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Cleveland Browns
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2016 year end score: 80/80/40/71
PRESEASON
Retirements:
Blaine Davies (see the AP write-up
at FOFCentral).
BJ Carr (17-years, 4 rings, not bad for a cornerback, eh?)
BJ Bushon (Speedster never met the lofty expectations placed on him by GM
Subby after the 2007 draft).
Please welcome the following
players for induction
into the Hall of Fame this season:
Jason Elam
Jason Ferguson
Mark Smith
Fred Taylor
Doug Brown
Buddy Shaw
Dan Peters
Some of these guys were DTs whose
numbers were no better than Mudgett's. And did you know?
Harvey Wallace us the League's
career LEADER in receiving yards (12,931) and touchdowns (80), and Burt
Milne (451) is the career leader in FGs by 50 over the nearest competitor,
Jason Elam (who just made the HOF).
We are the third ranked franchise
in terms of value. Our stadium is still killing us.
Player bonuses went up by 300%
last year and the team broke even by a scant 400K.
We raise ticket prices across the
board, but we are still not the highest ticket in the league.
I have a soft spot for the old
school guys, so I give the designation to CB Christian Ferderer, our
career leader in INTS.
After last season's poor showing,
we decide it is time to part company with Martin Force. He is offered a
job upstairs, but turns it down. Force will go down as one of the greatest
coaches in the history of FOF. He molded the likes of Blaine Davies,
Donnie Sheen, Harvey Wallace, Rufus Duke, BJ Mudgett, Matt Champion,
Christian Ferderer, and others into a dynasty. He won 4 Bowls in 6 trips
in just (I think) 16 years.
Meet the new boss: Horace Paniagua,
former coach of the Dallas Cowboys. An offensive genius (like Force),
Paniagua has significantly higher ratings, but at the same salary as
Force, and he is eight years younger.
QB: EX K: VG
RB: EX YT: VG
REC: G MOT: VG
OL: EX DIS: G
DL: VG OCALL: EX
LB: EX DCALL: FAIR
SEC: VG INJ: G
Erik Johan is the cream of the
crop and stays put as Head of Scouting.
Free Agency
Going into Free Agency, our main
objective is to resign our starters.
Then I look at our draft picks.
Holy shit are we STOCKED. 3 first round picks per year for the next three
years, This year we have 2, 4, and 11 - plus a bunch of 2nd and thirds. So
many picks that we cant sign free agents - the commish says we need 24 mil
to sign draft picks. Im sick of rookies, so its time to get some kick ass
vets.
1. We trade our 2 (32) and 3 (21)
to Arizona for a 2 (7).
2. We continue to unload picks, trading our 2 (7), 2 (4), and 3 (4) to
Cincy for next years 1 and 2.
3. We need to dump salary, so we cut overpaid backup RB Don Casey
4. With all due respect to Bobby Lofton, we need a young franchise TE, so
we package him and his big salary plus 4 picks (2,2,3,5) to Carolina for
3rd year TE Bruce Pearson (83,100,100, 92, 95, 100, 91).
5. Finally, can you say coup de grace? I knew you could. We ship our first
this year (11) and a first from next year plus 13 year DE Timothy Burnim
for the higest rated WR in the league, second year WR Burt Porter (100,
100, 98, 94, 100, x, x, 98). The best part is that we are off the hook for
Porter's bonus. Coupled with Max-Out man WR Robbie Jeffries, and future
star TE Pearson, our guy Lee Clark will have folks to throw to for the
next 10 years.
We still have the 2nd and 4th
picks in the draft, but now we also have money to spend in FA.
Unfortunately, we dont have enough
money to be competitive and we lose WR Garcia, LB Monroe, LB O'Donnel, and
G Eric Urquoila. Luckily, we do retain legend K Burt Milne, who will be
back for his 17th season, still going strong (90/85/96).
