Our Time Is Now

PUBLISHED WEEK 8, 2011

CLEVELAND, O.H. - The Steelers have dominated the Turnpike Rivalry since the inception of the vNFL. Ten consecutive wins with an average 13-point margin of victory. Rivalry is a very generous way to describe the relationship between these two teams.


"I don't take crap from nobody, 'specially not a Squealer." - Kellen Winslow Jr.

"It all changes now," says offensive team captain Kellen "Moses" Winslow Jr. (TE). "We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore."

There is a feeling in the Cleveland locker room that their time has come. For the first time in the history of the vNFL, the Browns lead the AFC North. The injury-prone Ravens are led by a quarterback whose best days may be behind him. The Bengals are in the early stages of a complete rebuild. And the Steelers' inability or unwillingness to find weapons for Big Ben may be catching up to them. The Steelers are the only AFC North franchise without a 1,000-yard receiver in the past five years.

There is talk in Cleveland that the balance of power in the AFC North has shifted. There is a sense that getting a historical first win over the Steelers is inevitable, practically a God-given right.

"We've always thought we could beat them before, but this time it's different," says Winslow. "This time, we know we are the better team. They got nothing on us. With all respect, they got Butterfingers for a running back. Chaun will eat that little guy for breakfast. And who they gonna use to cover Speedy B? They got a bunch of one-footed one-handed lames in that secondary. Only Jesus can save them now.

"We still gotta play football, but if we play there ain't nothing they can do to stop us. This is our time. If we can't win this one, we got no business playing in this league. We got bigger fish to fry."

Winslow was almost certainly referring to the Browns' grueling schedule in the latter half of the season. In the last five weeks, the Browns play on the road against San Diego, Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Arizona, then finish with a home game against Baltimore.

"You heard it here first. Our time is now."

2009 Off-Season: The Purge

PUBLISHED JANUARY 4, 2010
DIVISIONAL ROUND

CLEVELAND, O.H. - As the world watched the Cincinnati Bengals win their second Virtual Bowl in as many years, the sports cognoscenti in Cleveland turned their attention closer to home. In what was starting to become an annual tradition in the Forest City, the president of the Cleveland Browns resigned, compounding the team's problems on the field with rapid turnover in the front office. There were no obvious contenders for the vacancy, not even dark horse candidates. Cleveland fans girded themselves for another miserable season.

"We skipped right past the denial and anger stages," said one fan. "I guess we just fell straight into depression."

When owner Randy Lerner hired Dan Hong as the new President and CEO of the Cleveland Browns, few cared enough to notice that this nobody in the clubby world of professional football had listed only "EA Sports Madden NFL" under prior experience on his C.V. Mr. Hong made his name investing in risk arbitrage and equities, and it is rumored that he first encountered Mr. Lerner while working on a joint investment with Securities Advisors, Inc., the investment firm that Mr. Lerner founded in 1991.

Mr. Hong, who also goes by his nickname "Danimal," first met with Mr. Lerner at the Berea training facility on the Sunday afternoon after Virtual Bowl III to discuss the terms of his employment with the Browns. The details of that meeting were not made public, but sources inside the Browns organization provided the gist of the contract negotiations, which included several unusual terms.

• The CEO will have final say in all aspects of football operations, including staff hiring and personnel decisions
• No limits were set on the annual budget for football operations
• Compensation included a minimal salary with annual incentives tied to both absolute and relative franchise value
• The contract is binding for three years and cannot be voided except in the case of fraud or criminal activity

Mr. Lerner is considered to be a hands-off owner and generally stays out of the limelight

"This is classic Lerner," said Jim Donovan, the radio voice for the Cleveland Browns. "It's how great investors and businessmen think. He's giving the CEO the authority to do his job, but is holding him accountable for his decisions. By tying pay to franchise value, he's basically telling this guy, treat this money and this franchise as if you were the owner, and you will be paid like an owner. The relative vs. absolute part is important, too. A rising tide lifts all boats. You can't pay someone for just being in the right boat at the right time.

"And that last one basically says that Lerner can't fire this guy for the next three years, no matter what. One, it's obviously a very high vote of confidence. Two, it's sending a very clear message to the CEO. Make decisions for the long term. If it results in short-term pain, fine, as long as it pays off in the long run.

"But the real question is whether business translates well to football. Entertainment is business, and football is entertainment, so you would think yes. Only time will tell."


Scorecard

Below are Cleveland's average scores on a number of metrics at the beginning of 2009. These scores are based on an annual survey of league analysts.

Franchise Value - $640,060,000 (15th)
Stadium Quality - 62/100 (9th)
Roster Strength - 45/100 (27th)
Fan Support - 69/100 (20th)
Economy - 48/100 (7th)


Cleaning House

The day after the new CEO met with Mr. Lerner, the Browns announced that they had fired their entire coaching and scouting staffs. The only survivor of what has become known in Cleveland as "The Purge" was defensive coordinator Lee Sims, who was immediately signed to a new deal when the linebackers threatened to sit out training camp if Sims did not return.

"No way I'm playing for anyone but Lee," said All-Pro Chaun Thompson (ILB). "I didn't do nothing my first 2 years in the league, but this is the man who taught me how to be a player."

Thompson may be on to something. Sims gets much of the credit for developing a defense that led the league in 2009 with 28 interceptions and tied for 4th with 40 sacks. Though they ranked 21st in yards and 13th in points allowed, their ability to make plays determined the outcome of several games this season.

Disciplinarian Jesse McGrew became the third head coach in franchise history, and it seems as if the third time was the charm for the Browns. Though McGrew earned a reputation with the Cleveland media for his stern countenance and blunt honesty, he wears another face in private. A few candid shots taken during training camp shows the bond he developed with his players and explains how he got this team to play for him.


McGrew laughs as he talks to players stretching for morning practice


McGrew and Braylon Edwards share a private joke

Most importantly, McGrew took a team that had won a total of 10 games in its first three years and led them to a 12-4 record and their first appearance in the playoffs. He taught the Browns how to win again. For that alone, McGrew has become a hero in Cleveland.

Part of the credit for the 2009 season also goes to new offensive coordinator Jack Forbes, who made his name in Seattle by developing the raw, young quarterback David Greene into a legitimate passing threat. Greene led the Seahawks to the NFC Championship game in 2008 and set a franchise record in every major passing category that year. Some of those records still stand even after Alex Smith rolled into Seattle and became the new hot thing in town.

Forbes can now add another young quarterback to his resume. Under his guidance, the often-maligned Brady Quinn (QB) produced a career-defining performance in 2009 and may have dispelled once and for all the big question mark that dogged him for his first two years in Cleveland.


Quinn shouts to Kellen Winslow and Daryl Nied during an indoors practice at Berea

"The first thing I noticed about him was how cool and confident he is in the pocket," said Forbes. "That's uncommon in a quarterback his age. Nothing fazes him. If he gets knocked down on a play, he gets right back up and starts calling the next play."

That confidence may have helped his team win a few games that could have gone either way. Five times this season, he engineered a hair-raising comeback performance in the 4th quarter to give his team the win. He very nearly did it again in the Wild Card game against Indianapolis and fell only 3 yards short of pushing the game into overtime.

Though the season ended with a disappointing early exit from the playoffs, we can't wait to see what the new coaching staff can do for the Browns in the seasons to come.

In the next issue, we will review the moves that the Browns made during free agency and on draft day to build the team that taught an entire city of sports fans how to hope again.

