Packers vs Browns Game Thread: If its Brown flush it down edition

[milani]

Honestly, it was practically quadruple coverage. There were no fewer than 5 Browns within 5 or 6 yards of the ball; practically half their team. From Love's position behind the line, he was seeing a solid wall of those black and orange jerseys.

And yet, he threw it.

That was an amazingly risky and foolish decision, and it was completely unneccesary. The man sitting on the bench wearing a shirt with the number 19 on it is what is known as a "punter", and he is here for a reason. You're up by 7 with just 3 minutes to go; there is no need to force that pass into triple coverage. Give the ball back at around their own 30, and let your utterly exceptional defense do their part of the job. These are the things that truly elite teams do.



This is looking more and more like what I was afraid of all along. Mind you, I am not at all giving up on him, but I can't help seeing where he is at after all these years since he left college. And I'm more concerned now than I was in January 2024.

Have a look at these excerpts from the scouting reports in his draft year...


Sound familiar?

I'm not saying Love sucks or is a bust or anything like that. I want to make clear that absolutely I still believe he can be a Top 5 QB, I really do. And further, I don't just believe it - I think it is probable.

But not as probable as it seemed to me 18 months ago.

I know many other QBs have been where he is and still developed into truly great players, but two things... first, this is his 6th year in the system, being coached at the NFL level by what we believe are exceptional QB-developing coaches. And he is still making the exact same mistakes he was making 8 years ago as a sophomore and junior in college. Maybe not as often, but still showing the same tendencies when the pressure is on.

And 2nd.... if we fans are noticing that, it's a certainty that NFL defensive coordinators are noticing the same thing. They're watching the film, not just from the first couple of seasons with Green Bay, but also his college tape. And from that, they are learning which things he is better at (which are truly impressive), but also the things he still seems to fall back on over and over again at every level. And potentially the traits that are exploitable.

The first year or two, they had no real tape on him. But by this time, they have a lot. The things we ***** about after a bad game, you can bet they see too. And maybe it's just a question of whether he can evolve beyond those thing faster than other teams can scheme for them. Because every bad play he makes in a game is a clue for a DC on how to force him into that same situation, and capitlaize on it.

This was one of those " run the ball and punt " times.

 

[gopkrs]

This was one of those " run the ball and punt " times.

It was a take a sack and punt or call a better play

 

[milani]

It was a take a sack and punt or call a better play

Usually, most of us will not take that approach because we know historically how this backfires on teams especially Green Bay. 3 and out helped us lose to Seattle in 2014. However, in this situation the Browns offense was so bad that I could not see them going 60-65 yards in a couple minutes against our D. They made it down there just before and could not even punch it in on 1st and goal from the 1. And a FG then was not an option for them.

 

[Voyageur]

Usually, most of us will not take that approach because we know historically how this backfires on teams especially Green Bay. 3 and out helped us lose to Seattle in 2014. However, in this situation the Browns offense was so bad that I could not see them going 60-65 yards in a couple minutes against our D. They made it down there just before and could not even punch it in on 1st and goal from the 1. And a FG then was not an option for them.

Another advantage is that they would have had to burn their last time out. But that play they had on 3rd down before they kicked the FG was illegal. The ball was improperly placed in the wrong spot, and it was the Browns who placed it not the official. The clock would have run out, no question about it. The official totally screwed up. You have to watch it to see all the mistakes they made in the process of prepping the ball for play.

https://x.com/i/status/1969855979664949638

 

[Heyjoe4]

The worst part of it could be that the players believe LeFleur is mollycoddling Love, so he doesn't appear to be responsible for his own actions. That could be the worst thing LeFleur could do for Love and the entire team.

Yeah good point. It was a lousy call, but Love should have seen that and audible out of the play, or thrown the ball away.

It's hard to nitpick because he looked v good in the first two games. My concern is that the crippling mistakes have a pattern. Usually third and 4 or 5, deep in their own territory, and Love's first and second reads aren't open. And he panics and throws, between the sidelines.......

At a minimum, I'd expect him to use his legs more.

And after he throws these pics, there is no sign of disgust or frustration. Favre wore his heart on his sleeve. Rodgers was more reserved but still showed his frustration when a play went south (usually blaming the receiver). But Love shows no emotion at these times.

I just don't expect these things from a 3-year starter. The D is good enough to "win" the majority of games. But that's no excuse for an offense with a lot of impact players not being very impactful.

 

[gopkrs]

Yeah good point. It was a lousy call, but Love should have seen that and audible out of the play, or thrown the ball away.

I'm assuming you are talking about his interception. He could not throw it away as he was in the pocket with nowhere to go and hardly any room to throw as I remember it. I think sometimes people are so afraid of taking a sack that they want the QB to do anything but take one. Sometimes it's best to take one. It depends on the situation. It is sometimes dangerous to throw it away.

 

[OldSchool101]

It's hard to nitpick because he looked v good in the first two games. My concern is that the crippling mistakes have a pattern. Usually third and 4 or 5, deep in their own territory, and Love's first and second reads aren't open. And he panics and throws, between the sidelines.......

yes. I also saw him throw a couple passes away against Washington. I even commented that it was smart. That’s what made this so difficult to swallow for me. It’s not like we were losing by -10 and he’s trying to stay alive.

I have no clue what happened on that 1 Sack he could’ve easily gotten it out if bounds past LOS and would’ve been equivalent of a +11 yard scramble for a net zero.

It makes me question our Coaching. We are obviously not taking situational seriously or at minimum we are not spending time in practice drills that allow a Defender free on the QB in some simulated key field position. For me it’s no different than addressing an infraction that draws flags. It often has worse results. Loss of Down Loss of -11 yards. At least with a Flag you just back up and get a retry, that’s bad enough. It’s like we’re getting a double dose of bad, just lose the down and hold field position there. Let me say it again in case Jordan visits us. Just lose the down and retain field position. Stop double boinking ourselves unless it’s the last play and we’re down a score

 

[Wayne G]

At least Hafley is a good D coordinator! LOL. This D has a lot of talent…
But no one to call a good game….proof is in the pudding.

 

[rmontro]

Touchdown! We may have to rely on the "Losers find ways to lose, winners find ways to win" trope.

At least Hafley is a good D coordinator! LOL. This D has a lot of talent…
But no one to call a good game….proof is in the pudding.

What happened to all those exotic blitz packages we were going to be able to dial up with Parsons on the field?

 

[milani]

Touchdown! We may have to rely on the "Losers find ways to lose, winners find ways to win" trope.


What happened to all those exotic blitz packages we were going to be able to dial up with Parsons on the field?

More ****** than exotic.

 

[rmontro]

Tie the game and ST gives up over half the field.

 

[OldSchool101]

Tie the game and ST gives up over half the field.

This has been too regular for too long. I like Rich he seems like decent human being. However I’d strongly lobby to move on after this season.

 

[milani]

Tie the game and ST gives up over half the field.

Kickoff penalties are supposed to go on the receiving team. Not the kicking team.