Draft
Going into the amateur draft, we
look for a stud DE and LB. We have the 2nd and 4th overall picks. This
draft is absolutely STOCKED with wide recievers - there are probably 7 or
8 maxed out ones. We may pick up one, but again, look to trade as a way of
lessening our cap hit and geting help now. Just our luck there are no LB
or DE in this draft.
1. We move down a bit, trading the
#2 pick to San Diego for the #5 pick and a 1st next year.
2. We trade our 5th pick to Dallas
for their first rounders next year and in 2019. We now have 9 first round
picks over the next 2 years. Moves are imminent.
With visions of wide-open, high
rolling offenses dancing in our heads, we turn our attention to our one
remaining draft pick.
1. Desmond Cole, WR, Virginia
Tech, 46/90, 97, 48/98, 100, 94, x, x, 98.
We trade 5th WR Hardy Dougherty
and his salary to the Houston Texans for a first round pick in 2019,
bringing our total first round picks over the next two years to 10. Hardy
was in his 13th year and we felt we needed to get value for him before he
retired. He was a great backup for a long time.
Training Camp
We have 4 first rounders to dangle
in trade, and we would like to add a short yardage back, a young DE, a
pass rushing LB, and a young Safety.
We renegotiate most everyone on
the roster, giving us 21 million in cap room to play with.
The going price for a
fully-developed DE is very high, but we are prepared to pay it. We dont
want a rookie - we need someone who can contribute - now. Our offer of
three first round picks for a DE is rebuffed, however - so we wait until
after training camp to offer up our booty of picks. We decide to wait
until after training camp to see what we can get.
In the meantime, we sign a couple
of grizzled veterans off of the waiver wire. Welcome DE Lester Foreman and
LB Norman Faulk. Foreman has 57.0 sacks in just five years and Faulk has
two years of over 100 tackles.
We do trade old and pissed C
Dexter Gaylon and G Donny Ellard to Charlottesville for young and studly C
Darren Small.
We continue to get younger by
trading old pissed off T Donovan Hanson, Nice but medicore DE Dennis
Clinton and a first round pick to Kansas City for 2nd year DE Clifton
Duncan. We now have our book ends at DE with Duncan (84/78/91) and Sedrick
Copeland (91/92/83).
We fill out our roster with
undrafted rookie free agents.
Exhibition Season
The retirements of Davies and
Bushon, coupled with our youth movement, put a crimp in our cohesion -
particularly in the passing game. We want to do 4-wide receiver sets, but
we may have to wait a year. Thank god for Rodriguez.
Game 1
Dallas 14
Cleveland 34
QB Clark 10-17, 139 yds, 1 td, 0
int in a half of action
RB Rodriguez 21-108
TE Pearson 5-74, 1 fumble return for a TD
S Dunkleberger 2 ints, 1 td
DT Hamilton and LB Porter each get a sack
Game 2
Cleveland 24
Atlanta 18
Offense bogs down as we only get
200 total yards. Rodriguez goes for 2 tds, but only gains 24 yds on 20
carries. Luckily our defense holds them to 240 yds. Clark is 6-13-68-0-1.
Game 3
Cleveland 31
NY Jets 17
Rushing defense holds them to 26
yards.
Clark 14-18-130-0-0
Rodriguez 22-90-1
Game 4
San Francisco 28
Cleveland 26
Rodriguez 17-92-0
Clark 8-18-144-2-1
WR Cole (rookie) 6-126-0
We finish the exhibition season
3-1, encouraged by the play of our offense. Our offensive cohesion is
still terrible, so we will concentrate on a balanced offense, hoping for
more magic from Rodriguez (80-314-3 in the preseason) and some stability
from Clark (
38-66-481-3-2 in about 9 or 10 quarters of action). Our defense seems to
be playing well, although we worry about Paniagua's defensive playcalling
ability.