Week 17: The Comeback Kids

PUBLISHED DECEMBER 28, 2009
WEEK 17

CLEVELAND, O.H. - "The Comeback Kids" did it again. Several times earlier this year the Browns narrowly escaped defeat with a game-changing play late in the 4th quarter. This time, the stakes were much higher. With the entire season in the balance, the Browns found themselves starting a drive at their own 15 with the score tied at 20 and less than a minute to play. Four plays and 43 seconds later, the Browns kicked the game-winning field goal to beat the Bengals 23-20 and advance to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE), called "Moses" by his teammates, offered an explanation for the comebacks that probably had coach Jesse McGrew shaking his head.

"It's humanly impossible to stop us," he said. "We cannot be stopped. Period. We are the best team in this league at finding ways to win. We are the Houdini of the vNFL. Just try and stop us."


Daryl Nied catches a 34-yard pass from Brady Quinn against the Bengals to set up the game-winning field goal with 12 seconds left

The more cerebral Daryl Nied (TE), who played a prominent role in a number of these comeback plays, simply called them "Miracles of the Week." Displaying an unusual level of maturity for a rookie, he said, "A lot of football is luck. What matters is what you do with the lucky breaks you get, and of course, how you survive when things aren't going your way. We can't take credit when the other team misses field goals or commits penalties, just as we can't be blamed for freak injuries that make or break a season. That's football. But when we rise to the challenge by taking advantage of the opportunities we get or overcoming the obstacles in our way, that's when I'm proudest to call myself a Brown."

Looking back on the season, the Browns have certainly had more than their fair share of lucky breaks:

• Week 3 vs. JAC - With the Jaguars leading 10-6 in the 4th quarter, Chaun Thompson (LB) intercepted a pass at the Cleveland 2 yard line to give the Browns one more shot at a comeback. Final score 13-10.

• Week 5 vs. DEN - With the Broncos leading 27-24 in the 4th quarter, Braylon Edwards (WR) caught a bomb from Brady Quinn (QB) for a 52-yard TD with 2:56 left on the clock. Final score 31-27.

• Week 12 vs. CHI - With the Bears leading 17-13 in the 4th quarter, Nied converted two long 3rd down passes from Quinn, turning one of them into the go-ahead TD with 0:50 left on the clock. Final score 20-17.

• Week 16 vs. GBY - With the game tied at 23 in the 4th quarter, rookie George Halkin (SS) intercepted a pass at the Green Bay 46 yard line to give the Browns a short field with 3:58 left on the clock. Final score 26-23.

• Week 17 vs. CIN - With the game tied at 20 in the 4th quarter, Nied caught a 34-yard pass from Quinn to put the Browns in position to kick the winning field goal with 0:12 left on the clock. Final score 23-20.

Next week, the Browns travel to Indianapolis to play the Colts in the marquee game of Wild Card weekend. The Colts are favored to win by 2.


Players of the Week


Brady Quinn (QB) - 24 of 32 for 242 yds (7.56 ypa, 2 TD)


Devin Fox (RB) - 11 for 123 yds (11.18 ypc)


Phil Dawson (K) - 3 for 3 FG, 48 Lg, 2 for 2 PAT


The Good


In Week 2, George "DMZ" Halkin returned a pick 64 yards for a TD against the Vikings

1. With 100 tackles (including assists), 1 sack, and 8 INTs, Halkin is the leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Drafted by Cleveland with the 30th pick in the 3rd round, it's fair to say that Halkin's performance this year has been a very pleasant surprise. "We knew he would be good," said director of player personnel Howie Craig. "But not THIS good." His teammates have taken to calling him "DMZ," short for demilitarized zone. Why? "Cause nothing gets past that kid," said Thompson. Along with a ball-hungry linebacker corps, Halkin has put the Browns at the top of the league in INTs with 28 during the regular season. Big plays like these on defense have helped the Browns win a number of games this year, and they will need more of the same if they hope to survive in the coming weeks.
2. After two years of uninspiring performances by the highly scrutinized, often criticized (we plead guilty on that count) Brady Quinn, fans in Cleveland were beginning to wonder whether drafting him with the 1st overall pick in 2007 was a mistake. This year, he proved all of his critics wrong, completing 71% of his passes for 3,518 yards (7.66 ypa), 23 TD, 8 INT, and a 102.5 passer rating. Though Quinn continues to have difficulty evading the pass rush, he has yet to miss a game due to injury. That kind of toughness has won the respect of his teammates and his coaching staff.

The Bad

1. What happened to Cleveland's ground game? Fox has gotten only 37 carries in the last 3 games combined. A source who asked not to be identified told us that offensive coordinator Jack Forbes had rolled out a new game plan during the last few weeks of the season to test the limits of the offense's versatility. There is no word on which game plan Forbes plans to use for the Wild Card game against the Colts.
2. The Dawg Pound has been uncharacteristically quiet these past few weeks. Perhaps it is taking the linebackers some time to adjust to defensive coordinator Lee Sims' new schemes. About midway through the season, after injuries took Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson out for several weeks, the Browns switched from a 3-4 to a 4-3. Is it time to switch back, or is now the wrong time to be making a change? Whatever the case, we want more sacks!

The Ugly

1. Injuries, while not devastating, have plagued the Browns this season like a bad cough that just won't go away. Though the defense appears to have recovered from a rash of injuries that decimated the linebacker corps in the middle of the season, the offense limps into the post-season nursing injuries in every unit and missing a handful of key role players. So far, the Browns have been able to win games in spite of the injuries, but how many more times can you expect them to beat the odds? Next week, they play a rested and healthy Indianapolis.

Injury Report

Brandon Jacobs (RB) - Questionable (sprained knee)
Terrelle Smith (FB) - Out (tonsilitis)
Braylon Edwards (WR) - Questionable (sprained knee)
Ernest Wilford (WR) - Out (dislocated shoulder)
Eric Beverly (TE) - Probable (knee tendinitis)
Jeremy Bridges (T) - Out (separated shoulder)
Jeno James (G) - Probable (strained rotator cuff)
Ricardo Walker (DE) - Probable (broken finger)

Week 10: Twenty One And Counting

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 10, 2009
WEEK 10

CLEVELAND, O.H. - The Browns are hungry. After winning six consecutive games earlier this season, they have tasted victory, and they want more of it. The fans are hungry too. On Monday night, almost 60,000 packed Cleveland Browns Stadium to watch the second rendition of the Turnpike Rivalry. Though the result was an eighth consecutive loss to their division rivals, the way they played in front of the largest home crowd in over two years has given the team and its fans a glimmer of hope.


The Cleveland faithful showed up to support their team against their arch-rivals

The forecast was bleak going into the game. With D'Qwell Jackson (ILB) and Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) out, the Browns were missing two play makers at the heart of a defense that leads the league in sacks and is tied for second in interceptions. Between the two of them, Jackson and Wimbley have recorded over 100 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions in only half a season. On the other side of the ball, the injury report listed go-to receiver Braylon Edwards (WR) as questionable for Monday. How could the Browns, who have lost to the Steelers by an average of 16 points and have never come within 11 points since the inception of the vNFL, hope to stay in this game? How would the team compete with so many injuries to key players?


Emotions ran high on the field as well in the closest game in the rivalry's history

"You take the hand you've been dealt, and you make the most of it," answered head coach Jesse McGrew. "Only pansies and cowards blame their losses on injuries. What game do they think they're playing? Chess? This is football, and injuries happen. You deal with it."

