It's Browns Week!

[Ghost]

I don't usually feel this way, but I think we crush them. At home, angry about the tie, and knowing everyone lost during the bye week, the team will be ready. Lots of pressure on Mayfield and a few turnovers as well.

[Steel Maniac]

It might have if not for week 1.

I agree. We will not be caught looking ahead. We might start out a little slow because of the bye but by the end of the first quarter at the latest, the offense should be churning.

[Oviedo]

It might have if not for week 1.

I totally agree. I think the team goes into this game with something to prove. However, that said this is the NFL and anything can happen. I said in the off season that the Browns will be an improving team this year. Once they get rid of Marvin Lewis' "Mini Me" in Hue jackson and get a decent coach they will become a real threat

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

Ben Roethlisberger on his weekly radio show, asked about Hue Jackson taking larger role in former Steelers OC Todd Haley's Browns offense: "I can't imagine Coach Todd was too happy." Roethlisberger cites Haley's good track record as an offensive coach.

3h

[SteelBucks]

The Browns have no chance. Steelers are wearing their throwbacks. It’s the return of the block numbers!

[NorthCoast]

I totally agree. I think the team goes into this game with something to prove. However, that said this is the NFL and anything can happen. I said in the off season that the Browns will be an improving team this year. Once they get rid of Marvin Lewis' "Mini Me" in Hue jackson and get a decent coach they will become a real threat

Jackson was not a Dorsey pick so there would likely be little love lost if the Browns decide to cut ties. Local media thinks his time with the Browns will likely ride on the outcome of this game. Lose, and he might not see the end of the season. Win, he buys some breathing room.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Wednesday, Oct 24, 2018 04:00 PM

Week 8 Injury Report (Browns)

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

Coming off the bye week, the Steelers did exactly what they hoped to do. They got healthy.

Bumps and bruises that players were dealing with had a chance to heal as they rested and recovered.

“We largely have a healthy football team,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “We have a group of guys that maybe missed some time in the last game, or in recent games, that are participating in a limited-like capacity, but we are excited about their inclusion in our work.”

Among those guys who started to work their way back is Morgan Burnett, who has been sidelined for much of the season with a groin injury, while Terrell Edmunds has stepped in and started at safety.

“Morgan Burnett worked some (Monday), he’ll continue to work,” said Tomlin. “We’ll let that be our guide in terms of his potential availability.

Burnett’s ability to practice throughout the week will determine his role when the Steelers host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Heinz Field.

“That is going to be determined as he displays availability and that availability is being able to put consecutive practice days together,” said Tomlin. “We are going to give him an opportunity to practice. We gave him an opportunity to practice in a partial capacity. Not at the expense of others because he hasn’t proven that consistent availability yet. As he does then we will infuse him and potentially define a role for him and get him ready to play, but we have a number of days.

“He’s a veteran player, he is very good above the neck. The first thing is the consistent health, being able to walk on the field, participate, walk off the field and repeat process.”

Burnett was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and was happy to be back in the swing of things.

“It felt good to be able to participate and get back in a normal flow of things,” said Burnett. “It’s better than watching from the sides. To actually be involved today, it felt good.”

Darrius Heyward-Bey and L.J. Fort, who both have been battling ankle injuries, are in a similar situation as Burnett, where their participation this week will determine whether they play or not this week.

Fort was a full-go in practice on Wednesday, while Heyward-Bey was limited.

“It felt good to be out there with the guys,” said Heyward-Bey. “I know my presence means a lot to the younger guys, so it felt good to get back to that. The key right now is to see how I feel tomorrow. Am I going to be sore? Probably. But I want to be able to put two days together back-to-back. That will let me know where I am for Sunday.”

Marcus Gilbert (knee) did not practice on Wednesday, while Xavier Grimble was limited. Maurkice Pouncey didn’t practice, simply a coaches decision, but Ben Roethlisberger, who normally doesn’t work on Wednesday, did practice.

Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 8

Wednesday, 10/24
Morgan Burnett (Groin) - Full
Maurkice Pouncey (Coaches Decision) - DNP
L.J. Fort (Ankle) - Full
Marcus Gilbert (Knee) - DNP
Xavier Grimble (Concussion) - Limited
Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ankle) - Limited

Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 8

Wednesday, 10/24
LB G. Avery (Elbow)- Full
TE D. Fells (Knee) - Full
DB E. Gaines (Concussion) - DNP
T D. Harrison (Ankle) - Full
WR R. Higgins (Knee) - DNP
TE D. Njoku (Knee) - Limited
DE E. Ogbah (Elbow) - Full
DB J. Peppers (Ankle) - Full
DB D. Randall (Groin, Ankle)- DNP
LB J. Schobert (Hamstring)- DNP
DL C. Smith (Not Injury Related)- DNP
C J. Tretter (Ankle) - DNP

https://www.steelers.com/news/week-8-injury-report-browns

[RuthlessBurgher]

Baker Mayfield on offense: We don’t have to reinvent the wheel

Posted by Charean Williams on October 24, 2018, 4:06 PM EDT

The Browns rank 22nd in total offense, including 23rd in passing, are 23rd in scoring and head coach Hue Jackson said in the aftermath of Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay that he might become more involved in the offense.

Baker Mayfield sees no reason for big changes.

“I think a lot of things are said postgame emotionally, but I think the thing around here is that we don’t have to re-invent the wheel,” Mayfield said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “We need to perfect our craft. You look at the good teams around the league, they work hard at what they do and they become good at it. We have what we have.

“We don’t need to try and change too much. We just need to get better at what we’re doing. There’s no secret recipe for success besides working your ass off for what you have.”

The Browns have scored only eight points in the first quarter all season and two of those points came on a safety last week. They have scored only 31 points off a league-best 20 takeaways.

