Cleveland Browns (2008 Season)

[osugrad21]

CPD

Winslow, Edwards are not complementary parts, Bill Livingston writes

by Bill Livingston Plain Dealer Columnist Sunday November 09, 2008, 7:51 PM


Coaches always dream of air power, as represented by guys like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. Many times, the dreams do not come true.
Last year, Edwards shattered a Browns touchdown-receptions record that had stood since 1963. Winslow became the most prolific tight end in terms of reception yardage the team ever employed. Quarterback Derek Anderson came out of nowhere to take the controls of a space-age offense.
It was never certain to work, though. The classic formula is to have complementary players, whose strengths compensate for others' weaknesses. Asked about the late Ernie Davis, whom Paul Brown dreamed of teaming with Jim Brown in a big-back tandem for the ages, Jim Brown said the ideal was to have players with different styles to test defenses completely. It holds for receivers, too.
After a fantasy-league season against an easy schedule, Anderson is on the bench now. His career record is 13-13, the definition of mediocrity.
Winslow has been suspended, had the suspension rescinded, been sick, gotten better, been the hero, and been the goat, much of it in just in the past two weeks.
Edwards has been ncr-d-b-ly -n-c-ns-st-nt if you dr-p v-w-ls the way Edwards dr-ps p-ss-s.
Because he can be disruptive and because of his injuries, some of them self-inflicted, many observers think Winslow will be traded in the off-season. He also was not drafted by the current regime, but by Butch Davis.
Disgruntled fans want Edwards gone, too.
Both tend to think scoring a touchdown merits a celebration worthy of V-J Day.
Edwards thrived with Anderson, who could throw deep.
With Brady Quinn last week, the Browns threw all short- and medium-range balls. Edwards caught one pass for 15 yards. Winslow caught 10 for 111 yards and two scores.

Cont...

[osugrad21]

CPD

On the bright side, the Browns didn't lose Sunday, Bud Shaw says

by Bud Shaw Plain Dealer Columnist Sunday November 09, 2008, 7:39 PM


This Sunday without Browns football was a day without sunshine (it rained), but also without indigestion and crushing disappointment.
So things were looking up until the reminder came the Browns have gone from predicted top dogs in the AFC North to consideration as biggest dog in the NFL.
ESPN's two-hour "NFL Countdown" had time to raise the question: "Are the Browns the biggest underachievers in the league."
"I think so," Mike Ditka said.
Jerry Jones should send Ditka flowers for that answer. But true or false, there is no getting away from the dismal turn this season has taken halfway through the schedule.
Even watching the Browns get ignored on the shorter pregame shows makes their record impossible to forget.
The Browns have slipped so far out of the conversation CBS' "NFL Today" didn't even cut to the obligatory Brady Quinn glamour shot.
Fox's pregame showed highlights -- without commentary -- tracing the DNA of Denver's latest knife twist in the Browns' rib cage to other crimes committed against Cleveland by John Elway.
ESPN, though, addressed Jamal Lewis' criticism of teammates (more on that later) before putting the Browns' not-ready-for-prime-time 3-6 record up for analysis.

Cont...

[osugrad21]

Canton

Dubious milestone for the Browns
100 losses since return to NFL
Monday, November 10, 2008
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

BEREA The marketing department won't be turning this into a special halftime ceremony, but the Browns have reached a substantial milestone.

They have lost 100 games since coming back.

That's right, Brady Quinn's first NFL start Thursday night turned into the 100th defeat since Cleveland's return to the NFL as an expansion team.

The milestone is like a millstone because there has been too little winning to buoy substantial hope. The record is 53-100, which doesn't include a lone playoff game.

The six-year anniversary of the Jan. 5, 2003 playoff game is approaching, with practically no hope of a fresh postseason appearance.

What sense is there in supposing a team that has staggered to 3-6 can rally to a modest 8-8 finish, since that would require a 5-2 run?

For what it's worth, the 2007 Browns finished on a 5-2 hot streak. Prior to that, though, they had a 5-4 season going.

Meanwhile, if for nothing more than the sake of amusement, the 100th loss rates some sort of tribute. With that in mind ...

Five defeats snatched from the jaws of victory

1, Nov. 4, 2001, 27-21 in OT at Chicago. It still seems impossible that the Browns, with a chance to improve to 5-2, took a 21-7 lead into the final minute and lost.

