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This is what I keep seeing. I mean, Andy Dalton is no "elite qb". But look at the

talent they have on offense.

Look at the Packers' offense. Rodgers is struggling. But look at their wr's on the injury report:

Davante Adams - Questionable

Randall Cobb - Probable

James Jones -Probable

Aaron Rodgers:

"I think, is a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Without him and Jordy, we have to find somebody who can attack the outside. We didn’t sustain drives,”

http://prod.www.packers.clubs.nfl.com/news-and-events/article-game-editorial/article-1/Aaron-Rodgers-confirms-offenses-struggles/f4e79b82-e5ae-4e87-8052-e4a365c72bce

It’s especially nice the Packers defense played as well as it did on Sunday, otherwise this one might be in the loss column. The stats accurately portray the Packers’ struggles on offense.

• Eighty-six yards rushing.
• Four of 13 on third down.
• Three giveaways, which included two Rodgers interceptions and a Rodgers fumble.
• An 82.8 passer rating, which is satisfactory for a lot of quarterbacks; Rodgers, however, is the best quarterback.

I've been doing the box counts, but not recording the play results. Easy enough to do...

@tour2ma said:

When Barnidge and Johnson are your #2 & #3 in receptions, we have a problem. Benjamin is the only one of the group that is (hardly) putting a scare in the opposition. 16\4= 4 receptions per game.

I'm waiting for that big-time Bowe breakout game- he hasn't caught a pass yet- but his bank account caught a flood of Benjamins- of the Franklin variety, not Travis.

"Free Josh Gordon", except I doubt McCown could get him the ball on fly routes. I'll respect you opinion on this Tour- but it sure looks like teams aren't respecting the Browns ability to beat them deep, and crowding the line. On paper, we had the superior line to the Chargers, but it sure looked like McCown was under far more duress than Rivers.

No question that you need a good defense. But the one constant for SB winners is a great passing game -- without that, nothing else matters.

@unsympathetic said:

One could argue that the 2012 season with Flacco (given his performance before and subsequently after the superbowl run is average with blips of good play here and there) could be thrown in with Dilfer.

It's possible Russell Wilson could be listed in this category. He's still yet to win a game as a QB when the Seahawks defense surrenders 24points. Who drives the ship there?

To address a few points.

- The 2003 Bucs had a GARBAGE offensive line.

- The Pats running game in 2001 wasn't bad at all. Their defense was their hallmark

- The Pats running game in 03 was solid as well. Unless you've forgotten Rudi Johnson came in for Dillon after injury? Rudi averaged over 4ypc. So their running games and passing concepts very much complimented one another. Toss in having the leagues leading scoring defense, and that's what you get.

Keep in mind, while Peyton and the Colts were on the way to rewriting record books in 04 - they still couldn't get by New England and their balanced attack. Likewise in 2007 being a passing dominated team, the Pats fell short of the prize to the G-men and their defensive front/running game.

My theme is this - There is more than one way to skin a cat. In absence of having the HOF field general, teams have successfully fielded competitive squads with augmented rushing attacks, PAP, and great defenses. That's what allowed the Niners resurgence, Kansas City to make the playoffs, Cincy to look like a current contender, The Texans to rise from the ashes of 'expansion disaster', The Hawks to finally get over the hump, allowed the Steelers to claim a Superbowl with a sophomore QB and many other examples.

Finding that sure thing at QB might be the most rare hit in ANY sport, save for perhaps a perfect game. It's much more logical to take the opposite approach lest you end up with the Blaine Gabberts, Jaemis Winstons, Brandon Weedens, etc etc.

In closing, our QB was more than good enough to win today. A lack of discipline leading to penalties, defensive inconsistency and a couple ticky tack calls(non calls) were the culprits.

@hoorta said:

The problem is obvious.

Spreading the ball around too much?

@unsympathetic said:

Beginning to think that way. Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, and Ladainian Tomlinson for all their collective greatness have exactly two Championships between the four of them.

It’s not complicated. The NFL is completely dominated by pass offense and pass defense and has been for a loooong time. The marginal quality of your running game isn’t terribly important, and you don’t need to invest in an expensive running back to get a good enough running game.

A great quarterback and a below-average running game is a great offense. Barry Sanders and a mediocre quarterback is a mediocre offense.

Draft a QB and receivers and stop the insanity.

Zombo said:

Hartline- 8\123

Hawkins- 10\112

That will project to around 40\500

The problem is obvious.

@wargograw said:

Nice thing is he is sharing carries with Mixon which lightens his load and keeps him fresh. If he stays healthy he'll be a beast in the NFL

I dunno, we've drafted talented pass rushers before but for some reason they don't really develop right. I have no explanation for that.

@baconhound said:

Big 12 Dumpster fire? Right. Valerie Perrine would be better for our O .

@texasag1969 said:

Or Samaje Perine and skip the SEC all together

Id probably take Elliot over Henry too. Henry looks a step slow. Destined for "plodder" status in the NFL after his initial shine wears off. He hasn't done a ton this year either but then, I realize they're asking him to play a limited role.

@mudfly said:

Well you can wait another year and take Fornette (the next Adrian Peterson) after the SEC shock wears off.

@columbusking said:

sec is not treating us well lately........Manziel, Mingo and Richardson......

@texasag1969 said:

Not wanting to rule him out right away, but the Browns didn't have the best luck with the last RB we took from Bama....

@texasag1969 said:

I think I would move Derrick Henry past Elliott as the top RB. At 6'3" 242 lbs. with power and speed he could help our running game set up the play action and get the tough yards inside.

EzE is the superior pass catcher and off ball player. In today's NFL, that means a lot.

@texasag1969 said:

Saw today that Todd McShay's first draft top 32 for 2016 has Cardale Jones @ #19. That would give the Browns a legit shot if it held up.

Not seeing much chance of that based upon game 1. Kid doesn't act like he has a pulse.

@diehardbrownsfan said:

I have no faith in McCown. Can't see him lasting long.

He's not supposed to last long...