The Browns found a way to deal with it. The defense held the explosive Pittsburgh offense to their lowest score so far this season and even gave their team a 3-point lead in the 3rd quarter when Andre Goodman (CB) returned a pick 99 yards for a touchdown.

Though the Browns have now lost 21 consecutive division games, next week could be the Browns' best hope for the first division win in franchise history. The Browns host the Bengals on Thursday night and are 8-point favorites.

"Enough is enough," said team captain Kellen "Moses" Winslow (TE). "Twenty-one is as high as that number's gonna go. This ends now. It's time we earned ourselves a little respect in this division, and I promise you, the pain stops at twenty-one."

We can only hope.


Players of the Week

Brady Quinn (QB) - 22 of 33 for 220 yds
LeCharles Bentley (C) - 4 KRB, 0 SkA
Andre Goodman (CB) - 8 Tck, 4 Ast, 1 Int (99 yds for TD)


The Good

1. In spite of the injuries, the defense found a way to get it done. Defensive guru Lee Sims moved the unit to a 4-3 front, giving rookie Al Smith (DT) the first start of his vNFL career. Holding the Steelers to 14 points is an accomplishment, and we have to wonder how much better this unit might have been with a healthy linebacker corps.
2. Though Brady Quinn (QB) did not have a stellar game, he avoided making any mistakes. That's a good thing in our book. The offensive line kept Blitzburgh relatively quiet; Quinn was sacked only once, which is quite an improvement from the 8 sacks allowed in the last meeting with the Steelers.

The Bad


Kicker Phil Dawson can't believe he missed that field goal

1. The Browns had so many opportunities to change the outcome of this game, and they blew it. Eric Parker returned a punt 44 yards to Pittsburgh's 20, but a penalty put Cleveland back on their own 33. Phil Dawson missed a 40-yard field goal thanks to a bad hold. Mistakes like that are simply inexcusable.
2. What is it with the fumbles on this team? Do the players rub Vaseline on their hands before they go out on the field? A Devin Fox (RB) fumble in the 4th quarter killed the Browns' momentum and resulted in the go-ahead touchdown for Pittsburgh on the following drive.

The Ugly


Edwards can single-handedly set the Browns offense on fire

1. Sometimes, we don't learn to appreciate things until they are taken away from us. One week without Braylon Edwards proved to us how important he is to this team. By drawing double coverages and keeping defenses honest, he makes it easier for other receivers to get open and keeps those running lanes at the line of scrimmage clear. This offense looked anemic without him, and we hope he comes back soon.

Week 9: Browns Show True Colors

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 3, 2009
WEEK 9

CLEVELAND, O.H. - The improbable streak ended with an embarrassing 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at home on Monday Night Football. After a six-game winning streak, the first division win in franchise history seemed more than just possible; it was inevitable. Fans packed Cleveland Browns Stadium in the best-selling game of the season expecting to watch history in the making. Instead, they watched their fairy tale come to an ignominious end.


This could have been taken at any one of the Browns' 20 consecutive division losses

"Disappointment doesn't even begin to describe it," said head coach Jesse McGrew. "There wasn't a lot we did well against Baltimore. In fact, just about everything that could go wrong went wrong. If there's one good thing about this game, I hope it serves as a wake-up call. Despite what may have been said in the press, we are a long way from becoming a consistently competitive team."


McGrew was so fed up with Quinn and no. 2 Patrick Ramsey that he told no. 3 Jeff Garcia to get suited up.

It's no secret that McGrew is displeased with the level of access management has granted to the press and particularly with the timing of the Pat Kirwin interview. He may have a point. Instead of our usual edition of "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly," let's take a quick look at some of the things that were said in that interview and what has happened since.


The Pat Kirwin Interview

"First, the injuries have been relatively light so far this year...So far (knock on wood), it seems our preparation has paid off." - Can we say jinx? A plague of injuries decimated the linebacker corps and left star receiver Braylon Edwards (WR) a big question mark for next week. Word from the personnel office is that Edwards is a game time decision.

"I know much has been said and written about Brady's lack of agility in the pocket, but frankly I don't think it's that big a deal." - The Ravens pass rush took Brady Quinn (QB) down 5 times. In this writer's view, that's a problem. Even the sweetest perfumes can't stop *crap* from smelling like *crap* (edited to be suitable for print).

"But seriously, this is a more complete team than people realize. We run the ball very well." - The lack of a running game killed the Browns on Monday night. Perhaps the Browns are exactly what people thought they were: a mediocre team on a lucky streak.

"If I could give the team MVP award to a unit, it would go to the linebackers." - Good luck turning out an MVP performance with only half of a unit. We're not sure the Browns have enough healthy linebackers on the roster to run a 3-4 defense. How do McGrew and defensive coordinator Lee Sims plan to get around this one?

"If I had to pick one player, the award would go to Kam Wimbley." - Considering that he's out for at least the next few weeks, Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) will have a hard time making his case for the team MVP award. The Browns defense will be handicapped without one of the leading candidates for Defensive Player of the Year.

"I look forward to our Week 10 game against [the Steelers]. More than any other game this year, it will be a measure of the progress we have made as a team over the course of the season." - We're going to call this one right now. Don't hold your breath for an upset. The defense has lost its two best linebackers, and the offense is missing its go-to receiver for critical 3rd down conversions. The Browns' season is already over; they just don't know it yet.


Players of the Week

D'Qwell Jackson (ILB) - 3 Tck, 3 Ast, 1.5 Sck, 1 Defn


Injury Report

Daryl Nied (TE) - Probable (shoulder tendinitis)
Braylon Edwards (WR) - Questionable (sprained knee)
Jeno James (G) - Probable (separated shoulder)
Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) - Out (hyperextended knee)
Chaun Thompson (ILB) - Probable (knee tendinitis)
D'Qwell Jackson (ILB) - Out (broken ankle)

Week 8: Browns Sweep AFC West

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 26, 2009
WEEK 8

CLEVELAND, O.H. - On Saturday night, the Cleveland Browns completed their sweep of the AFC West with a 27-13 win over the Chiefs in Kansas City. This victory thrust the Browns into the national media spotlight and even prompted vNFL Headline News reporter Pat Kirwin to interview Browns President and CEO Dan Hong about the team's recent success (click here for complete interview).



The Browns were once the laughingstock of the national sports media, this paper included

So are the Browns for real, or will the limelight expose them as the same mediocre team of previous years, just luckier? Most fans are still on the fence, but the incredible six-win streak has at least piqued their interest. The Cleveland faithful turned out in droves on Saturday night, packing sports bars around the city to cheer their team.


This was a common sight around Cleveland as fans tuned into the Week 8 game against the Chiefs

In a telling sign of Cleveland's past, #9 Shane Lechler (P) jerseys outnumbered just about every other jersey that night. As one fan put it, "Back in those days, I think we saw more of the punter than anyone else on our team, so he ended up being the most popular player. He was certainly the most recognized."

The Browns are hoping to keep Lechler on the bench this season and so far have limited his appearances to 27 in 7 games.

On Monday Night Football, the Browns host the Ravens in the first of three division battles. With home field advantage, the Browns are favored by 3. It seems the league pundits at least believe that Cleveland's 6-1 record is more than just smoke and mirrors.


