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Giving Thanks for the Cleveland Browns – 11-27-07
Some are grateful for the Browns at 7-4, but others still expect more

During this time, reflecting on the Thanksgiving weekend with the upcoming holidays looming, it is necessary to give thanks. Thanks for my health. Thanks for terrific family and friends. Thanks for my career. Thanks to the Cleveland Browns.

At 7-4, many didn’t expect what they have done in this turnaround season – and it has been a very entertaining season after many dismal years. But many are not feeling the same kind of satisfaction one feels after a Thanksgiving feast.

Browns’ message boards, chat rooms, blogs, radio programs, and fan emails are saturated with negative feedback and comments about this Cleveland squad.

Just last night on Sports Time Ohio, a caller was grumbling about Derek Anderson’s accuracy and confidence, and it if it weren’t for Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, Brady Quinn would already be on the field.

It doesn’t stop there, as even Romeo Crennel has been the butt of criticism.

Dog Pound? The Browns are 7-4. If the playoffs started today, they would be faced with a first round match up with rival Pittsburgh. Enjoy the ride, and see how this team fares down the stretch with five games remaining against beatable opponents.

Give thanks to this team. Support this team. Things are looking up. They’re not a perfect team, but they are improving.

Thanksgiving is not the only event to look forward to during these gloomy November days. The Browns are shining during this time when they usually have already faded into the desperate winter shadow that is “maybe next year.”

The Game Balls from Baltimore – 11-20-07
Players of the game aren’t the usual suspects as unsung heroes are getting job done

They didn’t go to the likes of Braylon, K2, D.A., or Wimbley.

The game balls from the Baltimore game go to others who contributed to the Browns’ win Sunday just as much if not more than the aforementioned, higher-profile players.

A good return game, establishing the rushing attack, pressuring the quarterback, a key defensive play, and reliable kicking got the job done Sunday – and have proved to be the keys to the success for the Browns all season.

The most vibrant personality on the team - Joshua Cribbs - is punching his ticket to Hawaii. The converted quarterback out of Kent State, shattered a Cleveland record Sunday with his 245 kickoff return yards. Ten games into the season, he has 1,475 kickoff return yards, and is on pace to finish with 2,360 – a total that would give him the NFL record. His season average of 32.8 yards per return is tops in the league. Cribbs continuously gave the Browns splendid field position – none more important than the opening kickoff in overtime he retuned to the Cleveland 41. Simply put, the Browns don’t win that game (and maybe two or three others) without him. Not too shabby either is his performance as the new punt returner, where he also strives at getting his team quality field position.

The Browns haven’t had a formidable running game since their return. Jamal Lewis is giving the Browns exactly that and proving the doubters wrong. With 92 yards on 22 carries for his second win in as many tries against his former mates, Lewis is rewarding the Browns for taking a chance on him. Try this on for size: His seven touchdowns give him more than Willie Parker, Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Frank Gore, Shaun Alexander, Reggie Bush, and his successor, Willis McGahee.

One the defensive side of the ball – the “yeah but” to Cleveland’s success – individuals are coming up with plays and this group is improving as a unit. Brodney Pool is up for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Week after his 100-yard interception gave the Browns six points in Sunday’s win. This was a crucial play that put the Browns up two scores at the time.

The defensive line charged through the Ravens’ front line with six total sacks – two of which were earned by Robaire Smith. Kyle Boller was inconsistent and tentative with his overall play because of this pressure.

And no one will forget Phil Dawson’s kick that sent the game to overtime. The play that could’ve only happened to the Browns, may impact the rest of the league if (and when) it is decided that field goal attempts are reviewable.

This was by no means a perfect game – the Browns were penalized 12 times for 104 yards. In the end, the referees got the call right on Dawson’s kick at the end of regulation and he nailed another in the extra frame to seal the victory.

It is truly refreshing to see faces, other than the usual suspects, coming up large in pivotal games for the Browns.

Thoughts from the Pittsburgh Game – 11-13-07
Some highs and lows from Game 9

Well let’s get it out of the way and start with the lows. The Browns lost again to rival Pittsburgh – we are all very aware of this. I was reminded of this fact very emphatically seconds after the game via text messages from my despicable friends who align with the Steelers. Monday morning was much of the same as my Terrible-Towel-twirling co-workers felt the need to jog my memory of Sunday’s disappointment.

That is the bottom line and obviously the lowest of the lows. The second half of the game was uninspiring to say the least, after the first half roused some energy and hope.

The offensive side of the ball showed some inconsistency as Derek Anderson shied away from airing it out to his big guns.

The final field goal attempt was a dagger in the heart, but not Phil Dawson’s fault. That kick was doomed before he attempted it with the field conditions, weather, the crowd, and the distance.

This field goal attempt may not have been so out of reach had the Browns not exhausted two timeouts in the fourth quarter on a challenge that wasn’t overturned.

The defense gave a solid effort to an offense with many weapons. The game plan of the cornerbacks is a blemish one the overall scheme though. Coming into this game their plan was obviously to play off of the receivers and not allow the “big play.” While the Pittsburgh receivers didn’t necessarily get the “big play,” they did get the short gains that Pittsburgh teams have relished in for the last 30 years, setting up scores and keeping drives alive.

This was a game to build upon for the Browns though, despite some downsides. They played hard and proved that they can mix it up with teams like Pittsburgh.

The offensive line continued their impressive play and didn’t allow a sack.

The running game was decent against one of the best pass rushing teams in the NFL.

The defensive line shined after staggering to this point. Their four sacks were encouraging to see.

Despite these bright spots, the Browns still lost, albeit in a close match up. At 5-4, this week’s game against the struggling Baltimore is more important than Pittsburgh.

Really? More important than Pittsburgh? With the Browns only one game back in the wild card hunt, every game from here on out will be as crucial as the Pittsburgh game.

A “Terrible Towel” Test for the Browns – 11-7-07
The Browns will face a hostile environment Sunday in Pittsburgh

Cleveland stands at 5-3 and in second place in the AFC North. Sean Salisbury claims they are the biggest surprise in football this season – and most can’t argue that point. They’ve picked up some nice wins against Baltimore, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and most recently, Seattle in overtime. But none of those teams are going to match the level of play Cleveland will face Sunday in Pitty.

It’s been a great accomplishment to this point behind their untested, inexperienced quarterback and a roster chock full of youth.

The game this week will go one of three ways:

Cleveland is embarrassed again – much like Week 1’s no show of a performance. Cleveland fans have gotten used to games like these, and a thorough clobbering to this team will force them into taking steps back after forward progress has been made each week.

But let’s not think negatively.

Outcome number two: Browns pull off the upset and begin turning more heads than they already have. This would take an “off game” out of much of the Steelers’ experienced squad and a near-perfect effort by Cleveland in one of the hardest places to play for an opposing team.

The more likely scenario would be that the Browns lose a close game - and this would be a true moral victory for the Browns. Pittsburgh is not the tier New England and Indianapolis are in the AFC, but they are a small notch below. Just seeing the Browns play a close game with their heated rivals would be delight to see, and hopefully, this youthful group could build on it and continue to progress the rest of the way.

With that said, the obvious ideal situation is a Browns’ victory. Browns fans believe in this team, and beating Pittsburgh in their hometown with so much on the line would probably taste sweeter than the Tribe knocking off the Yankees in the playoffs. Ending that eight-game loosing streak would shut up all of those annoying Steelers fans that despicably grace our state.

Gosh, I hate the Steelers. I’m getting fired up just talking about. Here we go Brownies, here we go!

Tags: brodney pool, cleveland browns, derek anderson, joshua cribbs, phil dawson, romeo crennel