Know Your Steelers Enemy: Week 11 vs. the Cleveland Browns

The Steelers at 4-5 and wallowing in a 4 game loss-fest and are in need of a break. But so are the 0-10 Cleveland Browns. So, this may be a gift bestowed upon Steeler Nation by the schedule gods, but it could be a curse and the end of days for 2016. The Browns are young and are definitely building towards the future. Here are some jerseys to notice on Sunday.

Coach

HC-Hue Jackson

Jackson is an ultra-talented offensive mind that has not had a stellar start in the football abyss that is Cleveland. 0-10 so far in his head-coaching career, Jackson seems like the kind of professional that can be successful if given time to build a system. Jackson has good young talent that are paying their dues along with him. A home-game against the reeling Steelers could be a perfect team to play to avoid the stupid “Owen” knock-knock jokes at season’s end.

Some Other Browns Coaches to know: OC Pep Hamilton, DC Ray Horton

Quarterback

No. 6 Cody Kessler

Six quarterbacks have taken snaps for the hapless Browns. Robert Griffin III didn't make it through even one game. Josh McCown, Kevin Hogan, Charlie Whitehurst and Terrelle Pryor all gave it a go behind center. The latest and longest lasting QB is Cody Kessler. Intelligent , athletic, efficient and tough, the rookie from USC is 0-7 as a starter. However, Kessler has thrown six TDs against one interception on the year and has a chance to shine against a defense that has had their own share of dismay.

Some Other Browns Quarterbacks to know: No. 13 Josh McCown, No. 8 Kevin Hogan

No. 34 Isaiah Crowell

The Browns have some talent at the RB position in the form of Crowell and Duke Johnson. Crowell is a dual-threat for the Browns. He has run for five scores and 551 yards on the season, averaging 4.6 YPC. Crowell has also caught 21 balls for 234 yards. The physical 5’11”/225 pounder had more success at the beginning of the year and Hue Jackson has recognized that fact and wants to get back to running the ball more with his lead rusher.

Some Other Browns Running Backs to know: No. 29 Duke Johnson Jr., No. 40 Danny Vitale

Wide Receiver

No. 11 Terrelle Pryor Sr.

Some Other Browns Receivers to know: No. 16 Andrew Hawkins, No. 19 Corey Coleman

The Jeanette native has become a great find for the Cleveland Browns and his transition to receiver is turning out quite nicely. The former OSU QB has taken snaps behind center and could be a threat for trickery because of his QB experience. But as a WR, Pryor is the team’s top target and has 51 grabs for 627 yards and four TDs. Terrell Pryor Sr. Has burned the Steelers before with a 93-yard running score as a Raider in 2013 and had a leaping 42-yard reception against the Steelers last season. At 6’4”, No. 11 could spell major trouble for one of the league’s most exposed secondaries.

Tight End

No. 82 Gary Barnidge

The nine-year pro had a breakout season last year for the Browns after years of virtual anonymity. Barnidge capped a season of 79 catches for 1,043 yards and nine TDs with a trip to the Pro Bowl last season. This season, Barnidge is still a valuable target for the Browns. He has 434 yards on 37 catches in 2016, but has not broken the plane of the goal-line once this year. Against the Steelers last year, Barnidge gained 131 yards on 14 catches and a TD against Pittsburgh in two games This could be the right defense to help punch his first ticket into the end zone in 2016.

Some Other Browns Tight Ends to know: No. 86 Randall Telfer

Offensive Line

LT- No. 73 Joe Thomas

Dominant in protecting the run and pass games, Joe Thomas ranks among the franchise best at LT. The 10-year vet has been hampered with a knee injury and his status is uncertain for Sunday. Not having Thomas to protect their rookie QB would be a serious disadvantage for Cleveland and would give James Harrison a better chance to seize the throne as the all-time sack leader in team lore.

Some Other Browns Offensive Linemen to know: No. 66 LG Spencer Drango, No. 67 RT Austin Pasztor, No. 74 C Cameron Ewing, No. 77 John Greco

Defensive Line

NT-No. 55 Danny Shelton

Shelton, who has 41 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his second season, is becoming a force at NT for the Browns and was named tops at his position by Pro Football Focus. The 6’2”/335 pounder is a brick wall against the run and the Steelers line has struggled with run blocking as of late.

Some Other Browns Defensive Linemen to know: No. 90 DE Emmanuel Ogbah, No. 94 DE Carl Nassib, No. 98 DL Jamie Meder

OLB-No. 51 Jamie Collins Sr.

One of the brightest spots of 2016 for Cleveland was acquiring Jamie Collins for a compensatory third-round pick from the Patriots on Halloween. Collins is a fast attacking linebacker and a throwback at linebacker who is a hitter all over the field. With 43 tackles this season to go with two sacks and two interceptions, the 27 year-old Pro Bowler is active and effective against both the run and pass and had eight tackles vs the Steelers earlier in the season.

Some Other Browns Linebackers to know: No. 56 ILB Demario Davis, No. 57 Cam Johnson, No 58 ILB Christian Kirksey

Secondary

No. 23 LCB Joe Haden

Haden has suffered through a season of injury in 2016, but he still has three times the interceptions of anybody on the Steelers. With nine pass defenses and three other rede interceptions, Haden will most likely draw the Antonio Brown straw in a battle of Pro Bowlers and 2010 draft picks.

Some Other Browns DBs to know: No. 20 DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, No. 22 CB Tramon Williams, No. 24 SS Ibraheim Campbell, No. 27 CB Jamar Taylor, No. 41 FS 41 Tracy Howard

Special Teams

P-No. 4 Britton Colquitt

As a punter for an 0-10 team, you better have a strong leg and always be ready for action. Colquitt is second in the league with 51 punts and is fourth in the league by averaging 45.4 YPP.

Some Other Browns Special Teamers to know: No. 3 K Cody Parkey, No. 25 George Atkinson III, No. 29 Duke Johnson Jr., No. 47 LS Charley Hughlett