joelbolt
11-04-2006, 12:18 PM
New coordinator sets sights on task at hand (http://www.dispatch.com/browns/browns.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/04/20061104-E8-01.html)
Saturday, November 04, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
New Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson has every reason to be overjoyed by his performance last week, but he remains grounded and steadfast on moving forward.
Just five days after taking over for the departed Maurice Carthon, the Westerville native called plays for the first time in an efficient game plan that beat the New York Jets 20-13. The offense featured several new formations and relied heavily on running back Reuben Droughns, who set season highs with 33 carries for 125 yards.
Davidson will have a stiffer task Sunday against the San Diego Chargers and their second-rated defense.
"Right now as a staff, we are concentrating on ‘here and now,’ " Davidson said. "We have one game to play this week and each week we truly hit the reset button. We get rid of what happened, good or bad, and we move on to the next game."
Cribbs gets extension
Second-year receiver and kick returner Joshua Cribbs signed a six-year extension that will keep him with the Browns through 2012.
Cribbs, a former quarterback at Kent State, made the team as an undrafted rookie and quickly found his niche on special teams. He is third in the NFL with a 27.7-yard kickoff return average and has nine receptions for 81 yards.
As a rookie, Cribbs set a franchise record with 1,094 kickoff return yards.
Lookalikes
Nearly one-third of NFL teams use a 3-4 defense or variations of it. The Browns, who are one of those teams, will face a similar 3-4 defense for the second week in a row when they play the Chargers.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel and Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer have been proponents of the 3-4 defense during their lengthy careers. With the success of teams such as the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, more coaches and teams are buying into the system.
"Well, a lot of guys that are converting have some 3-4 in their background, whether it was in college or whether they worked with somebody who believed in a 3-4," Crennel said. "With today’s offenses that try to spread you out and make you adjust, the 3-4 allows you to be more adaptable."
Cleveland’s offense had few problems last week against the 3-4 defense run by the Jets, who are coached by Crennel disciple Eric Mangini. Crennel said his vast experience with the defense helps, but execution on offense is still the key.
"We know where there may be some soft spots, but finding the soft spots and then exploiting the soft spots at the correct times, that becomes the issue," Crennel said.
jwalker@dispatch.com
Saturday, November 04, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
New Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson has every reason to be overjoyed by his performance last week, but he remains grounded and steadfast on moving forward.
Just five days after taking over for the departed Maurice Carthon, the Westerville native called plays for the first time in an efficient game plan that beat the New York Jets 20-13. The offense featured several new formations and relied heavily on running back Reuben Droughns, who set season highs with 33 carries for 125 yards.
Davidson will have a stiffer task Sunday against the San Diego Chargers and their second-rated defense.
"Right now as a staff, we are concentrating on ‘here and now,’ " Davidson said. "We have one game to play this week and each week we truly hit the reset button. We get rid of what happened, good or bad, and we move on to the next game."
Cribbs gets extension
Second-year receiver and kick returner Joshua Cribbs signed a six-year extension that will keep him with the Browns through 2012.
Cribbs, a former quarterback at Kent State, made the team as an undrafted rookie and quickly found his niche on special teams. He is third in the NFL with a 27.7-yard kickoff return average and has nine receptions for 81 yards.
As a rookie, Cribbs set a franchise record with 1,094 kickoff return yards.
Lookalikes
Nearly one-third of NFL teams use a 3-4 defense or variations of it. The Browns, who are one of those teams, will face a similar 3-4 defense for the second week in a row when they play the Chargers.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel and Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer have been proponents of the 3-4 defense during their lengthy careers. With the success of teams such as the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, more coaches and teams are buying into the system.
"Well, a lot of guys that are converting have some 3-4 in their background, whether it was in college or whether they worked with somebody who believed in a 3-4," Crennel said. "With today’s offenses that try to spread you out and make you adjust, the 3-4 allows you to be more adaptable."
Cleveland’s offense had few problems last week against the 3-4 defense run by the Jets, who are coached by Crennel disciple Eric Mangini. Crennel said his vast experience with the defense helps, but execution on offense is still the key.
"We know where there may be some soft spots, but finding the soft spots and then exploiting the soft spots at the correct times, that becomes the issue," Crennel said.
jwalker@dispatch.com