Here is our starting lineup with
year they joined team and CURRENT ratings:
QB: Lee Clark 2013
(76,75,73,68,67,95,74,73,100,94)
RB: Rico Rodriguez 2014 (58,67,65,82,78,92,83,80,81)
FB: Clarence Lee 2016 (76,81,95,68,83,68,78,98,93)
TE: Bruce Pearson 2017 (82,100,100,92,95,100,92)
WR: Burt Porter 2017 (94,99,91,93,99,x,x,96)
WR: Robbie Jeffries 2016 (89,97,95,99,96,x,x,99)
C: Antoine Coleman 2014 (79,86,79)
G: Norbert Page 2009 (86,91,93)
G: Cory Corbett 2008 (87,81,94)
T: Stanley Hamilton 2013 (86,100,99)
T: Mitch Banks 2013 (88,74,90)
P: Harris Kindred 2013 (60,81,96)
K: Burt Milne 2013 (83,82,88)
LDE: Matt Champion 2004 (68,70,74)
RDE (Run): Clifton Duncan 2017 (59,54,91)
RDE (Pass): Lester Foreman 2017 (47,85,61)
DT: Phillip Hamilton 2012 (100,86,100)
DT: Cornelius Eddings 2012 (86,58,100)
OLB: Norman Faulk 2017 (48,79,84,90)
MLB: Alvin Wheeler 2012 (99,100,100,95)
OLB: Freddie Kobeski 2008 (88,58,90,87)
CB: Christian Ferderer 2005 (90,88,88,33,50,93)
CB: Roy Mathews 2013 (87,85,98,x,x,80)
S: Trevor Foster 2012 (90,97,96,x,x,99)
S: Gerald Dunkleberger 2013 (63,72,97,x,x,96)
Returns: Gerald Stegeman 2015 (96,88)
Matt Champion and Christian
Ferderer are the last links to the early days and serve as the Defensive
team captains. Clark and Rodriguez captain the offensive side.
Regular Season
Game 1
Miami (0-0) at Cleveland (0-0) -2
We decide to play conservative - short passes to our receivers and a
ground game behind the left side of our line. The game is almost over
before it begins as the Brown dominates both sides of the ball. Cleveland
wins 33-3.
Clark 21-28-210-1-1
Rodriguez 21-70 (3-17-1 receiving)
Backup RB Stone 5-35-2
Our blockbuster receiving trio (Porter, Jeffries, Cole) manage to grab
8-103.
Milne (4-4 FG, 51 long, 3-3 XP)
Champion grabs a sack, S Foster 2 ints.
Defense recovers 4 turnovers and holds Miami to 222 yards.
Injuries: Starting OL Kobeski and
Backup CB Whiting out 2-3 months. 4th WR Marc Francis is hurts his knee
and is doubtful.
Game 2
Cleveland (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0) E
A huge division matchup early in the season. Pittsburgh looks good on
offense and is likely playoff bound. It turns into the Gerald Stegeman
show as he starts of the Cleveland scoring with a 74 yd punt return -
followed several quarters later by a 104 yd kickoff return. The defense
gets into the act as D captain Ferderer intercepts a Brendan Tomich pass
and returns it 82 yds for a td.
Cleveland wins 47-31.
Clark 19-30-228-1-1
Rodriguez 22-32-1 (4-64-1 receiving)
Wheeler 9 tckls
Ferderer 2 ints 1 td
Champion 2 sacks
Injuries: Kobeski, Whiting, and
Francis show no improvement, but G Corbett has recovered from a preseason
injury.
Game 3
Jacksonville (0-2) at Cleveland (2-0) -5
Another early division matchup. Jacksonville is an inferior opponent
though and we lead 17-0 after three quartersm cruising from there.
Cleveland wins 27-3.
The defense allows a lone field
goal for the second time in 3 games (in addition to 9 first downs and 177
total yards).
Clark: 18-28-214-0-1
Rodriguez: 18-120-2 (Game MVP)
Rookie WR Cole: 8-106
MLB Wheeler (who came in questionable): 8 tckls.
Foster and Dunkleberger get picks (Foster's third of the season).
Injuries: Our offensive line is
getting banged up - G Corbett goes back on inactive, along with understudy
T Stanley Hamilton. Kobeski and Whiting remain out. S Foster is given a
game off as well to rest his sore ankle.
