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)