Players of the Week

Brady Quinn (QB) - 16 of 28 for 281 yds (10.04 ypa, 1 TD)
Devin Fox (RB) - 25 for 126 yds (5.04 ypc, 1 TD)
Braylon Edwards (WR) - 8 for 167 yds (20.88 ypc, 1 TD)
Chris Chester (G) - 5 KRB, 0 SkA
Chaun Thompson (ILB) - 8 Tck, 2 Ast, 1.0 Sck, 1 Defn
D'Qwell Jackson (ILB) - 2 Tck, 3 Ast, 1.0 Sck


The Good


A strong ground game helped the Browns control the clock and set up the pass

1. Devin Fox (RB), whom Pat Kirwin compared to the legendary Jim Brown, had another solid game against one of the toughest rushing defenses in the league. In short yardage situations, Brandon Jacobs (RB), who was signed by Cleveland in Week 4, is becoming a reliable 3rd down back for the Browns, converting three critical 3rd downs in as many games and recording his first touchdown as a Brown in the 2nd quarter.
2. Braylon Edwards (WR) simply can't be stopped. Even when the defense knows the ball is coming to him, he still makes plays. The scariest thing about him is that he looks even better when his team needs him the most. Against the Chiefs, he caught six of six and converted five 3rd down passes. And good luck if you give him an open field - almost a third of his receiving yards have come after the catch.
3. In 7 games, Brady Quinn (QB) has already surpassed his career best for touchdown passes in a season. Debate all you want about whether he belongs among the elite. There is no question that he is having his best year ever.

The Bad

1. There really wasn't a whole lot to pick on here, so we'll skip right to the ugly column.

The Ugly

1. Are we the only ones concerned about all the attention the Browns have been getting lately? We liked the Browns better when they were underdogs, and head coach Jesse McGrew seems to agree. We asked him what he thought of the Pat Kirwin interview.
   
   "Dan can talk to the press if he wants. What he does is his business. My job is to win games."
   
   Aren't you worried about all this attention going to your heads?
   
   "If my players have time to listen to this rubbish, then they're not practicing hard enough. In case you forgot, this is the vNFL, not Hollywood. Right now, all we care about is beating Baltimore and getting our first division win. Next week, we'll worry about Pittsburgh. The week after that, Cincinnati."
   
   What would you have done if you had been interviewed?
   
   "I would have kept my mouth shut."
   
   But this is Pat Kirwin!
   
   "Pat who? Look, I don't care who it is. I'm here to coach football, not talk about it."
   
   It's good to know there's at least one person in the Browns organization who hasn't lost his head.
   

Injury Report

Daryl Nied (TE) - Probable (shoulder tendinitis)
Jeno James (G) - Out (separated shoulder)
Jumbo Dodrill (T) - Probable (bruised ribcage)
Chaun Thompson (ILB) - Probable (knee tendinitis)

Week 7: Improbable Streak Continues

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 19, 2009
WEEK 7

CLEVELAND, O.H. - The improbable streak continued in Week 7 as the Cleveland Browns traveled to San Diego to beat the Chargers 28-17 for their fifth consecutive win and the best start in franchise history. Fans in the Forest City don't know what to make of this unexpected boon from the gods of football, but few believe it will last. Three seasons of broken promises and shattered hopes have whittled the ranks of the Cleveland faithful. Average attendance at home games has dropped from over 63,000 in the inaugural season to 55,000 so far this year.


LT had only 13 yards on 4 carries as the Chargers chose to attack through the air

But rather than being discouraged, the players seem to find inspiration in this vote of no confidence from their fan base. "It's on us," said Kellen Winslow (TE). "The past three years, we let everyone down. Ourselves, our coaches, and most importantly our fans. Now we got to prove to them that we deserve their support." After being elected an offensive team captain this year, Winslow has emerged as a vocal leader both on and off the field, and he seems to have struck a chord with the team and with Cleveland fandom.

"We call him Moses now," joked Braylon Edwards (WR). "Some of us still don't know what to make of all these wins. We're just not used to winning. But Moses over there, he's always believed we had it in us. He keeps talking about going to the Promised Land. I think that's his code for you-know-what after coach banned us from using the 'p' word."

Perhaps the Browns shouldn't get too used to winning just yet. On Saturday night, they travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs, who are 3-point favorites, for the Browns' first nationally televised match-up of the season. This will be Cleveland's toughest game since losing on the road to Pittsburgh in Week 1.


Players of the Week


The Chargers launched an aerial assault on the Browns secondary, but Bodden would have none of it, defensing 8 passes and setting a new league single-game record

Brady Quinn (QB) - 23 of 30 for 254 yds (8.47 ypa, 3 TD)
Devin Fox (RB) - 29 for 137 yds (4.72 ypc)
Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) - 3 Tck, 1 Ast, 2.0 Sck, 1 Defn
Leigh Bodden (CB) - 9 Tck, 8 Defn*
Derrick Johnson (CB) - 3 Tck, 1 Ast, 1 Int, 2 Defn
Sean Jones (S) - 5 Tck, 1 Ast, 1 Int, 1 Defn

* New league single-game record


The Good


Reporters swarmed Quinn, Cleveland's new media darling, at the Browns practice facility

1. Brady Quinn (QB) won Game MVP honors for the second week in a row and is well on his way to having the best season of his young career. After only six games, Quinn has already surpassed the total number of touchdowns he threw last year and tied the number of touchdowns he threw in his rookie year. For two weeks now, Quinn has looked like the quarterback that Cleveland hoped he would one day become. In spite of themselves, fans can't help but start hoping once more that perhaps he is indeed the future of this franchise.
2. The Browns had their best offensive game in franchise history, setting a new franchise single-game record with 433 yards of offense. Devin Fox (RB) and Kenneth Darby (RB) helped to control the pace of the game with an effective one-two punch from the backfield, carrying the ball 38 times for 179 yards (4.71 ypc).
3. Only three weeks ago, thanks to a rash of injuries, the Browns had only two healthy wide receivers on their roster. The front office turned to free agency to cobble together a quick fix, but what was intended to be a mere stopgap played very effectively as a unit against the Chargers. Ben Obomanu (WR), waived by New England in Week 2, grabbed his first touchdown pass as a Brown this week. Eric Parker (WR) grabbed the other two and has proven to be exactly what the Browns needed - a way to make opposing secondaries pay for double covering Edwards.
   
   "We expected no less of Eric," said director of player personnel Howie Craig. "By going out there and playing the way he did against his former team, he has proven something we knew all along. He is a consummate professional and a team player. We are happy to have him in a Browns uniform."
4. Once again, the Dawg Pound earned itself a mention in our good column. Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) is having the best season of his career, recording 2 more sacks to bring his season total to a career best 5 sacks.

The Bad

1. The fumble bug bit again. Thankfully, all but one of them were recovered. The outcome of this game, however, could have been very different if those balls had bounced the wrong way. Two of the fumbles were recovered by the Browns deep in their own territory. Please, for the love of all that is good in football, hang on to the ball.
2. Special teams play was once again a drag. Ernest Wilford (WR/PR) couldn't get any mileage on his punt returns and was rewarded for his uninspiring efforts with a goose egg. Look for Derrick Johnson (CB) or Parker to resume punt returning duties on Saturday.

The Ugly

1. There was nothing especially ugly about this game, but we keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fairy tales don't have happy endings in real life, right? We hope the Browns prove us wrong.