2, Jan. 5, 2003, 36-33 at Pittsburgh. Kelly Holcomb, Kevin Johnson and Dennis Northcutt looked like Montana, Clark and Rice until Northcutt dropped an easy sideline toss. That gave the Steelers time to reverse a 33-28 deficit.
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[osugrad21]

Canton

Browns defense regresses
Its success during winning streak is all but forgotten
Sunday, November 9, 2008
By STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM

BEREA Just when daylight seemed to have broken through for the Browns, defense, or a lack thereof, has dirtied the 2008 horizon.

Only two weeks ago, after a win at Jacksonville, the Browns were on a 3-1 hot streak that nicely set up a stretch of four home engagements within five games.

During the 3-1 run, the defense allowed 211 yards to the Bengals, 373 yards to the Giants, 351 yards to the Redskins and 380 yards to the Jaguars.

Not great, not horrble.

Since then, the defense has allowed 429 yards to the Ravens and 564 yards to the Broncos.

Not horrible. Disastrous.

The kind of second-half leads teams dream of at home, 14 points and 13 points, turned to dust as Joe Flacco and Jay Cutler dragged the "D" around Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Nine games through a season gone sour, Head Coach Romeo Crennel said, "We have to try to figure out what we need to do defensively to hold onto a lead."

This isn't a problem that started yesterday. It started on Day 1, when Dallas demolished the defense with 487 yards.

Actually, it has been a recurring theme in the Romeo Crennel era, in which the three-time Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator hasn't made his specialty work as a head coach.
Cont...

[LitlBuck]

Disgruntled fans want Edwards gone, too.
Both tend to think scoring a touchdown merits a celebration worthy of V-J Day.

It would not bother me in the least if we traded Edwards for one of the Texas Tech WRs. I wouldn't even care if the kid was a sophomore at at least they all can catch a football.

Most of the time Winslow catches the balls but I think is encounter with Savage might have done him in with the organization. Maybe we could trade him for the Oklahoma State TE.

I would think that Anderson is probably gone after this season unless Quinn falls flat on his face or gets injured in one of the remaining games this season. I have no idea what his stock might be now but it certainly has dropped from the beginning of the year.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Okay. I will admit that I was wrong about what position Williams played at Green Bay but it really doesn't matter because you do not take a 4-3 DT and try to make him a 3-4 DE. I mean Williams even said before the beginning of the season that he was having a hard time adjusting.

Regarding blaming Jones for McDonald getting beat on that long TD I saw McDonald signaling Jones (I think) but that is still no excuse for a CB to get beat on a 90+ yard pass play. He should have just given the WR more cushion.

When it comes to the draft, Romeo does not tell Savage squat. Savage makes all of the personnel decisions and does most of the scouting. I will admit that Wembley had a very good rookie season but where was he last year and where is he this year. All I am saying is that there are not many of Savage's draft choices contributing to the Browns this season or last.

On another topic, I wonder how many passing yards the Texas Tech offense would put on the Browns.

DE's in the 3-4 are generally DT's that are more athletic and can move a bit, which williams is. he fits the mold perfectly.

mcdonald's mistake was going for the pass break-up instead of mitigating the damage. but, the real reason that was a 93 yard gain instead of a 15 yard gain was because sean jones blew coverage, end of story.

phil savage was directly quoted after the 2006 draft as saying that they had wimbley and ngata rated similarly, and he asked crennel if his defense needed a pass rusher or DL more and crennel told him pass rusher.

as for contributions from savage's draft choices, you'd better check the starting line-up each week.

[Bleed S & G]

How long till the browns fans start to chant: DORSEY! DORSEY! DORSEY!

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

DE's in the 3-4 are generally DT's that are more athletic and can move a bit, which williams is. he fits the mold perfectly.

mcdonald's mistake was going for the pass break-up instead of mitigating the damage. but, the real reason that was a 93 yard gain instead of a 15 yard gain was because sean jones blew coverage, end of story.

phil savage was directly quoted after the 2006 draft as saying that they had wimbley and ngata rated similarly, and he asked crennel if his defense needed a pass rusher or DL more and crennel told him pass rusher.

as for contributions from savage's draft choices, you'd better check the starting line-up each week.

Oh, I am supposed to check the starting lineup every week. We have quite a few few agents starting on offense and down the DL. I won't bother wasting my time with that right now to dictate them for you. Perhaps, you should look at our won loss record.

