Cleveland’s Dogs Barking Out Warning to Fouts, Chargers
None of the Chargers would dare emulate defensive backs Frank Minniefield and Hanford Dixon of the Cleveland Browns, who like to bark at each other during a game.
It would not be sensible, however, for Charger defenders to give their critics any further ammunition, such as ascribing canine qualities to them. The statistics are brutal enough: last in total defense, last in pass defense.
But these Browns are different. They take pride in being known as Dogs. They have, perhaps, the finest set of linebackers in football aiding them, so they can take the liberty of being unconventional and barking.
Of course, the potential for embarrassment is always there.
Take last Sunday, when the Browns lost to Dallas, 20-7.
“I didn’t hear them barking all day,” Dallas receiver Mike Renfro said. “I guess it only happens when they are winning. So, Cos (tight end Doug Cosbie) and I barked at each other one time. We definitely outbarked them.”
The question before the house today is not so much whether the Chargers can outbark the Browns, but whether they can outscore them. That question seems paramount almost every week, but it takes on added emphasis this week because Cleveland, after ranking first in total defense last year, has begun 1985 with a No. 6 overall ranking.
The Browns’ linebackers, including Chip Banks, Tom Cousineau, Clay Matthews and Eddie (Don’t Call Me The Other Linebacker) Johnson, are the focus of a defensive unit that has more than pleased Coach Marty Schottenheimer.
“We aren’t giving up the big play, and we’re forcing teams to play a little out of rhythm,” he said. “We have the talent to play bump and run, but we’re also mixing up coverages.”
In order to defeat this defense, Dallas Coach Tom Landry ordered a no-frills attack to minimize turnovers.
The Cowboys tried only one wrinkle, a pass from halfback James Jones to quarterback Danny White, and it netted a touchdown. But don’t expect the Chargers to try a Lionel James-to-Dan Fouts throw today. James is already overworked rushing, receiving and running back kicks.
With 606 all-purpose yards in the last two games, James has helped vault the Chargers to the top of the statistics in total offense and passing, while Fouts shows early signs of possibly eclipsing the passing yardage record set last year by Dan Marino.
The San Diego attack should benefit from the return of wide receiver Trumaine Johnson, who missed the last two games with a pulled hamstring.
Whether the Chargers will get--or need--another 40 points to win is debatable. This much is known: Cleveland’s offense, off its showing in the first three weeks, is not in a class with San Diego’s.
While rookie Bernie Kosar watches and learns, veteran Gary Danielson is the quarterback of the moment, and he is a capable one. But his top receiver, tight end Ozzie Newsome, has received double coverage, and the Browns have had trouble freeing him. They hope newly acquired John Jefferson can help.
Since 1979, Newsome has caught more passes (416) than any NFL receiver and needs 27 more receptions to pass Jackie Smith and rank first all-time among tight ends.
Kellen Winslow, who has 399 catches since 1979, may be able to return from a knee injury suffered in last season’s seventh game, according to Coach Don Coryell, who says the tight end is running as well as ever in practice.
Danielson, Newsome & Co. will be attacking a defense that has been at its worst in the third quarter each of the past two weeks, yielding 28 points to Seattle and 21 to Cincinnati.
Why the third-quarter collapse? Coryell has a few thoughts, none too insightful.
“The other teams are jumping on us,” he said. “I know we’re fired up at halftime, but we haven’t done the job when we go back on the field.
“Subconsciously, we may be pleased to be playing better in the first half than we expected. Or maybe the other team is mad about it and playing harder. Heck, I can’t account for it. No excuses. We have to get out there and do it.”
Listen closely today. The sound you hear may be Charger defensive back Wayne Davis barking at Danny Walters. If the Chargers can survive the third quarter, that is.