Holmgren, we have a problem. I'm really freaking sick of watching this team week in and week out without any sign of progress—in fact, the offense on this team is horribly regressing. I understand that we were without Hillis and Massaquoi today, and we're playing with a rookie head coach, and what amounts to a rookie quarterback, but at some point I want to see Shurmur start to look like an NFL head coach, and create some successful schemes against another NFL team.
I know I usually go over the stats, but today I think I'm going to move away from that and just rant a little bit. But I reserve the right to change my mind.
First off, the defense is not the problem. Even though they were sort of asleep for the first half, defensive coordinator Dick Jauron made the adjustments, and contained Frank Gore, Alex Smith and the rest of the 49ers offense, giving the Browns offense a chance to come back. When the opposing team only scores 20 points, I think the defense has doen their job. And besides, seven of those points came on the 49ers first drive which started at the Browns 20 after Colt McCoy's fumble.
And what a great segue to the topic I'm burning on—the offense. Okay, we have an offensive-minded head coach. We have a front office with someone who knows the ins and outs of the West Coast offense. We have a young quarterback who showed progress last year and at the beginning of this year. What in the wide, wide world of sports has been happening the past few weeks?
Colt McCoy has looked terrible. I think a lot of that has to do with the piss-poor play of the offensive line, but what's more is that he's just making bad decisions. That interception today? Why in the world would you think it's a good idea to try and throw across your body to a double-covered receiver? Look, it's one thing to try and make something happen, but that is just a dumb decision. I'm tired of hearing how high this guy's football IQ is, and then seeing him go out and make stupid freaking decisions.
But to get back to that offensive line, I am really sick of watching Colt McCoy run for his freaking life all around the field because these guys can't block. I know LG Eric Steinbach was injured for the year, I know RT Tony Pashos injured his ankle and has been playing on it regardless, but these guys are anchored by LT Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack. They. Are. All. Terrible.
Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston have been disgustingly awful at both guard positions. They consistently don't keep their eyes up and look for the linebackers coming on the blitz in pass protection (my high school coaches would be proud of me for saying that) and they don't have enough 'pop' when they're run blocking. I'm tired of watching these fools make a mockery out of what used to be one of the strongest aspects of this team because the Browns "think they're going to be good starters for a number of years." Please correct me if I'm wrong (which I don't believe I am), but Joe Thomas never struggled like this when he was a young player. No more excuses—this offseason, aside from LT and C, the entire offensive line needs to be replaced. Draft them, sign free agents, trade for them, I really don't care. We just don't have the weapons to compensate for a poor offensive line.
I'm not sure how much of that was game specific, but I feel like they're all true. It's time for Shurmur to start making better schemes, and the line to start executing so that the skill players have a fighting chance of making plays.
Like last week, I'm still pissed off. But next week I'll be home in the CLE to watch our favorite team from the friendly confines of my own couch. I'll see you then.
~MAS
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