“We’ve got to score when we have a chance, and we’ve got to do that and be proud to do that,” Mayfield said.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/10/24/baker-mayfield-on-offense-we-dont-have-to-reinvent-the-wheel/

[RuthlessBurgher]

Todd Haley: Everyone’s on the same page about the offense

Posted by Josh Alper on October 25, 2018, 2:19 PM EDT

Browns coach Hue Jackson mused about taking a bigger role in the team’s offense after last Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers, which led some to wonder how that plan would sit with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Among that group is Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who opined that Haley, who used to be the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, was unlikely to be thrilled by the development.

Haley spoke for himself on Thursday and professed no issues with the way things are playing out. Haley said, via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan, that everyone is “on the same page” and that the goal is to “help the offense grow.” Haley added that Jackson’s involvement this week has “been the same as it’s always been” since Haley took the job this offseason.

Haley said he believes the offense has “shown enough flashes to be encouraged” about the direction things are headed. Gathering them together for a better overall performance this weekend would be ideal for Haley’s first trip to Heinz Field as a coach for someone other than the Steelers.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/10/25/todd-haley-everyones-on-the-same-page-about-the-offense/

[squidkid]

i have a gut feeling we blow them out...........

[RuthlessBurgher]

Thursday, Oct 25, 2018 04:00 PM

Week 8 Injury Report (Browns)

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Darrius Heyward-Bey and L.J. Fort, two players who have been battling ankle injuries, but were able to get an extra week of rest to recover.

Heyward-Bey was inactive the three games leading into the bye, while Fort missed just the Bengals game. The bye gave both additional time to recover, and they returned to practice this week with their eye on playing Sunday against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.

“It was huge. I was thinking about that,” said Heyward-Bey. “If I didn’t have the bye, I don’t know if I would be ready to go this week. I am still taking it day-by-day, but that bye was huge.

“Not playing is the worst. I hate not being a part of it. Two years ago I was out for six weeks, this is going to be three. A lot better than last time, but I hate it.”

Fort remained in Pittsburgh during the bye weekend, spending a good portion of his time in the training room with Head Athletic Trainer John Norwig.

“It was really huge to have the bye,” said Fort. “That was perfect timing for my injury. I was able to hang out here with Norwig and get healthy during the bye week.”

Fort was a full participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, while Heyward-Bey was limited on Wednesday, but on Thursday was a full participant.

Another player who the extra week of rest benefitted was Morgan Burnett. Burnett, who signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, hasn’t played since Week 2 of the season, missing the last four games with a groin injury. He was back on the field on Wednesday as a full participant, and repeated that on Thursday, putting together key back-to-back days.

“Two good days. That is always good,” said Burnett. “To get to through two consecutive practices, back-to-back, that felt good. That helped me out confidence wise. I am just ready to roll.”

Xavier Grimble, who was limited on Wednesday with a concussion, was a full participant on Thursday.

While these guys have returned to action, Marcus Gilbert missed his second straight day of practice with a knee injury. If Gilbert isn’t able to go this week, it would likely be Matt Feiler who would step in again. Ramon Foster also didn't practice, simply a coach's decision.


Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 8

Thursday, 10/25
S Morgan Burnett (Groin) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coaches Decision) - Full
LB L.J. Fort (Ankle) - Full
OG Ramon Foster (Coaches Decision) - DNP
OT Marcus Gilbert (Knee) - DNP
TE Xavier Grimble (Concussion) - Full
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ankle) - Full

Wednesday, 10/24
S Morgan Burnett (Groin) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coaches Decision) - DNP
LB L.J. Fort (Ankle) - Full
OT Marcus Gilbert (Knee) - DNP
TE Xavier Grimble (Concussion) - Limited
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ankle) - Limited


Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 8

Thursday, 10/25
LB G. Avery (Elbow)- Full
TE D. Fells (Knee) - Full
DB E. Gaines (Concussion) - DNP
T D. Harrison (Ankle) - Full
WR R. Higgins (Knee) - DNP
TE D. Njoku (Knee) - Limited
DE E. Ogbah (Elbow) - Full
DB J. Peppers (Ankle) - Full
DL B. Price (Knee) - Full
DB D. Randall (Groin, Ankle)- DNP
LB J. Schobert (Hamstring)- DNP
WR D. Scott (Shoulder) - Limited
DL C. Smith (Not Injury Related)- Full
C J. Tretter (Ankle) - DNP

Wednesday, 10/24
LB G. Avery (Elbow)- Full
TE D. Fells (Knee) - Full
DB E. Gaines (Concussion) - DNP
T D. Harrison (Ankle) - Full
WR R. Higgins (Knee) - DNP
TE D. Njoku (Knee) - Limited
DE E. Ogbah (Elbow) - Full
DB J. Peppers (Ankle) - Full
DB D. Randall (Groin, Ankle)- DNP
LB J. Schobert (Hamstring)- DNP
DL C. Smith (Not Injury Related)- DNP
C J. Tretter (Ankle) - DNP

https://www.steelers.com/news/week-8-injury-report-browns

[fordfixer]

“It was huge. I was thinking about that,” said Heyward-Bey. “If I didn’t have the bye, I don’t know if I would be ready to go this week. I am still taking it day-by-day, but that bye was huge.

DHB was inactive for the three weeks leading into the bye how does the bye all the sudden make him better?

[squidkid]

DHB was inactive for the three weeks leading into the bye how does the bye all the sudden make him better?

he is fully healthy to be a non factor, i guess

[pittpete]

He's actually a factor on ST..
Go watch the Bengals game when Chickillo was in there for DHB

[Northern_Blitz]

He's actually a factor on ST..
Go watch the Bengals game when Chickillo was in there for DHB

It sucks that he got hurt on a play where he would have definitely blocked the punt without the penalty.