Game 4
Cleveland (3-0) -8 at New York Jets (1-2)
With a couple of starters nursing injuries, we go into the Meadowlands a
bit banged up and apprehensive. 400 total yards later we walk out of the
stadium in great shape - with no new injuries. Giving a couple guys the
week off against a weaker opponent pays off. The defense has now allowed
40 offensive points in 4 games - partially allaying fears about Paniagua's
defensive coaching abilities.
Cleveland wins 27-10.
Clark 16-33-204-0-0
Rodriguez 17-105-2
Backup RB Stone 2-87-0 (20-147-2 on the year).
S Swift 8 tckls and 3 ints! (game mvp, def player of the week)
OLB Faulk 5 tckls, 1 sack
DT Hamilton 5 tckls, 1 sack
Injuries: No new ones, Whiting and
Kobeski still long term.
Game 5
Cleveland (4-0) -11 at Jacksonville (0-4)
Jacksonville comes in winless but with a good defense. We racked up the
rushing yards against them in the last game, but resist the temptation to
change our heretofore balanced approach. A missed extra point and 2 ints
almost kill us, but we take a 23-13 lead in the 4th quarter and are able
to hold it.
Cleveland wins 23-20.
Clark 15-24-168-1-2
Rodriguez 20-112-2 (3-43-0 receiving) Game MVP
Wheeler 11 tckls, 1 sack
DT Kirk 2 sacks
Injuries: No new ones. Whiting and
Kobeski may be out the whole year at this rate.
Game 6
Cleveland (5-0) -8 at Kansas City (1-4)
Kansas City jumps out to a 6-0 lead, but our offense starts to click and
we cruise to the tune of 23 first downs and 310 yards of total offense.
The defense has now allowed 66 offensive points in 6 games.
Cleveland wins 21-6.
Clark 16-32-173-2-0
Rodriguez 21-125-1
WR Jeffries 6-81-1
MLB Wheeler 9 tckls
S Foster 7 tckls and a pick (4 on the year)
Champion and Duncan pick up sacks.
Injuries: Still trying to get
well. No new injuries.
Game 7
Tennessee (3-3) at Cleveland (6-0) -8
Another division rival - this one is a bit scary because we have moved our
game plan around a bit so that CLark can throw down field more. Titans
lead lead 7-6 after three quarters, and are able to hol d it. Our defense
still plays well, only allowing one offensive touchdown.
Tennessee wins 20-14.
Clark 15-34-205-1-0
Rodriguez 18-40-0
Jeffries 6-119
Faulk 7 tckls
Wheeler 6 tckls, 4 assists
Dunkleberger 6tckls 1 int
Injuries: Kobeski and Whiting have
ben upgraded to Doubtful.
Game 8
Cleveland (6-1) -8 at Carolina (3-4)
A moderately difficult out of conference road game. We get a couple of
early field goals, but our defense gets no real supportfrom the offense
for the second straight game. Carolina takes a 10-6 lead late in the third
quarter and we can only muster a 4th quarter field goal the rest of the
way. We drop back into a tie with Cincinnati for the AFC Central lead.
Carolina wins 10-9
Clark 15-29-212-0-1 (7-40 rushing)
Rodriguez 17-4-0 (last two games 35-44)
Wheeler 8 tckls .5 sack
Dunleberger 7 tckls, int
Foreman 1 sack
Injuries: Miraculously, no new
injuries.
Mid-Season Key Stats
Clark 135-238-1614-6-6 75.5 (42-194 rushing)
Rodriguez 154-608-8 (17-181-2 receiving)
Jeffries 29-443-2
Stegeman 11.4 punt returns, 1 td - 28.4 kick return, 1 td
Milne 18-20 FG, 19-20 PAT
Wheeler 61 tckls, 1.5 sacks
Dunkleberger 37 tckls 3 int
Foster 4 ints
Foreman 5.0 sacks
5th in points scored, 2nd in
points allowed
Power rating 67 (3rd in AFC)
Game 9
Houston (2-5) at Cleveland (6-2) -11
Yuk. Once again our offense stinks out the joint against an inferior
opponent. The fans begin to sour on Rodriguez after his third straight
miserable game. Three straight losses and this team is reeling. Backup
Stone may play for Rodriguez next game. Luckily, we have a bye week coming
up.
