Browns Have A Passing Fancy

The personality of the Cleveland Browns' new offense shows that they will throw before they run.

Through two games, they have thrown 75 times and ran 41. That 65-to-35 ratio is not abnormally high, but it is much higher than you might expect. Especially for a team with three decent running backs in Droughns, Green, and Suggs - and one average QB in Trent Dilfer.

The Indianapolis Colts, whom the Browns play Sunday, have a 50-50 ratio despite having Peyton Manning, the preeminent quarterback in the NFL

In 1997, the season Trent Dilfer earned his only Pro Bowl selection of his career, he averaged 24 passes a game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2000, when he "managed" the Ravens to the Super Bowl championship, Dilfer averaged 27 passes in his eight regular-season starts. That figure decreased to 18 passes in his four postseason starts.

Dilfer's 336-yard, three-touchdown, no-interception performance in the 26-24 victory over the Packers earned him the AFC offensive player-of-the-week award. A surprising performance from a QB with more interceptions than touchdowns in his career.

He wouldn't have piled up those numbers had not coach Romeo Crennel given him the green light to throw in the fourth quarter.

The Browns were up, 19-10, with 11:40 to play and Dilfer came out throwing on first, second and third down on a series that began at the Browns' 40. They had to punt.

After a long Green Bay touchdown drive cut the lead to 19-17, Dilfer took over at the Browns' 20 with 3:32 to play. And he threw again three plays in a row.

Fantasy Football Impact: If this trend continues, look for Cleveland to lose more games than it wins, and Browns' running backs to have much less value than originally perceived. Here is a great example of where StatLeader.com player participation stats can help you decide which players to start and which to sit each week.