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)