Houston wins 17-10
Clark 16-33-215-0-0 (7-39 rushing)
Rodriguez 23-52-0
Jeffries 8-139-0
Wheeler 10 tckls
Foster 8 tckls
Champion 1 sack
Bye Week
We rest and Cincinnati loses. We are tied with them and Tennessee for the
division lead.
Game 10
We go into the 4th quarter with a 13-3 lead but cant hold on and lose
16-13 on a last second field goal. Luckily we are not struck with any
major injuries and go nto our division tilt with Cincy fully healthy.
San Francisco wins 16-13
Clark 18-26-176-0-1
Rodriguez 13-50-1
Jeffries 5-71
Hamilton 1.5 sacks
Injuries: none.
Game 11
Cleveland (6-4) -5 at Cincinnati (7-3)
We adjust our game plan slightly to look for more stuff up field. We
decide to balance the attack, instead of playing to Cincy's defensive
weaknesses. Something clicks as we control the ball for 39 minutes and
force 4 turnovers. Clark throws 2 touchdowns for the first time in weeks.
Our defense bends (400 yards allowed) but doesnt break. A huge win for us.
The four game losing streak is over.
Cleveland wins 38-21
Clark 18-25-198-2-1
Rodriguez 29-67-2
Jeffries 4-39-1
Porter 5-72-1
Hamilton 2 sacks
Ferderer and Matthews get picks
Injuries: C Coleman gets a
concussion and is listed as doubtful for the next game.
Game 12
Pittsburgh (6-5) at Cleveland (7-4) -3
We toy with the idea of leaving
Rodriguez on the bench, but we figure he is due. We were right. We jump
out to a 24-0 lead and coast the rest of the way in a huge divisional win.
We gain over 400 yards total with a balanced attack and our defense plays
tough, for three quarters, allowing two meaningless tds near the end of
the game.
Cleveland wins 31-23
Clark 19-26-208-1-0 (5-20 rushing)
Rodriguez 25-135-2 (4-49 receiving)
Wheeler 8 tckls
Ferderer 1 pick
Hamilton, Champion and Foreman each get a sack.
Injuries: Once again we have zero
injuries.
Game 13
Cleveland (8-4) -8 at Baltimore (6-6)
One more in a seemingly unending string of must-win division games.
Baltimore is known for stuffing the run, so we decide to loosen the reign
on Lee Clark and see if he can win the game for us. We take a 20-0 lead on
two Clark td passes and cruise the rest of the way for a 30-10 win. We
rack up 23 first downs and 425 yards of offense, while forcing 4 turnovers
on offense. We also controlled the ball for 5 more minutes than the Ravens
- and our winning streak continues. We stand atop our division once again
with a 6-1 divisional record. We are also second in scoring defense (1
point out of first).
Cleveland wins 30-10.
Lee Clark 19-30-295-2-1
Rodriguez 20-59-1
The trifecta: (Porter 4-83-0, Jeffries 3-72-0, 3-54-1)
Wheeler 6 tckls
Foster 2 more ints (the former DROY has 6 on the year).
Dunkleberger 6 tckls 1 int
Faulk, Kirk, Champion get a sack a piece while Hamilton and Foreman each
get .5 sacks
Injuries: Keeper DE Champion is
questionable for our upcoming matchup with Tennessee.
Game 14
Cleveland (9-4) at Tennessee (8-5) -4
If we can win at Adelphia we will control the divsion. We get out to a
quick 10-0 lead, but a couple of Danny Dayoc passes and we are down 24-17
at the half. We go down 34-17 in the 4th quarter and any chances of a
comeback are dashed as Clark gets knocked out and his replacement throws
two picks in two attempts. Tyrone Turnbull's slow-motion 85 yard int
return in the 2nd was a morale crusher.
