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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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."
- 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
- 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)
