Browns Report Card: Players talk a big game, offense plays a bad one

Rookie RB Trent Richardson is getting the job done, but the Browns are not. They fell to 2-6 after Sunday's loss to the Ravens. (US Presswire)

The Browns tried to convince anyone listening last week that they were on the cusp of contention. They spoke with tremendous confidence about the prospect of upending Baltimore on Sunday. They claimed that a victory would thrust them into the playoff race.

But what became apparent is that the Browns still don't know how to win. It plays close games but can’t finish. The offense moves downfield but can’t score touchdowns. The defense shuts down opponents but folds with the game on the line.

Confidence is clearly an issue, but so are myriad other more tangible problems. They were all quite evident in the 25-15 loss to the Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Offense: D

If not for the second consecutive 100-yard game from emerging star Trent Richardson, this unit would have earned a failing grade. QB Brandon Weeden played his worst game since the disastrous season opener, failing to drive the team for touchdowns on five trips to the red zone and tossing two critical interceptions. The offensive line sprung a few leaks in the second half in pass protection and was inconsistent in its attempt to open holes for Richardson. And we’re still waiting for a breakout game from any receiver. They are contributing more than they did last season and there is a bit more depth, but Weeden still has no consistent threat. Previous game’s grade: C+

Defense: B

The Browns held the Ravens to a meager 37 total yards in the middle quarters after being gashed for two touchdowns in the first. That allowed the offense to inch the team back into the game and eventually take a 15-14 lead in the fourth quarter. But a poor play by top CB Joe Haden allowed Ravens WR Torrey Smith to sneak into the end zone for the winning touchdown. Haden was also beaten often in the first quarter in his worst game since returning from suspension in Week 6. The run defense held Ray Rice to just 40 yards on 14 carries after the first quarter and cornerback Sheldon Brown continued to perform well. The defense, however, has the same problem as the rest of the team. It saves its worst play with outcomes of games hanging in the balance. Previous game’s grade: A

Special teams: A-

KR/PR Josh Cribbs made the most out of mediocre blocking and PK Phil Dawson is now 17 of 17 in field-goal attempts after converting all five against the Ravens. If he continues on this pace and is again not voted into the Pro Bowl because the offense doesn’t allow him to score enough points, there is something wrong with the system. P Reggie Hodges, who has struggled most of the year, booted a few with better hang time and direction. The Browns won the battle of field position most of the game and that was a reflection on strong performances from all special-teams units.

Coaching: D

Coach Pat Shurmur made some decisions that left observers scratching their heads. Not only did the Browns waste timeouts in the second half because of confusion on play calls and substitutions, but Shurmur elected to go for a first down on fourth-and-2 at the Browns 28 with just under four minutes remaining and his team trailing 22-15. With two timeouts and the two-minute warning still available, the Browns should have punted. After all, failure to convert placed the Ravens in range to kick the victory-clinching field goal. Indeed, Weeden overthrew a pass to Greg Little 20 yards downfield when a safer play call could have achieved the first down and left the Browns plenty of time on the clock to march for a game-tying touchdown. The Ravens then did ice it with a field goal. One wonders why the usually conservative Shurmur has become overaggressive at times, such as when he twice called for passes on third-and-1 when Richardson was shredding the Baltimore defense in the first quarter. Both passes were incomplete and forced punts. Yet in the five trips into the red zone, Weeden didn’t throw one pass into the end zone. Such inconsistency in play calling is one reason many are asking for new owner Jimmy Haslam to dismiss Shurmur, if not now then at the end of the season. Previous game’s grade: A-