Week 6: Fork In The Road

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 12, 2009
WEEK 6

CLEVELAND, O.H. - The Cleveland Browns did it again, beating the Oakland Raiders 27-14 on Sunday afternoon for a fourth consecutive win. Unlike the previous two games, the outcome of this battle was never in doubt. The Browns scored first and kept a two possession lead for most of the game. After their best performance so far this season, the Browns are now 4-1.


Wimbley has been having the best year of his career with 3 sacks and 4 picks to date

Spirits were high in the Browns locker room when we interviewed the players. A few even mentioned the "p" word, mostly in jest, but there was a hint of awe in their voices as they joked about something that seemed all but unattainable a year go. One player, however, kept a level head amidst the euphoria.

"Playoffs?" scoffed Kellen Winslow (TE). "No offense, but have you looked at the teams we've beaten? None of them have a winning record, and only the Vikings were in the playoffs last year. Sorry, but I'm not even gonna think about the playoffs until we're actually in them."

Head coach Jesse McGrew looked incredulous when he heard that his players were already talking about the post-season. "Playoffs? You've got to be kidding me. The jokers haven't won a division game yet, and they're talking playoffs."

McGrew has a point. Starting with perennial playoff contender San Diego, Cleveland faces a much tougher slew of opponents over the next few weeks. After San Diego and Kansas City, the current AFC West leader, the Browns will host all three of their division rivals in back to back games.

The Browns have encountered this fork in the road before. Last year, the Browns started 4-1 but ended the season 6-10. This year, the Browns are off to a similarly promising start, but it is too early to say which path they will take.


Players of the Week

Brady Quinn (QB) - 27 of 34 for 237 yds (3 TD, 6.97 ypa)
Kenneth Darby (RB) - 19 for 91 yds (4.79 ypc)
Phil Dawson (K) - 2-2 FG, 54 Lg, 3-3 PAT
Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) - 4 Tck, 2 Ast, 0.5 Sck, 2 Int, 1 Defn
Sean Jones (FS) - 2 Tck, 1.0 Sck, 3 Defn


The Good


Game MVP Quinn threw for 3 TD in his best game so far this year

1. A lot of things went right for the Browns in Week 6, but the best individual performance of the week belonged to Game MVP Brady Quinn's (QB). Though Quinn has shown flashes of brilliance earlier this season, most notably with his game-winning comeback drives late in the 4th quarter against Jacksonville and Denver, this is the first time he looked consistently good throughout the entire game.

2. Last week, we complained in this column that the Dawg Pound was nowhere to be found. This week, they unleashed the entire kennel, wreaking havoc on Jay Cutler (QB), who had one of the worst games of his career. A relentless pass rush sacked Cutler 6 times, hurried him 10 times, and blocked 4 passes at the line. When Cutler did manage to get rid of the ball, his throws were rarely on target. Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) picked him off twice, and rookie George Halkin (SS) nicked his third professional interception off of the hapless young quarterback. This is a defense that believes in itself and plays with pride.


The Bad

1. Quinn was sacked 5 more times this game. The Browns are hoping that Oscar Hitchcock (G) and Jumbo Dodrill (T) develop quickly enough to fill some of the gaping holes in this line, but Quinn isn't making their jobs any easier with his tendency to hang on to the ball. At least he's not losing it when he gets hit.

2. Special teams play, usually an asset for the Browns, was lackluster this week. The special teams unit gave up 48 yards on 3 punt returns. On the receiving end, Ernest Wilford (WR/PR), who was picked up last week to replace the injured Aundrae Allison (WR), zig zagged his way to a very uninspiring 5 yards on 3 punt returns.


The Ugly

1. The Browns have a tough schedule coming up and could very well be exposed as the same mediocre Browns we've come to know and love (despise?), which would be especially deflating after the expectations that come with a 4-1 start. Granted, this has just as much potential to be good, but the skeptics in us are putting this in the ugly column for now.


Injury Report

Eric Parker (WR) - Probable (strained elbow tendon)
Arnaz Battle (WR) - Probable (pulled quadriceps muscle)
Chaun Thompson (ILB) - Probable (broken hand)

Week 5: Coach Says It Was Another Fluke

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 5, 2009
WEEK 5

CLEVELAND, O.H. - On Sunday afternoon in Cleveland Browns Stadium, the Browns beat the Broncos 31-27 for their third consecutive win of the season. Defense took a back seat as the two teams combined for almost 900 yards of total offense.

"Something finally clicked for us," said Braylon Edwards (WR). "We were moving the ball well, we had rhythm, we were unstoppable. We made the plays when we needed them."

Edwards modestly neglected to mention that the biggest play of the game was his own 52-yard catch for the go-ahead touchdown late in the 4th quarter. His average of 23.33 yards per reception set a new franchise single-game record.


Edwards' 52-yard go-ahead TD catch gave the Browns a 31-27 lead late in the 4th quarter

On the ground, Kenneth Darby (RB) and Wendell Mathis (RB) filled in admirably for the injured Devin Fox (RB), rushing for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28 carries (5.68 ypc). After averaging 238 yards in the first three games, the Browns exploded in Week 5 with 410 yards of offense.

But as the fans and the players celebrated yet another last-minute, come-from-behind victory -- in their last game, the Browns beat the Jaguars 13-10 on a late 4th quarter touchdown -- one Brown was not happy at all.

"We won the last three games on big plays," said head coach Jesse McGrew. "That's not good. We can't count on those big plays being there to bail us out week after week. Until we establish some consistency on both sides of the ball, all our wins will be nothing but flukes. Minnesota was a fluke, Jacksonville was a fluke, and Denver was a fluke. Nobody flukes their way to the Super Bowl."

Coach, are you saying that's where this team is headed?

"No. Not this year, probably not next year, and if we keep playing like we did today, not ever."

Somebody needs to tell this guy that his team did win this week.


We have yet to see a smile crack this face.

In other news, the Browns waived 5th year veteran Brodney Pool (SS), who sustained a compound fracture to his leg last year. Is the writing on the wall for this promising young safety?

"It's very distressing to watch such talent go to waste," said director of player personnel Howie Craig. "Brodney worked hard to overcome that scary injury to his leg last year. Mentally, his game is still as sharp as ever, but his leg will never be the same. We had to move on as an organization, and we will do everything we can to ease the transition for Brodney."


Pool's career may very well be over.

Pool was not available for comment.

Next week, the Browns host the Raiders in Cleveland for a Sunday, 1 PM EST start. Cleveland is favored to win by 5.


Players of the Week

Braylon Edwards (WR) - 6 for 140 yds (23.33 ypc*, 1 TD)
Kenneth Darby (RB) - 18 for 97 yds (5.39 ypc, 2 TD)

* New franchise single-game record


The Good

1. Cleveland had a solid game on the ground this week. Through Week 5, the Browns have averaged 137 rushing yards, good for 6th in the league. We can't wait to see what happens when Fox comes back.
2. Edwards had his first 100 yard receiving game of the season, catching 6 for 140 yards and a touchdown. The question is, can he produce at this level consistently, or was Week 5 just a fluke? In the previous three games combined, he caught 6 for 86 yards.

The Bad

1. The so-called Dawg Pound was in the dog pound this week. Where was the pressure on the pocket? Donovan McNabb (QB) looked like he had all the time in the world. We didn't hear a single bark or howl from a linebacker corps that prides itself on getting to the quarterback.
2. The failure of the front seven to put pressure on McNabb was compounded by the failure of the sieve-like secondary to cover his receivers. Only a single pass was defensed the entire game.

