oldno82

After Sunday I think we'll have a better idea of whether to start him or Joe. I have a feeling Joe isn't going to be back to normal this year. Or maybe even next. He's been dealing with injury issues quite a bit over the last 3-4 years. He may be wearing down. Lamar has got to protect himself better than he does though I will say as the game wore on he was less reckless with his body. He also has to show me a good deal more in the pocket than he did in the Bengals game. I do like the early looks of him, though.

From what I’ve heard, Joe will probably be out next week. We can afford to do that against the Raiders. I’m anxious to see if Lamar can repeat the offensive explosion we saw today.

Yeah keeping those high powered offenses off the field will help. We need to see how successful our offense will be once the opposing teams have tape of it to watch. I think there was an element of surprise on our play calling today.

They should have been Edwards more this season. He showed the north south ability in the preseason. We’ll be able to beat teams like the Bengals and probably the Raiders next week. But after that they’re going to have it much tougher.

Lamar did well. He sure has a lot of moves. I did notice that as the game wore on he was more careful with his running. Good for him,

And how long before he gets injured running the ball so much like Griffin and all the other run first qb's?

I don't care how good Lamar looks or doesn't look for the rest of the season. IF there is a blue-chip quarterback in range of us trading up we'd should trade up and draft him. Then if Lamar pans out you can trade the drafted qb. But if Lamar is just mediocre, it would be great insurance to have a top notch prospect available.

I'd keep Yanda around for one more year. His play has stepped up recently and he looks more like the Yanda we know. Everybody else can go in my opinion.

I have my doubts the D will hold down the Bengals enough for us to win. Andy Dalton really has our number and I don't think our personnel are going to be able to harass him. Max, you're right about the qb situation. If Joe plays he'll probably be gimpy and/or gun shy. Lamar could provide a spark that may make up for any rookie mistakes. So now he's sick and can't practice. RGIII I like him as a person but I think his time has come and gone.

And then just when I'm ready to move on from Joe, I read this: "“He’s one of the toughest guys that I’ve played with, or maybe the toughest,” veteran Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda said. “You never see him limping around, never see him on the field showing any signs of weakness. He’s just been a rock for us for more than a decade.” from this link....https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/john-harbaugh-hopeful-joe-flacco-can-play-sunday

Well, let's keep it positive: who do you like?

When you come right down to it, is making it into the playoffs with a mediocre record going to be worth anything? They very very likely would be one and done and all the same problems would still be there. I think now is the time to focus on rebuilding with a new qb and coach and with a new GM taking over. The Super Bowl should be the target not just making the playoffs by the skin of your teeth.

8-8 is not acceptable. It would just mean that it was yet again another mediocre season. The franchise needs a major re-do. If we want to compete with the best.

I usually look skeptically at 'doomsday' reporting but I'm in agreement with what he said. Not really so sure Da Costa should stay. But, I'd give him a year just to see if the present management muddle continues or gets better. I don't expect any great turnaround next season. In fact, I think it's time for a fire sale. It's going to be a long road back. Now we'll see who the true fans are and how steadfast Bisciotti is in not selling the team.

Yup...that's what I've learned. Give him a good Oline, receivers, and a running game and he'll pick apart a defense. When those things are missing we get what we have now.

I agree except they do need to eject from the Flacco era before 2019. They'd still have dead money but they would save more than they would be obligated to. Besides, I can't see letting a $20+ million qb sitting on the bench pouting. The sooner they find out about Lamar the better. I have no real idea of he'll succeed but I've always been leary of qb's who love to run. That said, I don't think he's getting a fair shake in how they're using him right now. Let the kid throw some. We are in for several years of losing. I just hope the fans are patient. The Browns' fans remained loyal through all the crap that they've been subjected to. We have to also.

I strongly agree with that. If we're going to rebuild it's better to tear down the whole structure and start from scratch by trading for early draft picks. It will definitely take a lot of shrewd maneuvering by whoever is in the Front Office. Yes, we would have 2-3 bad years but would be hopefully stronger and younger after that. As a fan I could live with that. I still have some hope that we win the next two and all this is moot until if we make the playoffs. But it's getting harder for me to believe that as every hour passes.

I think Steve could possibly change his mind on Eric if it comes to that. Another question is if Steve would can Harbs during the start of the bye week. Don't know who they'd replace him with. I don't think they have a qualified person on the staff but maybe he'd just want to send a message and start the interviewing ball moving. I also don't think Lamar is ready for prime time now so what to do with Joe? Bench him and let Lamar play and gain the experience or show he's not the guy to lead us out of purgatory? And does Flacco have any trade value after the season? F**k! We're beginning to sound like the Browns. The team could stop all of this speculation by winning the next two games.

Could very well be true. And I agree that a loss to both teams means it's Harbaugh's last season.

Just a hunch...we'll beat the Steelers and the Bengals provided Humphrey and Stanley play. Otherwise it's all over.

Today they look out-manned, out coached, and out played. Looks like the Saints game did them in.

You hit the nail on the head. The hangover will be a big problem and they need to be fired up vs. Carolina. I think we'll have a good chance against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. I don't think either of those teams is really better overall than we are. And the hangover will be gone by then.

Well, I don't know about the run blocking schemes. I think Collins could be a success if he just had a hole or seam to run to. But, I do agree that they seem to be building an offense for Jackson. And I don't think that's going to work in the short or long run. It's a shame they couldn't have snatched up a pocket quarterback. I get the feeling they may want to move on from Joe this off-season and as of right now, I can't get behind that plan.

It often appears to me that the team runs out of gas in the 4th quarter, especially the defense. That could be because the offense can't keep the defense off the field enough. Or it may be a conditioning issue. As for Carolina, my gut says we'll win but my head says no.

It's the OL I think. They are very good at pass protection but don't open any holes for the backs to run through.