The Trojan Horse: Colts v. Browns (Game 2)

Each week during the season we’ll talk with the FanSided editor who covers the Colts’ upcoming opponent and try to get a better understanding of the enemy before us.    This time around, we pull our Trojan Horse up next to the Cleveland Browns’ food bowl and talk to Steve DiMatteo of  “Dawg Pound Daily“.

—

After half a season last year and a so-so opener, do you think Colt McCoy is the right quarterback for the Browns?

"I think it’s still too early to pass much judgment on Colt McCoy, though he has shown signs of potentially being the guy that can take the Browns to the next level. Games like last Sunday’s against the Bengals will happen – there is no doubt that this young team will struggle – but McCoy showed flashes even in that game of being the right quarterback for the Browns. If this season is a complete bust for McCoy, the questions surrounding him might be more warranted, but for now, he needs time to fully prove himself."

Were there any players who surprised you, good or bad, in last week’s game?

"Maybe it should no longer come as a surprise, but second-year cornerback Joe Haden was arguably the best defensive player on the field on Sunday. He broke up five passes and was generally one of those players you saw “all over the field.” I also didn’t expect D’Qwell Jackson to make such an impact so early in his first real game back from another pectoral injury. As for what surprising me in a negative way, I must admit that it was surprising to see the offense play so poorly for three quarters of that game. Blame the play-calling or the offensive line, or even Colt McCoy, but that offense should be better than what we saw on Sunday."

In which area(s) do you think the Browns have improved the most over last season?

"It may not seem like it yet, but the quarterback position is much improved solely for the reason that, for the first time in many years, there was no quarterback competition in training camp, and almost no question as to who would start. Even last season had the debate between Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. In that regard, the team can finally move forward from that and allow Colt McCoy to grow into the offense without someone closer to taking his job with each mistake he makes.Additionally, the return of D’Qwell Jackson and the continued development of Joe Haden have given the defense an identity and, despite the 41-yard quick-snap touchdown that has been analyzed to death, the unit played well as a whole on Sunday."

D’Qwell Jackson looked pretty good against the Bengals, and I’m sure he’s licking his chops with Kerry Collins waiting to be served up on a platter.   Do you think Jackson is all the way back from his pec injuries?

"I’d like to say yes, because I don’t want to know how the Browns defense will look without him. The depth at linebacker is arguably the weakest  of any position on the team, and Jackson has proven himself to be an integral part of that group. The Browns have been ravaged by injuries already, and they simply can’t afford to lose Jackson. He should be able to prove that worth again on Sunday against the Colts."

Finally, what is your prediction for the outcome of this game?

"The Browns can’t really be as bad as what we saw on Sunday, right? I’ll say they silence their critics, for now, and take advantage of the reeling Colts in a 20-14 victory."