The Ugly

1. Defense sucked all around, but where was the run defense? The Browns defense gave up 196 rushing yards on 40 carries (4.90 ypc). This has got be a sore point for McGrew, an old-school coach who eschews trick plays for the basics, blocking and tackling. No wonder he was such a sourpuss.

Injury Report

Aundrae Allison (WR) - Injured reserve (concussion)
Arnaz Battle (WR) - Questionable (pulled quadriceps muscle)
Devin Fox (RB) - Probable (hyperextended knee)
Eric Parker (WR) - Probable (strained elbow tendon)
Chaun Thompson (ILB) - Probable (broken hand)
Sean Jones (FS) - Probable (broken thumb)

Week 3: When It Rains, It Pours

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
WEEK 3

CLEVELAND, O.H. - A storm swept through Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon, churning the field into a giant mud bath. Winds of up to 37 mph made any field goal over 40 yards and any pass over 20 an adventure. The warm, torrential downpour blanketed the field with a layer of fog.


Good luck throwing the ball in this weather

"It was like playing in a steam room," said Chaun Thompson (ILB). "You couldn't see more than ten yards out. Half the time, I couldn't tell if it was our guy or the other guy until I was right on top of him."

In spite of the weather, spirits were high going into the game after a rousing home victory over the Vikings in Week 2. It took all of two minutes for that change. On the third play of the game, Kellen Winslow (TE) fumbled the ball to give the Jaguars possession in Cleveland territory. Five plays later, Troy Smith (QB) connected with Garrett Wolfe (RB) to make the score 7-0 Jacksonville less than 5 minutes into the game.

For the next three quarters, the Browns tried to catch up, but in a nightmarish reprise of their Week 1 game against the Steelers, the Browns watched their offense get mired in the mud. In two visits to the red zone, they came away with only 6 points.

The outcome seemed inevitable. It was clear to anyone watching the game that the Jaguars were outplaying the Browns on both sides of the ball. When Jacksonville reached the Cleveland 4 yard line with a 10-6 lead in the 4th quarter, everyone thought the nail was in the coffin.

And then a miracle happened.


All-Pro Thompson saved the game with a pick at Cleveland's 2 ydl

All-Pro linebacker Thompson intercepted a short pass intended for Donald Washington (TE) and returned it 32 yards to Cleveland's 34.

"It was like God gave us a second chance," said Thompson. "When I got to the sideline, I pulled Brady aside. I told him to forget all the things people had been saying about him the last few weeks. I told him that this was his game to win."

The comeback drive was a thing of beauty. Brady Quinn (QB) completed all 7 of his passes and connected with Winslow for the go-ahead touchdown late in the 4th quarter.


Winslow and Edwards celebrate the go-ahead TD

"We couldn't get anything going for most of the game," said Winslow. "Then just as we're about to lose it all, Chaun pulls that pick out of his ass, and Brady goes out there and plays out of his mind."

Winslow paused for dramatic effect. "I guess when it rains, it pours."


Players of the Week

Chaun Thompson (ILB) - 8 Tck, 3 Ast, 0.5 Sck, 1 Int (32 yds), 1 FF
Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) - 11 Tck, 1 Ast, 2.5 Sck, 1 Defn
Vinny Circiu (OLB) - 2 Tck, 1.0 Sck, 1 FF
Jereme Perry (CB) - 2 Tck, 3 Ast, 1 Int


The Good


The Dawg Pound is the heart of Cleveland's defense

1. The linebackers have started calling themselves the "Dawg Pound." Every time they get a sack, they bark and howl like a pack of rabid dogs. Intimidating? Maybe. Moronic? Probably. But as long as they keep making plays, they can call themselves whatever they want. Game MVP honors went to a linebacker for the second week in a row, this time to Kamerion Wimbley (OLB), who had 12 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 1 pass defensed against the Jaguars.
2. For the first time this year, Quinn looked comfortable in the pocket. Granted, it was for all of five minutes, but he brought his "A" game when his team needed it most. Is this a turning point for the inconsistent quarterback? Cleveland can only hope.
3. Cleveland's bread and butter so far this season has been big plays from the defense. The Browns are tied for the lead in sacks, and they are near the top of the league in turnovers. But how long can the defense keep winning games?

The Bad

1. The Browns couldn't get anything going on the ground this week. They ran the ball 29 times for a mere 60 yards (2.07 ypc). That will put your team on the fast lane to three-and-out.
2. The Browns lead the league in fumbles. Somebody needs to teach this team how to hang on to the ball. All of Jacksonville's points came on drives that started in Cleveland territory thanks to fumbles recovered by the Jaguars.

The Ugly


A rash of injuries decimated the receiving corps

1. A rash of injuries decimated Cleveland's receiving corps. By the end of the game, the Browns had only two healthy wide receivers on the roster. Devin Fox (RB) is also out with a knee injury for the next few weeks. Thankfully, the Browns have a bye next week, but the front office will have to cobble together a temporary solution while their receivers recover.

Injury Report

Devin Fox (RB) - Out (hyperextended knee)
Arnaz Battle (WR) - Out (pulled quadriceps muscle)
Eric Parker (WR) - Out (strained elbow tendon)
Aundrae Allison (WR) - Out (concussion)
Brodney Pool (SS) - Probable (compound leg fracture)
Sean Jones (FS) - Probable (broken thumb)

Week 2: Back To Basics

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
Week 2

CLEVELAND, O.H. - On a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon, over 50,000 fans showed up to Cleveland Browns Stadium not knowing what to expect. Last week, they watched their team suffer a deflating 13-34 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Heinz Field. Week 2 was an entirely different story. In the home opener of the 2009 season, the Browns beat the Minnesota Vikings 26-14 for their first win of the season.


The Browns won their first home game of the year to start 1-1

The normally dour Jesse McGrew wasn't exactly smiling, but he did look mildly satisfied. "We went back to the basics this week. Blocking and tackling. That's what football is all about. It's about fighting and winning those battles at the line of scrimmage. Lee did a great job getting our linebackers involved in the pass rush, and our two very talented backs fought hard for yards on the ground against a very tough defensive line. This is a good starting point, but we've still got a lot of work to do, a lot of holes to patch up."

One of those holes may be the loss of Kevin Shaffer (T), who was traded to Indianapolis for a 1st round pick in 2010. Shaffer had been with the Browns since the inception of the vNFL, but it was no secret that he did not get along with offensive team captain LeCharles Bentley (C). A few times last season, Shaffer and Bentley were seen exchanging heated words on the sidelines. That conflict proved to be a distraction on the playing field. In his three seasons with the Browns, Shaffer allowed 55 sacks, almost three times as many as anyone else on the team.

"It was a tough decision, but it was the right one for Kevin and for the team," said director of player personnel Howie Craig. "He is a team player, and he is a very talented offensive lineman. We think he will be happier and do better in Indianapolis."

With Shaffer's departure, Jumbo Dodrill (T) moved to left tackle and backup Jeremy Bridges (T) started at right tackle.

Next week, the Browns travel to Jacksonville for a 1pm EST start on Sunday. The Browns are favored to win by 2.