Tennessee wins 34-17
Clark 23-37-296-1-2
Rodriguez 16-49-1
The Trifecta: (Porter 5-50, Jeffries 7-106-1, 2-29)
TE Pearson 3-61
Wheeler 8 tckls (now over 100 for the year)
Faulk, Hamilton, and Copeland each get a sack.
Injuries: None.
Game 15
Cincinnati (8-5) at Cleveland (9-4) -5
Lee Clark completes his first 3 passes for 85 yards, gets his nose broken,
and goes out of the game. Backup QB Wesley Peterson plays the rest of the
game and completes 10-21 passes for 180 yards. The Bengals lead 9-7 going
into the 4th quarter where the teams trade tds and the Bengals come out on
top by two. Milne misses 2 field goals. A season of streaks and the
umpteenth mediocre game from Rodriguez. We are now tied for second in our
division.
Cincinnati wins 23-21
Clark 3-3-85-0
Peterson 10-21-180-3-1
Rodriguez 12-43-0
The Trifecta (Porter 4-119-1, Jeffries 3-102-1, Cole 1-5)
Kindred 4 punts for 203
Kobeski 11 tckls 5 assists
Wheeler 10 tckls
Ferderer 1 pick
Hamilton 1 sack
Game 16
Baltimore (7-8) at Cleveland (9-6) -5
If we want to go to the playoffs, we must win this game. We open up the
offense again and hope Clark, The Trifecta, Pearson and the pass-catching
Rodriguez can carry us home. They can't, but our defensive captains can,
as CB Christian Ferderer and DE Matt Champion both step up to the plate
with 2 ints and 2 sacks, respectively. Thrid string RB Irving Alcott
catches 5 passes for 73 yards and 1 td during game in which Cleveland
jumped out to a 17-0 lead. Rodriguez has another miserable week and his
status will definitely be evaluated in the off-season. I suspect a large
part of our offensive problems this year are due to low cohesion - so
perhaps patience should win out. Anyway - time to prepare for Oakland.
Cleveland wins 20-7
Clark 17-32-191-2-1
Rodriguez 14-43
Alcott 5-73-1
Faulk 8 tckls
Dunkleberger 6 tckls 1 int
Champion 2 sacks
Ferderer 2 ints
Injuries: Starting G Corbett and
4th WR Francis done for the year.
Playoffs
Wild Card Round
Arizona 19
Atlanta 38
Cincinnati 10
New England 34
Green Bay 7
New York Giants 31
Oakland Raiders (10-6) at
Cleveland Browns (10-6) -3
Cleveland jumps out to a fast start, paced by a 63 yd run by Rodriguez and
2 tds by Clark. Oaklands prized DE Ferderer (no relation) gets knocked out
of the game, but on the very next play, Clark is knocked out for the rest
of the playoffs with a friggin broken nose of all things. The entire
stadium holds its breath. Cleveland goes into the locker room with a 20-3
lead and 290 yards of offense. Our offense picks a good game to break out
of its cocoon. Rodriguez quickly scampers 73 yds for a score and the rout
is on. We rack up almost 500 yds of offense and Rico Rodriguez earns game
MVP honors. The Conference leading Seahawks loom.
Cleveland wins 41-9
Clark 13-19-146-2-0
Peterson 12-18-122-1-0
Rodriguez 18-215-2 (4-27 receiving)
The Trifecta (Porter 3-49-1, Jeffries 5-88-0, Cole 1-2-0)
Foster and Ferderer grab ints
Kobeski and Copeland record a sack a piece
Injuries: QB Clark and G Corbett
done for year.
