Sparkey
10-21-2009, 02:20 PM
TONY GROSSI'S SCOUTING REPORT of Green Bay
Browns vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 1 p.m. in Cleveland Browns Stadium
Record: 3-2.
Last game: Defeated Detroit Lions, 26-0, Oct. 18 in Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
Coach: Mike McCarthy, 31-24, fourth year.
Series record: Packers lead, 10-7 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Browns won, 26-24, Sept. 18, 2005, in Green Bay.
League rankings: Offense is 10th (19th rushing, 10th passing), defense is eighth (16th rushing, 10th passing) and turnover differential is plus-8.
Offensive overview: McCarthy's West Coast-style offense consistently ranks in the league's top 10. They're hanging in there again despite lingering offensive line problems. Left tackle Chad Clifton's injuries caused havoc early. If Clifton can't go this week, they may try rookie T.J. Lang in his place. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers can make every throw and is uncannily accurate on deep passes. But he can be indecisive and has been responsible for some of his 25 sacks. McCarthy generally throws about 60 percent of the time, and that's where his playmakers are. Donald Drive and Greg Jennings are a dependable pair of wideouts. McCarthy has gradually gone to a two-tight end base to get playing time for tight end Jermichael Finley, a 2008 third-round pick and emerging star. Finley is averaging 15.3 yards on 16 catches. Ryan Grant, the feature ball-carrier, is not going to scare many defenses. Rodgers is the team's second-leading rusher.
Defensive overview: Coordinator Dom Capers wants to run the Steelers' defense, but he doesn't have the playmakers at linebackers and some of the best players he inherited appear better suited in the 4-3 scheme the team abandoned. Aaron Kampman is proving a slow study as a rush linebacker and recently has been rushing from his more accustomed three-point stance. And Cullen Jenkins appeared more effective rushing from right end in a 4-3 and has less impact in the 3-4. The unit has gotten a jolt of plays recently from rookie linebacker Clay Matthews, who is now starting at right outside linebacker. He leads the team with three sacks and has one fumble forced and one recovered and returned for a touchdown. Recently, Capers has pumped up the blitz and isn't shy sending cornerback Charles Woodson when positioned in the slot. Woodson has three of the team's 10 interceptions.
Special teams overview: Mason Crosby is a solid cold-weather kicker. He's made 11 of 13 field goals with a long of 52 yards, but has only two touchbacks on kickoffs. Left-footed punter Jeremy Kapinos is 12th with a gross average of 45.6 yards and 30th in net at 33.9. Return duties are now in the hands of Tramon Williams, who had a 45-yard punt return last week. The coverage units are so-so.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
• Quarterback Aaron Rodgers: On pace for his second straight 4,000-yard passing season after sitting behind Brett Favre three years, he can make all the throws and is fifth in the league with a 104.1 passer rating.
• Cornerback Charles Woodson: Still a top-notch player in his 12th season, he leads the team with three interceptions and doesn't shy from run support; he is fourth in tackles.
• Linebacker Clay Matthews: The son of Browns great Clay Matthews, this third generation NFL linebacker had a breakout performance against Detroit with two sacks and two tackles for losses. He leads the team with three sacks and has a fumble return for a touchdown.
Injury report: WR Jordy Nelson (knee) could be out. LT Chad Clifton (ankle) will be limited. NT B.J. Raji (ankle) will be limited. C Jason Spitz (back spasms) missed the last game.
Small world: Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac attended Fitch High School in Austintown. ... Defensive coordinator Dom Capers grew up in Buffalo, Ohio, and played safety and linebacker for Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. ... Linebacker A.J. Hawk and nose tackle Ryan Pickett played for Ohio State. Hawk is married to the sister of Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. ... Linebacker Clay Matthews III is the son of former Browns linebacker Clay Matthews.
Browns vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 1 p.m. in Cleveland Browns Stadium
Record: 3-2.
Last game: Defeated Detroit Lions, 26-0, Oct. 18 in Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
Coach: Mike McCarthy, 31-24, fourth year.
Series record: Packers lead, 10-7 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Browns won, 26-24, Sept. 18, 2005, in Green Bay.
League rankings: Offense is 10th (19th rushing, 10th passing), defense is eighth (16th rushing, 10th passing) and turnover differential is plus-8.
Offensive overview: McCarthy's West Coast-style offense consistently ranks in the league's top 10. They're hanging in there again despite lingering offensive line problems. Left tackle Chad Clifton's injuries caused havoc early. If Clifton can't go this week, they may try rookie T.J. Lang in his place. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers can make every throw and is uncannily accurate on deep passes. But he can be indecisive and has been responsible for some of his 25 sacks. McCarthy generally throws about 60 percent of the time, and that's where his playmakers are. Donald Drive and Greg Jennings are a dependable pair of wideouts. McCarthy has gradually gone to a two-tight end base to get playing time for tight end Jermichael Finley, a 2008 third-round pick and emerging star. Finley is averaging 15.3 yards on 16 catches. Ryan Grant, the feature ball-carrier, is not going to scare many defenses. Rodgers is the team's second-leading rusher.
Defensive overview: Coordinator Dom Capers wants to run the Steelers' defense, but he doesn't have the playmakers at linebackers and some of the best players he inherited appear better suited in the 4-3 scheme the team abandoned. Aaron Kampman is proving a slow study as a rush linebacker and recently has been rushing from his more accustomed three-point stance. And Cullen Jenkins appeared more effective rushing from right end in a 4-3 and has less impact in the 3-4. The unit has gotten a jolt of plays recently from rookie linebacker Clay Matthews, who is now starting at right outside linebacker. He leads the team with three sacks and has one fumble forced and one recovered and returned for a touchdown. Recently, Capers has pumped up the blitz and isn't shy sending cornerback Charles Woodson when positioned in the slot. Woodson has three of the team's 10 interceptions.
Special teams overview: Mason Crosby is a solid cold-weather kicker. He's made 11 of 13 field goals with a long of 52 yards, but has only two touchbacks on kickoffs. Left-footed punter Jeremy Kapinos is 12th with a gross average of 45.6 yards and 30th in net at 33.9. Return duties are now in the hands of Tramon Williams, who had a 45-yard punt return last week. The coverage units are so-so.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
• Quarterback Aaron Rodgers: On pace for his second straight 4,000-yard passing season after sitting behind Brett Favre three years, he can make all the throws and is fifth in the league with a 104.1 passer rating.
• Cornerback Charles Woodson: Still a top-notch player in his 12th season, he leads the team with three interceptions and doesn't shy from run support; he is fourth in tackles.
• Linebacker Clay Matthews: The son of Browns great Clay Matthews, this third generation NFL linebacker had a breakout performance against Detroit with two sacks and two tackles for losses. He leads the team with three sacks and has a fumble return for a touchdown.
Injury report: WR Jordy Nelson (knee) could be out. LT Chad Clifton (ankle) will be limited. NT B.J. Raji (ankle) will be limited. C Jason Spitz (back spasms) missed the last game.
Small world: Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac attended Fitch High School in Austintown. ... Defensive coordinator Dom Capers grew up in Buffalo, Ohio, and played safety and linebacker for Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. ... Linebacker A.J. Hawk and nose tackle Ryan Pickett played for Ohio State. Hawk is married to the sister of Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. ... Linebacker Clay Matthews III is the son of former Browns linebacker Clay Matthews.