NFL linebackers in career interceptions (18) and career INTs returned for touchdown (five). This marks his 15th start against the Rams, with 13 of them coming during the seven seasons he played for NFC West rival Arizona.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_431a4b84-5b19-53b8-b27f-d1e83d17a26b.html
FACING MCCOWN (AGAIN)
The Rams are facing QB Josh McCown for the third year in a row but he’s been in a different uniform every time. In 2013, it was Chicago; last season, Tampa Bay; and now, Cleveland. McCown is extremely competitive. He will stand in the pocket and take hits, avoid sliding on scrambles to get the extra yard, and take chances with throws. If the Rams get consistent pressure, “Bad Josh” will make some ill-advised decisions. But give him time and “Good Josh” can shred defenses. Just ask Baltimore.
WHO IS THIS GUY?
Unless you’re a fan of the reality television show “Total Divas,” you probably didn’t know who Gary Barnidge was until this season. On the TV show, Barnidge dated a couple of WWE Divas in 2014. On the football field, he’s putting up Gronkowski-like numbers at tight end, with 27 catches for 413 yards and five TDs. He’s the first Browns TE with at least one TD catch in four consecutive games since Ozzie Newsome in 1981. Barnidge never had more than 13 catches or two TDs in any of his six previous NFL seasons.
TRACKING TRAVIS
It was supposed to be the Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline Show at WR for Cleveland. But both free-agent pickups have been major disappointments. Bowe, who had three 1,000-yard seasons for Kansas City, has been inactive in four games and doesn’t have a catch. Hartline has only nine receptions. Filling the void has been unheralded Travis Benjamin, a fourth-round pick in 2012 who never had more than 18 catches or 314 yards in any of his three previous seasons. The speedster already has 31 for 528 and four TDs in 2015.
BY COMMITTEE
The plan was for Cleveland to be a “run-first” offense, but that hasn’t been the case. The team ranks 25th in rushing offense, and has used Isaiah Crowell, rookie Duke Johnson Jr., and now Robert Turbin at RB. Keep an eye on Johnson catching passes out of the backfield — he’s third on the team with 24 catches. After three seasons backing up Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, Turbin was claimed off waivers by the Browns on Sept. 10. Turbin’s a power runner who made his season debut last week vs. Denver after an ankle injury.
LINE DANCING
Four of the top six players on Cleveland’s offensive line are either first- or second-round picks, so the Browns have invested in this unit. More mobile than straight-ahead blockers, the group has been better in pass protection than run-blocking. One of the day’s best matchups pits LT Joe Thomas, an eight-time Pro Bowler, against Rams DE Robert Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowler. Starting LG Joel Bitonio paid a “top 30” pre-draft visit to the Rams in 2014. Starting RG John Greco was a Rams third-round draft pick back in 2008.
ON THE BACK END
Cleveland boasts three Pro Bowlers in its secondary, but two of them probably won’t play against the Rams. CB Joe Haden (concussion/finger) was ruled out Friday; FS Tashaun Gipson (ankle) is doubtful after missing the Browns’ two previous games. But this unit has pretty good depth, and Broncos receivers weren’t running free all over the place last week. Lindenwood’s Pierre Desir (Francis Howell Central) played well in place of Haden last week and is expected to start in his hometown Sunday.
FAMILIAR FOE
Less than two weeks shy of his 34th birthday, LB Karlos Dansby is still making plays. He had two interceptions of Peyton Manning last week, returning one 35 yards for a TD midway through the fourth quarter. Dansby leads the Browns in tackles (46) this season, and leads all active NFL linebackers in career interceptions (18) and career INTs returned for touchdown (five). This marks his 15th start against the Rams, with 13 of them coming during the seven seasons he played for NFC West rival Arizona.