My teammate isn't going to come and help out so I guess I will just give up a 93 yard touchdown pass. There was no excuse for that.

I am tired of going back and forth regarding Ngata and Wembley. It is rather obvious who is the better player right now and if that was Romeo's call I guess it was a pretty bad one.

[IronBuckI]

Originally Posted by Bleed S & G

How long till the browns fans start to chant: DORSEY! DORSEY! DORSEY!

Everyone knows that Dorsey can't actually throw a forward pass. So to answer your question. If Quinn fails, then every Browns fan will suddenly be the guy that knew Anderson was always the better QB and that Quinn was garbage.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Oh, I am supposed to check the starting lineup every week. We have quite a few few agents starting on offense and down the DL. I won't bother wasting my time with that right now to dictate them for you. Perhaps, you should look at our won loss record.

My teammate isn't going to come and help out so I guess I will just give up a 93 yard touchdown pass. There was no excuse for that.

I am tired of going back and forth regarding Ngata and Wembley. It is rather obvious who is the better player right now and if that was Romeo's call I guess it was a pretty bad one.

all you need is some rudimentary knowledge of the roster and starting lineup to know how draft picks are contributing. it's not that hard.

mcdonald signaled to jones, who looked right at him. mcdonald turned and looked at his man. he didn't know that sean jones decided to be a spectator on that play. watch it again.

there is no debate as to who is the better player between the two. but that hindsight is a luxury you don't have during the nfl draft. savage had the two rated "close to equally" coming out of college, but asked crennel what position he needed more for the defense. after the 2006 season, this discussion took a totally different tone.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

all you need is some rudimentary knowledge of the roster and starting lineup to know how draft picks are contributing. it's not that hard.

mcdonald signaled to jones, who looked right at him. mcdonald turned and looked at his man. he didn't know that sean jones decided to be a spectator on that play. watch it again.

there is no debate as to who is the better player between the two. but that hindsight is a luxury you don't have during the nfl draft. savage had the two rated "close to equally" coming out of college, but asked crennel what position he needed more for the defense. after the 2006 season, this discussion took a totally different tone.

I really don't follow the Browns all year long like you do so I would just have to defer to your knowledge. I really don't watch the games either. In fact, I know absolutely nothing about football especially Cleveland Browns football.

[IronBuckI]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I really don't follow the Browns all year long like you do so I would just have to defer to your knowledge. I really don't watch the games either. In fact, I know absolutely nothing about football especially Cleveland Browns football.

I'm just glad that you finally had the sack to admit that. Now don't you feel better?

[LitlBuck]

Sporting News

Mike Florio
Indecision on quarterbacks will haunt Browns for years to come
Posted: November 6, 2008

In April 2007, the Cleveland Browns pulled off one of the all-time great draft-day coups. First, they opted to select left tackle Joe Thomas with the third overall pick, passing on the chance to draft Ohio native Brady Quinn.

Then, once the Miami Dolphins passed on Quinn at No. 9, sparking a slide through the teens, the Browns found themselves with an opportunity to trade back into the first round to get Quinn.

The price was steep. The Browns gave up a high second-round pick in 2007 and their 2008 first-round selection. But they emerged from the draft with two players who were poised to become franchise cornerstones.

Quinn held out during training camp long enough to keep him from being the Week One backup to Charlie Frye. And so when the coaching staff yanked Frye from the first game of the 2007 season, Derek Anderson -- not Quinn -- got the call.

With everyone assuming that Anderson was keeping the job warm until Quinn was ready to play, Anderson didn't have the same pressure that most starting quarterbacks experience. It widely was believed that, as to Anderson's removal from the lineup, it wasn't a question of "if" but "when."

Without the pressure of holding a job that no one thought he would keep, Anderson thrived. But with a playoff berth on the line in late December, Anderson felt the pressure.

And he crumbled.

Facing a bad Cincinnati Bengals defense, Anderson threw four interceptions. Thus, the reward for a 10-6 season was a January free from football.

The Browns were right to ride Anderson's hot hand last season, but the moment for courageous decision-making came after the season. They were in position to recover the first-round pick they gave up for Quinn, and possibly more, by slapping Anderson with the highest restricted free agency tender and then trading him.

