Ben Roethlisberger: Browns are 'going to surprise a lot of people'

[polamalubeast]

Ben Roethlisberger is the winningest quarterback in Cleveland since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999, which makes him uniquely qualified to analyze a Browns roster that has changed forms so many times before Roethlisberger's eyes over the years.

So when he passes on some genuine praise, it should be taken with a certain amount of gravity.

"That team is going to surprise a lot of people," Roethlisberger said Wednesday, via Bleacher Report. "I'm glad we played them in Week 1."

The Browns still lost, 21-18, but seemed closer to matching strengths with a legitimate, playoff-bound NFL team than they have since the stunning 2014 first-place run under former head coach Mike Pettine. That year was the last time Cleveland beat the Steelers, winning a home game at FirstEnergy Stadium, 31-10.


read more

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000844373/article/roethlisberger-browns-will-surprise-a-lot-of-people?campaign=Twitter_atn

[BlackAndGold]

Yep I've felt this way since they hired Hue Jackson as HC. Only worry was if they would lose patients once again like they have with all the other coaches.

Hiring Greg Williams as defensive coordinator this offseason was an A+ move. Great draft which featured getting a QB who could be the future.

As usual with the Browns, time will tell.

[Crow-Magnon]

I felt during the off and pre-season that Cleveland may have taken a turn for the better. Last week showed promise. I'll let you know how I feel after the Ravens take them on at home Sunday. Which, if history shows, the Browns always play tough against Baltimore.

Truth be told, I'd rather see a good team in Cleveland vs. Cincinnati.

[teegre]

The Browns are on the cusp of being pretty darn good.

[Texasteel]

The Browns are on the cusp of being pretty darn good.

I was kinda impressed with a young QB that a lot of us didn't think much of last year. Will be interesting to see if he can progress.

Cleveland has started out pretty good before and ended poorly.

[ALLD]

They could win more games than Cincy.

[DesertSteel]

I'd rather see the Browns at 9-7 than the Bengals or Ravens.

[Born2Steel]

I'm already surprised. I don't think they put up 18 points all last season. They matched last seasons output in just one game.

[Craic]

I too was surprised by the QB play. If they give their team time without major disruption, they might have finally turned a corner.

[teegre]

I was kinda impressed with a young QB that a lot of us didn't think much of last year. Will be interesting to see if he can progress.

Cleveland has started out pretty good before and ended poorly.

The owner is affording Hue Jackson something that other HC's in Cleveland have never had: time.

Hue has had time to rebuild. Hue has had time to develop the young talent on the roster. Hue has had time to actually coach (as opposed to polishing up his resume).

With that, Hue now has the time to teach a young QB (with mad skills) how to actually play the game. And, IMO, Hue is a good teacher.


But... it's the Browns. The other shoe is bound to drop at any moment. :lol:

[DesertSteel]

The owner is affording Hue Jackson something that other HC's in Cleveland have never had: time.

Hue has had time to rebuild. Hue has had time to develop the young talent on the roster. Hue has had time to actually coach (as opposed to polishing up his resume).

With that, Hue now has the time to teach a young QB (with mad skills) how to actually play the game. And, IMO, Hue is a good teacher.


But... it's the Browns. The other shoe is bound to drop at any moment. :lol:

To be fair, he's only had 17 game as coach. It seems that he'll be given time..... but..... things change fast in Cleveland.

[j-d-s]

Johnny Football also looked good in one game against us and pretty much no other, so I wouldn't bet to high on that.But the Browns maybe get two or three wins this year. Especially with the Bengals looking horrible.

[Craic]

Johnny Football also looked good in one game against us and pretty much no other, so I wouldn't bet to high on that.But the Browns maybe get two or three wins this year. Especially with the Bengals looking horrible.

The difference is, Kizer looked good in fundamentals from what I remember. He wasn't on a hot streak of hitting high-risk, decent-reward plays.

[salamander]

I almost want the Browns to be relevant to ignite the rivalry between Cleveland and Pittsburgh... almost.

[st33lersguy]

Let's see them against a team that isn't notorious for playing down to bad teams or notorious for starting off slow. They were in the game because of sloppy play and 13 penalties

[Edman]

The Browns went 1-15 last year.

There's nowhere for them to go but up. They'll be formidable years down the road, assuming they don't ruin Kizer.

[43Hitman]

What's the over/under on their wins this year? My guess is 4.5, anyone willing to take the over on that?

[Born2Steel]

What's the over/under on their wins this year? My guess is 4.5, anyone willing to take the over on that?

Looking at their schedule, I would not be shocked if they were 4-4 at their bye. Surprised a little, but not shocked.