Quarterfinal Round
Atlanta 14
Chicago 26
New England 13
Tennessee 31
New York Giants 32
New Orleans 29
Cleveland at Seattle (-5)
We go into this game without our QB of the future and one of our key
linemen. Our defense has been playing strong, but we decide to go neutral
and not overplay this balanced offense. Seattle strikes first with a first
quarter field goal. Our run keeps getting stuffed, but we manage to move
it down the field with short passes and close out the first quarter with a
1 yard td pass to backup TE Cornehl. Defense looks like it will win the
day as drive after drive ends in punt. We are doing an exceptionally good
job at shutting down their vaunted passing game. We get another 1 yard td
pass near the end of the first half - this time to our starting TE
Pearson. The Seahawks get the ball back with 2 minutes left in the first
half, but go three and out and we get an unexpected series. Rodriguez, who
up to this point is getting his ass handed to him on every play busts off
tackle for 3 yards and scores! We head into the half with a 21-3 lead. Our
defense tightens the screws in the second half and Seattle can't do
anything (gaining just 220 total yards) - we add another Rodriguez td and
Milne FG and pull a major upset! Our defense has allowed just 12 points in
two playoff games.
Cleveland wins 31-10
Peterson 21-31-183-2-0
Rodriguez 27-116-2
Kindred 8 punts for 359 (5 in 20)
Wheeler 7 tckls
Champion 2 sacks
Injuries: Starting S Dunkleberger
is doubtful with a broken foot, so we pick up a FA from waivers to take
his spot on the roster. Pass rush specialist Foreman is also doubtful. He
sits. Backup LB Martin is doubtful. He also sits. QB Clark is still
doubtful and hopes of him returning for the playoffs dim.
League Finals
New York Giants 13
Chicago 3
Cleveland at Tennessee -5
The game starts off poorly as we fall behind 14-0. The workhorses for
Cleveland's playoff run K Milne and RB Rodriguez get us to 14-13 before
the half and we look to take the lead for good in the second half.
Peterson has a hard time in the red zone and we can only manage a couple
of long field goal tries - one of which Milne makes, but which put us in
the lead, 16-14. DT Phillip Hamilton goes out of the game with a knee
injury and we get soft up the middle - they run it at will for several
series and go up 24-16. Peterson gets two more opportunities to bring the
team back, but throws an interception in the endzone, and an interception
inside the 20 that ends the game. We go freaking 0-3 against the Titans
this year.
Tennesse wins 24-16
Peterson 23-44-295-0-3
Rodriguez 19-157-1
The Trifecta (Porter 6-64, Jeffries 2-15, Cole 6-119)
Wheeler 4 tckls, sack
Foster 7 tckls
Super Bowl
New York Giants 33 (2 wins in
three years)
Tennessee 27 (defending champ)
Honor Roll
CB Christian Ferderer 49 tckls, 7 ints, 1 td 1st Team Cornerback
MLB Alvin Wheeler 118 tckls, 1.5 sacks 2nd Team Linebacker
Individuals
QB Lee Clark 268-450-3,278-14-12 81.3 rating (346 yds rushing)
RB Rico Rodriguez 306-1,106-15 (321 yds, 2 tds receiving)
WR Robbie Jeffries 63-1,016-5
WR Burt Porter 49-741-2
WR Cole 30-400-3
TE Pearson 43-479-1
KR/PR Stageman 9.8 pr, td/ 28.0 kr, td
K Milne 29-35 fg, 40-41 xp
P Kindred 41.4 avg, 32 in 20
S Dunkleberger 70 tckls, 5 ints
DT Hamilton 42 tckls, 9 sacks
DE Champion 34 tckls, 9 sacks
S Foster 61 tckls, 6 ints
Team
Scoring Offense: 381 (11th)
Scoring Defense: 254 (2nd)
Rushing Offense: 131.1 (11th)
Passing Offense: 216.1 (26th)
Rushing Defense: 118.4 (18th)
Passing Defense: 208.4 (3rd)
Turnovers: +13
Analysis: We need to improve
cohesion, plain and simple. We need a third safety and another OLB. We
will lose backup CB McElroy and backup S Swift in Free Agency (they are a
tad pissy). Every starter is signed through next year. |