The only problem? G.M. Phil Savage was afraid. He feared that Quinn might not develop into a solid starter, that Anderson would develop into a star elsewhere, and that Savage would look foolish for picking the wrong man.

And so Savage tried to have it both ways. By giving Anderson a three-year deal, Savage could delay the moment at which he had to make a final decision.

Clearly, Savage should have gotten what he could for Anderson, and entrusted the job to the guy about whom he thought highly enough to give up a first-round and a second-round pick.

I know, I know. It's easy to come to that conclusion with the benefit of hindsight. But the evidence was there to support a belief that, once Anderson had something to lose as the full-time starter with the big contract, he might be a more skittish. Apart from the fact that it's common sense, the fact that Anderson collapsed in a game on which a playoff berth was riding should have provided Savage with a strong clue as to how Anderson might play with Quinn peering over Anderson's shoulder.

Savage made the situation even worse by resisting a change to Quinn once it became obvious in September that Anderson wasn't nearly as good in 2008 as he was a year earlier. But Savage had no choice; if the team had yanked Anderson a couple of games into the season, Savage would have looked foolish for paying him all that money.

Continued

The article above pretty much sums up my feelings with regards to how the Browns organization has really screwed up this team.

[ScriptOhio]

BEREA, Ohio -- With an extended weekend off to think about the state of the team, there are players within the Cleveland Browns' locker room who believe teammates quit during last week's 34-30 loss to the Denver Broncos.

In the aftermath of the Denver game, which Cleveland lost after giving up 21 fourth-quarter points, Browns running back Jamal Lewis was the first to bring up the subject of quitting. On Monday, as Cleveland began its week of preparation for next Monday's game against Buffalo, several players agreed with his sentiments.

"When you have a team like that that comes into our house and we're capable of beating them, that's the first thing that comes to mind,'' wide receiver Josh Cribbs said Monday. "We can't figure out what man, but that's what it looked like -- some guys quit. ... We know if everybody didn't quit, we would have won that ballgame.''

The Browns became just the fifth team in NFL history to lose back-to-back games after holding a second-half lead of at least 13 points. Cleveland gave up three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to Denver last Thursday, just four days after allowing 24 unanswered points to the Baltimore Ravens.

At 3-6, Cleveland is a long shot for a playoff berth. That may be why Lewis, a nine-year veteran who is rarely outspoken, decided to lash out about his teammates. He also said last week that some teammates "need to check their egos at the door."

"[Lewis'] input is very valuable to this team,'' Browns linebacker and team captain Andra Davis said. "So if he says something like that, then guys really need to check their egos."

Cleveland came into the season with playoff hopes. There are veterans on the roster who have won a Super Bowl, such as Lewis with the Ravens and linebacker Willie McGinest with the New England Patriots, but there is also a lot of young players who have never won consistently in the NFL.

Cribbs said he hopes Lewis' words resonate within the locker room and spark a run during the second half of the season.

"He goes out there and busts his tail every day, every game, and I do the same,'' Cribbs said of Lewis. "It hurts when people don't do the same and don't show the same will and don't show the same fire and desire for winning.

"It's a shame sometimes, but we just have to pull together as a team and weed out those guys and play the rest of the season out."

Entire article: ESPN - More Cleveland Browns believe team quit against Denver Broncos

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Cribbs stands behind Lewis Browns player agrees with critical comments made about teammates
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008
BEREA: When Browns running back Jamal Lewis called out his teammates for quitting and said they needed to ''check their egos at the door and find some heart'' to play hard, he was not pointing the finger at Joshua Cribbs.
Returning punts, kickoffs and leading the special teams in tackles, Pro Bowler Cribbs is the epitome of the standard Lewis wants to set.
Cribbs does know what Lewis meant when he lashed out after the loss Thursday night to the Denver Broncos and went him one better Monday.
''Jamal is a hard runner. He goes out there and busts his tail every day, every game,'' Cribbs said. ''I do the same, and it hurts when players don't do the same and don't show the same will and don't show the same fire and desire to win. It's a shame sometimes, but we just have to pull together as a team, weed out those guys and play the rest of the season out.''
Lewis' comments came after the Browns blew a double-digit, third-quarter lead for the second consecutive game and fell 34-30 to the Broncos. The loss dropped them to 3-6 going into the nationally televised game Monday night at the Buffalo Bills (5-4).
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