Players of the Week

D'Qwell Jackson (ILB) - 10 Tck, 4 Ast, 3.0 Sck*
George Halkin (SS) - 6 Tck, 3 Ast, 1 Int returned 64 yds for TD (mention)
Devin Fox (RB) - 27 for 149 yds, 1 TD (mention)
LeCharles Bentley (C) - 6 KRB*, 0 SkA (mention)

* New franchise single-game record


The Good


Jackson turned into a sack machine Sunday, taking Pennington down 3 times

1. The linebackers continued to be the core of Cleveland's defense, recording 18 tackles, 12 assists, 5 sacks, and 1 interception between them. Defensive Player of the Week and Game MVP D'Qwell Jackson (ILB) recorded 3 of those sacks, setting a new franchise single-game record and doubling his career total in a single game. Vinny Circiu (OLB) recorded his first career sack, and Kamerion Wimbley (OLB) returned a fumble 54 yards for his first career TD.
2. Rookie George Halkin (SS) picked off his second professional interception in as many games, but this time returned it 64 yards for a TD. It's too early to say definitively, but Halkin just may be the play maker this secondary has been looking for.
3. Devin Fox (RB) kicked his game into second gear this week, toting the ball 27 times for 149 yards and a TD. Bentley led the offensive line with 6 key run blocks, setting a new franchise single-game record and earning the second Player of the Week mention of his vNFL career.

The Bad


Like this poster, Quinn looks good on paper, but not so good when flat on his back

1. Brady Quinn (QB) has no problems hanging on to the ball long enough to get sacked, but the ball goes flying out as soon as he gets touched. Last week, he was sacked 8 times and fumbled 3 times. This week, he was sacked 5 more times and fumbled 3 times again. Quinn, we have a message for you from Cleveland fandom: "You don't have to win it. Just don't lose it."
2. Did Phil Dawson (K) sleep on the wrong leg the night before the game? He missed 2 of 4 field goals from distances that should have been in his range.

The Ugly

1. The Browns seriously couldn't get more than one 1st round pick for Shaffer, especially after Drew Fortenberry (T) broke the bank? A 1st round pick is fair, but with the mania for tackles, we have to think the Browns could have done a lot better than just fair on this trade. The general manager of the Cardinals, who had a top 5 pick in this year's draft, said, "I would've put a higher offer than that." Shame on you, Cleveland.

Injury Report

Arnaz Battle (WR) - Out (pulled quadriceps muscle)
Sean Jones (FS) - Questionable (broken thumb)
Brodney Pool (SS) - Probable (compound leg fracture)

Week 1: Turnpike Rivalry On Life Support

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
Week 1

CLEVELAND, O.H. - Starting this year, the Plain Dealer will publish a weekly column during the regular season called "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly." Here, we will give you exclusive and candid hometown coverage of the Browns' triumphs and travails on the football battlefield.


Reprinted from Inside the vNFL to give the Browns some much needed motivation

Week 1 of the 2009 season subjected Cleveland fans to a familiar and distressing sight; the Browns traveled to Heinz Field and got clobbered by the Steelers for the 7th time in a row since the inception of the vNFL. Cleveland has the dubious distinction of being the only professional football franchise without a single division win. Though Cleveland and Pittsburgh fans are often at odds, in this they are united: bring back the Turnpike Rivalry!

Next week, the Browns host the Vikings in Cleveland. Head coach Jesse McGrew laughed, and not very kindly, when we told him that the scouts were calling this an even game.

"Did they actually watch the game at Heinz Field? We embarrassed ourselves on Sunday. Those spreads are garbage, you know that? Who cares if the scouts think your front seven are better than their O-line, or vice versa? None of that matters if you can't handle the basics. A coach much smarter than me once said that football is only two things - blocking and tackling. We failed at those two things on Sunday, and if we can't get those two things right, we're never going to win a game."

At least one person on the team is fired up about this loss. We're just glad we're not going to be in the Browns locker room on Tuesday morning.

The Good


Halkin picked off Big Ben for his first professional Int

1. Rookie George Halkin (SS) lived up to the promise he showed in training camp. Late in the 4th quarter, he picked off Ben Roethlisberger at the Cleveland 1 yard line for his first professional Int. Though this turnover came too late to change the outcome of the game, it saved the Browns from losing by an even more embarrassing margin.
2. Joshua Cribbs (WR/KR) continues to be one of the more dangerous return men in the league, averaging 32 yards on 5 kick returns and starting most of Cleveland's drives near midfield.
3. Devin Fox (RB) and Kenneth Darby (RB) proved to be an effective one-two punch from the backfield, rushing for a combined 136 yards on 24 carries (5.67 ypc). The few Cleveland fans who bothered making the trip to Heinz Field could be heard cheering these two backs about as loudly as they were booing Quinn.

The Bad

1. Cleveland made five trips to the red zone and came away with only 1 TD and 2 field goals. The red zone offense stalled twice inside Pittsburgh's 10 yard line, and the Browns had to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. A first grader could tell you that trading field goals for touchdowns won't win you any games.
2. Ty Warren (DT) and LeCharles Bentley (C) looked a little sluggish on the field, perhaps because we didn't see much of either in the exhibition season. We expect (or hope) that both Warren and Bentley will return to form next week against Minnesota, but it's a little disconcerting that the coaching staff would allow two of their key starters at the line of scrimmage to accumulate so much rust on the sidelines.

The Ugly


Cleveland lost the battle on both sides of the line

1. Cleveland fans are rapidly losing patience with Brady Quinn (QB). If he's not throwing interceptions (he threw 7 during the exhibition season), he's fumbling the ball. Two of those fumbles came deep in Pittsburgh territory and cost Cleveland at least 6 and maybe as many as 14 points.
2. Where was the blocking? Where was the tackling? A porous offensive line allowed 8 sacks (that's 8, not a typo), tying a franchise record set last year in a game against Baltimore. The line on the other side of the ball had just as many holes, allowing 203 rushing yards on 32 carries (6.34 ypc). Most of the key off-season additions were to the line of scrimmage, but the Browns might as well have lined up uniforms stuffed with straw for all the good they did in Week 1. The Browns spent a lot of cap room and draft picks to remake the offensive and defensive lines, so if those overhauls don't pan out, Cleveland could find itself in a deeper hole than before.
3. This is the 7th consecutive loss to Pittsburgh and the 19th consecutive division loss since the inception of the vNFL. That's ugly.

Injury Report

Arnaz Battle (WR) - Out (pulled quadriceps muscle)
Brodney Pool (SS) - Probable (compound leg fracture)

Tis The Season

PUBLISHED AUGUST 31, 2009
Training Camp and Exhibition Season

CLEVELAND, O.H. - It is the time of year that evokes anticipation and trepidation in fans and players alike. Fans wonder whether this is the year that their team makes a run at the playoffs or whether they will have to suffer another year dwelling in the division basement. Aging veterans and undrafted rookies report to training camp wondering whether they will even be on the roster, let alone play, once the regular season begins. Grizzled pros and rookie prospects audition for placement on the depth charts and to avoid becoming a permanent resident on the inactive list. Regardless of age or experience, this is a time of high hopes and great anxiety for anyone associated with the vNFL.

It was no different for the Cleveland Browns. The annual game of musical chairs resulted in a few surprises this year. The Browns parted ways with a handful of familiar faces, notably 14-year veteran Bobby Engram (WR), who joined the team in 2007 as a free agent; 11-year veteran Daylon McCutcheon (CB), who was the Browns' 3rd round pick in 1999; and 11-year veteran Steve Heiden (TE), who joined the team in 2002.


