Richardson missing from gameplan in 24-14 loss to Bills

One week after Trent Richardson rushed 19 times for 109 yards and 2 TD’s, head coach Pat Shurmer calls his number only 12 times the entire game. 

I just cannot wrap my head around how or why Richardson disappeared from the gameplan in the second half. How can a 'gamechanger' (a guy you drafted with your 1st pick in the draft) change the game when his number isn't being called? I mean, the Browns were only down one score, had momentum on their side and all Shurmer could pull out of the playbook was call pass, pass, pass, pass, PLAY ACTION (which nobody was biting on because we hadn’t run the ball all half) and more pass.

Now, some people will say it's not the coaches fault, this team just stinks. However, I beg to differ. 

Let’s try to give you a ‘real world’ analogy here:

Imagine for a second that you continue to set sales records at your job, month-in, month-out. The second closest sales person is able to put up half of your production in a month. Pat Shurmer, gets named CEO and decides that he doesn’t like the way that you sell. As a result, he decides he’s going to move you to shipping because in his experience an efficient operations team has resulted in increased profits. After two months, the sales numbers drop drastically yet you remain on the shipping dock. Everyone around you can pack boxes as fast as you and all you can do is wonder, "what am I still doing here? Am I being punished?"

THAT is exactly what I see in Pat Shurmer. Shurmer has this uncanny ability to put all the right people in all the wrong positions at exactly the wrong time.  For heaven’s sake, Richardson addressed the team early in the week and told them he was ready to put this team on this back because he was done losing. Shurmer’s response, let’s give him 12 touches and see if Weeden can throw for 500 yards. You gotta Richardson a chance to back up his statement... he wants to be a leader. Let him lead!

The one bright spot of the game… the boilermaker chili my wife Renee made for my brother-in-law and I. It was beyond excellent! As for the Browns, this was as putrid of a showing as I have seen in a long, LONG time. The only competition I saw in this game was between the replacement refs for who could throw the most bogus flag. I guess I should give Shurmer props for winning his first challenge of the year though, big ups buddy! Other than that, it was sour grapes all the way around.

I can't end this blog without spreading out the blame. The defense was horrendous, special teams was weak, and wide receivers continue dropping passes with nobody around them for 10-15 yards. 

It’s only week 3 but the schedule doesn’t get any easier in the coming weeks. It’s a short week this week with a game this Thursday night against the Ravens.

Looking at the schedule, where do you see the Browns getting their 1st win this year?