Haden: Defense must step up

Browns-Titans game notes

JSchudel@MorningJournal.com

@JSBrownsInsider Every time he was asked about the offense not doing its fair share during his first four years with the Browns, Joe Haden would have to bite his tongue and say something like, “No one is pointing fingers. We win as a team and lose as a team.”

Now the goat horns are on the other helmets.

No one on offense is squawking, but Haden thinks he knows why the Browns are 1-2 and in last place in the AFC North. They will get back to even if they beat the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 5 in Nashville.

“The offense has been doing their part,” Haden said after practice on Oct. 3 “They’ve been doing a really good job. With the defense that we have, we feel we have to step up. If we played better, we would be 3-0.”

The Browns have already given up 19 plays of 20 yards or more — six rushing and 13 passing. They are trying to win a road game for the first time since Sept. 22 of last year. Their last road victory came in Minnesota, when Brian Hoyer made his debut as a Browns starter and threw the winning touchdown pass seven yards to Jordan Cameron with 51 seconds to play.

Losing seven of eight road games each of the last three years would be more perplexing if the Browns were dominant at home, which they aren’t. But Haden and his teammates are confident they have shed that losing image like a snake shedding its skin. Playing the Titans gives them a chance to prove it.

The Titans (1-3) have lost three straight. They lost their only home game, 26-10, to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 14. They’ve been outscored, 27-0, in the first quarter.

Vegas has established the Titans as two-point favorites. that is despite the fact each game the Browns played was decided by a field goal.

Noteworthy Browns: Safety Tashaun Gipson has five interceptions in his last six games dating to last season. … The Browns are the only team in the league that hasn’t turned the ball over this season. ... Jordan Cameron has three catches this season. The Browns have to get him more involved in the offense to sustain late drives. Their inability to do that cost them in losses to

And it is despite the fact each Titans loss was by an average of 22 points, The Browns are confident but not cocky. They believe they will end their road sevengame road skid at LP Field.

Likewise, Browns head coach Mike Pettine believes the Titans are looking at this game as a way to end their losing streak. The Titans host Jacksonville on Oct. 12 and play in Washington on Oct. 19.

“I’m sure when we pop up on the schedule, based on our current record and less than recent history, people are going to look at the Browns and if they want to pencil it in, it’ll be penciled in as a win more often than not,” Pettine said. “That’s what we’re out to change.

“(Playing on the road) is truly you against an entire stadium filled with the opposing team’s fans. You have to be very poised. You have to be focused. You have to understand that it’s a long game and you’re going to face some adversity.”

Starting running back Ben Tate is back from a knee injury that forced him to miss the last two games. Defensive end Desmond Bryant is questionable with a glute injury. But otherwise the Browns are healthy.

The Titans do not have the same fortune. Starting cornerback Blidfi Wreh-Wilson is recovering from a concussion. He did not practice all week but is listed as questionable. Backup tight end Taylor Thompson is doubtful with a knee injury.

Titans starter Jake Locker has thrown three touchdown passes and four interceptions. He is the first quarterbacked faced by the Browns this year who hasn’t won a Super Bowl. He is third on the team in rushing with 73 yards and 14 carries.

“I like him,” Haden said. “He’s able to make all the throws. He can throw the ball anywhere. The thing is he can to use his feet. He’s not running to pass. He’s running to run. We just have to make sure up front we don’t give him too many lanes.”

Locker has been sacked eight times for 33 yards. Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Noteworthy Titans: Defensive coordinator Ray Horton had the same job with the Browns last year. Opponents have scored 100 points in the last three games. … Jake Locker is 9-12 as a starting QB.

Prediction: Browns 27, Titans 17. The Browns get a break by facing a quarterback with a losing record.

Haden