Heiden's inability to inspire the troops may have cost him his job

Heiden's release came as a shock to many. Along with LeCharles Bentley (C) and Terrelle Smith (FB), Heiden had served as an offensive team captain since the inception of the vNFL in 2006.

Some in the Browns receiving corps, however, claim they saw this coming. Speaking off the record, one receiver said, "You could say there were some clashes of personality. Most of us didn't have a problem with him, but we weren't exactly laying it on the line for him either." Did you guys dislike him? "No, it's not that we didn't like him. It was just a lukewarm feeling, you know?" That lukewarm attitude probably convinced the Browns front office that they could do without Heiden's leadership.

Fan favorite Kellen Winslow, Jr. (TE) was elected as team captain to replace Heiden. Winslow's popularity extends into the locker room, and his vocal style of leadership may give the under-performing receiving corps a much needed boost.

A few fresh faces will be making their debut with the Browns on opening day of the 2009 season to replace the familiar ones. For all the hard-core Browns fans out there, our resident vNFL analysts provide below a position-by-position review of the Browns lineup for the 2009 season.

Quarterbacks: Can Garcia Lift Quinn's Game?


Brady Quinn - Franchise QB or dud?

1. #10 Brady Quinn (6'4", 230 lbs, 3 yrs)
2. #11 Patrick Ramsey (6'2", 225 lbs, 8 yrs)
3. #5 Jeff Garcia (6'1", 195 lbs, 11 yrs)

Fans in the Forest City have had a love-hate relationship with Quinn, the no. 1 overall draft pick in 2007. So far, he has not lived up to the hype. Is this the year he finally takes a place among the elite quarterbacks in the vNFL, or will he always be remembered as a broken promise?

Cleveland sent this year's 7th round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Garcia to help develop the young quarterback. Early reports suggest that Quinn and Garcia have already hit it off, with Garcia taking a liking to the younger quarterback's enthusiasm and Quinn calling the older quarterback "Garciasaur" as a playful take on his age.

Running Backs: Fox Stays In Cleveland


Devin Fox - Can he avoid the sophomore slump?

1. #24 Devin Fox (5'10", 207 lbs, 2 yrs)
2. #30 Kenneth Darby (5'11", 205 lbs, 3 yrs)

Last year, Fox delivered a knockout rookie performance, rushing for 1,373 yards (5.12 ypc) and 16 TDs. During the off-season, the rumor mill was spinning with talk that Fox could be traded, possibly for as many as three 1st round picks. Either those rumors turned out to be false, or the Browns front office thought better of it. Cleveland fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Fox reported to training camp in a Browns uniform.

Wide Receivers: Veterans Join Edwards On Receiving Corps


Braylon Edwards - Edwards gets some helping hands

1. #17 Braylon Edwards (6'3", 212 lbs, 5 yrs)
2. #88 Eric Parker (6'0", 183 lbs, 8 yrs)
3. #83 Arnaz Battle (6'1", 199 lbs, 7 yrs)

Edwards missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but he rejoins the starting lineup healthy and ready to go. Fans hope that he can return to his sophomore peak in 2006, when he put up 1,258 receiving yards (12.97 ypc) and 10 TDs.

Cleveland sent Kirk Chambers (T) to San Diego in exchange for Parker, who won the no. 2 job from Engram. The hope is that Parker will make opposing secondaries pay for double covering Edwards.

Tight Ends: Nied Adds Versatility To Offense


Kellen Winslow Jr. - New offensive team captain

1. #80 Kellen Winslow Jr. (6'4", 248 lbs, 6 yrs)
2. #86 Daryl Nied (6'3", 244 lbs, rookie)

Christmas came early for offensive coordinator Jack Forbes. Nied was not on the shopping list for the Browns in the vNFL draft, but director of player personnel Craig decided to use Cleveland's third and final 1st round pick on the best player available. Nied's versatility as a blocker and a receiver adds another dimension to the Browns offense, and the Browns reportedly added a number of two TE plays to the play book during training camp.

Offensive Line: Chester And Hitchcock Plug Holes In O-Line


LeCharles Bentley - Finally, some guards!

LT. #77 Kevin Shaffer (6'5", 290 lbs, 8 yrs)
LG. #65 Chris Chester (6'3", 302 lbs, 4 yrs)
C. #57 LeCharles Bentley (6'1", 290 lbs, 8 yrs)
RG. #70 Oscar Hitchcock (6'6", 347 lbs, rookie)
RT. #60 Jumbo Dodrill (6'4", 313 lbs, 2 yrs)

Last year, guard was perhaps the biggest issue for the Browns offensive line. This year, the position shows the most promise with Chester, traded from the 49ers, and Hitchcock, drafted in the 1st round, flanking veteran center Bentley. Dodrill, drafted in the 3rd round last year, will replace Chambers, who was traded to San Diego, at right tackle.

Defensive Line: Warren And Smith Anchor D-Line


Ty Warren - Big man with a big job, stop the run

LDE. #93 Luis Castillo (6'3", 290 lbs, 5 yrs) / #92 Eric Moore (6'4", 268 lbs, 5 yrs)
NT. #94 Ty Warren (6'5", 300 lbs, 7 yrs) / #72 Al Smith (6'6", 319 lbs, rookie)
RDE. #99 Ricardo Walker (6'4", 274 lbs, 4 yrs)

On the other side of the ball, the defensive line is much improved from the previous year. The addition of Warren anchors the line with a big run stopper, and Moore and Smith will put pressure on the pocket in passing situations. During training camp, Walker won the starting job from Jarvis Green (DE), who will continue to mentor the younger defensive ends on the practice field and from the sidelines.

Linebackers: The Apple Of Our Eye


Chaun Thompson - 2008 All-Pro First Team

Sam. #95 Kamerion Wimbley (6'3", 245 lbs, 4 yrs)
Mike. #51 Chaun Thompson (6'2", 249 lbs, 7 yrs)
Will. #58 D'Qwell Jackson (6'0", 229 lbs, 4 yrs)
Jack. #50 Vinny Circiu (5'11", 240 lbs, 7 yrs)

The linebacking corps, led by All-Pro Thompson, has always been the heart of Cleveland's defense. This year looks to be the same. Circiu, who formerly played middle linebacker for Carolina, moves to the outside for Cleveland as a pass rusher.

Secondary: Can This Sieve Hold Water?


George Halkin - The future of Cleveland's secondary?

Top CB. #28 Leigh Bodden (6'0", 192 lbs, 7 yrs)
2nd CB. #33 Jereme Perry (6'0", 192 lbs, 4 yrs)
Nickel. #36 Derrick Johnson (5'10", 188 lbs, 5 yrs)
SS. #27 George Halkin (6'0", 203 lbs, rookie)
FS. #26 Sean Jones (6'1", 215 lbs, 6 yrs)
Dime. #23 Gary Baxter (6'2", 210 lbs, 9 yrs)

The secondary has long been the most porous part of Cleveland's defense, and nothing has changed this year to disabuse anyone of that notion. Veterans Bodden and Jones return as leaders of a unit very much in need of an overhaul. The most promising addition to the lineup is rookie Halkin, who replaces Brodney Pool at strong safety. During training camp and the exhibition season, Halkin delivered on his potential as a run stopper and zone defender. The Forest City will be watching this young player's career with great interest. He may be a harbinger of what the front office plans to do with this unit in years to come.