[Iron Steeler]

I felt during the off and pre-season that Cleveland may have taken a turn for the better. Last week showed promise. I'll let you know how I feel after the Ravens take them on at home Sunday. Which, if history shows, the Browns always play tough against Baltimore.

Truth be told, I'd rather see a good team in Cleveland vs. Cincinnati.



Cleveland Fans deserve a better team ...Cincy does not. The story for the Browns has always been Patience. They hit tje reset button every 6 months.

But we all know that.

[teegre]

The Browns almost always play the Ravens tough.



11/10/16
Cle
Bal
A
L 28-7 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2016111001)


09/18/16
Cle
Bal
H
L 25-20 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2016091808)


11/30/15
Cle
Bal
H
L 33-27 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2015113001)


10/11/15
Cle
Bal
A
W 33-30 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2015101106), OT


12/28/14
Cle
Bal
A
L 20-10 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2014122802)


09/21/14
Cle
Bal
H
L 23-21 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2014092107)


11/03/13
Cle
Bal
H
W 24-18 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2013110310)


09/15/13
Cle
Bal
A
L 14-6 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2013091504)


11/04/12
Cle
Bal
H
L 25-15 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2012110407)


09/27/12
Cle
Bal



Maybe, this season is when the Browns start eeking out wins over the Ravens.

[polamalubeast]

The browns could have 2 top 10 pick this year with their pick and the pick of the Texans.

[Craic]

The Browns almost always play the Ravens tough.



11/10/16
Cle
Bal
A
L 28-7 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2016111001)


09/18/16
Cle
Bal
H
L 25-20 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2016091808)


11/30/15
Cle
Bal
H
L 33-27 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2015113001)


10/11/15
Cle
Bal
A
W 33-30 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2015101106), OT


12/28/14
Cle
Bal
A
L 20-10 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2014122802)


09/21/14
Cle
Bal
H
L 23-21 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2014092107)


11/03/13
Cle
Bal
H
W 24-18 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2013110310)


09/15/13
Cle
Bal
A
L 14-6 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2013091504)


11/04/12
Cle
Bal
H
L 25-15 (http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2012110407)


09/27/12
Cle
Bal



Maybe, this season is when the Browns start eeking out wins over the Ravens.

Funny, that almost looks like our scores against them. I wonder how many AFCN games are decided by a TD or less.

[Texasteel]

Funny, that almost looks like our scores against them. I wonder how many AFCN games are decided by a TD or less.

Thats been a problem for the AFCN more than a couple of times. We would just kick the crap out of each other and the rest of the league would set back smiling.

[teegre]

Thats been a problem for the AFCN more than a couple of times. We would just kick the crap out of each other and the rest of the league would set back smiling.

There was a stat (a few years ago) that suggested that the week after an AFC North matchup, the two teams were more likely to lose the following week (because, they were so beaten up).

[Crow-Magnon]

There was a stat (a few years ago) that suggested that the week after an AFC North matchup, the two teams were more likely to lose the following week (because, they were so beaten up).

I believe that. I know that even when the Browns totally suck (not "normal" suck, but totally suck), they still play a tough game against the Ravens. AFCN football is normally a hard-fought contest. Last week's Steelers-Browns showed that. Ravens-Cincy did not lol. But they look bad this year. Looked hideous against the Texans last night.

As a division rival, I don't want them to challenge for a division title. As a football fan for decades, I wouldn't mind seeing Cleveland depart the basement and become a contender. Especially if they swap positions with the Bungles.

[teegre]

I believe that. I know that even when the Browns totally suck (not "normal" suck, but totally suck), they still play a tough game against the Ravens. AFCN football is normally a hard-fought contest. Last week's Steelers-Browns showed that. Ravens-Cincy did not lol. But they look bad this year. Looked hideous against the Texans last night.

As a division rival, I don't want them to challenge for a division title. As a football fan for decades, I wouldn't mind seeing Cleveland depart the basement and become a contender. Especially if they swap positions with the Bungles.

Andy Dalton is the NFL's equivalent of the Mendoza line.

re: Browns vs. Bengals
Right on. I wouldn't mind seeing the Browns competitive. Great fans, historic franchise. Whereas, I despise almost everything about the Bengals... with Vontaze Burfict being a metaphor for that franchise.

[Hawkman]

Based on last night's snoozer I'm betting on the Browns against the Bungles.

[salamander]

Cleveland fans deserve a contending team. Cincinnati fans don't deserve shit.

[86WARD]

Bengals fire their OC today...lol

[polamalubeast]

Bengals fire their OC today...lol



I'm not surprised!