Little confused here.8 OF 8 CBS so called experts have picked the browns to beat us on sunday.Over at espn its 9 out of 15 browns. Really?I fully expect a double digit win here!!!!!!
I always prefer being the underdog.... (Pun intended) Smack around a few dawgs and all of a sudden we look a little more legit.
Hold up now, I don't exactly see us steamrolling the Browns. They are improved, and Richardson will be hard to stop. Joe Haden is also one of the best CB's in the game.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/preview/NFL_20130908_MIA@CLE Click the "PICKS" tab... (You may need sunglasses against the glare of Orange)
I don't know why this bothers you, I hope the so called experts pick against us every week. And the Browns do have a very good defense, its not a stretch to pick them the way our offense looked this summer. I expect a 24-20 win.
At some point later in the season, though, you want the pendulum to swing our way. The only way they all pick against you after mid-way thru the season is if you stunk up the first half. If you went 7-1 or 6-2 or even 5-3, they're not going to all pick against you anymore.
Opening day picks are a little tricky. I think most "experts" go with the home team if both teams are relatively even. It's not like you have the Niners playing against the Raiders, two teams on the opposite end of the power rankings. I expect a pretty close game with us winning by 3-7 points.
I'm with NJ here, I'm glad they're picking against us. Makes winning much more sweeter when no one expects it.
I liked it the other way, like back in the 70s or even in some of Marino's golden years. You'd look at the schedule, and there just wasn't any fear of any other team. You'd struggle to find games you might lose. Meanwhile, our opponents looked at the schedule, and they marked the Dolphins game down as a loss. And "experts" picked Miami because it was just foolish not to. At some point, don't we HAVE to want that? Every year?
Otherwise known as "not having expectations". I mean, if you wait till they do something , then those are no longer expectations....
No, I have certain expectations. But I'm not going to get carried away with them until they take the next step. I expect them to beat the Browns, for instance, but I'm not expecting them to do it by 2 Td's until they show they'rethat type of team.
Earlier on in the pre-season I predicted this game would go Dolphins win 19-13, with 4 FGs. That was before Tanny progressed and Martin improved some on the left. Now I'd have to say 23-13, 30-13 even if we get a D/ST score. Browns aren't ready...Norv Turner's a much better OC than he is HC, but he's predictable even there. I believe Miami fans can speak to that, and Philbin has already said he's studying their coordinators' past trends, etc. I think our game plan will be solid, particularly on D, I just hope we open up playbook on offense.
The Browns may be on an upswing much like our beloved Fins. They are also playing at home. Ray Horton may have a HC job next year because he is that good. May be more of a defensive game, but beware the play-action from the Browns. This is going to be a tough one, IMO.
The Phins have been less than mediocre and there has been nothing on the field to show they are any better than the Browns. Until they show otherwise they will not garner respect. That being said go **** up the Browns.
I FEEL YOUR PAIN . Today on the radio they talked about every team's fan base except Miami 's and when a former coach tried to mention O.J McDuffie's name the others drowned him out.
I think pundits are concerned we were able to mask some of our O-line's deficiencies a bit in preseason in ways that will be fully revealed and exploited when the real bullets start flying shortly here. I'm not sure I agree. I think we beat the Browns.
There's been plenty to show Miami's better but let's face it, some people are looking more closely than others.
More and more, I find myself wanting to get incognito's jersey. I think I'm just going to have to take that plunge.
You guys are seriously worried about the Cleveland Browns?... Seriously? T-Rich isn't running on our front 7. Even Patterson can cover Greg Little. Maybe even Jimmy Wilson... OK, that was mean. But seriously, how are they going to score? Special teams? Josh Cribbs on a punt return? Maybe in garbage time? Cleveland's getting destroyed. Period.
The Browns are picked to finish last in the AFC Central division by most experts. Yet, most of these same experts think the Browns will beat the Dolphins. Obviously the view around the nation appears to be that even though the Dolphins spent millions in free agency, they still aren't expected to be anything but another mediocre team in 2013. The Dolphins can change opinions by going into Cleveland and winning the game. A loss by the Dolphins though, may prove to be the harbinger for another long season for Dolphin fans. This is the most important first game of the year for the Dolphins in over five years. With the four games the team has on their schedule after the Browns game, they can not afford to lose to the Browns and expect to have a winning season, IMO. Good football teams should not lose games against teams like the Browns.
I agree that there is the potential for this to end up a laugher, but it's a first game... on the road... stupid turnovers can happen... etc. There are always things to worry about if one chooses to worry. You hit the key. If we stop Richardson -- which our first team run defense (not the back-up one in the preseason the announcers complained gave up all those rushing yards) should be able to do -- I don't think the Browns have the weapons to beat us. Of course, we have to score, too, and their defense will probably be pretty stout. I think it takes us a while to get rolling -- Tannehill has been a slow starter in a lot of games -- but once we do, we'll move the ball. As long as we score TDs in the red zone, and not FGs that will leave them in the game, I like our chances... a lot!
lol, forgot he is a Raider. Or Was... That's even worse for the Browns. Maybe they should sign him to even have a chance at scoring?
Well, there certainly wasn't a lot of thought into this article and his arguments for digression counter the changes in personnel that were made, however, the bottom line is that there are several things that have to happen in order for this team to be 'better'... Tanny has to improve...so far, so good... Miller has to prove he can handle the full load... Someone of the TE group has to become what Keller was envisioned for this O... Gibson has to hold on to more balls than last year and stay on the field. I think we'd all be disappointed with his career average of 50 catches, 600 yrds and 3 tds... Wallace has to shake the "one trick pony" stigma. His speed has to open up underneath stuff... Ellerbe and Wheeler have to, or maybe more correctly, Coyle has to scheme the strengths of these two to be better than the combination of Dansby and Burnett... Grimes has to stay healthy... Martin, RI, Pouncey, JJ, Clabo have to be better than last year's (or couple of years worth) OL. Tanny needs more time, even with the new toys he has and the expected improvement in his decision making process... Jones kind of jump onto the scene of the next level of S, but Clemons kind of was 'sneaky' improved last year, will these guys continue that trend... The glaring weakness of this team right now is depth. While the starters all may make improvements, injuries could derail this campaign very quickly. We already can guess what losing Keller will mean, imagine if Tanny or Pouncey or Grimes or Wallace or even Martin go down ?? So there is a lot to be negative about as it pertains to the 'prognosis' of this teams' coming season... I guess this is a glass half empty look, but it's all entirely feasible....
Safe bet is home team if you think it's going to be close. Unless it's Miami then there is no safe bet. lol Atleast this method has helped me win money.