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)